Got this off the flea, no caps. Glass looks good, previous owner has cut down the "sharks fin". Aperture ring turns but no sign of blades moving. Was going to bin it but thought someone might know how to fix the blades.

Serial No 8702858

I've got a jiffy bag, free to anyone prepared to pay the postage.

PM sent Andy

Just a question of interest if you don't mind please?

What does the 18-135 have over the 18-250 apart from WR?

Thanks

Got it thanks John, having never used one I was thinking the camera "set" the aperture.

Thanks everyone for all this info, my ebay watch list is growing in line with my motivation!

bwlchmawr, I have used the focus peaking on my K30 and it is helpful but not always spot on accurate with an open lens in my experience. That may well be an operator problem but it if you have a narrow depth of field and an object thats deep it seems to find it difficult to "grab" on to a certain point ie it seems happier against a flatter background.

PeterKR am I right in thinking that if the cheaper adapter gets stuck on that you can still unscrew the lens and its the adapter stuck rendering the body unable to accept a K lens? I'm wondering how the genuine Pentax differs in its locking mechanism?

I fancy a 28mm for starters, anyone any views on how they compare to the M's and A's in K mount please?

On a linked but slightly seperate point I'm kind of struggling to see a large benefit in an "A" lens over an "M" lens. When I'm shooting manual I like full control over the aperture then stop down to give speed, I'm wondering in what situation does it really offer a lot more convenience/speed to have the camera control the aperture; weddings perhaps? Arguably you'd need a situation where you know what the aperture would roughly be at when you expose so that your DOF/sharpness is not way out from what you expect?

Thanks again everyone I've been telling she who shall be obeyed what a great response I've had and how friendly this forum is. In return I got the slightly forlorn "Oh you'll be spending more time with your camera" look........

Since I came back to the fold (I wasn't unfaithful just abstentious!) one of the greatest pleasures I've had is using my SMC M 50 1.7 on my K30. Yes, its harder than the lovely 18-135WR. Yes, I get lots more hits to the recycle bin but somehow its just great when one comes good... and as for the tactile experience.... well....

My knowledge of M42 lenses and adaptors is somewhere between little and nothing. I'm guessing that fitting adapters can present all sort of issues but I do see a lot of M42 stuff on the bay that looks interesting.

Just seeking some guidance please on the pleasure/pain balance in going M42 on my K30. Cheers.

PS If I should have added another option(s) to the poll please tell me and I'll add it if thats poss.

Cheers John, thats even more helpful showing the range of the 55-300, its impressive.

So not UK stock means no warranty?

Thanks for posting the pics John thats really helpful.

http://www.waeplus.co.uk/item/207066/Pentax-smc-DA-55-300mm-F4.0-5.8-ED-Zoom

Anyone used these before?

Thanks everyone for all your helpful replies. Dangie thanks for letting me know about the price fluctuations, considering what the 55-300 sells for on Wex and Park I was thinking that £257 was a fair price. I think I'll hang on to see if it drops a bit. I see SRS have the DA-L at £199 but I fancy the DA now!

BTW what is the service like at SRS? I went there for my K-30 but got an unfriendly response when I asked the guy if he'd throw a bag in, so I went to Clifton instead. Maybe one of us was having a bad day.