Following the extension ring debate I got a second hand macro lens. It seems to work fine although I want a dedicated macro eventually.

When I go to the A position on the aperture ring. What is actually happening???

Thanks for that . I'll have a go

I think it depends where you are on your learning curve and what your ambitions are. There is no doubt that the D has more features. Go the the Pentax site and check out the specs.

There are not too many differences in number. Do you want those features or not? Eg the difference in burst rate doesn't interest me and I'm learning so I went for the Ds.
Price was also a factor.

I plan to learn and develop for two years and then assess the situation. After three months I've already left the auto settings behind if I have time to think. You've just got to roll up the sleeves on your mouse and do the research.

Thanks for all the comments. I called in at Jessops to hand in my Minolta for repair....LOL and had a play with a set of extension tubes. The Ds was in manual mode and I was very impressed by what they would do.

So I'm getting a set of rings and I'll work on backgrounds, lighting, compostion, texture for a while. When I've done a couple of boot sales then I'll go for a dedicated Macro lens. I've learned a lot this week.

to get a second hand macro lens if I can. There is a great amount of knowledge on this site but it takes experience to assimilate it. I'll look into tubes etc as well to see what they will do.

I'm still waiting for a course to come up in Durham so that I will have access to advice with a hands on aspect as well. Thanks for all the answers. I have discovered while all this has been going on that my Minolta F300 will go into Macro mode in manual. I always assumed it was one of the auto features. So at least I can get closer and vary the aperture till I get myself fixed up.

Enough! One is doing my head in... I was looking for a cost effective way of experimenting with close up photography. I think the safest way to go is to go straight in and get a dedicated Macro lens and then work out what you've been discusssing later....LOL
Thanks though.

Well I think I'm more confused than ever now. I didn't know you could get ones with the electrical connections. I'll call in at Jessops and enqure. Thanks for all the replies.

Thanks for that. So to sum up;
If I have a lens with an Aperture ring it will work but for auto lenses the connection for changing aperture is lost.

Hmmm!

I'm not up on these. Would they work with a digital camera. I can't make much sense of my manual. Would it work in Av with the aperture at max??

Any tips welcome.

What kind of batteries are you using? I found that the ones that came with the camera didn't fit into the camera so I used rechargeable AAs from the beginning. Never had a problem with that.

Englisch ist echt gut!