When you are as good a photographer as George, you won't need a camera.

The cricket is a grasshopper and most, if not all, pre 'A' series lenses have a metering problem when stopped down from wide open on the K10D and probably the K20D.

Get a Sigma EX DG 180mm Macro lens, you don't have to get too close.

Sounds to me like a spring is broken. With the lens in your hand and the aperture ring set to 'A', the iris should be closed by a spring. When you move the actuator to open it, it should then close itself under spring pressure. Does this happen?

If not, it's manual aperture only I'm afraid unless you have it repaired.

You'll need to use the camera in manual exposure mode, 'M' on your mode dial. If you use any other mode it'll still work, but only wide open.

Regards,

A couple of months ago I'd have happily bought it for that price, but I chose the SMC Pentax DA* 300mm instead.

The SMC Pentax-F 50mm 1:1.7 is a fine lens, I have one and it produces excellent results. Don't bin it yet.

I repaired an A series 50mm 1:1.7 lens once, but I wouldn't attempt it again. It had a different problem to yours though, the aperture ring would only move part way round the scale due to a broken leaf-spring mount.

With the aperture ring set to "A", your lens should work in all exposure modes. It could be that you simply have dirty or damaged contacts on the lens. Put no more than one (1) drop of WD-40 or similar onto a piece of paper kitchen towel and clean the lens mount a few times. Then take another dry kitchen towel and clean the mount again to remove any excess WD-40.

With the lens in your hand and the aperture ring set to A, the aperture should be fully stopped down (small hole). Manually move the aperture actuator on the rear of the lens and check that the iris moves thoughout it's entire range. Inspect the iris blades for oil. If it has any it'll need professional (but inexpensive) cleaning.

If the aperture feels nice 'n snappy during this test, it could be that the actuator is bent such that it fouls when mounted on the camera. If you attempt to straighten it, be prepared for it to break (another repair job).

The Sigma 180mm Macro lens is great for keeping some distance between camera and subject. That said, we have lots of these little flies in the house. They seem harmless and just sit there, sometimes for days. Some shed their carcass and leave an empty ghostly shell behind.

There was not much science used in these shots. Hand held camera, find a subject, AF, and snap. A little cropping (a lot in the case of the last pic), lift the contrast a bit, sharpen a bit, and output.

A hard day at the office ? - A market trader taking a break . . .

Just about ideal I'd say.

£200 for that little lot is the bargain of the century, as long as it's all in good order.

The *istD is a superb camera with some features missing from the later DSLR's. I still use mine and I know others here do too.

Go for it, especially if there's a return policy. If not, go for it anyway.