There is some truth in damaging the camera's circuitry, but it is usually in connection with very old flash guns. Some had very high trigger voltages. If you put a multimeter across the chassis and centre pin you'd see a very high value. Can't remember which guns, but think some of the old Metzs were guilty of this. It stems from the days when cameras were mechanical and the flash was triggered by shorting the two pins together.

From a safety point of view such high voltages are "no go" (just try putting a wet finger across the pins ). So, if the flash gun has a CE marking on it, it almost certainly has a low trigger voltage and will be fine

Matt

Hi Saso!

I am supremely pleased with my *ist-D

You must make sure you have firmware 1.12 loaded - all kinds of exposure and flash issues were sorted out

The 16-45 is an amazing lens. Just so incredibly sharp, especially at f8+. I wouldn't trade it for anything... well, maybe for the new Pentax 12-24 when it comes out

My lens kit is as follows:
SMC FA 24-90 : lovely lens, with a very useful range.
SMC DA 16-45 : superb for landscapes
SMC FA 80-320 : excellent telephoto. Cheap second hand.
SMC F 50/f1.7 : wonderful for low light photography
SMC F 100/f2.8 macro : amazingly sharp macro lens.

I have also discovered that a Cokin P121F and P121S are extremely useful with the 16-45mm

Hope that helps!
Matt

Maybe you misunderstood my reply about sharpness... (not sure)

I find the 100mm f2.8 sooo sharp that it highlights every skin blemish, wrinkle and all. I like that super sharpness, but for female subjects of a certain age, a little Photoshop smoothing doesn't go amiss

Matt

Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7547894836&ru=http%3A...

Macro lenses can be used as "normal" lenses too

It's just they can focus very close, and gain either lifesize, or half lifesize reproduction (depends on the model, not sure which for this one).

Sometimes it's still not close enough I use the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 macro, with extension tubes, and even with the Pentax 1.7xAF for super close work... maybe I should buy a microscope instead!

Seriously, though, they are superb for general work, though not every subject will appreciate the sharpness and detail when used as a portrait lens!!

Matt

The 12-24mm hasn't been released yet.
It appeared on a bulletin a couple of weeks ago, along with a new flash gun the AF540FGZ. The AF540FGZ is due mid October at $400-ish.

The 12-24mm had an expected price of $900, but alas, no release date was mentioned. Quite how it will compare in street price to the 14mm, I don't know.

You're not the only one keenly anticipating this lens, and I've been trying to find a release date for months... I have considered the Sigma 12-24, but you can't put filters on it, so I'm holding out for the Pentax with 77mm filter.

If I find anything out, be assured that I'll post the news here

Matt

They're under the FAQ section of the main website:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/faq/pentaxerrorcodes.html

Matt

As George said, only the *ist-D can use a single AF360 in wireless mode.

For the *ist-Ds & -DL you need two AF360's - one on camera (as the master) and the second as wireless slave.

Hope that clears the misunderstanding.
Matt

I can't comment on the FAJ lens you mention.
However, I had a Sigma 70-300 DL Macro, which produced horrible results on the *ist-D - murky, low contrast, no sharpness. Bought the renowned Pentax SMC-F 70-210 which was a definite step up.
The SMC-FA 80-320 is, as far as I've shot, as good as the 70-210.

There's some small images I've taken, which may give you some idea:
http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=296760
http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=296401
http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=294525
http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=285697
http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=271412

I could email a larger image, or a 100% crop of something if you need it.

I would say that £120 is a little steep. Mine was near mint (no box) and was £90 or £95. I checked around the Jessops sites and had them ship it to a local branch.

I think the "Bigma" has its place (especially if you want to "impress" others, or strengthen your biceps!), but I find the 80-320 much more useful to carry around.

Matt

I too wondered about getting the "Bigma" as it's known... however the sheer weight of it, plus the issues about getting a stable camera mount (suggestions of various bags etc weighing it down etc) put me off.

The lens is a remarkable piece of engineering, but tests show that the Sigma 100-300 is a sharper lens... might be able to dig out the links for you.

When I looked at the Tokina, most reports said it wasn't as sharp as one would like... maybe evidenced by the few that persistently remain on the second hand places.

In the end I got hold of a second hand Pentax SMC-FA 80-320mm, for about £90 at Jessops. Wonderfully sharp and contrasty, very light. Additionally, I already had the Pentax SMC 1.7x AF adaptor, and both, on a Manfrotto magfibre monopod, give a delightful combination.

Hope that helps!
Matt

Try this: http://www.keh.com/hmpg/index.cfm