I like the much more modern look - the forum was looking very out-dated before. The only thing I don't like is how narrow the posts are now. If this could be widened it would be better.

Could this be used to make copies of negatives even if they are not mounted as slides?

The end looks like an M42 screw-mount rather than a K, is that right?

Wow, that's a bargain even though it's now 549, still 50 quid cheaper than the body-only option & 12 quid cheaper than SRS, when factoring in shipping.

Are they a Pro Centre?

There's a K 55mm f/2 for sale here:

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/fs--pentax-smc-k-55mm-f2-0-50667/p-0#comm543412

The K will work in the same way as the M. It's a very good lens and I'd say this is a very good price for it.

Both are superb lenses (assuming you're talking about the f/1.7 versions), they have the same optics. The A version communicates the aperture to the camera when the aperture ring is in the A position, which means all exposure modes can be used. The M version can't do this so you will need to use manual mode and use the green button (or guess) to get the exposure right. The M version is better built though - all metal as opposed to the plastic of the A.

If you're just starting to use manual lenses, remember to enter the menu and set the camera to allow the use of lenses without an A mode. If you don't do this then old manual lenses will not work.

Good luck with whichever you choose.

Sad to hear this news. Stroke sufferers can often make full or almost full recoveries, though this can take years. From my experience, having a hobby to get back to is a motivating factor.

Please send my best wishes to Eddie for a speedy recovery and a return to photography and other activities.

The vast majority of Pentax lenses available new now are only suitable for digital. There are a few for film still available.

On the second-hand market there are a huge number of Pentax lenses available.

I really don't see the point of this when the 18-135 is available. They are both slow, about the same size, will probably end up about the same price. 2mm at the wide end is considerable I suppose but I only see this doing well if it has much better IQ than the 18-135, which doesn't seem to be bad anyway.

Ricoh, forget this nonsense and bring on the mark II DA* lenses with faster and more reliable focusing.

Very nice photos, I like the tones and the composition. All of a sudden I see Orwo films mentioned all over the place, I think there's one called N74 which is ISO 400.

I often knock the camera off 1/160s and that causes the flash to not trigger.