Theres one here, not sure if they'll ship outside Uk, worth a check.

http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used_Pentax_AF_Lenses.html

Regards

George

pm sent

+1 to K7

Had my K5 since October and writing is fine. Although my K5 is generally on auto ISO and I use either TAV or AV and let the camera do the rest so the button doesn't get used that much.

Regards

George

Thanks for your comments.

The aviary has long gone. The gardens and glasshouses were renovated approx 10 yearsago, maybe longer with help from Lottery funding.

Went back yeasterday with the sigma 24-70 and took a few more...

No 13
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/flowers_4_of_11v2800.jpg[/IMG]

No 14
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/flowers_3_of_11v2800.jpg[/IMG]

No 15 (I did photoshop some clutter in the background of this one)
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/flowers_1_of_11v2800.jpg[/IMG]

Regards

George

Hi, never taken photos of cycling but I do take a lot of pictures of running for Sheffield Hallam Parkrun (facebook). My thoughts are....

I wouldn't bother with a tripod as you'll not be able to adjust quick enough should you wish to change the composition. Maybe use a mono pod if you're happier using some form of support.

I feel pictures look better if you can get in a position with the racers coming towards(ish) you although you will need more side shots with cycling. As you want a sharp image (unless panning) you'll need a shutter speed of 1/640 to 1/1000 or above for the longer lenses, so shouldn't be much camera shake. Coming round corners adds to the atmosphere as well.

Obviously the start and and finish are fixed points, choose your location carefully, the sun in front of you will likely put the racers faces in shadow so from behind you or the side. Also take into consideraton the background as this can kill or make a good picture.

The DA* 16-50 and 55-300 (or the 50-200) should cover your scenarios. Although I use the Sigma 70-200 as the autofocus is very quick compared to the pentax.

If renting a prime I would go for the DA* 200, I have the 60-250* and find it too slow to focus for sports unless you're pre focusing on a specific spot.

Don't forget to take images of the pre and post race activities to tell the full story of the day.

Thats my thought on it, there will be others on here with far more knowledge than me.

Good luck

Regards

George

Mine locked up once on AFC whilst tracking birds. Hasn't happened since but I tend not to use AFC very often.

After lock up my Sigma 100-300 played up but has since been fixed by Sigma.

Which lens were you using ?

Sigma told me my K5 AF drive shaft is shorter than the K10, K7 etc which could impact screw drive lenses (AF slipping). I'll be discussing this with SRS as the AF drive shaft does ot seem as 'sturdy' when compared to my K7.


Regards

George

Nice set, my favorite is No2, Hamilton locking his front left. Excellent timing and a nice angle.

Regards

George

The weather is fantastic, the Magnolia trees are in bloom so I wandered down with my camera and the DA* 50-135 and DA 10-17 Fisheye.

No 1
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_19_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 2
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_18_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 3
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_20_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 4

[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_17_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 5
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_15_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 6
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_14_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 7
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_13_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 8
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_11_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

N0 9
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_6_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

N0 10
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_5_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 11
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_4_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

No 12
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/botgrdns_1_of_20800.jpg[/IMG]

Comments appreciated.

Regards

George

Thanks for you comments.

I need to go back this week as the Magnolia trees will be in full flower.

Regards

George

The sunny weather brought my Sigma 150-500 out of hibernation yesterday.

All taken at Sheffield Botanical Gardens with K5 and Sigma 150-500

No 1
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_19_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 2
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_18_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 3
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_15_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

N0 4
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_11_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 5
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_9_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

N0 6
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_5_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

N0 7
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_6_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 8
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_4_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 9
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_10_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 10
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_1_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 11
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bt_grdns_8_of_192800.jpg[/IMG]

No 12
[IMG]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/carmagw/bot_grdns_17_of_19.jpg[/IMG]



Comments appreciated.

Regards

George