I have a mix of older primes (M42, M & A) and a smattering of F/FA/DA autofocus lenses. I have also started to swap out some of the M lenses with AF equivalents (not easy to do on a budget).

Whilst I'm happy to use M42 mount lenses, changing lenses is unnecessarily fiddly and best reserved for screw mount film bodies which I still enjoy using (I have the same focal lengths in K mount). I'm happy to carry a few primes when I'm out on my own or with other enthusiasts, but with family/friends prefer to take my DA17-70 which is tolerated more easily.

The problem with old primes though is that very few are wide enough on APS-C (and those that are very rare/expensive). 28mm is my 'walkround' prime, I bought my DA17-70 to give me access to a proper wide angle (the other options DA15/4 & DA12-24/4 were out on cost grounds). The DA17-70 is a great 'all-in-one' lens (not cheap though). Primes though make me think about things more and I think I usually get better photos when using them.

The main difference for me isn't IQ, but the size and speed of the lenses. For a significant difference in IQ you'd need to be pushing your technique to the limit. Aberrations are more obvious, but can probably be corrected for fairly easily in software (corrections are available for modern lenses but not older ones).

John.

TC received safely today as described and well packed.

Many thanks.

John.

Pentax is in a much better position now than for a long time. When was the last time Pentax had a truly revolutionary camera (apart from the hugely expensive 645D that is)?

My first Pentax was a Super-A, the simplicity of having an 'A' on the shutter speed dial & aperture ring and if you wanted to automate (or not) either or both it was obvious - like Hyper Program is now.

I like being able to seamlessly switch between a DSLR and manual film SLR - with most of my lenses just working. Or you can put a beautifully made 'M' lens on a DSLR.

I once bought an EOS 5 film camera, simply horrid for me to use and the 28-135 IS lens was huge, heavy & slow. Sold the lens and replaced it with a 50/1.8 which felt much better (rubbish build though) but only ran a handful of films through it. I still have it in a cupboard somewhere - I'd much rather shoot any Pentax film camera in preference.

I don't have experience with any of the primes in question but I do think that the 35 & 50 are the best options. I have various 35, 40 & 50 lenses so I'm familiar with the focal length options, just not the specific lenses. I have a lot of manual film cameras so prefer lenses with aperture rings.

The other option would be to consider manual focus lenses, 50/1.7s are very cheap, and an 'A' model would give you everything but AF.

PM sent.

Taken off sale:

Having received interest in this lens and double checked it, I'm not 100% happy with the snappiness of the aperture blades. It looks fine on its own, but doesn't feel/sound right when compared to another lens (sample variation perhaps?). It might only be a tiny bit slower (and I might be being really picky), but I've decided to take it off sale until I've checked it further.

Having received excellent lenses from forum users myself, I don't want to let anybody down.

Thanks for those who looked.

John.

BUMP - Any offers?

John.

Lens safely (and speedily) received in superb condition.

Thanks,

John.

Thanks for the replies, I've located one now.

John.

For Sale: Damaged MX winder where the screw device that holds the battery door on has broken and the handle part is a bit loose. The winder still works (I secure the battery door with insulation tape) but the foam in the battery compartment has perished and turned to gunge. The label has been taken off at some point so I think someones tried to fix it.

Photos showing the damage attached.

£15 posted to the UK.

John.







Damage to the battery door: