I believe this is true only for keys from retail packed application software, not OEM versions which is what is supplied with any off the shelf PC, and not retail OS's either.

Any retail product licence for something like MS Office, for instance, allows you to install an older version of MS Office than that which the key was issued for. In fact, it's the difference in licensing that matters, not the product key. Evven if it works, you should check the license agreement to ensure legal use of the software.

Guess what, much of Windows is based on POSIX, a UNIX derivative, and Microsoft once sold XENIX (pronounced ZEENIX), their original attempt at UNIX.

Personally, I have little sympathy for anybody still using a PC running anything older than Windows XP. I wouldn't go so far as to recommend Windows Vista yet because It's still too new and has a few issues.

To still be using a (almost) 10 year old operating system, conceived well before digital imaging became affordable to the masses, come on . . . wise up . . . You spent how much on your camera and lenses? And you can't shell out £400 - £600 for a new PC that'll last you a lot longer than the camera?

Windows ME was never a serious operating system anyway, born out of a mish mash of bits of Windows 98 and bits of Windows 2000. Junk, in my opinion, and should never have been offered to a gullible and unsuspecting public. Chances are, you haven't had your car or your telly for 10 years, so why keep an ancient PC.

Mac's . . . still too expensive. Not necessarily for the hardware, but the software to make it all work sure is.

My advice to PU forum members: If you are still using a PC running ANYTHING older than Microsoft Windows XP, change it just as soon as you can to a Microsoft Windows XP based PC. Manufacturers are trying to dump what they perceive as 'old technology' machines at rock bottom prices in favour of 'new technology' Windows Vista PC's. Truth is, Windows Vista just has too many issues with things like external HDD's etc. to make it a viable option for most of the PC buying public.

It's an excellent lens . . . but . . . £499.00 is a tad excesive I think. I have the SMCP-M version and it's a good performer even on the K10D with the known exposure issues.

Go on, treat yourself

Well if the other thread is to be deleted, I'll repost here as well. Maybe Ben will answer it this time.

Ben,

It would seem that there may be exciting times ahead . . . but you say . . . Pentax needs our support ? ? ? I'd like to see theirs. Where are the promised new lenses ? ? ? Delayed . . .

Their product is undeniably very good. It is also consistantly late.

I wonder, did you ever mention this forum as a potential source of new features for new and existing products ?

I wasn't aware that Pentax France was a driving force in Europe, is it?

Regards,

SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm Zoom is a very good landscape lens. Some prefer the Sigma 10-20mm Zoom. Both are of a rectilinear design (I think). If you are after the fisheye look (curvilinear) then the SMC Pentax-DA 10-17mm might be worth a try or the 14mm DA Prime. The ultimate, for me, is the Pentax 12-24mm.

Here's paulypentax's image (read Tyr's instructions for posting images above).

Technically, the correct answer is that it can be used with any Pentax body having a hot shoe in manual mode. It will also work well with any TTL enabled Pentax film/digital bodies. On a Pentax digital body, I only have experience of the *istD and K10D. It works reasonably well in TTL mode on the *istD, whereas it will only work manually with the K10D as that body does not support TTL flash (it uses P-TTL instead).

Interestingly, I think this is the only Pentax flash that has a multiple flash mode (ie: many flashes per image). I can't think of anything interesting to use it on though . . . yet.

If you have a Pentax digital body, the best flash units by far are the AF360FGZ and/or the AF540FGZ.

Isn't that Pete ?

This hood will only fit one of the three FA 28-105mm lenses available, the 3.2-4.5 AL (IF) variant.

I think it's more likely that the OP has got hold of the power zoom variant which does not accomodate a bayonet fitting petal hood.