1) DA 16-45
2) DA 55-300
3) DA 50 f1.8

All these produce top-notch A3 prints, which is my main criterion. Mind you,I'd love to try something a bit wider and this could end up ranking pretty high if I can be bothered using it.

Al

I use a couple of Serif products (although not MoviePlus) and find the user forum very helpful: link. There's also an official Serif forum that might be worth a look: link.

I remember the advice from my film days was to underexpose by half a stop or a stop for dark-skinned people because standard metering would try to represent them as 18% grey, which is generally too light. Similarly, purists used to advise overexposing slightly for light-skinned Caucasians so they didn't come out darker than they really are. Same principle as overexposing snow scenes and underexposing scenes with a lot of dark tones in them. In practice, I've never bothered to make adjustments for light skin but it could become an issue with folks who are very dark. You can obviously adjust all this at the editing stage but it's probably better to get it right in-camera. An 18% card is probably the answer (or 22% as Stephan (Anvh) used to insist).

Looks like they put an auxiliary exhaust fan in the normal PSU position. There may have been a cooling problem in the past. Can't see much sense in exhausting the PSU heat inside the case. This would pretty well negate any benefit from the second fan. I'd be inclined to get it rejigged or pick up a new case, then you'd have as many extras bays as you're likely to need.

That sounds like an easier technological leap to sell. Thanks for the suggestion.

I crop first so I can focus on the image I want without distraction. Post-processing on the cropped image can also be slightly different to the techniques you would use on the entire image, so cropping as a first step makes it easier to decide on the approach that best suits the final image. As in most things, though, I suspect it's down to personal preference. Like others, I sharpen as a last step.

Many thanks, guys. It looks like outdated stock is all that's available. Still, the reviews look quite positive so it may be fine if it's been stored properly. I've bought a couple and will try to convince my mate to buy a Pentax digital. And then a computer.

All the best.Al

An aged pal of mine thrust something into my hand tonight and asked if could get him another one. It was an APS film cartridge (or "a" APS film cartridge, as would we say on PUF). Asda apparently still processes APS but doesn't sell the cartridges. Most of the APS film on eBay and other sites seems to be outdated. Does anyone still make it? I'd appreciate any hints because I promised him I'd find him some. I suppose a film outdated by a couple of years would work, but I'd prefer to get something a bit more current. Perhaps from eastern Europe?

Living in hope.

Al

I'm afraid it's all down to advertising and brand awareness. The mass market, which is where Pentax has to go to make inroads, knows nothing about FF or AP-C ... in the same way that they are not aware of the tiny size of the sensors in their phones or compacts. They just want something that takes good pictures.

Pro friends of mine laugh at the idea of Pentax until I show them what my K10, K20 or K30 can do. Then they're extraordinarily impressed ... but won't buy one. It doesn't have the right image (not to mention lagging in AF and long lenses). No successful multinational brand has got to where it is without massive spending on advertising and PR. Word of mouth won't do it. Pentax has to grasp the nettle, as well as addressing AF and lens issues.

In the meantime,photos on here by many people, particularly David Storm, Cabstar and other talented contributors, have shown that Pentax gear going back many years performs well above the abilities of most users.

And a word to the wise: in English, it's "an FF" rather than "a FF".

AR

If anyone's looking for a National Geographic-style bag, they could do worse than check this out: link. The quality's pretty much the same as the NG bags but at a fraction of the price. I picked one up in the never-ending search for the perfect bag and I'm delighted with it. Holds my K30 or GX-20 with attached DA 16-45 plus DA 55-300 and both the 35mm and 50mm "plastic fantastics". Many pockets for any other photo stuff you need to carry plus a tablet or netbook. Ridiculously cheap for what you get.

Al