There are currently no true Tessar designs in the Pentax range (the last being the M50/4 macro). The only lens that conforms to a Planar design is the FA50/1.4 (although I'm not sure if that counts as lens currently in production or not?).

None of the DA or FA Limiteds conform to a Zeiss patent, although the DA40 is similar to the offspring of a Tessar and a Heliar.

Most of what is posted in the thread you've linked to could be reasonably be filed under "total guff".

You could try www.asahiphoto.co.uk - I doubt the price will be much different though

Nah, this is more like it

Personally no. I think (as far as eBay is concerned) it's wise to only ever describe something as "mint" if it's completely unused and exactly as it left the factory - even a few specks of dust can be enough for some buyers to grumble about goods not being as described, but I think you could get away with "mint-" or "ex++" judging by those photos. That should be good enough to get you top dollar for it anyway.

As for film, my recommendations are Fuji Reala 100 or Kodak Ultramax 400 for colour print, Ilford Delta 100 or HP5+ for black and white. The two you mention won't show any camera in its best light, so for the sake of a couple of quid I'd get something half decent if it were me.

As Matt says above, being able to advertise the body as "tested with film" (and showing some examples) will do wonders for its resale value. I don't think ME Supers are inherently unreliable, but a lot of them out there have been heavily abused and they are 30+ years old now. Yours doesn't look like it falls in that category so I would imagine it should work just fine. If you want a PDF manual for it you can download one from here (password is "Pentax" - case sensitive).

If you got all that for 35 quid then you did indeed get a bargain!

As mentioned above, the ME Super and the 135mm are both common (albeit good for use) so don't expect big money for either - £20-30 each sort of ball park. The 50mm should see you get minimum £70 back and probably more depending on how many people see your listing.

If you're not in a huge rush though I'd suggest running a roll of film through it before selling it - the M50 is generally considered to be one of the best 50's ever made by any manufacturer, you may well find your FE2 goes instead...

Closing line to 1984

The 645 you mean? Plenty on eBay - I sold my kit last september for £180 and I've seen others sell for around the same price for the basic kit (camera, lens, film holder). If you'd rather have the additional peace of mind that buying from a dealer gives, then Ffordes.com have 2 kits rated at Ex++ for £299 each right now - a bit more expensive but at least it'll be warrantied.

If you mean the Rolleis then yeah, hundreds of them - take your pick!

I've had excellent results from some cheap (and not-so-cheap) folders. The main thing to watch for is a bent front standard - if the lens isn't perfectly parallel to the film plane then the whole thing can be effectively written off. Unfortunately there are a lot out there that are bent, but not so much that it's obvious; making them a minefield unless you get one that's been tested with film.

My Super Ikonta IV (admittedly one of the more advanced folders out there) had a wonderful Zeiss Tessar that was easily the equal of other MF cameras I've used. Much more pocket friendly than an MF SLR too...

I quite happily use MF film alongside my K10D. For £280 you should be able to get a Pentax 645 / film holder / A75 lens with £80 spare to blow on some film and developing. The price for 645 lenses is starting to creep up now the 645D is here but the (non-AF) A series lenses are still quite reasonable. Pentax 6x7/67 gear is more expensive and while you may get a kit for your budget it would probably be quite tatty and in need of a service (not cheap - another £100+).

I sold my Pentax 645 outfit as I prefer the square 6x6 format, plus I have an unhealthy obsession with TLR cameras (which Pentax have never made of course). With that in mind it should come as no surprise to hear that if I were in your shoes I'd buy a Rolleiflex T, Rolleiflex Automat or Rolleicord Va/Vb for that sort of money. If you're more comfortable with SLR cameras though buy a Pentax 645 and enjoy it - the picture quality is sublime.

The last one of those I sold on eBay (which admittedly was absolutely mint) fetched 90 quid. In average condition you should see £70 back on one easily, £50 for a scruffy one.

If I saw one for sale for £35 with a free camera attached I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.

Genuine (as opposed to third party) accessories always fetch a premium due to interest from collectors - hence the value of your friend's Asahi PL being high compared to, say, a Hoya or Kenko equivalent.

Old flashes are worth very little and being dedicated actually hurts the value (non dedicated models can be of interest among users of several brands). The only ones that are worth having at that age are those that offer both bounce and swivel movements along with full manual control (like the Vivitar 283/285 variations for example) - eveything else tends to fetch landfill prices unfortunately.