OK, I won't keep you in suspense any longer.

We have to think back to the days when cameras did not have AF and often not even a rangefinder, so distances had to be measured or guessed and then set on the lens.

Let's suppose you know that for a head and shoulders portrait you need to be 6 feet away (2 metres) from the subject. Set your lens to 6 feet. Get a piece of string about 6 feet long and attach it to a peg.

Now, approach your subject, clip the peg on a lapel or collar, walk back to the full extent of the string, pull the peg off and voila! Take the picture. It is almost guaranteed the subject will be smiling.....

If someone wants to try it, then let us know how you get on!

1. They are excellent
2. I would and have and would again
3. France is the new european HQ, makes no difference.
4. Yes it would
5. Long enough for us all I'm sure!

Hope that helps. If you want to buy Pentax then SRS are a great source of supply.

No you don't. If the lens has an "A" on the aperture ring and you set it to "A" then nothing further needs to be done. The camera will give you full function, although obviously a manual focus lens will still be manual focus.

No, it's a sensible technique that works....

I think that could make a very good camera for candid portraits - everyone who spotted you would be smiling.

The same effect can be achieved with a piece of string and a clothes peg.

Who can tell me how? And this is a serious question to challenge your imaginations, or knowledge of photo history.

It should be possible for a discussion to develop without needing to be observed constantly.....

Just keep it cool guys - there's nothing to get excited about.

There is no problem. The Pentax Adapter K is the best one to use as it allows infinity focus.

Enjoy your screw thread lenses!

The K7 is a pro spec camera on a par with models like the Nikon D300s, but more compact and with some advantages in image quality.

If Pentax introduced a K3 (let's say) with full frame and a price tag of £2500 (let's say) it wouldn't have me running to SRS to buy one. It would do nothing to enhance the photography I do and I'd be better spending the money on travel and getting to interesting places to make images.

I will buy a K7 eventually, but when it's at the end of its run and the price is low. Our K20D bodies are not that old to warrant replacement yet.

Actually as medium format cameras went, the Pentax 645 and 67 models were very much in the field cameras.

They both operate in a very similar way to the 35mm SLRs and apart from the bulk are quite good at catching action. I say quite good because they are quite bulky!

The 645 is much slicker in operation that either the Bronica or Mamiya 645 models, and needs no add ons to make it work. The Bronica, for example, is useless without the speed grip.

The only other camera that came close was the Exakta 66, which I have never seen in the flesh but is very similar to the 67 but with square format.

Ironically then, we always end up buying Sony TVs as they have the best picture quality.

Panasonic is another excellent choice.

The best thing to do is visit a shop and have a look.