The short answer is that the K200/4 and the optically identical SMC-Tak, are much bigger and better than the M version

I have the SMC-Tak and my M200 is rubbish in comparison - but so much smaller! Maybe I have a bad copy...

To be honest, neither see the light of day much these days as the modern alternatives are so much better.

R

My 24-90 is very loose and is definitely the worst made Pentax lens I have.
Cheap plastic construction and "Letraset" lens markings don't inspire a lot of confidence

However, optically it's really good. Particularly at the wide end, as I mentioned before.

At 90mm the sharpness drops off a bit, which I've always put down to the pronounced barrel droop at full zoom extension.

R

My 24-90 is sharp across the frame at 24mm, even wide open at f3.5 (on digital anyway).

The 16-50 has a bit more centre resolution on the K20D, but when I had a K10D it was difficult to decide which was better (24-90 has less CA though).

So it does sound like you may have a bad copy

R

Panasonic G1 + 20mm pancake - awesome combination, but a bit expensive.

Like iceblinker I'd recommend using a 28mm lens with your existing DSLR as a cheaper alternative.
The FA28 is the best performer of the AF variants; I use one on my *ist D when I want a small and light camera.

R

I bought the Kata 3N1-20 after the zip broke on my Lowepro Slingshot 200.
This is the 3rd slingshot bag I've had that has had this problem so I decided to try the Kata

It's so much better - light, strong and with the ability to vary the carrying position as others have mentioned.

My favourite bag currently.

R

I always have SR On when I use a monopod and I get noticeably sharper shots at marginal shutter speeds as a result.

R

The adapters are now on eBay.

Cheers,
R

The Zenitar is one of my favourites, easily outperforming (in terms of sharpness at least) the DA 10-17 and F 17-28 Fisheye zooms at 17mm

It used to offer terrific value-for-money (I bought mine from Russia for £60), but current prices are a little less favourable

The lack of automation when used on the K20D is not an issue as almost everything is in focus anyway and I find that "green" button metering works very reliably with this lens.

R

I'm not sure if anyone on Pentax User will be interested, but I thought I'd post this here first before putting it on eBay

I have a pair of adapters for sale to allow Pentax lenses to be used on Micro 4/3 cameras like the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1/G1/GH1.

Both adapters allow infinity focus and the index mark on the lens is in the correct place when mounted on the camera, unlike the cheap adapters from China

Made in the EU from anodised aluminium, brass and chrome.

Pentax K -> m4/3: £40
M42 -> m4/3: £30

Free postage to forum members.
PM me if interested.

Thanks,
R

Clarky, I'm not sure why you think your 15mm has the "aspherical" hood?

Boz says the following "only about the 100 of the SMC PENTAX 1:3.5/15 were aspherical. The remaining SMC PENTAX 1:3.5/15, all SMC PENTAX 1:3.5 15mm and all SMC PENTAX-A 1:3.5 15mm are based on the spherical optical formula."

In other words, those designated "SMC PENTAX 1:3.5/15" could be either aspherical or spherical.

In addition, I know from my own experience of collecting various K-series lenses that in the 2 year period 1975 to 1977 when the K-series lenses were made, they all had designations of the form "SMC 1:a/f", eg "SMC 1:3.5/15".

When the M-series lenses were introduced in 1977, the surviving K-series (like the K15/3.5 or K30/2.8 ) were designated as "smc 1:a fmm", eg "smc 1:3.5 15mm".

In summary, the K15/3.5 designations follow the normal K/M/A pattern and only the distance scale (likely) indicates whether the lens is aspherical or not.

Pentax have kept no serial number records so maybe as Kris says, the only way to be sure is to weigh it?

R