That's freedom.

Just a point about the format of posts.

It's incredibly offputting to be faced with a huge block of text, so wherever possible please use paragraphs to split up a post. Especially a long post.

If you split it more like I'm doing here, more people will persevere and read it.

Thanks!

If the camera has taken 10 shots, then that's a full 120 film....So it might lock up at that point until reloaded. Presunably there is some interlink that the film activates to reset the counter and start the picture taking process again?

The camera now controlls the aperture, so removing the aperture ring no doubt helps to keep the cost down.

It's a different way of working, but after a while I didn't miss the aperture ring at all.

There are quite a few wide aperture prime lenses in the Pentax range, some quite expensive, some more reasonable.

The 50mm f1.4 is a super lens at around £160, but if you want something wider or longer there are plenty of choices. Check out the SRS website to see what is readily available.

If you are making large prints then the better lenses will give better results, but the most important thing is good technique. You can make brilliant A3 prints with the 18-55mm and my wife Sue frequently does!

The FAJ series will actually cover the full frame 35mm format.

I hope starting with film doesn't prove to be discouraging in this digital, instant age, but the MZ5 should fit the bill. I think I saw them going for more like £50 on eBay, but don't take that as a fact as i wasn't really paying much attention at the time.

Hard to say what a film body is worth these days. I'd offer less than that I think. How about checking the adverts in magazines for second hand prices?

That's a useful guide, thanks for putting it together. We've covered quite a range of subjects.

Firstly, using the technique sparingly and with the right sort of subject. That is, asking the question does the use of selective colour actually improve the image.

Secondly, subtlety.