Jason,
Unfortunately there's no work around that I'm aware of. I have long thumbs that just about reach the AF button when using the grip.
I have told Pentax (I'm sure their diminutive Japanese testers would have spotted this design issue!)... but nothing's changed.
It would have made sense to reallocate one of the grip buttons for this purpose
Matt

Slightly cheaper at Amazon & Dabs at £60.83
Amazon.co.uk for PC

Not sure which version of PSE you get, but the Wacom Bamboo comes with PSE PC World £64.99 (that is if you haven't got a tablet already )

Matt

It's not in the manual because, IIRC, it wasn't in firmware 1.00.
Pentax added a few nice little touches like that in the 1.10 firmware. Indeed you also specify ISO to be on a wheel directly in Av, Tv mode etc. If you assign the wheel to be ISO, then holding OK will show the number of shots (this is the way I work )

You just gotta love the customisation of the Pentax dSLRs

Matt

Any light?

I have found the focus to be very accurate and reliable. But then I always specify which AF point to use, rather than using Auto.

The original Pentax AF system uses a motor in the body that drives a pin in the lens to focus. This will sound much louder. The benefit is the lenses are much simpler (and therefore cheaper) and often more reliable as a result. So that's where the noise is coming from.

The newer SDM focus lenses have an in-len motor much like the Canon. So these are near silent. But the lenses are usually larger and heavier (Pentax put weather sealing in the lenses with SDM as well).

As for the "attempts" - the Pentax AF does a refinement of the focus. So it will go for a coarse lock, then adjust to get accurate focus. Most other bodies will go with the coarse lock only - which is obviously faster but can result in slight off focus. The downside of the Pentax is that it's a bit slower... but not by much. It just sounds like it's taking an age.

As mentioned many times, my personal setup is to disconnect the AF from the shutter button (with the custom menu), and to engage AF using the rear "AF" button only. Coupled with selecting a single AF point I find this works extremely quickly and reliably in all situations, but especially low light

HTH!
Matt

http://www.aaduki.com/
Matt

I use Aaduki - recommended by ePhotozine. They've (so far) been excellent and competitively priced. They can handle pro insurance too (+ public liability).
Matt

"Look no wheels"
Pentax one has two wheels and green button too!
Matt

It was me - nearly
It happened twice and both cases the Hoya Pro filter splintered like anything. Thankfully in both cases it didn't scratch the front element! However, in one case the filter actually cracked the casing - had it repaired by Asahi Photo and is now pristine
Haven't used a filter since (but always keep the hood on!).
Have several filters for sale if anyone is interested!!
Matt

LOL @ Shim.
I've badgered Pentax to change the "RAW" button to work like the *ist-D, but they haven't done anything . I NEVER use the Raw button. The *ist-D you could just hold down the button (where the RAW button is) and press the shutter release to get a manual WB.

It was blindingly simple and exceedingly fast. Shame they couldn't bring it back for the K20D/K10D etc!

Matt

I've used the ExpoDisc quite a bit - it's nice in that it can be used for both incident light metering as well as WB.

On the *ist-D I used it ALL the time - even with RAW. It was so quick to grab a custom WB on the *ist-D. Unfortunately Pentax changed that with the K10D, and it's now a real faff capturing the custom WB (several button pushes ) that I don't normally bother.

Silkypix has a nice skin tone WB tool that works pretty well

There is also the Lee filter cap (about £2) which works pretty well!

Matt