One more thing, some links

Bojidar's web page is superb for all things Pentax

http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/index.html

And this one is perfect to find out which lens will work with which body

http://www.mosphotos.com/PentaxLensCompatibility.html

There are so many film bodies out there. It will all depend on what you want and John has nailed it.

The more recent film bodies are dirt cheap (MZ-S excepted) and are mixed in quality. Personally, I would avoid the MZ-50 and MZ-30 due to their cheaper build such as the plastic bayonet, and the tendancy for the mirror return cog to break, leaving the camera useless. The latter has been a problem on the MX-5 (not MZ-5n). The MZ-5n, MZ-6 and MZ-7 are great cameras and very cheap now. I bought an MZ-6 for about £25 last year. Gutting thing though, I have had my MZ-5n since new when I paid £300 for it.

Metal bodied models are starting to hold their price, some going up a bit as well, but still accessable. I like the KX, MX, K2, ME Super. All great bodies.
Hybrid build (plastic/metal) ones to really look for are the P30n's Have the look of older models, yet have some modern features and electronics. I have been so close in buying one many times. Maybe I should. Expect around the £40 mark for one.

But, there is one model, that has been mentioned so many times on this thread. It it basic, built like a tank, not much can go wrong on them, and it will teach you all the basics on how to use a camera because it has no frills, oh and it was made for over 20 years, used by colleges, and as a result you will find bucketloads of them anywhere. That is the K1000.

I have 4 Manfrotto's of various types. 190xPROB, a small carbon fibre one I take on holidays (it fits in the case beautifully) a small aluminium one, and finally an old silver 055 that was given to me by my boss as he was having a clear out.

To be honest, you get what you pay for. And Manfrottos are great.
You will be surprised that the compact manfrottos are very good, cheap (£40) and will take my K-5/grip/50-135 quite happily.

I am sure that Pentax have designed the lens using the latest CGI software to get a light converter using a low number of elements and includes aspherical glass. Having only 4 elements through the design software has provided an excellent optical converter that performs from the design.

As John has said, proof and pudding and all that.

Personally, I will still be getting one. Looking forward to having it to partner my 300mm F4

And other lenses made by Tamron.......
Rumour has it that part owner - Sony - have put in a clause to NOT provide lenses for their closest rival, which is of course Pentax.
They have however let Tamron make the 18-270 for Pentax, and let Pentax charge more for it....

Of all the Tamron Lenses out there, I just wish the 60mm F2 Macro, the 24-70mm VC and 70-200mm VC were on the Pentax mount. Oh and of course the new 150-600.....But we wont be seeing them on k-mount anytime soon

I agree that Sigma are producing excellent glass these days and it would be delightful that they actually provide them on the K-Mount.
However, I was pointing out that a Pentax pro lens is actually at a reasonable price these days compare to similar focal length lenses that have recently been announced and on sale.

Yes, it is a Pentax thing with the K-3 bundle. I will be getting the K-3, but not just yet. I'm still having fun with my k-5 and especially my K-01. I did ask the Pentax Rep the other week and the Jessops guy (it's the only Pentax dealer in Manchester, worst luck!) to see if they would swap the 35mm which I already have, for the fifty. Nope, can't do it, it is a national thing
Still I have no urgency to get the K-3, yet, but it will be mine at some point.

Now back to the 55mm. Although I already have, and I quote, FA50 F1.4, M50 F1.7, K55 F1.8, Super-Tak 55mm F1.8, CZJ 50mm F2.8, Pentacon 50 F1.8, Mamiya 55mm F1.4, The DA*55 would be a great addition to the collection for the silent AF, weather sealing, and the fact that 55mm is actually better for head and shoulders portraits shots over the fifty. Still, it is a LOT cheaper than the rivals, and will still be if they put the HD coating on it too


But I am going away from the original reason for this thread, and that is that Pentax glass is mighty and still costs a LOT less than the other brands.....

Possibly Chris, when they bring out the HD-DA*55 F1.4 version, then again we hope not!!!!

Remember that time when the DA*55 F1.4 first appeared, not that long ago really when it comes to lenses. The mutterings on various forums was "How much?", "too expensive" "you are having a laugh Pentax!" "I can get the FA50 F1.4 for a third of the price!"

Well roll onto today, and I think that the thoughts maybe a little bit different...

So The Street Price of the DA*55 is around £609 (SRS and Jessops) to £699 (WEX), so still not cheap.
BUT :-

Nikon's new 58mm F1.4? How about £1600!
Sony's 50mm F1.4 Zeiss? £1300!
Sony's E-mount 55mm F1.8 Zeiss? How about £929!
Zeiss Otus 55mm F1.4? £3200!!!!!!!


In this company, the DA* is something of a bargain.

Oh and before you ask, yes people have used it on film cameras without vignetting, so we could could consider it FF capable too

The only eye in the ointment is that the old 55mm F1.8's are so good on digital, with a complete lack of CA and oh so nice in their rendition, you would only want or need the DA* for the AF and weather sealing. Prices of the SMC-K 55's and Takumar 55's? Oh around £30-40!

But in the end, the excellent DA*, with it's excellent optics, weather sealing etc looks a major bargain against the other brands for a new lens.

Not much in it really, I suppose if you pixel peep the non-stacked version is a tad sharper, but it is miniscule.

At the end of the day if the converters are of high enough quality, then there should really be not that much difference. I have a friend who is a (ahem) Canon user with a 500mm Lens and he often puts a pair of 2x converters on the lens. The shots are still superb! He just relies on good light (which is very important of course)