I have just purchased the Sigma 17-70. Not used it much yet but I like the macro facility.

I looked at both lenses but just couldn't justify nearly double the price for the Pentax - it simply cannot be twice as good, although I would have loved to purchase a Pentax and also the SDM focusing.

I am hoping the money saved will go a long way to purchasing the forecast 1.4x SDM converter which is supposed to be on the cards!

John

I use the 1.2x all the time. I have the flip up type but have no real use for it. However, it may be of advantage with astrophotography!

John

I use manual focus all the time when working in macro and have found the normal screen on my K10D fine, particularly when used with the Pentax 1.2x magnifier.

In the past, all SLR cameras seemed to come with split image and surrounding fresnel screen and, for most uses, and particularly with macro or long lenses, they were hopeless. I used to change them for plain ground glass screens and the subject seemed to snap into focus much better. The standard screen in the K10D is not much different in this respect.

Obviously peoples' eyesight varies and some may find split screens better because they cannot use the ground glass.

John

It seems that I was misunderstanding multiple exposure. My intention is to take two or three separate shots in macro (to combat camera vibration when using a tripod) to finish up with two/three images, not a composite. I can do this with continuous shooting, but wanted to limit it to two or three frames. From what you have said, this isn't possible other than with a light finger on the shutter in continuous mode!

Thanks anyway

John

Does anyone know how to set multiple exposure as a permanent feature, either in all modes or in USER mode? I have tried setting it in USER, but once the camera is switched off, it reverts to single shot. The camera has the latest firmware 1.3 on it.

John

I have pictures, if you send me a private message with your email address I will forward them to you. It is not the OS version. I have checked the Sigma website and that version is only available in Canon and Nikon moounts because they do not have image stabilisation in the body. So far as I know, it is basically the same lens, but without OS.

John

I have a Sigma 18-200 for sale in mint condition in original box with instructions, etc, and including Hoya 1B filter - I have asked for £150 for this combination but am open to offers or to exclude the filter. The lens has been very little used. Please send IM if you are interested.

For Sale: Sigma 18-200 f3.5-6.3 zoom lens in Pentax fit. This lens is two years old and is little used. It is complete with petal lenshood and Hoya Skylight filter, and is in its original box with instructions. £150 ono Send PM if you are interested.

Hi Jeanette

To obviate the need to lay down embarrassingly on the lawn to take fungi, invest in a right angle finder. The Seagull one is perfectly adequate and is available from HK for around £30 including shipping - look on EBay. They sell at around £90 in the UK!

You also want a tripod that will spreadeagle its legs to near ground level!

Depth of field with fungi is always a problem. It may help to take the shot from slightly further away. This will give greater depth of field and you can then crop - but not too much though with 15 MP on your 20D you should be OK.

John

The thread was about Pentax's intentions, not about what effect various converters have on various lenses. I am with John Riley - as I understand it, a 1.4x converter does just that, i.e. multiplies the focal length by 1.4 and that applies with any focal length of lens. However, I do understand that they are not particularly good with anything other than medium to long telephoto lenses and certainly work poorly with WA lenses.

John