After a short panic when it didn't appear to work (a fresh set of batteries cured the problem) all is now well and I am looking forward to running a roll of film through it.

Now I have an ES, a ESII, and SMC Tak 28, 55, 135 and 200mm lenses, I have all I need for the occasional M42 only day of photography. What fun!

K.

Errr yes! My biggest problem would be deciding which one to go for! I have a few pre-Spotmatic models but generally the more common ones like the S1a, as well as an SPII, ES and ESII.

Best wishes, Kris.

Sounds good! Many thanks. If you are going to be selling classic Pentax stuff do let me know...

Thanks, Kris.

Some of you might be interested in this.

Hi.

My ES has a special case with an ES badge on it as you say. A special case was needed due to the battery compartment. I haven't come across a special ESII case though, and am wondering if the standard cases for the F etc. fit. Tony's catalogue suggests that may have been the case with just the various "soft" cases being made for it.

My newly repaired "silver" ESII is in good nick and I'd like to keep it that way when I am using it.

Thanks, Kris.

My guess is you would get excellent jpegs out of it if you didn't want to do the RAW conversion yourself.

K.

I think I would mainly be put off by having an additional lump on the top of my camera.

K.

I shoot film because I enjoy it. Nothing more, nothing less. I just enjoy taking photos, be it with my FED2, my Lubitel 2, the Yashicamat 124G, the Horseman, my ES or ESII or my K20D. With software such as SilverEfex Pro I can mimic almost any B&W film from my digital images, but clicking on buttons in a program is not fun, whereas loading up my LX with a BW film I have never used before is. When I am taking photographs for work, for example of archaeological finds, I use the digital. It is work, it is the most efficient way to do the job. Standing in front of a stunning medieval building and setting up the Horseman, adjusting the front rise and swing, working out the exposure using a hand held meter the the zone system, loading the darkslide, and then finally the quietest faint click as you trip the shutter, is fun. It is challenge which engages my brain. It doesn't involve a computer. It is a skill that not many people have bothered to learn.

As regards the cost of digital, digital images cost more than just the camera if you factor in: cost of a computer, cost of hard disks, cost of software, cost of printer/paper/ink or commercial printing and so on. That is before one gets into colour management etc. Often these sorts of "incidental" costs get over-looked.

In this lark, I personally believe in: whatever works for you. As long as you're having fun and getting the results you want, why should anyone give a stuff how other people are doing it?

K.

I use my LX quite a bit. It is my go-to film camera when I want something utterly reliable. I love it, and wish I could have afforded one sooner!

K.

Thanks Tony. I'm guessing that with the change in battery housing the standard spottie cases will probably fit. I was wondering if someone had a Pentax catalogue from the period to confirm that.

Best wishes, Kris.