The Darkroom UK. Not cheap but very quick and good quality. The scans are sent to you via wetransfer.com.

The one that looks like a TLR (the FF-1) looks cool but is next to useless. It is also rare and expensive. The FB-1/FC-1 combo is much more functional if a little bulky. It gives you the option to use the FD-1 and FD-2 finders as well. I mainly use the FA-1W finder although I do like the smooth lines of the FA-2.

It took me a while but I did manage to get a complete set eventually.

I'd like to get the later version of the grip that has a lug on the side so that you can mount the strap normally, but have never seen one which isn't a painful price.

Enjoy the LX. Mine has been around the world with me... literally.

Just to encourage anyone sitting on the fence, the Q-system is great fun and the Q-S1 has the advantage of a slightly larger sensor. I wouldn't get rid of my K-3iii but have the Q-S1, seven lenses with hoods, filter, multiple batteries, and a spare memory card in a zip-up case that would barely take the K-3iii and a single (small) lens. My only regret is not being able to find a sensibly priced 08 lens.

Condolences to his family and friends. I only knew him from the forum but he clearly had a great sense of humour. Funny how the posts will live on.

Kris.

On film, it would be the K30/2.8, the K50/1.2 and the M100/2.8. My main problem is that I nearly always want to pop the K28/3.5 shift in the bag, "just in case...". If I am trying to keep the filters to a minimum I might use the K85 or the K105 instead of the M100.

On digital, is depends where I am going but often the DA12-24, the FA 31 and the DA* 50-135. Oh, and the shift lens just in case...

K.

As someone who shoots a lot of mono, this obviously has a certain appeal but, sadly, I don't have that sort of spare cash. I can shoot/develop/scan a lot of FP4 for the money. If I had an unexpected windfall, I'd jump on it, but as it is I'll settle for converting the files from my K-3iii if I need digital BW.

I really hope it is a success, however. I predicted a while back that if Pentax were going to stick to SLRs, they would have to re-invent themselves as the SLR-version of Leica. This is a step in that direction.

Kris.

I use "Silver Efex 2" (the one that was free until it wasn't) for my BW conversions. Some of them are too heavy handed, some are pretty good. It has various film emulations and the ability to add grain. I've never really bothered to shoot digital and film side-by-side and compare.

As someone who shoots a lot of film but edits scans rather than darkroom prints, I must say that I do so because I enjoy using old manual gear rather than any particular adherence to a "film look". There are clearly differences between different stocks ("Let it snow" has a beautiful fine grain and a lovely range of tones, for example). Whenever I get approached by someone wanting to revive the long-dead argument about film v. digital, I smile and just say "I shoot film because I enjoy it. No other reason."

I've had the US Pentax Gnome with me for the last few weeks and I've been using the Q-S1. I'll use some film with him before he flies back to the US later in May. Why? Because I can.

I knew sticking my head around the door might be bad.... for my bank balance!

I've been wanting a pair of these ever since someone posted an image in the gear thread of a anniversary special set. Never managed to find the special so settled for an unspecial pair. I hadn't realised how small and cute they are!



Pentax binoculars par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

This little beauty, Vic?



Palace of Culture par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity