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<img src="http://www.polmed.co.uk/pics/IMGP6345.jpg" width="1024" height="769" border="0">

G

The biggest single problem with macro is getting enough DOF. The answer is to stop right down, and at small apertures you need more light.

G

The 400 and the 240 don't offer contrast control.

The 5P cables let the guns do everything that they can do when mounted on the hotshoe, so you should theoretically get contrast control using a couple of 500s connected by 5P cables.

G

Yes it will work, in full TTL mode, and you can stack up as many adapters as you like.

For the DSLRs, the Adapter Fg is recommended in the manual, as that will enable the RTF to work. However, the Fg doesn't have a hotshoe on top, so won't allow stacking. If you already have the F (with hotshoe on top), then either an F or an Fg can go on the top of the pile.

The useful thing about the 400 flashguns is that they have their own 5P socket, so don't need an off-camera adapter.

BUT, you might well find that using manual flash rather than TTL will give you more control.

If cash is a consideration, the AF240FT also has a 5P socket, and is quite powerful enough, though it has a fixed head which limits flexibility.

Also consider a cheap slave trigger if you are prepared to use manual. In fact, do give manual mode your consideration. For your needs, it is the option I personally would prefer.

G

How true!

G

Here's an excellent example of what I was talking about: atrocious spelling, dead relations, zero punctuation, and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Properly presented, this item should have earned £15.00 to £20.00, perhaps more.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7587172963&fromMake...

In the event, the seller got a well-deserved £1.20 (plus a little more because he cheated on postage).

G

Batty takes great care over his auctions, and seems to get very good prices as a result.

It's an object lesson to the perpetrators of the more usual:

For sale: Petnax Ashi camara with lense £200 (NR)

i no nothinn bout camras but this looks in good condition but sold as seen coz i no nothin bout camrs im sellin it for my dad who passd away last night

G

I owe Pentax an apology. Last night I had a drink in the Bell and Crown, the name of which in gold lettering I pictured earlier in this thread to illustrate an example of chromatic aberration.

Well, last night I noticed that the gold lettering on the sign was edged with dark red. This was what I thought was CA on my trusty old M 400mm.

So, it was nothing of the kind. The lens is absolved of all guilt, and I humbly apologise for suggesting it was anything other than optically damn near perfect.

G

Don,

I suspect you are right.

Incidentally, this lens is an example of how best to use (some) K and M lenses on a DSLR.

I just leave it on f5.6 all the time, and shoot in Av mode.

G

This afternoon I took my SMCP-M 1:5.6 400mm down to the river to play with it. I haven't really had a chance to do so since getting it late last year.

It performs well enough most of the time, but give it some extreme light conditions, like the reflection off this pub sign, and the CA goes wild.




When the light isn't too contrasty, it's fine:




So my question is, why is it that this lens performs badly on digital, given that the rear element is so far from the sensor that the light path must be almost vertical?

G