Yep, well spotted. It is the cheaper wired, rather than wireless, version. I think it is a lovely keyboard. It has a nice feel and the illuminated keys work well in subdued lighting. However it was still rather expensive and I hope will last somewhat longer than the cheaper ones I have previously used.

It was a bit of a challenge to photograph. I had to balance the illuminated keys with the "F" legends on the function keys where only the orange icons are illuminated. I found it was very easy to smear or burn out the illuminated legends. I was though pleased that the illumination also provided a hint of blue highlighting between the keys.

Glyn

Black Keys

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP0202-c1_small.jpg[/IMG]

Keyboard Detail

Pentax K-7 with the Samsung equivalent of the DFA100 Macro
30sec, F14, ISO200 & -0.7Ev
Shot on 13/03/2011

Glyn

You might also like to consider a set of close-up lenses. These look a little bit like filters. A standard set is usually +1, +2, +4 and can be stacked, with some loss of quality, to achieve greater magnifications.

While not a patch on a dedicated macro lens they can be a very cheap introduction to macro work.

A summary of macro methods & options is given here.

I have used a 49mm coupling/reversing ring with a FA50 reversed onto a DFA100 and while got a terrific magnification found that the depth of field was very, very, small. I was trying to shoot the head of a pin and was disappointed to find it was not a smooth reflective surface :

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/IMGP4915-c1small.jpg[/IMG]

Glyn

The latest firmware version for the K20D is V1.04 and is available from here.

Glyn

Many thanks for a very interesting competition subject, great reviews, excellent judging and, of course, my Oscar

Congratulations to JudithAnn for the winning shot of a beautiful still life, Jon & i-berg as runners up and everyone else for another inspired set of images.

Glyn

Following a bit of hunting it turns out that I do have the instruction manual for the 55B. This because I also have the harder to find 06B 350mm variant (LBA again), which came with a manual and the manual is common to both.

If I get some spare time tomorrow I'll scan it in then PM you for an email address.

Glyn

Just to show the differences here is a quick shot of both lenses:

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP9953-small.jpg[/IMG]

Glyn

There are 2 versions of this lens, the 55B and the later 55BB.

By your description I think you have the earlier 55B variant.

The earlier 55B has a detachable tripod mount which is fitted using two captive knurled screws to to the back "fixed" part of the lens. There is a 3rd knurled screw on this part of the lens that when unscrewed allows the rear of the "fixed" part to rotate. The 3 white lines are to line up the tripod mount in landscape, left portrait or right portrait mount positions. If your one has lost the tripod mount you should still see the mounting holes for it.

The later version does not have the holes, locking screw or rotating rear ring for the detachable tripod mount and only has one line at the 12-o-clock position for setting the focus point.

While I have both versions of this lens (from the collecting strain of LBA ) I don't have any manuals but you can see some details here:

55B

55BB

The other most noticeable difference is the rubber focus ring grip. This is lined on the older 55B and square knurled on the later 55BB.

I hope this helps,

Glyn

I had a similar problem with my DA35 limited. But I don't think it was the lens that was faulty.

Mine appeared to be back focusing only coming good above F4 even at infinity focus. However in my case it turned out to be my K10D that was back focusing.

I think this lens is very sensitive to camera focus alignment. This is probably because it is a macro and has the focus ring movement designed to maximise control over short distances. There is very little focus movement between 0.5M and infinity so I think it is susceptible to camera miss alignment at longer distances.

I'm now using a K-7 and the same lens is working perfectly on this camera.

Glyn

I'm using the Tamrac MX5341 BLACK MAS Lens Case Pro 50 for my Sigma 17-70 which is the HSM version. It is a little bit on the large size so is not a snug fit but just deep enough to take the 55-300 for when I'm out with two lenses, one on the camera and one in the case that get swapped around.

I have also just tried the Lowepro 1W (which I use for an old FA28-200) and this is a nice snug fit and probably the best case for the Sigma 17-70 with its hood reverse fitted.

I hope this helps,

Glyn