To some extent I suppose you're right but then again aren't we all?
We didn't have to go digital or have a HiFi system or a colour TV or a computer or a car with ABS and central-locking......we all embrace new technology in one form or another and there's usually a less technologically advanced alternative.

While I accept that you actually quite like the K10D, if you're so unhappy with its specification and handling, why do you own one?

Modern cameras might be full of gimmicks but at least you get a lot for your money and who knows what features you may or may not find useful - at least they are there!
There are bound to be some features that we could do without and some we'd like to see added.....can't please everybody all the time!

I suppose you have to buy what is made available to you but why did so many pro's upgrade their Nikon FMs and Canon T90s to F4s, F5s and EOS 1s?.......they clearly weren't put off by all the extra features.
Most pro's have embraced AF and even digital technology for at least some of their work and no doubt use many of the other advanced features too.

But for those that don't like it, why not go truly (traditionally) professional with a no-frills Hasselblad and then pay £6000 for an optional 6MP digi-back?

These things do indeed work well although they are a bit noisy (you can hear the dummy spools turning, at low volume levels) but I certainly wouldn't pay over 15 quid for one!

Technologically speaking, 30 years is a lifetime.
In 1977 a highly sophisticated SLR (film) had average-area metering, auto/manual aperture selection and manual focusing (I'm not sure if any had spot-metering or any sort of program mode), but just look at what we have now!

There's no way of knowing what the next 30 years will bring but Pentax have always been innovative and even when they've not been the first to release a product type, when they have it's often been superior.

I'm confident that Pentax will still be around and will be producing competitive products, at affordable prices, just like they always have.

Before you do send it off for repair, bear the cost in mind carefully.
I would think you'd pay between £70 - £100.

It sounds as though the camera is still perfectly usable ie. AF works and obviously MF only lenses work fine too.
The only thing you'll have to remember is not to try manually focusing an AF lens (one without it's own manual selector) because the AF motor in the camera is presumably not disengaging - you probably wont damage anything but why take the risk?

Spot on George, I couldn't agree more!

I was deeply struck by that sentiment some years ago when I learned of a species of sea cow that is now extinct.
These peaceful and totally inoffensive creatures had lived in the Indonesian seas (I think) for many thousands of years and were an easy target for western hunters.
I think it was in the 16th or 17th century that these animals were discovered by westerners so you can perhaps excuse their ignorance but within just 25 years of their discovery, that particular species was hunted to extinction.

As for global-warming etc., I didn't see the programme and I believe that whatever we do must have an impact. However, the planet's climate goes through natural cycles and there are naturally occuring periods of geological instability. These result in earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and forest fires etc. which can pump more pollutants into the atmosphere than mankind has done since the industrial revolution.

We should certainly all do our bit to help preserve our natural resources but to suggest that we can 'repair' the damage, let alone reverse it, is quite preposterous.
The planet is a living organism and will heal itself, we will simply have to adapt to whatever changes we are faced with.

Human beings are the only species that actively seek to change the environment, we explore, create and destroy - it's in our nature!
We evolved naturally on this planet, the proof is obvious because we not only have much in common with other primates, we are even genetically similar to daffodils - so whatever choices we make can be considered as part of 'Mother Nature's grand design'.

I did too, perhaps that's what Pete meant when he said "the right lens"....and at that price, who could argue?

Peter, I hope you don't mind but I've taken the liberty of posting your problem for you (anonymously, in case you want to register with a different sign-on to what you use here), in the Hardware Support section with the topic title 'Vista issue'.

Grasshopper builds bespoke PCs and has been using Vista for a while.

It might help if you can include specifications : makes and models etc.

Peter, post your query here: http://uktsupport.ipbhost.com/

You'll need to register first (helps to keep out the riff-raff) but there's some really helpful folk and I'm sure someone like Grasshopper will have your problem sorted in no time

You're welcome, no trouble at all.

Apart from the obvious possible compatibility issues, I haven't got a clue as I don't use Vista or even an external HDD myself!