For the non-geeks who might be confused by all this RAID talk:-

RAID = Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks

RAID1 = two identically sized disks. The data is copied onto both, so each disk is a mirror image of the other. If one disk fails, you replace the failed drive, and the system copies the data from the existing good disk onto the new - "rebuilding the array". Downside is that you are only using 50% of your available disk space, it takes slightly longer to write to disk (as it has to be written twice) but it can be slightly quicker to read from disk.

RAID5 = Three or more disks. The data is written into "stripes" across the disks. There are 2 data stripes and one parity stripe. If one disk fails, the missing data can be recreated without replacing the drive. It sounds a bit like juju magic. Think of it like the equation 2 x 3 = 6. If you lose either the 2 or the 3 or the 6 you can recreate the equation with some simple artithmetic. Quicker to write to than RAID1, you can use the full capacity of the array (the sum of all the disks) minus the 30% for the parity stripe set. RAID5 arrays are often hot swappable - you can change them while the system is still running.

There is more, much more to it than that! A quick google or check wikipedia if you have run out of ovaltine at night!

RAID protects against single disk failures, not against accidental deletion of files - for that you need backups to CD, DVD or tape. If you run a server and run something like Windows 2003 Server you can have shadowcopy make backups of your files every few hours - but you need a bit more disk space. I must check and see if Vista has shadow copy, but some PC manufacuturers (e.g. Dell) offer a RAID1 array option on some models.

EDIT:-

P.S. you can mirror RAID arrays too!

P.P.S We are a very long way off topic! Sorry!

And of course there is this...http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/02/27/sandisk_read-only_memory_card/

Get ready to replace all your SC cards!

...because dropping the HDD would do more damage than dropping a DVD. A DVD cannot be reformatted, damaged by static etc. As a long-term archival method it is more stable. Oh and I'd only have to take one or two DVD's in to the office rather than remember to take the HDD every day!

Where I'm coming from on this, is that my company uses an optical archival system to reduce paperwork. Documents are scanned into the system, burned onto CD's. The CD's sit in a tower for instant access and copies go to our offsite secure data storage company for disaster recovery purposes and sit in bomb-proof vaults. I wonder if i can sneak my DVD's in there? And if it's good enough from the company, it should be good enough for me.

FWIW here's my approach:-

I use Photoshop Elements Organiser to catalogue my files (I can also apply all sorts of tags to the files to find them easily again, or sort them by subject etc). Then, periodically, I back them up to dual-layer DVD (8.5 GB) using the "Move Offline" option in PSE Organiser. When I try to open an offline file PSEO prompts me for the disk name.

What I really should do, is to duplicate the DVD's and store them elsewhere (e.g. desk at work) then if house burns down I still have copies.

Mac,

I doubt it. From the press release accompanying the * lenses (http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/news/2007/200707.html)

"with an image circle perfectly proportioned to the CCD size ( 23.5mm x 15.7mm )"

EDIT:-

Just noticed this Optical system for this product was jointly developed and designed with Tokina Co, Ltd.
so I went to the Tokina website and saw http://www.tokinalens.com/products/tokina/atx535prodx-a.html

Which is almost identical to the specs for the Pentax 50-135 DA*, except that they don't currently list it in a Pentax mount.

This Kata might be a bit too much for your needs:- http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=16883&1=Kata+Holster+Case
and this Op-tech a little too basic http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=8584&1=Op%2Ftech+D%2DPro+Digital+Pouch+black

I don't have the kata, but I use the op-tech for protection whilst walking around. I suspect that you need something like the kata holster with fewer pockets!

Or how about this: http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=11783&1=Lowepro+Topload+Zoom+1

Colin,

AFAIK the K10D doesn't work "tethered". I tried it without any success. I don't know if it is the camera or the Photobrowser software that needs updating!

Regarding remote controls, the cable release for bulb exposures came in useful last night, trying to photograph the eclipse!

Page 131 mentions how the flash works in AF-S mode, but makes no mention of AF-C.

Is it really a flaw? In AF-C mode won't the flash have to keep firing pre-flashes every time the autofocus mechanism re-focuses?

Awesome picture Tom. I'm glad I sobered up before reading the forum posts this morning, I won't wanted to have met this fellow whilst I still had a hangover. (Watched way too much rugby yesterday and consumed too much beer to drown english sorrows!)