I would've agreed with John but the positive comments about the rear button make me think it might be worth a try. You learn something every day (well, some days).

Al

Strangely, this may not be possible. I did a little research because I'm quite interested in the Playbook and all the references I could find on the net suggest you can only transfer photos to it by Wi-fi or from a card installed in a Blackberry phone. Here's a typical discussion about the issue, although later software may have changed the situation: link

Good luck

Al

I may be missing something here but I can't see anything in the linked photo -- such as a line that would have been be vertical or horizontal -- that would tell you whether it's "straight" or not. If it's just a question of rotating it so it seems more aesthetically pleasing, then by all means twist it around half a degree, but if you're after an accurate representation of the scene, it could be it's just as it appears. Nature isn't always regular, symmetrical or aesthetically pleasing.

Al

Let's not forget Minolta. Many of their Rokkor-X offerings were up with the best of them. I still use the 50mm 1.4 occasionally on my old Minolta XK and it's crackingly sharp (not, of course, in the same league as Pentax ). I used it professionally for several years and wouldn't have done this if it wasn't up to the job.

Al

The only light seal on my P30T is around the ISO-viewing window on the back. Don't know if the P30 is the same, though.

Al

Or even worse, duopolies.

Al

I used 28mm and 50mm lenses on film for years without a lens hood and never had a problem, but perhaps digital sensors are, well, more sensitive to extraneous light. It's probably worth picking up one of these. Works well, but it's a shame about the name: link

Just re-watched The Shipping News. Seal flipper pie must be the way forward.

Al

Talking of food, the American wife of a friend of mine apparently cooks a mean "breakfast burrito". Here's the recipe. I'll be trying it out tomorrow and will be happy to pass on any feedback from others. Lest this be considered inappropriate, even in the Pointless thread, I'll be taking a picture of the finished product with a Samsung DSLR with a Pentax lens.

Al

In a skillet, chop up red, green, yelllow bell peppers, onion, and bacon (or sausage, but bacon is better).

In a bowl, crack two eggs and add a little milk to make the eggs fluffy. (Use a fork to whisk).

When mix veg and bacon is cooked enough for you (either al dente or soft); add the eggs.

When eggs are just about all cooked and scrambled, add chopped tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese. (Cheddar and Pepper-jack are best, but not essential for both).

I usually add black pepper, salt, cayenne, and chili powder with a touch of Tabasco hot sauce to give it that Mexican flavor.

Then get your flour tortilla, add the deliciousness and wrap it up like a burrito!


Hint: do not chop up too many veg because even with two scrambled eggs and all the ingredients, it will be a very filling meal.


Here is another egg meal you can make with most of the same ingredients:
Instead of bacon, add chorizo; instead of a flour tortilla; replace with bread for a mean egg sandwich.

On the Samsung GX-20, and I assume it's much the same on the K5, Program mode is a more sophisticated version of Av and Tv. Turn on the camera with it set to "P" and set your aperture with the rear dial. From this point on, you're effectively in Av move and the shutter speed will adjust to the lighting conditions. The aperture will stay at the setting you made until you turn the camera off.

If you adjust the front dial, though, it will alter the shutter speed and the aperture will change to give the recommended exposure. This shutter speed will remain set until you adjust it with the front dial or switch to "Av" by adjusting the rear dial.

P mode had an advantage over Av and Tv in that you can instantly change aperture or shutter speed if required. It's undoubtedly the most versatile of the settings and I recommend it heartily. I've never understood the obsession with Av among serious photographers. P mode will do the same thing but give you instant access to a higher shutter speed if Lord Lucan races across the frame (another reason to think twice before deleting images seemingly spoiled by a passer-by).

Al