I've never tried taking that particular lens apart but I have taken quite a few other lenses apart over the years and find the word "easy" is something I'd rarely associate with the task.

I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from a bit of DIY maintainence (if you're the sort of person who enjoys puzzles then it's actually good fun!) but I wouldn't suggest starting with a lens that you actually want to keep - find something old, obscure and fungus ridden for a few pennies and practice on that first.

You'll need some basic tools which I'd say should consist of lens rings (like these), a good quality size 0 philips screwdriver (not the rubbish ones that come in cheap toolkits), very fine nosed anti-magnetic tweezers and a spanner wrench set (something like this but you'll probably find cheaper ones will do the trick - or cheat like I do and grind down the pins on some circlip pliers to make blades ).

Best of luck!

I like! But then I'm a sucker for insect macros so I'm easily pleased...

I think the bee's my favourite of the lot.

I shot my first (and probably last) wedding a couple of weeks ago and found I used just 3 lenses; the DA 18-55 (as I don't have any other wide-normal zoom), the FA 43 and the FA 77 (both very useful for indoor shots and a few "nicer" portraits) - I'm sure something like the FA 50 would have covered the duties of the two Limiteds just as well though. Interestingly, although I took my flash I found it stayed untouched in the camera bag for the whole day (along with the 12-24 and the macro) - this is probably down to my shooting style and preference for natural light though so your mileage may vary.

Very few shots were posed and I ended up with about 250 "keepers" that the newlyweds were very happy with so it all turned out fine in the end.

18-55



43



And yes, I did straighten the horizons / apply some cropping / sharpen a little / tweak the white balance before giving them a set "ready to print". This actually took considerably longer than the actual shoot on the day!

I did a double take 'cos I thought at first it might be the same bus!

No need to apologise though - may be the same subject but it's a very different photo...

Number 2 and number 4 are the stand-out photos for me here as you've managed to get his eyes in focus on those. Number 2 takes the overall win though due to the more appealing background. Your practice is paying off!

It does look to be another great lens, it's just unfortunate that it's another great lens that I can't afford right now...

I think forums like this one need people like pe... er, the hypothetical poster, in order to survive. It's truly great to have a resource like this where there are so many willing and able to give good advice, however, that advice can only usually be given as long as there is a steady supply of people who ask for it.

To have one without the other would see the forum wither and die like so many before it. If I happen to give advice to somebody who finds it useful and then profits from it then I wish them all the best and I'm happy to have been of some service. Karma normally ensures that I'm repaid by receiving good advice in return, whether it be here or on one of the other (non-photography) forums that I frequent.

This forum (like my other favourite, saabcentral.com) has an excellent balance of people asking for help and people willing to give it - thus ensuring that it doesn't become stale. Long may this continue!

The dimensions for Pentax viewfinder accessories haven't changed since the M-series so anything made since around 1976 should fit on your K10D. Just be careful with things like right-angle finders 'cos there are a lot on eBay designed for Spotmatics and earlier that have rather vague (and often misleading!) descriptions. You'll find that accessories for the Olympus OM system will fit your viewfinder too (not sure about current Oly Four Thirds stuff though - anybody tried?).

Fantastic shot - love the little antennas sprouting at right angles from his proboscis!

Do you use a tri/monopod or is this hand-held?

Having just spent the day using my own 43 and 77 Limiteds on my new MX I can vouch for the combination performing flawlessly - hence my desire for a 31mm being stepped up a couple of gears.