Out of curiosity a while back I purchased from the bay a 24mm Miranda PK A lens. Cheap because it had a smidge of fungus, but I cleaned it up and it seemed OK. I decided I liked the format and found another cheapie, a Sigma PK A 24mm lens. On arrival, the lens looked in very good order but wouldn't fit the camera body. I saw it had the 'Ricoh pin' and did some surgery to remove it. Nope! It still won't fit. The lens seats in the camera body but will only turn a couple degrees, if that, before a very solid, "I ain't goin" stop. I have spent a significant amount of time examining the camera end of the Sigma lens with the same view of the Miranda lens and try as I might, I can see no difference whatever. The Miranda lens also had the Ricoh pin, now removed, and is a tight fit, but it works as it should. Has anyone else experienced similar?

On reflection (!) I should have said 'blurred' rather than 'out of focus'.

I recently purchased, as a bit of a gamble, a Sirius 18-28mm K A lens on the bay. Well, the gamble didn't pay off. The lens was, to put it bluntly, crap. Out of focus, dodgy exposure, and generally unfit for purpose. On informing the seller of this, prior to returning it for a refund, I received the following message.

I have just seen the return request. You are of course welcome to return the lens, however this lens is not designed for use with a Digital SLR. Whilst it will fit, there are often issues with compatibility.

Now I'm sure that the comment was well meant, but I doubt it's accuracy in respect of Pentax lenses, including older ones made for 35mm film cameras. It got me to wondering if anyone knows of a Pentax K fit lens made for 35mm cameras that is not compatible with Pentax DSLRs, in particular the K1? I have accumulated more of such lenses than might be sensible over the years, and never had any problem with any of them, save a couple where an apparently oversized flange on the inside prevented attachment, which is not the issue here anyway.

I'm eyeing up an 18 - 28mm lens for my K-1. It's just a cheapie to test out if I have much use for such a lens. One thing is bothering me a little so I come to the cognoscenti for advice. At 18mm I'm thinking lens hood and whether it's practical at all, especially as the filter thread is 72mm. Any tips or tricks?

Thanks to all for the input. Much appreciated.

OK, I know this is going to be a daft question, but it's been bugging me, so here goes.

I have just purchased a used K-1 and I love it! I have a good selection of adequate lenses but there's one issue that is bothering me. Basically, is getting a 24mm wide angle 'prime'. worth any extra over an equivalent quality 28mm lens? I've seen assorted comparison images, all over the internet, but they don't seem to convey the 'feel' that comes with experience.

Actually, neither can I!

Having been a very long time Pentax fan I recently pushed the boat out and purchased a used K-1 Mk1 body. I currently own a K5, a K20, an ist d, and a gathering of assorted film cameras from S1a up.

I still use the K5 and occasionally the K20 but as I am starting to get used to the K-1 I'm noticing something about the image quality. The K5 is a great camera, providing great quality images, the K20 pretty good also, but there seems to be some as yet undefinable quality in the K-1 images that makes it so much better, to my eyes at least. It can't be the lenses I'm using, as they are mostly older full frame lenses that I use on the older cameras. Pentax FA 28-200 being current favourite, and 50mm f1.4 when I'm feeling more traditional. Definitely worth the £Gulp! upgrade.

All I need to do now is to learn how to compose decent images. Like the tee shirt says, I take photographs because I enjoy it, not because I'm any good at it.

I'm beginning to feel the K1 idea slipping away, but it's a gadget, what can I do?
The K3iii sounds great but is in the same horrifying price range as the K1. “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!”

Much against what I consider to be my better judgement, I'm thinking of buying a K1. I have quite a few assorted full frame lenses that should be fine for use (I hope!). The question now is, if I don't faint when trying to pay for it, which model should I get? From reviews, it seems that each model has it's ups and downs and they seem to be sufficiently different enough to matter. Intended use is either happy snapping (I know, I know) or wildlife and air displays and other mainly longish lens stuff. Informed advice would be much appreciated.