No, with the K10D I focus with the lens wide open, then stop down to the selected aperture and press the green button for a meter reading. Test shot, and adjust if necessary. I suppose you could just use Av mode once stopped down. Hadn't thought of that. But the only times I've used it were for stationary objects, or insects when using flash, so manual mode was a bit easier.

Dan

Thinking more like this, but in a more natural environment. It's something I aspire to, but as I say, they've always been too small and too quick for me.

I've got the BPM bellows, but haven't used them that much yet. Tried them with my Sigma and 50mm f/1.7 and got good results from both. Keep meaning to try lenses reversed on them too. Need an aperture ring though, as everything's done stopped down.

Dan

So when are you getting some bellows?

Another nice set from you Clarky, would have liked to have seen the jumping spider head-on, to really show those eyes. Not that I've managed that yet, our most common species, the Zebra spider, is tiny and just doesn't stay still. Perhaps this year though...

Dan

The ones made by BPM had interchangeable mounts, so you can keep an eye out for those which pop up on ebay now and again.

This was with my 50mm f/1.7 and bellows. Seed was about 5mm long.




Not the easiest thing to use with a moving subject though, extension tubes and/or a macro lens is definitely the way to go for general insect shots I reckon.

Dan

Unfortunately I've discovered the mouse and mousemat are incompatible. Optical mouse and black mat with pics on don't work. Oh well, mouse on envelope works fine.

Tried the 35mm macro too, but not my thing I have to say. Did a good job with a bar code though, so no complaints with it.

Just had a look through the shots I took. The 200mm is excellent. The 300mm is excellent too, but could have done with popping it on a tripod, what with the overcast weather. Took 10 quick shots of the ducks on the pond outside, 6 were acceptably sharp, which is much better than I get with my Tamron MF lens. The ones taken on AF-C were best. Will post a couple later on.

Dan

I was a bit cheeky. But if you don't ask, you don't get!

Dan

Can't have missed you and Reuben by much, Unlocker was still there when I arrived.

Didn't buy anything either, but came away with a Pentax pen, Pentax Mouse, Pentax Mug, Pentax mousemat and a Pentax Notepad. And tried just about everything I could lay my hands on lens-wise, but just remembered I didn't trip the K20D shutter to see how quiet it was. Oh well, perhaps my local Pentax 'Pro' dealer, Cameraworld, will actually have some Pentax in stock at some time.

Thanks Chris for arranging it all, and hope you've done well out of it. I'm about to process the pics I took to see what I'm going to be spending my money on next...

Dan

P.S. What's Reuben bought? :

Will do, will try it out as best I can and see how it fares at all apertures (on my K10D).

Dan

I think perhaps we should've been more subtle, Chris might rumble us.

Dan

I'll distract Chris, while you make a run for it - as long as you do the same for me when I've got the 300mm on my camera.

Dan