I don't see why not. He didn't say anything about it being a UK only sale and some of the items I've shipped to your country before have arrived quicker than items I've sent within the UK! There's been no other offers yet but it'll still be a case of first-come-first-served, don't know when he's planning on putting them on eBay but probably within the next couple of weeks.

Exactly? No. But I remember him being excited about buying it (and me going to have a play) around April/May time - it was a warm weekend anyway and we took it over to Henley to get some test shots. So no more than 6 months ago if that helps.

A friend of mine is getting rid of his two DA* zooms and has asked me to see if anyone here might be interested before they go on eBay.


DA*16-50 £450 + p&p

Was bought new from SRS earlier this year and is as-new with box and paperwork. No problems with SDM.


DA*50-135 £500 + p&p

Was bought from an eBay seller earlier this year and is as-new with box and paperwork. No problems with SDM. He's also chucking in a brand new Hoya Circular Polariser with this one (despite me telling him to keep hold of it for the time being) free of charge.


Anyone interested should get in touch with me and I'll pass your details to my friend so you can sort out payment / delivery between you. I can vouch for both his honesty and the condition of the lenses but I didn't bother taking pictures of them as they just looked like new lenses to all intents and purposes - they've had barely any use between them.

As always this will be first come-first-served and no, he won't be prepared to haggle so don't ask.

The same guy also wants to sell his Samsung-badged version of the FA35/2 but hasn't settled on a price he wants yet - when he does I'll start a new thread for it (next day or two).

Thanks for the coveted second place Martin and congratulations to Mike - I thought the lighting was great too.

You're right about the rabbit not being in a lab really (for any that were concerned as to his wellbeing) - the shot was taken at a local agricultural show where there's a section for rabbits among many other small and furry creatures. This one had many rosettes around his cage (including Best Of Breed) and looked to be very pampered. I originally intended Photoshopping a sinister figure in a lab coat and a big syringe into the background but coudn't get a suitable image to use.

My recommendation would be to start with a camera and one or two zoom lenses (the two "kit" lenses DA18-55 and DA50-200 are quite respectable performers and good value) and then see what you like / don't like doing before splashing the rest of your budget on accessories. You'll undoubtably buy more stuff eventually but what suits one person won't neccessarily suit you - don't be in too much of a hurry right away.

I don't know about the K20 but rumour has it the K-m has been stopped because Sony have stopped making the 10.2MP sensor it used. A bit like when they introduced the K200D because Sony had finally stopped production of the 6MP sensor that had been used from the *istD all the way through to the K100D Super.

Pentax are rather at the mercy of their suppliers in certain areas unfortunately.

Almost forgot that one - that was another reason it got the nod ahead of the FA31 for me.

1. I use Select AF and the AF button - never the shutter button. The Quick Shift (which the FA31 lacks of course) allows me to focus manually within around 2 meters and then a couple of quick thumb movements let me AF for anything further away. Works really well and the QS was a major selling point for me having been used to it in my other macro lens (the D-FA100) which I use in exactly the same fashion.

2. That's a personal taste thing but I rather like it - each to their own though.

3. That's one I can agree with (compared to the FA31 anyway) but at f/2.8 it's not slow either. If it was a car it'd be nippy.

You're right about there being no perfect lens - I wish there was then I'd never have to buy another!

Still, the DA35 is probably as close as I'm likely to get for the time being so I'm very pleased with it

I notice Panasonic launched a new firmware update for the LX3 this week that adds a 1:1 aspect ratio. Square is the new widescreen!

No difference other than the name - all features identical.

Cheers