https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/wanted---pentax-da-21mm-f3-2-limited-6475...#comm_659770

Film camera prices have been on the rise for some years now - I posted a thread here a while back on the prices of K1000s with M 50/2s being more expensive than an MX with M 50/1.4.

I'm lucky in that much of my collection was bought before the hipsters really started getting into film and I know how to find bargains when they're around. The thing about hipsters is that they want what everyone else has, which in Pentax-land mostly means K1000s and ME Supers. They'll pay more for one of these than they would for a better camera, in better condition and with a better lens.

And if you think 35mm SLRs are expensive then you should have a look at anything medium format...

Some good advice for anyone using film, especially keeping it cold. I keep shot film in the fridge until I'm ready to develop it.

Not sure if this helps. The article suggest the problem may relate to a sticky cog requiring a clean and lube:

link[/quote]I wanted to say thanks again for this - I did it yesterday with the ES and it's now running smoothly with no jams. I also tried a battery in it and the electronics seem to be fine, so I'm very happy with my new camera, especially as it was better than free since I've sold of the three lenses for three times what I paid for them plus the camera.

Yep, I think they scheduled it to be discontinued right before the K3 III was due out, in order to maximise sales of the new camera, but of course that's been put back. So currently the only APS-C DSLR Pentax have in production is the K-70...

Some very nice photos there. The Vivitar 28mm f/2 can actually get pricey for a third-party manual 28mm, I have both versions and they are excellent. The 19-35mm is slow and not the sharpest but for providing 19mm on FF or film I don't think you'll find anything else as cheap. I only used mine on fil (before I got a Tokina 17/3.5) but it performed well.

Welcome back. Plenty of people still around here.

Not sure if this helps. The article suggest the problem may relate to a sticky cog requiring a clean and lube:

link[/quote]Many thanks, that looks like a repair that isn't too difficult, no need to delve too deeply into the innards.

Yes, the manual speeds are mechanical - 1/1000s to 1/60s in the standard increments, which is all I'd use on it anyway. I haven't tried it with a battery yet so no idea how the electronics are, but the battery compartment is nice and clean so I imagine it belonged to one of the few people who heeded the advice not to leave a battery in when the camera is not used for a time.

Unfortunately I've found that the mirror and aperture lever stick a lot in this ES. The shutter moves fine, but after most shots the mirror stays stuck up and the aperture remains at what is set on the ring. I've already changed the mirror bumper so it's not that.