[Ian Grant]

As a Pentax user of 27 years I'd recommend an MX, it's by far the nicest to use, unfortunately mine needs repair, as does my KX, both great cameras.

If you can find one a Spotmaic F is a great buy and there's plenty of good Takumar lenses on e-bay to fit. The Sp F was my first of many Pentax's and a 21st birthday present, sold it to go bayonet and always regretted it. Recently bought a mint model at a gallery, it had been donated to help raise funds - turned out I knew the original owner, just acquired an early 60's Sp on ebay alongside a Chinon CE4 & 5 excellent lenses.

The Spotmatics will get used, they are real - no Av, Tv, AE or Program rubbish jusy choose the f stop or speed and adjust the other. It's time manufacturers realised photographers want simplicity again.