That's interesting, John. I use AdBlock -- which is unconnected, oddly, to AdBlock Plus -- and the maximum time I have to "wait" for the extension is under a second. Some on the internet have voiced fears over potential security issues with both these products but the consensus among the chaps who should know about these things is that both are safe to use.

Another vote for the K10 (or at least the Samsung GX10 variant, which I assume is pretty much identical). I've got a few GX10 prints on my walls and, at reasonable ISOs, the quality is as good as the output from my GX20 and K30. But there's a subtle difference -- that magical quality that seems to come from the CCD sensor.

On the ISO front, my elderly Samsung GX20 (effectively a K20D) allows floating sensitivity in Av, Tv and P modes. It also has Tav. Setting the ISO is the same as on the K30 and other modern variants, although, annoyingly, the ISO, WB, flash and drive options are not marked on the direction paddle and you have to rely on memory to pick the right one. I usually manage this on the third or fourth try.

Any new members planning to "get into" the Pentax system could do a lot worse than take a look at the QVC TV shopping channel, where they're selling a black, white or blue K-S1 plus 18-55 and 50-200 lenses, Pentax-branded bag and Flu card for £399.96. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I have AdBlock intalled on my old (underpowered) netbook and haven't experienced any of these problems.

A fair few Apple Mac users have been pestering Nottingham software company Serif for a Mac version of its PhotoPlus editing program(me) and other excellent Windows software. This has now arrived in a beta version, and may be of interest to Apple users. If it's anywhere near as good as the Windows offerings, which I've been using for years, it should be a winner. link

We're getting dangerously close to that splendidly divisive topic, the zone system.

Forty-odd years ago, Minolta developed its CLC (Contrast Light Compensation) system, which tweaked the metering to compensate for very high or very low areas within in the frame. It was way ahead of anything offered by competing brands. I would be surprised if modern centre-weighted systems don't include something similar.

I don't believe spot metering works with older lenses, but my memory could be a bit hazy after a night in the pub.

Al

This video explains all: link. In PhotoPlus, which I use, you can achieve the same thing by simply making a "selection", which limits any changes you make to that area, or to the surrounding area if you "invert" the selection. I'm sure PhotoDirector 5 has a similar capability without the radial filter, although this new feature may make it quicker/easier to select an area for special treatment.

Don't forget the GX20, the Samsung clone. I see there's still a splendid example complete with 18-55 WR Pentax lens languishing in the classified section

[quote:3496ace15f="Pjwebbs"]Doesn't my k5ii have a PC output on it? Would this mean I just needed the flash unit and I would then connect using a PC lead like this one? Would that be all that is required to get the flash to fire?

]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30cm-Flash-Sync-Lead-Male-to-Male-Flashgun-Cable-PC-Co...

If the K5II has a PC socket (and I believe it does), all you'll need is the EBay cable, although one will probably be supplied with the flash. The Starblitz/Centon units have traditional flash tubes rather than LEDs.