Just as a quick check - you have set the correct film speed? It's not set to 200?

Just a thought (we've all done it! ).

Dan

Well, it should be, as ISO stands for International Standards Organisation (at least that would make sense, although Wikipedia says that it comes from the Greek word Isos, meaning equal). However, different cameras come up with different meter readings (although they shouldn't be wildly different), and different lenses may show variations too. Focusing distance comes into it to, as the effective aperture changes at different focusing distances.

So, were you using the same lens, focused at the same distance, on both cameras?

If so, then one of the meters would appear to be wrong. If different lenses were used, then that may be responsible.

If it was an old film camera, which should have had 1.35v button cells installed but now has 1.5v ones, that may cause a variation too.

Just clutching at straws here.

Hope that helps,
Dan

Hi Peetle,

Whistler looks gorgeous, and I see they've had over 28 feet of snow since the beginning of November (I had no idea where Whistler is, so had to google it ), looks like you're in for a good time!

I've not tried shooting skiers, but assuming you've got a week or more out there, you should be able to refine your technique over your holiday. You said "Normally one can faff about (I love digital preview) with a few practice shots but of course I won't get that opportunity", but could you not grab a few shots of other skiers first, before going for your best ones with your mates?

Would you be shooting in sun or overcast? If sunny, your estimated exposure would be too much (using the 'sunny 16' rule, at ISO 100 you'd want an aperture of f/16 at around 1/125s). For slower shutter speeds, it might be worth trying a polariser to lose 2 stops, and perhaps cut down on glare too.

Of course, it depends on just how fast your companions are going!

Good luck, and have a great holiday.
Dan

Yes folks, you heard it here first - the K10D is not as good as the *istDL.

Thanks Matt, you've saved me a few hundred quid - those DLs are going for a song right now.

Dan

Now Graham, do as you're told!

Dan

Had a quick look through various mags today in Smiths, and was rewarded with mixed feelings - as jps mentioned, there seems to be confusion about price (£849 for the K10D and kit lens was quoted in 2 of them) and what the competition should be.

One of them had a 'Main Rivals' box, which had Canon 400D and Nikon D80 in bold, saying that the K10D fell between the two in price, but then went on to say that spec-wise it competed with the 30D and D200. Surely that was the bit that should have been in bold! Then perhaps people wouldn't think "Oh, I'll get the Canon 'cos it's £150 cheaper" and they'd say "Blimey, same or better spec from the Pentax for £150 less!".

Makes me cross.

Overall, all the reviews were good, with some niggles from most (the vertical grip got a couple of comments - too thin, and only one battery - although you have another in the body you obviously have to take the grip off to charge it). One reviewer said the AS was poor, another said they consistently got 3 stops extra from it. One said high ISO noise was bad, another said you could hardly see any noise at any ISO.

Probably best to buy one and find out for myself.

Dan

The *istD manual has the charts for the 18-35mm kit lens at the back of the manual. At 18mm, the camera should choose f/5.6-6.7, at 35mm it would be f/8. But that's for that lens, not your 18-55, but I would have thought, like you, that it would be along those lines.

Might need to give the contacts on the lens a good clean? Or pop into a friendly shop and try another lens, just to make sure yours isn't missing something.

Dan

The Intro2020 pricelist lists "PEN SMC CORREC LENS M" in -5 to +3 strengths, retail price of £9.40, so a Pentax dealer should at least be able to enquire with them as to whether they have stock of them. The Pentax part number for the -1 strength one is 30735, the Intro2020 part number is 21565.

Where abouts are you? Someone might be able to point you in the direction of a good shop.

Dan

Well done Peter!

Nice to see some of your shots on here, not just in the PU mag.

I too really like your sepia shot, it suits the subject perfectly - not so keen on the Henley one, but probably just because it's simply not 'my kind of picture'.

Can't wait to se some more now you've got the hang of it.

Dan

But the listing does say "pentax flash AF360 £95", with a starting bid of £75 and no reserve, so I don't see where the seller gets the £95 from.

Unless they'll pull the auction if it doesn't get to £95.

Doesn't sound like a genuine decent, upstanding Pentax User to me!

Dan