Have you adjusted the dioptre adjustment as per the instructions? That's the usual cause of the problem.

We always use maximum aperture to focus by as lenses are open until they stop down when taking the picture. The wider the maximum aperture, the brighter the image and the easier to see the point of focus. It doesn't end up being more accurate than AF, sometimes less so, unless we spend some time critically getting the point of focus right.

Macro photography in particular can benefit from MF, but anything at a distance is far less critical.

Tests have been made with people focusing, noting the distance on the disatnce scale. Then trying again and noting the distance again actually focused on. The amount of error in our eyes is surprisingly large. AF can be more accurate, especially in lower light.

Thanks both, hopefully she got away with it but at 81 it's always tricky.

No, that was helpful. Apologies for the errant post, my Mum had just fallen downstairs and had to be rushed to hospital and I wasn't concentrating....she's on the mend hopefully.

Not specifically, no. Our lenses tend to be in a constant state of flux because, apart from anything else, I like to actually try properly the things I write about. Curiosity sometimes, sometimes practical need.

Here's a link to a set of eight images using the 18-135mm, all shot on Monday.
http://www.ephotozine.com/user/johnriley1uk-22471/gallery/photo/angels-1-2222814...

You're probably right, we're dealing with a bit of a crisis here today, so I'll think about that one later. Too much stress in one day I'm afraid.

As I use centre point focusing only, it's bound to affect things if we put slanted prisms in the way. Exactly how much I don't know.

No personal attacks please guys.

I think it's very good news, for all the reasons that Shaky thinks it isn't. That is, I like what Pentax has been doing and does and it suits me and that's why I'm a Pentax User.

It really doesn't matter if they don't become one of the "Big Two" or "Big Three" or "Big Four" or whatever number we like. What matters is that they make enough money to survive and continue to develop exciting new products with that classic "Pentax feel", and they all have that magic already.

Spaceman_Spiff has identified the reason I won't be using any site that does that sort of thing.

There hasn't been a split image focusing screen since AF arrived. It upsets AF so what would be the point?

Admittedly it will depend very much on individuals' eyesight, but I can easily focus using the ground glass screens. In fact, I always did, even when microprisms and split images were available. They are far too slow and fiddly.

Practice more, make sure the dioptre adjustment has been done correctly, but in the end these are all AF cameras with manual focusing available as a backup.

For dioptre adjustment, defocus the lens, point it at a white or even background and adjust until the etched lines on the focuing screen are sharpest.