You'll have to use manual mode. In a static situation, it's the best mode to use anyway.

G

It's difficult to hand-hold a longer lens than 300mm on a DSLR. 500mm is a very serious focal length which demands a tripod. Unless you are sure you will use it, you would be better off getting something shorter.

G

I got my three Limiteds before black versions became easily available. Black would perhaps be nice, but the brushed aluminium finish is more distinctive.

G

[quote="Hythloday"]Yes, it's excellent at 200mm.

G

First, power zoom has not been fully resurrected. The power contacts are there for the new lenses, and the old PZ lenses can tap the power for the zoom motor, but the K10D body provides no functionality.

Second, it will be very interesting to see what Pentax do about backwards compatibility for the new lenses. There is an argument that says that the K10D is so cheap that anybody who can afford to buy the lens, will have no trouble paying for a K10D body. Therefore, there is no need to make it focus with older bodies.

We shall just have to see.

G

A DSLR operates in much the same way as a modern film SLR, so what you really need is advice on how to make the best of digital images.

First, buy a fast computer with lots of storage. Then buy several large SD cards and a card reader. Then resolve to shoot only (or mainly) in RAW. Then buy a Silkypix RAW converter licence. Finally, get a good image editing program. If you are reluctant to make Adobe even richer, get Picture Window Pro.

Finally, download Irfanview. It's much the best way to view pictures, make simpe adjustments, do things like file name changes in batch mode, etc.

You'll also be relieved to know, having crippled your credit card, that Irfanview is free.

As for books, Bob Shell (co-author) is a contributor to the PDML:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592574343/sr=8-2/qid=1151319794/ref=sr_1_2/104-9352298-4916763?ie=UTF8

G

Take a look at the lens road map. Pentax concentrated rightly on first making new digitally optimised lenses at the wide and middle parts of the focal length spectrum, and next year will be tackling the long end with a new 300mm (450mm equivalent).

Meanwhile the FA 600mm is still available to order.

Long lenses are expensive to make, and how many Pentax produces will depend in large measure on how much market share they can claw back.

G

Are you sure it is meant to do this? All digital cameras capture the date and time the image was recorded, but they don't print this information by default.

Perhaps you can find some software that will do this for you.

G

Magnus,

To be honest, there isn't really a "going rate" for this lens. They seldom appear second-hand, and when they do on Ebay the price they make depends very much on whether there are two or three willing buyers around at the time. If so, the seller might obtain a far higher price than £250.

Nowadays, with digital processing (even if you start with a negative), you can correct the effects of distortion, although at some cost in quality. This means that a shift lens isn't quite as important as it once was.

If I recall correctly, the last one I saw on Ebay had a starting price of £350.00, and didn't get a single bid.

G

£250.00

G