Interesting, yes. Very. It's going to be a "must-have" lens for a lot of people. Just hope it's priced accordingly.

George

By the "K range", I mean cameras that use K bayonet lenses, and at the moment that means 35mm film cameras and digital cameras with an APS-C sized sensor.

The image produced by the DA lenses is too small to cover a 35mm frame - these lenses are only designed for APS-C sized sensors.

So far, most "digitally-optimised" lenses produced by Pentax have been DA lenses, although there have been two D FA macros which cover 35mm.

Some people are expecting that Pentax will bring out a digital camera with a 35mm-sized sensor. My view is that this is wishful thinking. The announcement of the D645 suggests to me that Pentax will stick to the APS-C sensor for K lenses, and will expect those who need more pixels to go for the D645.

I would expect that in a year or so there will be an upgraded K DSLR with a higher pixel count than 6.1M, but still using the APS-C sized sensor.

If Pentax were planning to produce a K DSLR with a full-frame sensor, there would be no need for all the wide lenses it has been pumping out lately, and they would anyway be D FAs so that they could be used on the notional full-frame DSLR.

George

As usual the rumour mill is active.

Some people are saying it will have a price of around US$6,000. Others that it will be built to order (which I don't think is very likely, though it might have certain customisable options).

My view is that it will have a relatively low price. If they lose a little money on each body, but sell plenty, think of what they will make on lens sales.

What it does suggest, quite strongly, is that this is the way to go for people who want lots of pixels. The K range will stay APS. Why else bring out a DA 12-24mm?

G

Yes, no problem. As I understand it, the only incompatibility with Pentax flash guns is that the modern auto-focus units (those with FT in the name) will not work with manual focus cameras.

In other words, all Pentax autofocus cameras work with all Pentax flashguns.

George

By all means provide a link. It's easy to forget sometimes with all this talk of gear, that the purpose of a camera is to take pictures.

George

Congratulations, Kim,

Not only are the PDSLRs very competent pieces of kit, but they are beautifully built, and an absolute pleasure just to hold in the hand, let alone to use.

As for the 24-90 zoom, I ended up buying one after considering all the options. It's a pretty good performer, although it doesn't focus well in poor light. It feels rather flimsy compared to the F series zooms and the power zooms, and one does wonder why it costs so much.

At the end of the day, though, it delivers the goods, and I don't think there is a better alternative as a general purpose zoom on a DSLR. The top end is great for tight portraits. The 28-105 power zoom is also a very good lens, but doesn't go quite as wide. I'd choose it for film, and the 24-90 for digital.

Happy shooting.

G

It's very easy to use older lenses on the Pentax DSLRs, and very similar to using a manual metering camera like the MX or LX.

Once the camera has been set up (which you do once, then forget for ever more), you simply have to choose manual exposure mode, and then press a button which causes the camera to meter the light and set the speed and aperture.

That's it.

If the light changes, press the button again.

G

Pentax changed the size of its viewfinders when it introduced the M series cameras. All previous cameras, screw and K, used one size, and all cameras from M onwards used another.

G

People are usually quick to respond here if they know the answer. The lack of a response suggests that none of the regulars have experienced the problem.

In your place I would try tightening any screws that appear to be loose. Firms like Draper make sets of jewelers' screwdrivers which don't cost very much, and they're handy to have around for occasions like this.

George