It depends on how far back you go, but Dixons started off as a photographic dealer, and they did most certainly sell leica and eveything else. However, over the years they have drifted into being something else and the photographic side has dwindled. I suppose these days they are an electronics store.

OK, the analogy is there. The best film images are superior to the best digital images. It's also probably true that the very best vinyl pressing is superior to the very best CD. However, in the latter case it is very rare to find a really well produced "audiophile" vinyl recording. In general, the CD will be better. In general, it's likely that the digital photograph will be better as well. We're not all Ansel Adams....

I was really talking about ebay when it came to prices. Many dealers have been vastly over-priced for a long time, and now we have a viable alternative source their prices will inevitably have had to fall.

Who would buy a SMC Pentax-M 100mm f2.8 for £275 from a shop when you can pick up a better one for less than £100 on eBay? I know there are other risks, but with care it works most of the time.

You may well be right about classic cameras sitting on shelves. It's a pity. I like my cameras yo be in use, but even then I can't use them all all the time!

The news is that Dixons are stopping selling 35mm film cameras now that sales of digital outnumber 35mm 15:1. Well, we didn't buy from Dixons anyway, but is this a sign of the real end of 35mm film camera sales?

Yes and no.

When I sell film cameras on eBay, the Pentax classics sell well at good prices, and they always sell. The demand is strong.

When Sue sells cameras in her job, it's more oftenm than not digital.

My feeling is that DSLRs and "Bridge" digital cameras are so seductive with their high quality and instant results that for most people that is the way to go and film is out.

It's only us enthusiasts who will keep film going, and IMHO that will be black and white film and slide film. The real casualty will surely be print film, which will have no market.

Of course there will be certain applications where either format will be preferable. If I went on an Arctic Trek (I won't!) I would take film. If I wanted to shoot a mass of pictures for eBay (I will!) I would use a digital camera.

However, the main point is surely that I really enjoy my photography. Does it really matter if I use film or digital?

ISO 200 is the lowest setting available.

For all practical purposes, you can assume that ISO and ASA are the same. Likewise, you can assume that the fugures mean the same for film and digital. Neither of these things is probably strictly true, but it serves well enough!

When you say "in the picture" do you mean the picture on computer screen or the picture in the print?

When this occurs is it with any particular type of subject?

Hi Jaycee

Welcome to PentaxUser!

Hope you enjoy being a part of this community - look forward to reading your posts.

I know that some people do like to do their own repairs, but unless you are really confident and have the tools I personally would advise using Pentax or another authorised repairer.

After all, the 645 is an expensive professional piece of kit and it's worth the best professional treatment IMHO!

Hi Arthur

I had a strange sense of deja vu when I found this message!

It's always appreciated if a post only appears once in one thread so we don't get too cluttered and confused......Thanks!

That sounds like the generic manual. The manual is useful in that it lists all the currently available lenses with specifications.

No, you don't have power zoom. You's know if you had partly because of the cost of the lens....Only a few pentax bodies will support Power Zoom anyway, and it seems to be an idea that has been dropped.