Firstly, I'm a bit nervous about how this might be perceived by everyone.

I decided to e-mail Pentax regarding the known battery door problem on the AF360FGZ to ask if they had any modifications in the pipeline for future production runs. Obviously, if they were going to improve it then I would wait and buy one of the redesigned units instead of looking elsewhere, e.g. Sigma. (I would rather have the Pentax gun, but don't want to spend £100+ on something which is likely to break).

However, I thought you might be interested in the reply I got:


Dear Mr Brown please see below the reply from our senior technician.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jetha, Manish__UK
Sent: 11 September 2007 08:59
To: Foster, Irene__UK
Subject: RE: PENTAX Contact, 07.09.2007 13:43:48, Gordon Brown

The flash unit do not have any design fault
We have sold 1000's without any known faulty


Best Regards
Manish Jetha
Technical Supervisor
Customer Service Department
Direct: 01753 792765
Main: 01753 792792
Fax: 01753 792794
www.pentax.co.uk

Our Mission: To bring high quality optical technology and service to
people and organisations; making lives more enjoyable, visually richer,
healthier and safer.


-----Original Message-----
From: Foster, Irene__UK
Sent: 07 September 2007 15:35
To: Jetha, Manish__UK
Subject: FW: PENTAX Contact, 07.09.2007 13:43:48, Gordon Brown


Manish are you aware of any design faults see below


-----Original Message-----
From: Foster, Irene__UK
Sent: 07 September 2007 15:29
To: Sanderson, Stephen__UK
Subject: FW: PENTAX Contact, 07.09.2007 13:43:48, Gordon Brown

Can you give me any pointers on this ?

Thanks


Irene

-----Original Message-----
From: Pentax Contact [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 07 September 2007 12:44
To: Service, Pentax__UK
Subject: PENTAX Contact, 07.09.2007 13:43:48, Gordon Brown


Hello PENTAX, we have a new e-mail contact from the internet:

Box:
Country: United Kingdom

Phone:
Fax:
E-Mail: [email protected]

Source: Photo Customer Service

Message:
I have recently bought a K10D and I am considering buying an AF360FGZ
flashgun, but I am being put off by the widespread reports of the poor
battery compartment door and how it tends to break easily causing the
batteries to fall out. Can you tell me if there is anything being done
to resolve this fault in the units being produced now, as I am now
looking at other options?

*******************************************
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned for security reasons and no known viruses
have been found. For more information please visit
http://itsecurity.pentaxeurope.com
______________________________________________________________________
PENTAX Europe GmbH, Hamburg
HRB 20 285 Amtsgericht Hamburg
Geschaeftsfuehrer: Minoru Kambara

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned for security reasons and no known viruses
have been found. For more information please visit
http://itsecurity.pentaxeurope.com

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Just wondered if anyone with a faulty AF360FGZ would be interested in letting Irene Foster [email protected]">([email protected]) and Manish Jetha know about any problems they have experienced. i.e impotentspider having to drill holes and insert pins in his unit.

We are all very pro-Pentax here and I feel a little disappointed by their response, unless of course they genuinely don't know about the problem!!

Perhaps if enough users let them know that there is a design fault they might do something about it.

Once again, thanks for all the advice, it's much appreciated and very helpful. Looks like I'll be going for one with a QR plate.

Looking for some advice on tripod heads. I have been looking at ball type heads, but don't know whether to go for the plain screw in type or the quick release type. I understand that the plate is fixed to the camera and then clamps/clicks on to the head instead of screwing the complete head on to the camera. Is the plate something you would leave on the camera permanently (I don't have a bettery grip)? Or is the quick release type only something you would buy if you were going to do a lot of tripod work?

Thanks for your help, Tyr, much appreciated. I wanted to post a photo I took last night on the Reflections competition. I'll get it done now.

I'm trying to post a photo which I have on Pacasaweb using the [Img] button, but it just posts the URL between the 2 [Img]'s and not the photo. What am I doing wrong?

For what it's worth I agree with Clarky. The K10D is my first DSLR and as a keen amateur I think that the image quality is absolutely amazing. I also read the DP Review, as well as lots of others, before I decided to buy one. A lot of what they criticise I don't even know what it is, but I reckoned that in that case it was something that probably wouldn't bother me. I only use my camera for personal enjoyment and not for any professional purpose and because I am in no way as experienced as John, George, etc. I fully expect my photo's to be inferior to their's, but that is what it's all about! Striving to produce the best pictures you can and not worrying about the odd pixel being the wrong colour which can only be seen by reviewers who magnify everything to death just so they can make a comment.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, anyone who is contemplating getting a K10D should stop messing about and go for it. I've loved mine from the moment I opened the box and so will anyone who accepts it for what it is.

Don't have a tripod yet, so I was struggling a bit shooting this one hand held.

The K10D is my first DSLR and although the learning curve is steep it is also fascinating and extremely enjoyable. Get yourself one, you won't regret it one bit!

Took some shots in the garden and on a daytrip at the weekend. They're all just jpegs, but if anyone wants a look they're on photobucket at the links below:

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb23/browngo1/Flowers%20and%20plants/

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb23/browngo1/Landscapes%20etc/



I know they're not brilliant, but I'm here to learn!

Just received my ExpertShield screen protectors from the US. They are everything the website says they are and are very easy to fit. They are practically invisible when in place and as polished and shiny as the actual screens themselves. The pack includes one for the LCD screen on the back and one for the LCD display on the top and costs £4.37, sent by airmail.


http://www.expertshield.com/dslrs-pentax-c-78_119.html?osCsid=a813243d192e5f8759...