I agree - patience with macro subjects. You can get to within a few cm's of flies if you're slow and patient. If they fly off, wait a short while as they often return to where they were sitting.

I got fed-up waiting for sunny days in the UK this summer and have started using flash for my macro work (sigma super flash with wide-angle diffuser to spread the light).

Like Dan, this fly is alive, taken with flash and a 50mm macro lens (the fly was no more than a few cm's from the lens):



I'd also go along with the tubes recommendation if you want to easily convert the 50-200mm for use with macro work. Be aware that you'll probably lose auto-focus with them (AE is fine) but you would usually only use MF with this close macro work.

Thanks George. So, basically use any particular flashring, but in manual mode?

Presumably it would be a good idea to use a Wein Safe-Sync to protect a digital camera (GX10) if going that route, from what I've read?

Does anyone know if this has (Sigma EM-140) been released yet (or an ETA) for the Pentax P-TTL system? I've searched high and low and not found it or something similar. I'm interested in it for macro work.

I've just recently returned to SLR photography after a break of 20 years (ouch! that was painful). Is it OK to post about the Samsung GX10 here? I know it doesn't say Pentax on the front of the camera, but it is almost one?

I just recently added a Sigma 50mm 1:1 f2.8 EX (not DG) macro to my GX10 collection from ebay (the first time I've personally bought something on ebay) and had a play in this years rare summer sunshine today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/sets/72157600713278315/

The EF 500 DG Super certainly is compatible with the K10D/GX10. I've used it for some time, though I also now have the AF360FGZ, which I prefer.

How it works, or whether it works? I have the 500 DG Super and I've tested it in wireless mode with the internal camera flash on the GX10 and it worked OK. However, I generally only use it on the hotshoe for macro work.

Haven't had any issues with it except for having to switch it off then on again when it gets upset (happens no more often than the GX10 itself).

I have to wonder, however, why Sigma are now releasing the EF 530 DG SUPER and whether there are any significant differences to the 500

I like this bit from the Pentax (and Samsung) manual

One worry that I've always had with third-party cheap batteries is leaking. If a cheapo battery destroys your camera, will the cheapo battery company replace your camera?

I noticed in the Samung Manual it states:

Though, a similar lines doesn't seem t appear in the Pentax one.

AFAICT, the battery does not charge either from the USB or if you use the camera AC adapter, you have to use the charging unit.

Having the GX10 I wanted an OEM battery (I just feel safer getting OEM when I've paid a relative fortune for the camera), so I got a replacement badged Samsung from Amazon for ~£26:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SLB-1674-Lithium-Battery-GX10/dp/B000OYZERQ/ref=sr_1_2/203-8685253-5821561?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1184278855&sr=8-2

Seems like a comfortable compromise between paying £45 for a Pentax branded battery and a generic low price one.