Tom - you've been logged out, that's why you appear as "Guest". I've noticed this a few times this week. Check the top panel before you reply. I presume there have been phpBB updates going on.
Matt

Are the cartridges the same size? You may find that the cost of refilling might be cheaper, but the actual cost per page is different.
It's worthwhile checking the detailed specifications and capacities of the ink before making a judgement based on cost
Matt

It was quite likely the card.
SD cards are NAND flash technology and are not 100%. The flash design is such that a cell may fail and the file system will map it out. It sounds like you had a couple of cells go bad which have now been mapped out (marked as bad blocks), and so you will not encounter the problem again on that card.
It is also possible for the device (the camera in this case) to write to a page, and for the page to subsequently fail - which is what seems to have happened in your case.

I have also seen an SD card fail really badly when taken on a skiing trip. The card died completely and was replaced. Other cards were fine, but the one card died.

So - it's always good to buy a backup card, and buy from a reputable manufacturer

Matt

Sorry about the bank balance Juno
Just hope they're fungus free after being sat in the dark
Matt

Many thanks for the mini review Paul
I have to say, though, I am extremely pleased with the A50/1.4 which is about all that's been on the *ist-D since I got it!! It's just a lovely piece of glass to work with and I've got some lovely images already!
Matt

Thanks for that John.
Yes, I've seen these come up, but they cover the same range as my excellent SMC-FA 24-90, which is just superb as general allrounder AF lens. Very sharp, and gives superb results (very nearly as good as the 16-45).
I was going to look out for some either cheap or wide (between 18 and 24mm) to create a pocket *ist-D.
The 50mm is wonderful for portraiture, but a fast wide would be very nice.

The other alternative is a Limited 31mm - but that'd require some saving up first!!
Matt

Just a quick report on the SMC-A 50mm/f1.4:

An absolutely joy to use. Such a clear, bright viewfinder, and I was amazed I could focus by eye even in conditions where the AF of the *ist-D had serious trouble (e.g. low contrast & low light), in fact in some shots the *ist-D just wouldn't get a lock but I could see it was in focus. Most other times the focus aid helped a bit as a confirmation, but I'm beginning to trust my eyes more and more

The results are mind-blowingly good. I've not seen results like this from my *ist-D. It's the combination of resolution and out-of-focus highlights. The bokeh is sublime. Maybe it's personal taste, but I think the out of focus areas are just amazing! Even at f2.0 or f2.4 I have found it more than sharp enough. When it comes to portraiture I don't think I'll ever use another lens!!

Unfortunately, I don't have much I can post online yet, but as soon as I do I'll link it. The only one so far is: http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=377948

Now I'm hooked on the "A" series... wonder what's next
Matt

Where was that George? The only plastic I can make out on this A50/1.4 is the aperture release button and the yellow dot.
Matt

Well, after the PostOffice being 3 days late on a Special Next Day delivery the lens finally arrived! (FWIW, FotoFrenzy were extremely helpful in resolving the problems.)

The SMC-A 50mm/f1.4 is a wonderful piece of engineering and glass. I had completely forgotten how good a decent manual focus lens feels! The SMC coating is just sublime, like nothing else. And the bokeh and colour - wow!

I'm off out to get some test shots

Matt

LOL!
Time flies when you're taking photos