Sounds like a good price - but bear in mind this model is discontinued, and the current 'equivalent', the K100D, has image stabilising and newer technology, which may be worth the extra money. Lots of people here are more than happy with their DL's though, so if you want a good, budget DSLR, I don't think you'd go wrong with it.

Dan

I've used a Centon FG-30 on my istD for the last two years, and never had a problem. Looking at this long list of trigger voltages - http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html, the voltage for this flash is around 200V.

I might suggest you have a look through the list, see what low trigger voltage ones you could get cheap (or if you have one already, what it's trigger voltage is), and go from there. I guess there's no harm in going for a low voltage one, and potentially some harm from the higher ones. As I say, there's never been a problem with my Centon, but then there's nothing to say the flash circuits in the DL are rated the same as the D.

Dan

I'm not sure if you're sorted now or not - that last message was a bit ambiguous.

Just to repeat what Matt said, you can do the above - so if you just need a flash to trigger the AC and EF-500, then stick anything on the hotshoe. You'll have to work out the correct exposure by varying the power and position of the flashes, and the aperture of your lens. A few test shots and you should be sorted. If you want the camera to do the thinking for you, you will need another EF-500 to use P-TTL metering.

Dan

Hi Stan,

There's a poor copy here:

[url]http://www.instruccionesweb.com/u2/pdf/flash/Pentax-AF400FTZ-en.pdf[url]

Someone else may know a better one, but at least it's something to be getting on with.

Dan

...or from Mike Lane himself at http://www.nature-photography.co.uk/Grippabags.htm, same price but includes postage to UK.

Got one of these myself, and it gives good support, but did need about 2.5kg of dried beans to fill it sufficiently. But if you go for a lighter filling, it won't be as solid. Bit of a lump to carry round, I tend to use it if I'm shooting from the car, or a hide (the shed type you get at reserves).

Dan

I say get a K10D, use your 80-320 and crop if necessary.

Dan

It does all deepened on the accuricity of the word migrations, I think.

But I read it as "It'll be released as an 18Mp camera, and we'll carry on upgrading (updating) the model, until it reaches a maximum of 30Mp." I don't think you'll be able to increase the resolution of the chip in the camera you have, but you will be able to get a higher res, but otherwise same, basic camera.

Course, I could be wrong. Didn't Kodak have an 'upgradable' sensor in their DSLR? The problem is, when you upgrade the sensor, everything thing else needs upgrading to cope with the increased processing, storage etc.

Dan

Welcome Mongoose!

I reckon you're right - this is the best place for all things Pentax! And we're more than happy to see what you produce with your gear.

All the best,
Dan

I shoot mainly nature, macro, some architecture, and my current everyday lens line-up is as follows:

10-20 Sigma
16-45 Pentax
50 1.7 Pentax
50-200 Pentax
105mm Macro Sigma


I've only had the 50-200 for a week and haven't had much chance to use it, but initial results are good, and I got it based on the good reviews and high regard found here on the board. Nice and compact too.

I bought the 10-20 after doing some architecture shots where I was struggling to get a wide enough view using the 16-45, and I couldn't justify the higher cost of the Pentax 12-24. I felt that range overlapped the 16-45 too much as well, the Sigma giving me just that little extra. Nice solid build, good results from that too, although I don't use it that often. Can use Cokin P filters with it as well - the holder will actually sit on the front of the lens, where the lens hood normally bayonets on, sort of hangs on to it. Fine if the camera's on a tripod, obviously not hand-held.

The 16-45 is the lens that spends most of the time on the camera. I got it to replace the 18-35 that came with my D. I was used to the the angle of view of a 24mm lens on film, and the 16-45 gives me that.

Think I've got my lenses sorted - now, do I go for the K10D?

Dan

The lens should only stop down when you take the photo (or take an exposure reading, with the green button, or depth of field preview), and assuming you're using it on a DSLR, you'll only be able to use it when the camera's set for manual exposure. If you use any other mode (Av, Tv or P) the iris won't close until after the shutter has fired.

You'll also need to enable the camera to use lenses that don't have an 'A' setting - you do this in the camera menu somewhere.

If your 'ist' is a film ist, someone else will have to answer you, as I don't have any experience of that body.

Hope that helps,
Dan