Luckily we all have different tastes or we'd all be chasing the same model! I quite like my KX and KM, and I'll be using my newly-serviced-by-Eric K2DMD in a couple of weeks when I head to the States again, but my go-to film cameras are still my LX and my MX. Perhaps it is because I have small hands the smaller cameras seem to 'fit' better. K.

Glad to hear you have a cooperative seller. Good luck with it all.

K.

Some intriguing images here, some work better than others. I especially like no. 5. It is the mix of colours and movement I think.

K.

As far as one can tell from a resized image, it looks pretty good. No, I'm not going green... honest!

Enjoy the lens and I look forward to seeing more results.

K.

With the ES and ESII you don't need to use the switch as they will meter at open aperture provided you are using Super-Multi-Coated Takumar lenses, not the earlier Super- or Auto-Taks. The meter on them is surprisingly accurate. The downside is that the electronics are now 40 years old and not that reliable. The Spotmatic F also meters at open aperture but is manual only. The Spotmatic II will require you to slide up the button on the side of the lens mount to meter. It drops back down when you take the photo. So the procedure is focus, push up button and adjust exposure, shoot.

Very few Pentax film bodies have AE-L. None of the M42 mount cameras do. The first was the K2DMD but although that camera was the top of the range at the time, the design of the ISO dial was flawed and they are a bit of a pain to use. Even the mighty LX doesn't have one. It is only when you get into Pentax's "butt ugly" phase that it becomes more common.

An alternative is to look at the K-series lenses. Some of these are Tak designs with a k-mount. I'm personally addicted to them... Then you can use any Pentax K-mount camera. With later models with "crippled" mounts they are a bit more fiddly. If you want Av mode, however, the ME Super is as cheap as chips, or the Super A.

If you are wedded to Taks, you can get a M42->k mount adapter. The genuine thing is expensive for what it is, but I'd recommend them. On cameras with Av mode, just set it to Av, focus wide open, then slowly close the aperture until you get the shutter speed/DoF you want. If you are shooting wide open, just focus and shoot. Some people semi-permanently attach the adapter to the lens with a bit of locktite or similar to save fiddling around during lens changes.

Hope this helps. Kris.

I've often said my LX is the last camera I would get rid of. I still feel that way. Welcome back to the fold...

Excellent set. K.

This is the correct hood for the K series 50/1.2, 85/1.8 and 105/2.8 lenses. I've only found one online going for a silly price. Sensible offers please, or I may have to resort to a Chinese made generic 52mm hood.

Thanks, Kris.

I don't normally post pet photos but I liked this one and was pleased I nailed the focus on the eyes. Pentax K-3, SMC Pentax 'K' 85mm f/1.8.



May 4th: Fluffy par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Best wishes, Kris.

I have one of those too but it needs some TLC. The plane of focus varies across the lens

K.