My 77mm is back from John Pye... working well.

FA Zoom lenses were a pain I remember, but the FA*28-70 had a different design didn't it?. And unless you are shooting with a Z-1(p), Z-10 or Z20 and maybe Z50p that button doesn't have any other purpose...

As long the filter diameter of both lenses are the same I think the 18-270 would work on the 18-250, however it depends on how the hood fit onto the lens is a different matter.

Would be interesting to see how it compares with 'the' FA50/1.4, but somehow when I pick up a 50 it is usually the F50/1,7.... (and both get far more use than the AF-S Nikkor 50/1.4G)...

Forgive me friends for I have sinned....

A long long time ago, when I was a poor impoverished student, the Kodak retina Reflex S my Dad had given to me became u/s I wanted to buy my own SLR. It was a choice of the Canon T70 and Pentax P50, neither of which I could afford or the two Dixons specials - Chinon CP7m and a Miranda. I could afford the Chinon and as my Dad had a CE-4 I could use his K-mount lenses... So when the chance to buy a Z-10 came a few years later (in 1992), my Pentax story started.

Two itches remained unscratched....until recently.... Got the P50 (and an ME winder from here) and have enjoyed using it but I always liked the chunky look of the T70, so I bought a mint one with an FD50/1.8 for €49 at the weekend...bargain when you see that a roll of FP4 was €12.50...... I will use the T70 and P50 interchangeably or together. Sadly, the Chinon was stolen a few years back, I liked it but it was very prone to underexposure (and the odd blank frame).

I would suggest Asahi Photo, but they suggested I send my FA 77 Ltd to John Pye (assuming that's who SRS suggested). I have got a feeling that Asahi aren't 'equipped' for the most modern lenses even though they repaired the SDM motors in my 16-50.

I remember buying a Sigma 70-300 4/5.6 APO Macro in the late 90s for what was then considered a bargain = £250!! Makes you think.

I tried a roll of this once, and then it disappeared from sale. Fuji said that its' replacement was Provia 400X which had pretty good lattitude....

Now for that roll of Astia I have in the fridge...

Lens pointing to the floor, left thumb on wheel and pull left...dry hands useful. Good luck.

I've bought and sold a lot through MPB, all Canon and Nikon stuff. I've actually spent nearly £5000 on a lens (Nikkor 500mm f4 E FL) at MPB, I had hunted down one of these for a while but dealer after dealer I checked and asked whether lens squealed (a known issue) and they said it did not, but we will check, ah yes it does... the one I got from MPB was as new so I am happy. Sometimes they up value items I send, sometimes items are marked down.... same has happened with Park recently, 2 items marked down yet I see same items in lesser condition than mine advertised as excellent or as new...

Regarding Pentax gear I go through 2 retailers only, SRS and Cambrian. Unless it is one of the regulars on here moving stuff on.