John is absolutely correct on both counts. CCDs are very linear, and have completely different characteristics to real film. That said, it's always best to shoot in RAW mode with the *istD and process from there - you get much more control over white balance, saturation etc.
Even if you shoot in JPG mode, the low light handling of the *istD is simply stunning. Noise is very low, and can be virtually eliminated with software plugins.

However, if you want to achieve a nice saturation boost, there are a couple of neat ways of doing this. My all time favourite is:
* Add a levels adjustment layer in Photoshop.
* Don't change the levels, just accept them.
* Change the layer blend mode to "Overlay" (or "Soft Light")
* Adjust the layer's opacity to control the degree

This adds a real "punch" to the image.
Alternatively, there's a nice "Velvia" plugin available from www.adobexchange.com (a very useful site to go looking for things!). Here's the direct link: Velvia plugin for Photoshop

Hope that helps!
Matt[/url]

Don't know about the PocketWizard, but yes it's a standard 2.5mm.
Check out this thred: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/ftopic266.html

It's easy enough to build something!
Matt

Some suggestions:
1. Try a Samsung user group (this is Pentax here!)
2. Get advice from a local service centre
3. Try doing a Google search

Isn't that just wonderful!!

MXV have a Super Program (£80) and some 50mm/f1.7s (£25 each) for sale. There's also a couple of K1000's for sale. www.mxv.co.uk

He doesn't know what he's missing
Matt

Thanks Kim!
Yes, stans-photography.info mentioned the FA 80-200 being worse build quality than the F.
Might drop you a PM depending on the feedback of the other lenses
Matt

Hi all!

Having built up a nice collection of Pentax glass, the last to be sorted is the tele-zoom. I have a choice of three lenses, given in order of my probably preference:

1. SMC-F 80-200/f4.7-5.6
2. SMC-F 100-300/f4.5-5.6
3. SMC-FAJ 80-320/f4.5-5.6

I will be replacing an aging Sigma 70-300mm DL Macro lens.

Has anyone had any experience with these? Occassionally the 300mm is useful, but on the *istD a 200mm is normally fine.

Just wish there was an SMC-DA that went from 50mm to 200mm... (the SMC-DA 16-45 is positively wonderful, only just below the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 macro for deliciousness).

Thanks!
Matt

Malcolm,
I expect the MTF also varies with the focal length
The MTF values are programmed into the lens, and the camera reads them out (because it's the lens manufacturer that knows the MTF).
Matt

John,

I've received the Provia slide back, scanned it (rather hurridly) with an Nikon LS40, and posted a few 1024 pixel wide test images.
http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/smc_da_test

Hopefully that should give a good idea of its performance on 35mm. To my mind, it's pretty good! Quality is wonderful, distortion is, well, what distortion!

Let me know if you need more info.
Matt

John,

I took some test images on the Z1 with the SMC-DA 16-45 at the weekend to finish off the Z1's final film (yes, it's going to have to go, the *istD is just too good!).

The results should be interesting. As soon as Fuji get them back, I'll scan and post them.

Through-the-viewfinder is interesting. 16mm shows vignetting, especially with the petal hood, but I think it's probably acceptable given the very wide nature. At 20mm there's hardly any vignetting.

I'll keep you posted...

Matt

Don't know about the Sigma either... but what I do know is that since getting Pentax glass I don't want to use anything else! I have an old Sigma 70-300 which is definitely not in the same league.

John - I have already tried the 16-45 on the Z1. The vignetting is not as bad as I thought. However, since going digital the Provia in the Z1 has just sat there I'll run some tests off to finish the roll and let you know

Matt