It took me a long time to find a suitable camera to use. The cost of the MG is so low and there are so many that repairing this one was really out of the question.

As for could somebody have used the shell, well, that too is probably very unlikely.

So, having found a camera body with virtually no potential for anything but being an ornament I decided this would suit the purpose of this long term experiment. As it turns out, the camera is more resilient than I expected, so this is now a very long term project.

Perhaps in a few decades from now this little MG might have gained some notoriety...

Every last Friday in the month I take another shot with my trusty W90 and we see how this Pentax MG is doing, as it gets absorbed by nature. It's still looking pretty good on the outside and no doubt is a whole new eco-system on the inside, a haven for goodness knows what.

Given that digital sensors shouldn't be over-exposed (we can't reclaim information that isn't there) I use centre weighted metering, coupled with use of exposure compensation where needed.

Matrix metering seems to give lighter results and it can be difficult to know how much it's compensating in difficult situations.

Spot metering is great when needed, but the user needs to be aware of how it works and it has proven a pitfall for some.

That's great Geoff, we'll be waiting to hear how you get on with it and hopefully you'll post some results?

The way this thread has started doesn't really get it off to a good start does it?

You can discuss anything that's of interest or of relevance to Pentax Users and the new Nikon is of relevance only in the context that they've chosen to emulate the K-5IIs. This has already been mentioned in another thread.

It's quite likely from the looks of things that the K-5IIs has exceeded expectations and therefore others will certainly follow.

SRS Microsystems in Watford will give you free shipping if you quote your username.

The hyperfocal distance is simply a distance that makes the most of the available depth of field. It has no effect on aperture or shutter speed per se, but you will need a smallish aperture and this means a longer (slower) shutter speed. A tripod is good.

Don't forget that the tripod will stop camera movement, but will have no effect on subject movement such as waving trees and foliage.

I've locked the other thread to avoid confusion.

Duplicated thread.

If you have the cash, then buying the right thing straight off will save you money in the long run.

The K-5 has enough benefits to make it the camera of choice, and coupled with a WR lens will give you real versatility to operate in all weathers and environments.