...and whatever you do, don't try a Brillo-pad

Good question Mike, there are a number of good ideas that tend to be 'forgotten' as models change.
The SFX had a raised housing around the CENTIC panel that helped to prevent scratches and glare - later models went with the 'smooth' look.
The small cap from the SFX remote socket fits neatly and securely into a purpose made slot in the remote cable F hand-grip - the cap from the Z1 does not, it's loose to say the least.
The SF and Z series cameras featured the flash hotshoe 'off-centre' by positioning it above the hand-grip, rather than on top of the penta-prism but the MZ series saw a return to the traditional layout.

Although I can see the logic behind the FAJ system, most people dislike the 'crippled' mount but I suppose you have to make changes if you wan't to remain innovative and not everybody will like them!

Surely it's not possible for the Xtra flash to fire before the one attached to the camera - unless you're using the anti-redeye preflash!

It must therefore be a synchronisation issue.

There is a miniscule delay between the light leaving the camera's gun, being detected by the Xtra flash's sensor and the light from the Xtra flash getting back to the camera.........so perhaps the shutter has already closed!

The relationship between flash power and camera to subject distance is critical and more complicated when a secondarily flash is added to the equation.

I've very little experience of using flash setups but I'm sure someone will come up with a full explanation but if the Xtra flash output isn't registering, it must be too late rather than too early - which would explain why it doesn't show up on the long exposure

I've just won a lens c/w PK mount, you'll have to set the aperture manually and I don't think you'll have access to the multi-pattern metering system on the *istDS (I think you'll get centre-weighted like your SFXn) but at least you'll be able to use the lens.
I'll let you know when I receive it and if you're interested, you can have it for a few £'s.

Hi Flink,

You might have more luck on the high street, new they were around £30 and you should find one for £10 - £20 second-hand.
It's worth checking eBay for a lens complete with a mount - even if you don't really want the lens or it's in poor condition.

1. With the original Adaptall mount, shutter preferred cameras required a separate mount for each lens with a different aperture.
With the Adaptall-2 system, one mount fits all lenses, regardless of maximum aperture, regardless of SLR system.

2. Yes, you are correct.

3. No, they're mine, mine, mine!

ps. the 24mm f2.5 is a great lens, only beaten in a comprehensive test of independants by a Sigma 28mm (f2.8 I think) which was bigger, heavier, more expensive and obviously not as wide.
In terms of optical quality, the Sigma was the best on test - but only just!

I'm sure you'll be delighted

Until recently, a 256MB card was considered fairly large and expensive a) because they didn't get much bigger and b) because a 2megapixel camera was considered to be pretty 'powerful' for Mr. Average.

I now use a card reader but the 256 that has died was permanently in the camera and memory cards are pretty much indestructible in normal use - I've even heard of successful recovery of data from a card that has been soaked, run-over and even nailed to a tree!

You're probably right George but Ted wants to get his DS out on the street, firing away and a 512 (or even 256) card will provide a reasonable storage capacity and only add a small amount to the overall cost of his purchase.

I still think it's a pity that DSLRs don't have some built in memory or come supplied with a small card to get you started.

It most certainly does happen but the only reason that I've heard of is power failure. I believe it's a rare occurance but I have three SD cards, 128MB, 256MB and 512MB. The 256 card is only about a year old but it developed a problem whereby some stored images could not be viewed by the camera (ok on a pc tho'), the number of images with this problem began increasing so I formatted the card - now it is totally unusable, neither my Trust digital compact (in which the card was originally used), nor my *istDL can detect the card.
The oldest card is the 128 which has been used extensively in the Trust but also in other devices and still works fine, the 512 is less than a year old and so far, has performed perfectly. All three cards are by the same manufacturer...............so although cards are cheaper these days, I still wouldn't want to risk anything bigger than 512MB.

But don't forget to buy a large capacity (at least 256MB) SD card

SNAP

Ted,

The A series (developed for A series 35mm cameras such as the Super/Program A) and later lenses have electronic contacts that communicate with the camera (info varies depending on models), this permits the camera to operate in the various auto-program modes (AE).
A lenses are manual focus, whereas F, FA, FAJ etc. are auto-focus as well as AE.
All have the K bayonet mount and are suitable for the *istD range of cameras.
Furthermore, lenses with the A contacts enable the multi-pattern metering system to be used.

Pentax lenses are clearly marked with their series lettering, there'll be an A setting on the aperture ring and you'll see the contacts incorporated in the mount.

Hope that helps.