If you're very close then the DOF is substantially less. So I would use f16 or even f22 to get everything sharp. The trade-off is that these may not be the best apertures in terms of quality, but on the other hand it's no use having things out of focus. In focus at slightly lower resolution will be better. I would use f16 if possible and I doubt that it will cause any problems other than camera shake from the slower shutter speed.

This is where a substantial tripod will make a difference. If the camera is not totally rigid then there will be shake. To minimise this I would use the 2 second delayed action.

The shutter is rated for 100,000 exposures, but of course you can always have a shutter replaced. Considering how long we have had our DSLRs before uograding, I suspect the design life is not going to impinge upon us.

So far I haven't managed 10,000 exposures with any one camera, never mind 100,000.

Most electronic devices fail within the first six months if they are going to, and if not usually carry on for a very long time.

The only time we ever took out this type of insurance was when Sue worked for jessops - the staff price was superb value and could not be resisted!

Normally we never take out these insurance plans.

At our club it has never been a problem. Apart from us all being decent and reasonable people, when minors attend the meetings they need to bring along a responsible adult to look after them. That usually means a parent, or a person nominated by a parent.

Perhaps it helps the camera compensate for the CCD behaving differently at higher temperatures?

No problem Gary, but we had to carry on regardless....

Now you need to win again!

The SMC Pentax-M 20mm f4 is compact, sharp and superb. I think it's better than the SMC Pentax-A 20mm f2.8 and presumably also therefore the FA version of the latter.

There is no 20mm f2 lens in the pentax range.

Sorted, thank you!

I can, but a clue as to which image would be helpful!

The test results are not really that conclusive in that most are more or less identical, certainly within the limits of experimental error.

The dynamic range does seem to be different, but then the resolution advatage probably more that outweighs that.

It won't stop us buying a couple of K20D cameras very soon. Chris can expect a call....