A plastic cog in the mirror return mechanism becomes brittle with time and shatters, leaving the mirror stuck in position. It's a very common problem across the entire MZ series of cameras, including even the top-tier MZ-S. I had thought it only affected the lower models in the series but found out not long ago that it's also in the S, though I understand that in later MZ-Ss it was later changed to a metal cog.

This breakage has happened to almost every MZ camera I've ever used so I've given up on them and only buy earlier AF models.

I'll add that while replacement cogs are available (I bought some online from a company in Poland) it's an extremely difficult repair to make as the entire camera needs to be dis-assembled to get to the cog which is right in the centre. I took apart an MZ-5N and changed the cog but putting the camera back together again was impossible.

Amazon often do the same as they don't compare related products to arrive at their pricing.

The KP is discontinued but they must have managed to get some stock. £749 with kit lens is not a bad price, especially when compared to the K3 III.

Very nice. Hope it doesn't have the mirror return cog problem.

That looks like a nice copy, you don't get many classic fast eighties for that price these days.

Thanks Chris.

If I were still in the UK or had any prospect of getting over soon I'd be tempted. I think that's the lowest price I've ever seen for the 31mm and 77mm Limiteds.

It seems the OP is looking for something around 50mm and faster than f/2.8 but also relatively cheap. That really only leaves the FA 50/1.4 and DAL 50/1.8 as lenses that are still in production. The other possibility might be a used 43/1.9 Limited, though this would still be significantly more expensive.

The 50/1.8 is a nice lens but not really sharp until f/2.5 and I find that the AF is more hit-and-miss than many other lenses, which limits it's use at wide apertures.

My copy is the SMC but it's my favourite lens ever, just superb.

I've recently received a Ricoh Rikenon XR 35/2.8 in mint condition. It's lovely to use and initial testing shows it's pretty sharp even wide open.

And just this morning I picked up an A 24-50mm f/4. It's not in quite such good shape, a bit of wear & tear and the focusing isn't as smooth as it could be - if anyone knows if that's easy to correct then please let me know. Probably just a bit of a re-lube needed, a don't think it's the result of a knock. Not super sharp wide open but I got it mainly for film use so that's not a big problem. It's also more compact than I had expected. It's one of those weird lenses where at one end of the focusing range the aperture is clearly not fully open and hence the aperture hole is not round, while at the other end the aperture blades open more to give a fully-rounder aperture.

I'm expecting a third Nikon F801S in the next few days to add to my collection of AF film cameras with high maximum shutter speeds, which I'm finding handy and enjoyable these days.

Front or back focusing is quite common but can be remedied, though it's been my experience that the AF systems on my K200D and K-3 still aren't precise enough to always hit the mark.

Focusing on a ruler is not a good way to do this because the AF "point" is not really a point at all, rather an area. Anything within that area is fair game for the AF system, regardless of where the user wants it to focus.

Here you have a link to a proper test chart with full instructions on how to do it properly: http://fotospec.com/doc/focus.pdf

Print out the chart itself rather than using a computer screen. Focus as close as possible and at maximum aperture.

I hadn't realised that this lens was available already. You got some very nice shots there with punchy colours, and they look plenty sharp. How does the lens feel in use? Like the other FA Limiteds or different?

I imagine that there'll be some kind of offers to get the new 16-50 or even the K-3 III a bit cheaper around christmas. They usually have blanket X% offers around that time. Won't be mega discounts but every little helps on these expensive items.

I still live in hope that my Mrs will one day decide to gift me something really, really nice like one of the aforementioned...