Personally, I no longer print my own. I use Snappy Snaps, but if I were in Tbilisi I would try one of the Internet print companies. Much less hassle.

G

I haven't tried this myself, but I do know that the resolution of "big" lenses is often surprisingly poor compared to 35mm.

Also, they tend to be expensive, and it would be surprising if you couldn't get a 35mm lens more cheaply.

The reason why the resolution on larger format lenses is not especially good is that it doesn't have to be. As much less enlargement is necessary, the resolution of the lens is less important.

If you're using a Minox, resolution is VERY important.

G

Yes, but APS-C is not the only sensor size for digital cameras. There are a dozen sizes or more!

G

You are right, technically, to say that the lens is "still an 18-55", no matter what the camera, but in practice this is misleading. One chooses a lens primarily for its angle of view, and mounted on a Pentax DSLR the angle of view of this lens is considerably narrower than it would be on a 35mm body.

The sooner we express all lenses in terms of AOV for a particular format the better. Using focal length confuses everybody.

G

Have fun. You'll take ten times as many pictures as you used to!

G

Yes. The flash will work as it will on any other Pentax SLR. Use the camera in manual mode.

G

Just to keep the good news coming, the Pentax bayonet 3.5/35 lens is considered to be very good, even by Pentax standards. It is a reasonable bet (though not certain) that the screw-mount version is optically the same.

G

Don't book that holiday yet; I'm not an expert in these matters! However, I have seen these advertised for hundreds, so you may be lucky.

With a camera of this age, the most likely problem, I would guess, is a damaged shutter curtain, and the material can be replaced (at a price). But you won't find out if it works except by trying it.

The camera has an excellent lens with a modern coating, so if the curtain and shutter speeds are OK it should take superb pictures.

Good luck

PS: Let us know if you are able to get the slow speeds to work. If not, try these people:

http://www.aohc.it/linkse.htm

G

Incidentally, the Pentax S is quite a rare camera. If it's in good condition, it could be worth hundreds of dollars to a collector!

G

Early Pentaxes were very much based on pre-war Leicas, even down to the design of the knobs!

On my Leica 3c, the slow speed dial is engaged when you set speed 1-30 on the main dial. You might find something similar on the Pentax speed dial, perhaps next to the 1/60 setting.

G