In my K100D I used the "eneloop" type batteries having originally used std NiMH.

The standard NiMH rechargeables were very unreliable - I could charge them one day, put them in the camera, take a few shots and they would be flat 3 days later with little or no more use.

The eneloop/duracell precharge type batteries are similar in behaviour to the lithium batteries that came with the K7 and solved all of my battery headaches for the K100D.

However, I stll always had a pack of "Copper Tops" in the bottom of the bag just in case!

Cheerz

MZ

For me it was...

1st, the K Mount.

All I needed was a PK adaptall 2, and almost all of the lenses that I had been so happy using on my Nikon FA went straight to work on my K100D

2nd, Sensor SR.

All lenses benefit from the sensor based SR. At first I thought this to be a bit of a gimmick - just like AF - but now I am glad to have both!

MZ

The biggest problem I find for macro work in the field is not the holding of the camera it is the movement of the subjects!

Insects fly away during the microsecond of shutter lag and flowers tend to bob in the breeze at supersonic speeds during the exposure!

I guess what I am trying to convey is that macro work - perhaps more that most fields of photography - requires a lot of patience and practice and sometimes the best way to force one's self into that frame of mind is to use a tripod, MF and Manual exposure.

That's how I approach Macro despite having an AF Macro lens nowadays and the convenience of adjustable ISO.

Cheerz

MZ

Maybe they just wanted a prime lens with a prime number focal length?

MZ

It certainly now works on a K7 with these latest updates.

I can contol AF, Aperture, ISO etc all from the PC whilst tethered. The files take a second to appear and can be saved to HD.

All pretty good stuff. Thank you Tomasz.

Not forgetting the great work Tomasz has already done here but Live View on the PC monitor would be just sublime!!!

Cheers

MZ

I regularly use my Tammy 24mm f2.5 - my favourite in the days of film and very useable moderate wide (36mm) on APS-C

I have also been looking at 28's recently but not gone for one just yet thinking its a little close to the 24 and that Santa might read my letter and drop me off a DA35 f2.4 on his way over.

That will slot nicely between 24,50,90,135mm primes and leave me only aching for the 15 ltd.

CheersMZ

Hi Jacqui

I love my Tamron 70-300mm. Great reach and good enough for me. But since acquiring the 50-200mm WR I have hardly taken it out.

Why?

Just because of the size -

The DA50-200 is not much larger than the DA18-55 and together they make a great compact kit and if I can't get the Chance Shot with 18-200mm covered when out and about for the day, then there's something wrong with me!!

As a dedicated bird or wildlife lens it's not the best but it is compact.

But I think I'd tolerate the extra size and go for 300mm (at the long end) if I had to choose.

Cheers

MZ

I can vouch for the Tamron SP90AF.

It has replaced my trusted Micro-Nikkor totally now.

I almost always focus manually and I constantly use the optical DOF preview to help select the focus point as close up and at f2.8 the DOF is very thin.

Using the optical DOF preview allows you to see what you will get in and out of focus with your selected aperture.

I find that allowing the camera to choose the focus point means that you don't always make the most of the available or limited DOF.

Just my thoughts...

MZ

Also try 2nd curtain flash or slow synch .

My other 1/2 has got some great results at parties in that way.

MZ

I have the Tammy 90AF and an old Micro-Nikkor 55mm + Glassless adapter.

The Tammy takes a sharp stick and pokes the nikkor right out of the camera bag.

The micro-nikkor was my favorite nikon optic when my FA was in use.

I can't comment on the Pentax equivalents though but for me the Tamron SP90 f2.8AF is a great lens and I am yet to find any faults with it. I has a focus limiter and a push pull MF/AF System (although predominantly I use MF for macro)

MZ