need info re k7

how do you check the firmware and number of actuations on the k7?

anybody got an opinion on the tamron 70-200 2.8

thnx guys..
I was fairly sure about the firmware, but no idea on the exif....
may be buying a used one... we'll see...

You can also get the firmware version from the EXIF as well, so if you buy secondhand you can ask for a recent photo and it will tell you everything, even the manufacture date.

My K10D for example is manufactured in 04-08-2007 and with the last photo was running firmware 1.31.00.19, hasn't being serviced, battery was 56% full, over exposed my shot in manual mode with +1, had 20658 actuations, SR was not stabilized , focal length of 16,3mm, focused very close and you can even read the light values off all the metering segments and more things... very scary

Using PhotoME to check the firmware gives more info about the firmware than using power up + menu on the camera.

I have the latest firmware on my K7 and it displays VER:1.10, looking in the Manufacturer Notes on PhotoMe gives:
DSP Firmware Version: 1.10.00.25
CPU Firmware Version: 1.10.00.25

Useful for checking the ‘silent’ incremental releases of firmware update Pentax likes to sneak out.

so next question:

New kx or used k7?
close in price...
comments?

Or third choice - wait to see if Pentax brings out our much-hoped-for hybrid that combines the best features of those two?

Trouble is a camera like that is going to be around £1300 at the start (Going on the K-7 price).

Personally if they are close then I would take the K-7 .. the K-x has it beat on anything above ISO 1600 but apart from that I would say the K-7 is of a much higher specification.

But waiting for photokina is a good option though, any sight off a new camera might lower the price of the current models.

Tamron 70-200 is a good lens, whether it's better than the Sigma is very much down to which version you get....

Newer Sigmas (the macro versions) are reputed not to be as sharp as the EX IF or EX DG - mine was very good at 200 mm but sharpness is easily ruined by a protection filter.

K-7 or Kx - not an easy choice, faced with a choice last year I plumped for the K20D and will happily wait to see what comes along. I am just waiting to hear about the long-awaited DA* telephoto.