"Struggling to resist" a K-70 from SRS at that price as the K-30/"K-50" is "getting on a bit" (bought Nov 2013) , and has a broken battery-retainer latch in the battery compartment.
Give me a few reasons why I SHOULD or SHOULD NOT buy the K-70?[/quote]Go on you know you should - I was in the same quandary before Christmas but yielded to the temptation and bought a K-70 from SRS. No reason not too as my last new Pentax a K-30 was 6 years old and had cost me almost as much. I've only taken a handful of photos so far using an old DA 50-200 ED. The results are impressive (to my eyes). I'm easily able to extract better resolution and the focusing is faster.

Thanks JAK - I'd forgotten to update signature - now amended

I've recently bought a new K-70 and am getting good results using my old DA 50-200 ED. I'm looking for a good sharp DA 18-55 WR to compliment it.

Visited here yesterday. The weather was less than inviting, grey sky with a cold east wind. My wife and I parked at Morston Quay and walked along the coast path to Blakeney.

K-30 + DA 18-135 ISO100 f/7.1 1/200th

08tiger & Percy,

I'm pleased my photo gave you pleasure.

I spotted it during the lunch break and I can tell you it looks even more handsome in the flesh. I also heard it start up with a crisp bark from the twin pipes.

Somehow a bike like this has more appeal to me than a lot of the modern one's. It's simple elegant line and simplicity not to mention light weight must give it's owner a great deal of satisfaction - lucky man.

The Bond Bug is probably even rarer than the Spitfire. link


Graham

Vic,
'Replica' Manx Norton's have been in existence for some years and provide the same experience to today's riders as they would have done back in the 50's and with greater reliability and safety. Advances in metallurgy and the onset of computers and lasers allows tighter tolerances and better precision manufacturing of parts and complete bikes than was feasible before.

With the formation of the Classic Motorcycle Racing Club in around 1980 the continuing interest in older bikes (not catered for by the Vintage Motorcycle Club racing section) was stimulated and the club has it's own series for 500cc bikes hence the continued enthusiasm for the Manx Norton.

Original bikes are probably to valuable to race now.

More info here link

Graham

Seen at Snetterton circuit during the CRMC meeting 19th March

BSA Spitfire "scrambler"



A rare sight these days - Bond Bug 700ES



I used my old DA50-200 so not the sharpest images I really ought to upgrade it.

Photographed at the Classic Racing Motorcycle club meeting.

Contesting the lead are Richard Molnar (no 1) and Michael Cooper (no 24) riding replica Manx Norton 500's.

K-30 + DA50-200@ 200mm settings f/11 1/1600th/sec ISO 1000

Fantastic photos well done.

I use both my m 50 1.7 and DA50 and the older lens has the edge when it comes to sharpness - just. For everyday use the DA is easier and quicker but I still hark back to film days and enjoy the challenge of using a manual lens.