In lens testing the bald MTF graphs show the technical merits, but in real life photography there's more to it that that. Zooms may challenge primes in some circumstances, but we can't expect it, but in terms of photographic results there's no real difference to be had. Provided we are talking about the best zooms of course.

There aren't many FA 28mm lenses about because, I suspect, as a lens they were on the way out and being replaced by zooms. Sales would fall and, as we know, Pentax no longer offer one in the range. Therefore, if you want one the supply is limited and the price will be higher.

As regards the 35mm f2.4 there's no shortage of build quality, but it is manufactured using lower cost techniques. In fact it looks to be made in a similar way to the 50-200mm - look at how the front element is fixed in place. So, no Quick Shift, and an all plastic construction. However, there's no compromise on how well it's been put together as a close examination will reveal.

Agreed Ken. My feeling is that Charlotte might be better sticking to JPEG and not getting bogged down with RAW processing. It could take the fun out of things.

An easy job maybe, but would it sell?

The 35mm f2.4 is not a random choice - it emulates the standard lens of film days, when it would have been a 50mm. So there is a logical place for it in the lineup. The previously sought after 85mm f1.4 is emulated by the 55mm f1.4, so that too is a logical lens to produce.

The 28mm focal length would equate to 42mm, a "wide standard", but it's alreay covered by umpteen zoom lenses.

They don't look like screw fit though, so whether they will fit or not we don't know.

Don't lose any more could be good advice! A tip: use a small ring pouch, as used by jewellers, and store tiny parts in that when not in use. I use such a thing for the hotshoe cover and it avoids it becoming mislaid.

The lens and description appear to be the same as on the other forum, the messages being marked as originally in Latvian. So are you in Latvia or Italy and how come the discrepancy?

The K7 and K5 bodies are pretty much the same and the caps look identical.

Might as well buy the correct part for £4.95 rather than something else from the USA for not much less?

Considering that SRS will have to provide a Jiffy Bag plus free First Class postage to a forum member and employ people to process the order then they are not exactly making a killing.

It's easy to be outraged by any price, but breaking it down from manufacture to distribution to retailer to end user and there are a lot of costs on the way.

Is this the one?
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/5035/Pentax-Cap-for-Flash-Sync-Socket-on-K-7.ht...

I wouldn't rely on that for a warranty - you will have to prove the defect was a manufacturing one and the process may be long and uncertain.

I wonder if we should define "decentering" at this point - it is a construction error in lenses where the central axis of each element does not precisely line up. This reduces the resolution figures of that sample. Obviously few lenses have zero decentering, although it is possible if you're lucky.