As I say, address is on my website. Any further info on when this lens is going to be available? I think it's May time, but I'm sure I saw March somewhere, but didn't believe it.

Thanks for the info about Cameraworld. It's a shame that such a high population centre (mid essex) has no local pro dealer. Nearest is Digital Depot or Photo Optix at Lakeside (yuck - to Lakeside, not Photo Optix). Unfortunately Jessops swamped all the independents, and then started doing mobile phones...

Dan

Ooh, I knew I forgot something...

What's all this 'Pentax Pro Centre' stuff about anyway? Is it simply somewhere that stocks Pentax equipment?

I thought it would be somewhere (like SRS) that provides a large range of items, holds good levels of stock, has knowledge or receives training about the Pentax range etc.

Specifically, as an example, I'll mention Cameraworld in Chelmsford, Essex. A couple of weeks ago I went in and they had no Pentax stock on display, but had one 16-45 and one 18-55 under the counter. I mentioned that they were supposed to be a 'Pro Dealer' and they said "yes, apparently so, someone rang about a lens this morning and told us". They had no idea, no stock, and little interest. If this is a 'pro' dealer, god help us all. Frankly, Jessops would have more in stock than them (but PLEASE don't get the idea I'm suggesting them as a pro dealer. ).

I suggested to Chris at SRS that he change the 'Pro' to 'Proper'.

I guess what I mean is, the 'Pentax Pro Dealer' title should be earned, not given out willy-nilly. Then it will actually mean something.

Dan

Hi Mike,

Didn't get to speak to you on the day, but thanks for bringing along some of the intersting stuff, especially the 300mm f/4.

A couple of things spring to mind, and I mentioned one of them to Lindsey. Pentax UK really need to do more to push the brand, especially on the pentax.co.uk website. It took an age for any sign of the K20D to appear, I think they were already available by the time they did. This sort of information should be there at least a month in advance, going hand in hand with printed adverts and press releases (talking of which, have a look in the 'Press Lounge' area of the site - can you spot anything about the K20D or K200D?).

And there's no mention now of the new lenses (200mm and 300mm) in the lenses section.

Okay, we can go to Pentax US or Japan to see these, but for the average casual browser, perhaps having seen the adverts in magazines that have the UK web address on them, it doesn't look good.

If you need some sample shots from the 300mm, just send one to me (address is on my website, link below ) and I'll do my best.

All the best,
Dan

Needs the closing slash:

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/18496/pentax-interview/

Thanks for the link, interesting interview, although you do get the impression that he's not really sure of what's next for Pentax, seems he's not really clued in. Does Pentax Japan keep it that tightly wrapped, or don't they know either?

Dan

That's okay, although I said that, and can't remember where I knew it from. Does it say it on the adjustment screen? Anyway, when I said "tens of microns", what I meant was just "microns", as the figures are in tens.

Mine wasn't backfocusing as much as yours, but I think I ended up dialing in 60 or 70 as an adjustment. I do wonder if different lighting has an effect.

Dan

When you do the adjustment, the figure you alter is in tens of microns. I took this to be moving the sensor forwards or backwards by this tiny, but obviously significant, amount.

Right or wrong, my AF and MF has been much better since, especially with the wider aperture lenses I have (50 1.4, 300 2.8 ).

Dan

I like the cobweb, but agree with you about the bottom stalk. However, I think the background's a bit too messy, especially bottom right, so I was pleased with a 'Third', as I wasn't expecting it. As you can tell, I left it a bit late...

Well done Rob, a very interesting shot (I love the ladder and its shadow), and a good interpretation of the theme. And, of course, well judged Tony, and well done all, again, a good number of nice photos.

I'm expecting Rob to come up with a interesting theme...

Dan

*istD + Sigma 105mm + touch of fill flash.

Okay, I definitely see them now! I use Capture One and ave never seen anything like that in any of my images, so I think you can discount it being a RAW processor problem, especially as you're getting it from two different programs.

Have you got another computer you could try it on? Thinking it might be a memory problem, or perhaps the graphics card? These do seem to throw up some odd things now and again.

Failing that, as John said, are these visible in jpegs shot in camera? (As opposed to jpegs converted from Raws). If so, I would think that it would be a camera problem. See if you can see the wavy lines on the camera monitor.

Dan

: Er, aren't these ripples? Can't see anything myself on this image, any bigger examples?

Dan