Exhausted by all that fresh air!

No disrespect, but the Pro market is much smaller than the rest of the market, Pentax need the amateur market if they are going to survive!

Lucky for me I was away from my computer at the time, having just picked up the roll from the shop! I was surprised at the cost of processing!

I was planning to make my next roll of film a B&W one. With C41 processing, any colour developer can process the B&W film.

I have now been using a digital SLR for about 18 months and recently ran a film through an old film camera (an MV). There was a thread some time that was indicating that some of us when using a film camera were forgetting that some of the features common to digital were not there. However, I was determined to not to do this and was please with myself for not looking at the back of the camera after taking a picture, only forgetting to wind on once or twice and never trying to pop up the flash, or look for the front e-dial! I even remembered to use the apature ring and set the ISO properly! So, what did I forget? It wasn't till I got the photos back that I relised: it was auto white balance that I had forgotten about.

Yes, I have the 40. I find it very good, however, there are times that the small outside pocket is just not enough, however, I too like the idea of having it on a belt, though have not tried it.

The 40 fits my K10 + grip and 50-135 with a little room to spare. I even think it takes it with the hood on properly with the extension unzipped. One thing to note, the zipped extension section does not have any protective padding so the end of a very long lens might be susectable to hard knocks; shouldn't he a problem with the hood in place (reversed) though.

There is a seperate all-weather cover that comes with it, leaving this out gives an additional velcro pocket inside.

It is very well made and seems that it can take the knocks.

I like LowePro bags in general, but they didn't seem to have anything to compare.

Kata might be the only other ones worth looking at.

I love my 50-135, I was out in the rain on Sunday, happy in the knowledge it was fine, the lens hood even prevented rain getting on the front element so I could actually shoot in the rain! I have a Kenko 1.5 converter which takes it to a 75 to 200 f4 lens and retains SDM, though it does seem to hunt in low light, though I have not fully tested this. The Pentax SDM converter could come in a 1.4 version and might be weather sealed.

I have to say that my Sigma 18 to 200 does not give me 200 at close range, the angle of view is even very slightly less than the 50-135 ! It is better with a further subject. This does cast a doubt on Sigma for me.

Have you though about a prime such as the Pentax DA*200? At you gigs and festivles, how close do you get to the action?

That would have been 1970, and they did it without infringing any of Xerox's patents!

Lee Filters are considered the best and are the most expensive.

I have the Cokin P filter set up, including the Polarizer. However, it is a bit of a pain to use and I sometimes think I should have gone for a Hoya or B&W filter to screw on to the front of my lens.

It all depends on what filters you are looking for and if you are using wide angle (P series may not work on a 10mm lens).

For such a trip, I would look at the Pentax 17-70 DA F4 lens that is due very soon. You could then look at getting a Sigma 180mm Macro which works very well as a prime.

I have the 50-135 and don't think it can be bettered, but it is heavy and not an ideal travel lens.

I have the Kenko 1.5 adaptor that also works with SDM, though it does seem to have a bit of a problem with hunting on the 50-135, though not on my other AF lenses.

They are already in my kit Bag! I can't wait to try out the mirror adaptor on an IF lens though!

I have been taking some pictures with the MV and was please with myself for not looking at the back of the camera after taking a picture, only forgetting to wind on once or twice and never trying to pop up the flash, or look for the front e-dial! I even remembered to use the apature ring and set the ISO properly! So, what did I forget? It wasn't till I got the photos back that I relised ... and the winner is... auto white balance