you could try testing the path from front to back thru the TC's SDM contacts by using a multimeter ?
(might be worth checking with Kenko b4 doing that in case there's a microchip in the TC - not sure how sensitive it would be to the applied volts/current)

Thanks v.much for the info guys
I was aware that there were some problems with SDM and TCs, but wow I hadn't realised sigma had dropped such a massive compatibility clanger with the updated 70-200, nor had I noticed that it didn't have screw drive.

That's a -ve point for me as I would like to keep screw drive for compatibility with my film camera.

getting back to OP, I'm looking fwd to handling the 60-250 at SRS open day, hopefully it's a sign it will be out soon - SRS have updated their site to say anticipated in March now.

Maybe the pentax reps will have some info on the planned TC too ?

Hi Chris, sounds interesting, would be v.nice to see the 60-250 in the flesh so to speak, do you know if it will be a production quality 60-250 ?

Not knowing how the "as before" bit works, are special offers related to the new items pentax are bringing with them ?

cheers

Hi Mike,
was in a similar situ late last summer looking for s/t faster than my F70-210. Bought a DA*200/2.8 and 1.7xAFA instead of 70-200+1.4x as I couldn't get one and the tamron wasn't out yet !

where did you find the info that the HSM 70-200 'does not work' with the sigma TCs please ?

presumably the HSM lens + TC would still work with screw-drive ?

I still want the 60-250 though as I find 70mm a touch long for landscapes and 210 a touch short. f4 is ok with me, but I admit 2.8 would have been better. From what I hear f2.8 zooms are often a bit soft wide open though.

thanks

Hi Richard, is there any news on when the English beta might be released - and how to contact silkypix whilst the shortcutinc forum is (still) down ?

Norton informs you about all programs attempting to access the internet, including microsoft ones, depending on the level of your settings. IIRC you can select 'allow always' and it will never bother you again, or 'block always' or varaints in between.

Silkypix does the same for me too - I have DS3 - I have assumed it is to do with product licence.

I would not be alarmed about it.

You can set up a list in Norton of internet access allowed / blocked for all programs you have, it's buried somewhere in the options for NIS2008, it was easier to find in NIS2005/6.

You will find that some of the defaults in the program list are always allowed.

You could experiment switching access on and off for a particualr program to determine the effect.

keep windows and office updated and use a firewall and anti-virus program, an anti-malware tool like spybot is helpful too.

it is indeed unfortunate, that's hackers for you....

Just to be clear, the main silkypix website www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english has not been subject to any problems,

it is only the english language forum which is hosted by shortcutinc.com which has the problems, the isl website includes a link to the shortcutinc forum

a week further on, tried again via http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/ and I get HTTP 404 not found error !
I wonder what's happening

IIRC 1/6 second F6 ISO 400 was used for the 3rd photo (there was no exif data in the pics I looked at, so cannot confirm the data)

A good rule of thumb is to use a shutter speed 2x the focal length of the lens to prevent camera shake effects. So for a 50mm lens use 1/100th sec. With the shake reduction system in the K20D you have a bit more margin, so you may be able to hand-hold at ~1/30s depending on your technique.

Going from the information quoted above I wonder if you are clear about shutter speed - or at least how it is displayed ?
1/6th second will display as 6 in the viewfinder, 1/30th is displayed as 30, so "two digits" as you put it is a faster shutter speed compared to the 1/6th you had.

with F6, 1/6th sec, ISO 400 exposure, you could have got s/t like 1/15th at ISO 800 or 1/30th at ISO 1600 at the expense of a more 'noisy' picture. Opening the aperture to F4 would enable a higher shutter speed still at the expense of shallower depth of field.

hope this helps

thanks for your reply, pse6 sounds just fine to me.

hmmm, where did you find that info squirreled away ? I looked here, http://www.wacom-europe.com/index2.asp?lang=en&pid=221, and didn't see pse6 on the in-the-box list !