Same as the *ist-D... you turn the power/on/dof button. The DoF setting is a momentary position (i.e. when you let go it moves back to the On setting).

The only difference is the *ist-D has a backlit LCD that is illuminated when you do a DoF, and the *ist-DS has no backlight.

Matt

Hello,
Try www.photodo.com
They have the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 tested with MTF graphs. I think the SMC-FA 100mm/f2.8 is the same optically (with some mechanical additions of the the clamp etc).
Hope that helps,
Matt

Anne - the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 just goes straight on the *ist-D. In fact, all the SMC-F lenses just work. They've all been a real treat, and the 100mm/f2.8 is sharper than the new SMC-DA 16-45 that I have. I'm not sure how good the 100mm/f4 lens is, but it's worth trying!

By far the best results come with shooting RAW and processing with Capture One or Photoshop CS. (Note that Photoshop Elements 3 will support RAW format too!) I normally process in PS-CS into the ProPhoto colour space at 16-bit per pixel. You can get astonishingly good results that way

Note that digital is not quite the same beast as film, so there's a learning curve in getting the best out of the CCD. Once you're there, you'll find the SMC lenses are pretty darn good (even the "non digitals")! The digital lenses give a bit more sharpness and contrast.

Matt

Quite right

https://www.pentaxuser.com/pages/news/pentax_macrolenses.htm

and

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0408/04080801pentax_lenses.asp

(IMHO, definitely worth waiting for. I have the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 and it's thoroughly delicious... but it might have to make way for the new SMC-D FA 100mm/f2.8!!)

Matt

Sorry, I have all Pentax SMC

Note that the Sigma SD10 multiplier is different to the Pentax *ist-D (the Sigma has a much smaller CCD).
The *ist-D is 1.5, so a 50mm will be 75mm, while a 100mm will be 150mm.

Matt

Matt,

Ahh! Now I understand. You're probably quite right I can't comment either way!!

Matt

Matt,

The *ist-D has a three way switch to the left of the lens (as you are holding the camera): M=manual, AF-C=autofocus continuous, AF-S=autofocus single.

AF-C allows you to track moving targets without having to keep half pressing.

The *ist-DS has only "M" and "AF", presumably equivalent to the *ist-D "M" and "AF-S". Additionally, the *ist-D has an AF button on the back, and you can disable the focussing when you half press. I've found this useful in a few tricky situations - use the thumb to focus, and then use the finger for the shutter. You can't do that on the *ist-DS.

It looks like the *ist-DS is more point-and-shoot, but then it seems a very capable and flexible camera. Having spot focus is a real benefit (I used to have the MZ-5 which had spot, and my wife has the MZ-10 which doesn't but has "shooting" modes. She'll definitely love the *ist-DS!)

Hope that clarifies some more!
Matt

Just trying to find out the differences:

The *ist-DS...
* has the same three meter modes
* has no hyper mode
* doesn't support TIFF (big deal!)
* uses SD cards, not CF
* cannot have a battery grip
* doesn't have an illuminated top LCD
* has a larger 2" colour LCD
* has only one white balance preset
* has only "AF", whereas the *istD has AF-C and AF-S
* has one custom preset (*istD has 3)
* doesn't appear to have mirror lock up
* has some extra features (like ISO warning and histogram preview, all of which could be addressed with an *istD firmware upgrade)

All in all, the *ist-DS looks an excellent beast! Much less of a feature crop when comparing the Canon 10D & 300D. But, I wonder how much the *istD will be hit, or how much extra Pentax will add to its firmware to make the price difference more worthy??

Matt

If I'm not mistaken, most of the digicams use the MJPEG-4 encoding. Unfortunately, patent and licensing laws mean you have to pay for an encoder (the decoder is available free with the Pentax CD and on other sites).

I seem to remember finding some reasonable Shareware encoders out there... best bet is to do a Google search. Here is a link to previous thread:

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/ftopic174.html&highlight=mjpeg
(I'd found an encoder for $10, so it shouldn't break the bank!)

Matt

I too would heartily recommend the Z1 (had one for some time). A beautiful camera and performs and handles very well. It worked wonderfully with the AF360FGZ.

I would agree with Kim's suggestion about Pentax optics. Having migrated to the *ist-D I have consistently found the Pentax SMC optics superior and now use them exclusively (I have a series of SMC-F lenses, some from dealers, some from eBay )

Regarding weddings: it's a good idea to get a check list from the bridge & groom. Get them to write up which group photos they want (Bride+Her father, Bride+Groom+parents etc etc), and if they want any special images. Then, arrange the list so there are fewest changes of shot, type them up neatly and bring that with you. Tick them off as you take them. It gives you: (a) the authority to yell out what and who you need in a shot, and (b) the assurance you've covered their requirements.

Other suggestions: make sure people put their bags down before entering a shot; make sure there are no phantom hands (where people put their arms round a shoulder and a hand appears disconnected); double check you have all heads and feet in a shot before pressing the shutter; oh yes, and keep calm!

I've found it useful to meter off the skin (again the suggestion of a hand held meter is a good one, but the Z1/Z1p has a true spot meter) and use manual mode. For weddings, I've always used Fuji NP-S film which handles the contrasts very well. Get it developed by a local pro-lab too (There's one local to me that does a very nice 8x6 proof pack which works out well for weddings.)

Matt