Many thanks for all your suggestions and thoughts, folks.

I think I might pass on the gravel and sticky-back plastic idea and buy two or three of the suggested models on eBay, see what suits me and sell the rest back again.

I'm not 100% convinced that the cost arguments for digital SLR would work for me, though I'll probably change my mind in a while at the rate the prices seem to be coming down.

Any thoughts about good cheap sources for films and developing?

Hello - I am considering a return to SLR photography having had a series of film and digital compact cameras, with often disappointing results. I am reluctant to spend the kind of money required for a digital SLR and so am considering getting an older second hand film model.

Having lost my old K1000 a number of years ago (d'oh!), I am attracted by the idea of getting something similar, but perhaps there are other models that might be equally or better suited to a non-technical user. The array of model names (ME, MX, etc.) is rather confusing, so can anyone offer a handy route map through the options?

Thanks!