OK, Mac, you'll need a body to go with this lens.

If price is no object, the best bodies are, of course, the LX, the (P)Z1-P, and the MZ-S.

At a more reasonable price level, the best bodies are the MX, the Super A (Super Program to you), and various flavours of the MZ5/ZX5.

Of course, as a Spotaholic, you would feel very comfortable with the KX or KM, but these are old cameras now, and it will be harder to get a good one. Don't be tempted by the K1000; it sells for more than it's really worth (IMO).

We await developments with interest.

G

Mac,

When the SMCP-M 50 1.7 came out, Pentax was the most popular camera brand, and all the M cameras were supplied with one or other of the three 50mm variants: 1.4, 1.7 or 2.0.

This means there are huge numbers of them around, and it is this massive supply that results in the low prices they command.

If they were scarce, people would pay very much more for them.

Moral: don't judge a Pentax 50mm by its price. They are all superb lenses.

But because they are so common, don't rush to buy this one. Unless it really is in truly fabulous condition, you can probably find another one in excellent condition for rather less.

As for the Takumars, they probably won't be better optically or mechanically (in the sense of rubustness) than this lens, but their tactile qualities, as you know, are unsurpassed.

G

Pixmania's prices are generally high. It'll probably be the same price in dollars as Pixmania are charging in pounds, if not less.

G

Mac,

I didn't say I was right!

G

I don't recall any Japanese subscribers to this forum, but I personally say:

A as in LASS

sa as in MA and PA

hi as in Pea

With the emphasis on the SA.

G

Mac,

If you need to seek justification, you're not a true gearhead.

But you're getting there.

G

Monia,

Any Pentax flash will work well with your camera, and several appear frequently on Ebay. There are also third party makes which are "Pentax-dedicated".

With a limited budget, my advice is to go for a flash which has an adjustable head, so that you can bounce the light off the ceiling, or off a reflector of some kind (even a white postcard stuck to the flashgun). This will give a much softer, kinder, light.

Have a look on Ebay for the Pentax AF400FTZ, AF280T, and AF240FT. The last is the cheapest. There are lots of others, but those three are all good, relatively cheap, and appear frequently.

Good luck

George

That's clear.

G

All the digital flashes offer rear-curtain sync.

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/flashes/AF/index.html

The AF400FTZ is frequently on Ebay UK for around £50, and the rather restricted AF240FT sells for nearer £20.00.

G

I beg your pardon. I'd lost track of the fact that you wanted an SMC one.

G