Bob,

How can it be the upgrade that has caused the problem . . . when you haven't done it yet ? ? ?

You might check the EXIF data of some images to make sure WB is set as you expect. Its possible that even though you have set a manual WB on the camera, it may be ignoring the setting and using AWB anyway. To prove it, simply set the WB to flash and then take a photo in a daylight or tungsten lighting environment (without flash). Then check the image to see what WB was actually used.

You really ought to apply the latest firmware. You've missed out on updates 1.01, 1.02, as well as the latest version 2.00 which gives a few extra features 'stolen' from the DS2/DL/DL2. It doesn't make the display any bigger though

You can download the update and the instructions from Pentax Japan.

Make sure that you use a freshly recharged set of batteries for the update of your camera. It doesn't take very long but you will not want the power to die part way through the process.

I've been having a play with my DS and I've just discovered something strange.

If you remove the lens from the body you can then select WB in the Auto Pict and picture modes. It seems then that the ability to change WB in these modes, and maybe the others, is dependant on the lens that is fitted.

When you refit the lens however, AWB is resumed in the picture modes. I've only tried this with a 12-24mm DA and a SMCP-A 50mm.

Weird huh.

Cheers,

My DS behaves the same as golfdiesel's. No WB adjustment is possible in Auto Pict or any of the (lazy) picture modes. WB can be selected/adjusted only in P,Tv,Av,M, & B modes.

Check your firmware. With camera power off, press and hold the menu button and turn camera power on. Your current firmware version will be displayed on the rear screen. It should be 2.00 if you have the latest for the DS.

If you have version 2.00 firmware then I'd suggest your camera has a fault.

Regards,

I haven't experienced this on my istDS. Have you loaded the latest firmware version 2.x onto the camera ?

Ahh, yes, maybe, but . . . do we wait for the rumoured K1D?

Dan,

You're right of course and I had done exactly the same thing on the A10 manual but had to go out and didn't edit my post. The only mention of SMC in that manual is a copyright notice. Odd that one of Pentax's greatest claims to fame, their legendry coating, doesn't even warrant a mention. I didn't read through the whole manual, I used Acrobat's search feature.

I would agree, if it doesn't say SMC 'on the tin' . . . it probably isn't.

Cheers,

Page 151 of the manual contains the main specifications of this camera. There does not seem to be any mention of SMC coating. Manual can be downloaded from Pentax

To save you some time, I have searched the entire manual for occurences of SMC and coating. Zero hits.

My guess is that it is not an SMC lens.

Thanks for the info John, much appreciated.

I asked only because I would dearly love a seriously long and fast lens for wildlife photography. Anything decent above about 300mm is very rare but occasionally a 600mm 645 lens pops up on ebay. They are very expensive but there seems to be no other alternative apart from a teleconverter but that would only decrease, not increase the available speed. I've tried mirror lenses with and without teleconverter and for me, even my Tamron SP500, is too soft and too slow at f8.

Cheers,

I have read that it is possible to use 645 and 6x7 lenses on K mount bodies by using an appropriate adapter.

Has anybody here used them ? What magnification factor would be achieved on a digital body ? Where to get the adapter ? Which lenses are to be avoided (if any) ? Any opinions/experiences/horror stories welcomed.

Cheers,

Interesting photo's. Where were they taken? Geographically of course. Underwater will not be accepted as an answer