Please post your messages in just one section.

G

Daniel,

Thanks for correcting my mathemetics!

G

Some people would consider that it's not a very good focal length range for an APS-C sized sensor. It will equate roughly to 35mm to 105mm.

Personally I am waiting for Pentax's new 16-50mm 1:2.8, which will incorporate in-lens focussing. And then perhaps the 50-135mm 1:2.8, if funds permit.

G

The new software uses Silkypix technology, but it is not Silkypix. It has about one tenth of the functionality.

G

Pentax do not tend to communicate directly with their customers.

The new software has been available for a while and is a definite improvement. However, it is still much less useful than good commercial software, and most RAW shooters will prefer to pay for Capture One or Silkypix, or use Adobe.

If the firmware upgrade caused problems, you can bet people would have complained loudly. I am sure you are safe to download it. I find the easiest way to install upgrades is by loading them onto the card.

G

I tend to use this lens wide-open for soft portraits with tiny DOF. When it's wide-open you can use it in Av mode and get correct exposures automatically.

If you're not going to use it wide-open there is not a lot of point in having it! I know focussing is slightly easier because it's slightly brighter than a 1.4 lens, but this is seldom significant in practice.

G

That's good news. I am sure Pentax will be relieved.

George

Pentax are aiming for 20% market share in 12 months, and their strategy (judging by the K10D) seems to be to sell superior quality at low prices.

So, I for one am hoping that these new lenses, though they have to be expensive, will be at the low end of expensive.

The 28-70 1:2.8 sold for £1,300. It is effectively being replaced by the 16-50 1:2.8, and I would hope that the price might come in a little under £1,000. But perhaps I am being optimistic.

G

It's better made, it's easier to use - more features available via knobs and buttons rather than by menu-diving -and it has unique facilities such as wireless flash using just one external gun and the built-in flash. The AF motor is said to be more powerful too, making focussing easier with long lenses. My 300mm works fine, for instance.

It also has hyper-program, which Z1 users tend to like a lot.

The main downsides are that the later cameras tend to be able to shoot more pictures in quick succession, and have smaller RAW files.

For me, the pros outweigh the cons and justify the price, but for others the reverse may be true.

Right now, I would wait for the K10D unless you are on a very strict budget, in which case it would be the K100D or a second-hand *ist D.

G

Cross your fingers that they'll still work with the K10D.

G