Request comments.. plus answers to some questions

[Berry de Bruijn <berry.debruyn@MI.UNIMAAS.NL>]

Okay, I'll kick this off.

My name is Berry de Bruijn from Maastricht, The Netherlands. Owner of 
an almost brand new FX-3 Super 2000, after my FX-3 Super decided to 
split paths this summer in Canada after more than 10 years of 
faithful service (I hope it has a productive life over there).

Last weekend, after some search, I found a second hand (mint) 
replacement. Good price, metal 50/1.9 on it. My other lenses can be 
put to service again: a splendid Zeiss 50/1.4, a very good Yashica 
28/2.8 and a Sigma 85-210/4-4.5 (?) that gives me less satisfaction.

Only thing that ailed my old FX-3 was a broken transportation lever 
that I had to fix with super-glue several times.

Some questions now:
I saw new FX-3 Super 2000's being sold with a plastic based lens 
(50/1.9). Very light weight, but...I doubt the mechanical quality. Am 
I prejudiced?

The Sigma zoom-tele doesn't work well with my new body: the little 
notch that 'communicates' the F-setting to the body (for the light 
meter) doesn't connect with the ring in the body. I've noticed that 
it has scratched the ring, which is made of plastic. How is that with 
the older FX-3 (Super) models - is the ring made of metal or plastic?

So I'm considering to let go of the Sigma and get a 135/2.8 Yashica 
instead. Any opinions on that one?

Does anyone have an opinion on the trend to go to plastic with the 
newer models? I must say it gives a cheaper feel to the camera. 
Another thing is that I hoped they would have added some more 
'mechanical toys' to the FX-3 model: with DoF preview, mirror 
lock-up, and good (metal) mechanical parts it would be one of the 
most desirable mechanical/manual camera's on the market. Or is 
Kyocera afraid to give too strong competition for their own S2?

All for now, 

Berry