Microsoft is many things, but an innovative company it is not. They made one good deal in 1982, or thereabouts (licensing somebody else's operating system to IBM to run the first PC) and thereafter they have ruthlessly exploited their monopoly position.

Sadly, the world is full of sheep. If all the cowardly IT types had not flocked to the IBM PC instead of buying Apple (remember: "nobody ever got fired for buying IBM" we wouldn't now be stuck with this beached walrus.

People say that they brought us standards. Actually, it was IBM that set the standards, not MS. Their only good product in all this time has been Excel. I still cringe whenever I have to use that dreadful, buggy, bloated, mess, MS Word.

Universities all over the world are trying to teach computers to program themselves. When they succeed, MS will bite the dust.

And a jolly good thing, I say.

G

I didn't say now. But I am sure it will become necessary sooner or later.

G

It's really quite simple.

The PEF format will not be supported for ever. For long term storage, convert either to TIFF or DNG.

For physical storage, I find CDs and DVDs a pain. Any minute now, we will be able to rent oodles of space on Amazon's servers for very little money, and this will be my preferred back-up solution as soon as it becomes available.

G

A Pentax (non-full-frame) DSLR will crop a large chunk of the image.

A possible solution is to arrange a nice even light source behind the slide (trying putting it on a white computer screen), and then photograph it with a good macro lens.

G

When I come across scumbags like this, I send them a message asking why they are cheating on postage, and saying that I NEVER buy from thieves.

Altogether now..........

G

If the DL works like the D, which it probably does, you will have to use manual lenses in manual exposure mode. Pressing the right button (it varies according to body) will set the correct shutter speed for the selected aperture.

If you use Av, you will obtain a correct exposure, but at full aperture. The lens is not stopped down. Bizarrely, the lens DOES get stopped down, but AFTER the shutter has fired.

This is actually more useful than it sounds. It's fine for available light pictures, especially portraits, where you don't mind shoting at full aperture, and it's also good for long teles where you often shoot at full aperture anyway.

That's what is happening with your Tokina.

G

The FA 1:2.8 20mm is pretty good, and I believe that the DA 14mm is too. And people have always been prepared to pay a lot for the 15mm.

G

Dan,

That's one of the best macro shots I've seen in a long while. Magnificent.

G

There is no earthly point in shooting macro wide-open. f11 or smaller is my motto, so comparing macro lenses wide open just demonstrates how stupid the reviewer is.

G

I would just like to add that the FA 1:2.8 100mm macro is a magnificent lens. They still come up on Ebay from time to time, and are well worth the price.

Well, on reflection I suppose that depends on what the price is. Mine cost me £166; there is one on Ebay currently for £340.00! There is also a dental macro for £272. I sold mine to Arthur Dent last year for less than half that. Should have hung on.

G