No problem, but I was really talking about Pentax lenses only. Which make was the f1.2 in M42 mount?

As regards the others, again I was only really referring to Super Takumars and later, which I sort of assume (but isn't totally true as you say) means we are referring to Spotmatics and later bodies.

In fact, the total story is rather complicated as you have indicated! The "Asahi Pentax Screw Mount Guide" could be a good book for interested parties to start with.

One of the reasons for changing from the screw mount (42mm diam) to the K bayonet (45mm diam) was that the increased size meant it was possible to design lenses such as a 50mm f1.2, so there could not have been a screw mount version of this lens.

The 55mm f2 Super Takumar or SMC Takumar will be an exceptional lens as it is the same as the f1.8 version with an internal baffle to reduce the maximum aperture!

It's almost never necessary to clean the mirror - any marks may be annoying but they have no effect on the pictures.

I don't think we can assume that what is safe for a CCD would be safe for the screen - they are made from very different materials.

Try phoning Pentax or one of the independent repair houses such as AsahiPhoto or harrow technical for both supply of a screen and repairs.

Try looking on eBay for lenses.

eBay might also find a focusing screen.

Sorry if this seems too obvious, but there may be more than one AV input on the TV. Have you selected the right one?

Well done getting the KX, not too easily found these days in good condition, but very worthwhile when you can find one.

The K 55mm f2 lens would be a "budget" standard lens that you would expect to find on the K1000, but a good example will be an excellent performer. Some tests of the period indicated that it was amongst the finest standard lenses available.

If it follows the example of the screw thread models (I haven't researched this definitively yet, but I am in the process of doing so) then it may well be the same lens as the 55mm, f1.8 but with a reducing baffle inside to make it an f2. Presumably cheaper to do this than to have a second production line!

In any event, use it with confidence.

The way the adpater is designed to work is that you first screw it onto the back of your lens. Then you bayonet the whole thing into the camera body. When you unscrew the lens the adapter will stay behind, thus effectively from then onwards turning the bayonet body into a screw mount body. Screw fit lenses can then be inserted and removed as desired.

When you want to remove the K adapter, use a small pointed device (screwdriver, pen...)to depress the small clip thus allowing the adapter to be removed.

It is not terrific in that only stop down metering can be used, but it does work. I wouldn't be very happy if the clip was missing on the adapter as the whole lens just might come adrift at some point, and it would be a bit of a nuisance to keep checking it was seated properly.

I've reached the conclusion that by and large I use the appropriate lenses on the appropriate bodies - this is what they are designed for and the ergonomics are sound.

Having said that, the screw mount lenses do work pretty well on the digital bdies, IMHO better than the K and M lenses do because they cause less messing about to be needed. I know some of us don't agree on this!

If you like Pentax cameras and already have Pentax lenses, I would suggest that is a powerful incentive to buy the Pentax.

The Olympus has its enthusiasts, but I'm not personally convinced that the 4/3 system with its very tiny sensor is the sensible way to go. Smaller sensors inevitably mean more noise for any given level of technology.

*istDS or wait for *istDS2? It looks like the difference is subtle, so unfortunately only you can decide if you can wait! Good luck!

As a last resort, I read the instructions, although sometimes the translation from Japanese can be somewhat mysterious....

Hi Tanya

I think you are asking how to use lenses without an aperture ring on the MZ-S?

You should be able to use them in program mode (camera sets aperture and shutter speed) and in shutter priority mode (you set shutter speed, camera sets aperture) You can't use any mode where you would set the aperture...because there isn't one to set on the lens.

But that should be no different with this camera than with the Z series?