Gotcha Dan!

Great explanation, and I didn't realize there was a glass cover on the sensor either. Good to know.

See, this is something us old film dawgs ain't used to.

We used to get 36 brand new, clean sensors per roll

Looks like I'll be tracking down an Artic Butterfly as the next big ticket purchase. Still kinda chicken to use the wet swabs.

Thanks again Dan!

Hi All,

I think I've discovered a sure-fire way to see all the crud on your sensor.

Not for the faint of heart - like moi - I'm still depressed..

Wait for a blue sky - or use a well-lit, clean sheet of blue paper.

Set your lens for its absolute minimum aperture, completely de-focus and shoot the sky. I find zooms show most at their longest setting.

Dump onto your computer and enlarge.

Ick.

I have about 25 UFOs, but I can't see them when looking at my sensor under bright lights with a magnifying glass. Took many blasts with a large bulb blower - no improvement.

With my 31mm at f22, they're all there. Fainter at f16, just about gone at f11. Seem not to show at f8 and larger.

Now the dumb question - (hey, it's ME after all)

Why do the little beggars show up most at minimum aperture? Is this some DOF side effect?

Aldoose,

Look up SRS Microsystems, and you will see that it is much more than a one person company, and more than just a photography dealer.

We like Chris and his team because of the personal attention we receive from them as an authorized Pentax distributer.

BTW, SRS are not brand bigots either - you'll see that they carry the other major products as well.

And, Chris IS a great guy.

Stefan,

Hello, welcome.

I've been using Pentax film SLR's for ever (1960's). Even though I made the digital move, like you, with a point & shoot (Pentax again) about 4 years ago, and recently a DSLR, I still run a roll of film through one of my old gems every so often. I find that it keeps me grounded and concentrating. I feel that "shoot & delete" with nothing to lose, detracts from actually planning a shot and investing something in it.

So, if you get the opportunity, there are many orphaned Pentax film SLRs out there at amazingly reasonable prices, and they often come with terriffic prime lenses - which you can use on your K10D.
Film won't be around forever, and I'd hate for you to pass up the experience.

Cheers, and happy clicking.

Terry,

Wonderful lens - not a wonderful photographer.

I'll work at it!

It's here! It's wonderful!

Does any other company besides Pentax have such an exclusive line of Limited Prime lenses?

Quick run on my humble K110D - fabulous colours and bokeh.

Using Manual focus as the Auto Focus on my K110D sucks at large apertures. On Manual - razor sharp.

I'm really happy I did this!

Kris,

Lovely shots. Great reflections on the water.

I especially like Ora et Labora.

Thanks for sharing!

I bought a refurbished K110D from SRS, and you wouldn't believe the effort they put into getting it across the Atlantic to Montreal.
Their patience and understanding is first class, and I will continue to buy from them every chance I get.

Nathan!

WAY TO GO, BOY!!!!

Dan,

Thanks for posting those charts. Obviously the Cannon stinks - as does the reviewer.

What is great though, is the the chart on the right, which shows the typical results of most Pentax lenses in my opinion.

There have been several forum members who are coming to grips with sharpness and Depth Of Field with their lenses.

As the graph shows, sharpness is best between f8 and f22, and this is the best range for Depth Of Focus/Field as well.

The graph really helps to demonstrate this.

Thanks again!