The little Jupiter makes quite a good macro lens!

I used to think they were worthless too, then I stuck one on eBay as a trial and it fetched £30! Seems there's a bit of a demand for old Polaroid cameras these days after all...

Glad to hear it

You may well be confusing Samsung and Pentax versions of the 18-55. When the K20D/GX20 were launched Pentax updated the design to make the MK II version, but Samsung carried on with the original MK I design.

I've got a MK I 18-55 and it's a perfectly good lens. It won't set the world alight but then nor will the MK II, and if you really want one of them you can often pick up (Pentax badged) ones for around £25 on eBay. That same £25 though could pick up any number of older manual Pentax lenses that will blow you away with their quality!

I like!

^^ What Kris said ^^

The IQ of the DA35 is stellar at non-macro distances, but you don't get that extra stop-and-a-bit of light that the FA43 gives.

I have both and I find the DA35 far more reliable when it comes to taking excellent shots. With the FA43 I find that a lot of the photos it takes are only so-so, but when it does get it right it is still the best lens I own bar none!

I wouldn't want to give up either of them to be honest, although the DA35 is the lens I keep on the camera as my "go-to" lens these days.

Then it's your lucky day...

For me it was a close run thing between the Pentax and the Tamron - I couldn't seperate them on image quality so the deciding factors for me were weight (the Pentax is wonderfully light) and Quick-Shift (which now I've had it on lenses I'm loathed to give it up again). The Tamron was cheaper at the time but I felt the above plus points were enough for me to swing for the Pentax - not regretted that decision.

I use "Weldtite" Lithium Grease for helicoids - you only need a very small amount to get a nice movement and it should be impervious to heat from around -20 to +120 degrees C (more than enough latitude to stop it running or freezing in typical British weather).

Both the lenses you mention will benefit from a dollop of lithium grease and make them work better than they probably did when they left the factory.

Well it is April 1st...