John,
There's no difference in aperture sizes. Just multiply the real focal length by 1.5 to get the effective focal length.
The *ist-D gives a "crop" of the 35mm frame since it's APS sized.
Check out my diagram I did a while ago:
www.photon.me.uk/matt/cameras/pentax/istd_focal.htm

Enjoy
Matt

Hello!
Well, Pentax have planned to do this:
http://www.pentaxusa.com/news/news_display.cfm?pressid=196

They say Fall 2004. However, be aware that the superb *ist-D was a few months late

Matt

Lurach,
Thanks for that. It's been around a little while now.

However, I would recommend the Capture One series from www.phaseone.com There are SE & LE editions, which are reasonably priced. In many ways the Pro version is better than PS-CS. All of them will do a much better job of converting from RAW.
They all have 15 or 30 day evaluations.

If you are thinking of upgrading to CS, then that's possibly a better option. The RAW support is wonderful (loads better than Pentax's, I'm afraid).

Options, options, options!

Matt

Lurach,
Thanks for that. It's been around a little while now.

However, I would recommend the Capture One series from www.phaseone.com There are SE & LE editions, which are reasonably priced. In many ways the Pro version is better than PS-CS. All of them will do a much better job of converting from RAW.
They all have 15 or 30 day evaluations.

If you are thinking of upgrading to CS, then that's possibly a better option. The RAW support is wonderful (loads better than Pentax's, I'm afraid).

Options, options, options!

Matt

Just in case anyone's interested, I'm selling some of my Pentax film gear:

http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=puzzle_...

* Tokina AT-X 20-35mm/f3.5-f4.5
* Tokina AT-X 28-70mm/f2.8
* Cable release x 2
* Focus screen for Z1
* SF1 / SFX camera
* Boxed Z1 camera

Matt

Hi John!
Like Kim, I tend to use Fuji stock. NPS for the odd wedding, and Provia for slides (lovely stuff). Fuji labs usually have a deal where you get three Provia 36exp and processing for around £20
http://www.fujilab.co.uk/promopage.asp - three Velvia 100F for £23.47.
There's also a "pick-and-mix" so you can try Velvia 50, Provia and Astia.

Have fun!

Matt

Your other approach is to use a laptop and the Pentax remote software. I believe you can do time lapse that way, but you may need a power supply for the *ist-D. The computer remains tethered to the *ist-D by USB and controls it that way

Matt

If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you have the focus switch set to AF.C, rather than AF.S (the switch is the same as the Z1, located by the side of the lens).

For the "dull" shots, check the metering mode you have selected. I find that it's too easy to accidentally knock the switch into spot metering by mistake (especially when bringing the camera out of a bag).

As you say, I think it is a case of getting used to the *ist-D

Matt

If it's really 120 minutes then you'll only get that with a 512Mb or 1Gb SD card
(Hence the limit - you can't get cards much bigger.)

You'll get a teeny tiny bit of video on a 16Mb card... video eats card space for breakfast, even in MJPEG4 mode.

(I'll see if I can get figures)

Matt

George is correct. The MTF mode uses information from the lens, and uses the aperture at which the lens is sharpest. And yes, it needs an F, FA, or DA lens to be able to read it back (the lenses with the electronic contacts). The MTF also changes according to a zoom's focal length, and the MTF mode will handle this too.

I often use MTF if I am doing landscapes, or where there's an image of high detail.

Matt