Malcolm,
The SMC-DA 16-45 is only for the *ist-D.
The build does not feel as rugged as earlier lenses, but it's still very well made and am sure it'll last.
That said, this is one stonking lens. I've had it now for a couple of months and this lens is wonderful!
Definition at 16mm is brilliant, almost no distortion. I've been taking crazy portraits at 16mm-20mm and they've all come out superbly clear. It's so good it's become my main lens, along with the 100mm f2.8 macro.
There are some small size shots here: http://www.ephotozine.com/user.cfm?user=16488
If you need anything higher res. I could email you something.

Matt

Dejan,
That sounds a very strange problem!

The *ist-D fires a preflash to obtain an exposure reading before firing the main flash. I'm not sure whether this only occurs in Auto and P modes, there's no reason for it if you use fully manual (I'll try and check this).
If the preflash fires this will mess up any optical slave

The other alternative is to connect into the PC socket on the side of the *istD. That should be a "straight" flash output
Matt

The SMC-FA 50mm/f2.8 macro is still mighty expensive second hand. The SMC-FA 100mm/f2.8 comes up occassionally and are always around £300 (second hand), the new price being nearly £600.
I managed to get the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 macro for £200 (with a crack in the plastic window) - optics are unbelievable. Yes, I know you can get a macro lens for not much (I already have a Sigma 70-300mm macro), but believe me, the Pentax glass is in a completely different league. It's my all time fav lens

Ffordes have a Pentax 50mm/f2.8 "as seen", ie no warranty, for £299 - which is probably a bit over the top.

Best bet is to call Asahi Photo and ask how much to rebuild. You may still get it rebuild and repaired for under £100, so it might be worth it....

Matt

Brian,
Thanks for that link: http://epaperpress.com/psphoto/index.html

Interesting to see Katrin Eismann's book there "Restoration and Retouching for Photoshop". This book has been a lifesafer for Photoshop work. Don't think "oh, I don't want to restore old photos, so it's not appropriate" - the tips I've learned have given me the skills to manage my digital workflow with the *istD. She also has a good website with some excerpts and extra tips: www.digitalretouch.org

Also interesting, with regard to *istD "overexposure" is something I've recently come to appreciate (since going to the Adobe Live event), but is documented here: http://epaperpress.com/psphoto/inxCameraTips.html#ettr - shooting in sRGB mode produces clipped highlights, especially with reds and yellows, not because the image is overexposed per se but because the colours are out of gamut. Shooting in Adobe RGB in the *istD helps, and using RAW helps even more

Matt

Personally I don't mind the adverts that much... I just dislike it when they appear in a completely inappropriate place (like under Announcements for the site).

Helping others find Pentax gear is a good thing, but I would like to be able to ignore them (ie have them in one place - "Off Topic", or "Buy/Sell" whatever). I wouldn't want to have to skip over half a dozen blatant adverts to find a genuine question

Matt

I've used an AquaPac for the Canon S30.

They can be a bit fiddly to use, because you're trying to press the buttons through thick plastic. Image quality is well, just ok. You get all kinds of odd things happening underwater. Colour balance is a real pain, but that's correctable. That said, I find it hard underwater (having to take off my specs and being very, very shortsighted).

They work well though, for the price, and protect the camera from sand as well as water while on the beach. And that's not a bad thing.

(You can get the bags from www.7dayshop.com Make sure you get one big enough to cope with extending zooms though!)

Matt

Any Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) will do. However, the bigger the better

I generally use 2200mAh, bought from www.7dayshop.com.
They will all work, it's just the higher the capacity the longer they'll last. The *istD seems to run forever on them, I always recharge before they run out!

Matt

Glad that helped Christine

You will love the SMC-DA 16-45mm It's a great great lens. Lovely and sharp, very contrasty, little distortion. Hmmmm.

Just going to see your other post...

Matt

Sounds like a dud one to me
Out-the-box with standard settings it should produce lovely images.
Take it back and get it replaced. Quick.

Matt

Chris,

As John says, the 50mm is a great portrait lens, and the SMC-DA 16-45 should do you well at the 45mm end.

My personal favourite is the SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 macro. It is quite long for the digital, giving 150mm, but I love the sharpness. Obviously you end up with a very close portrait, but that's what I prefer anyway. However, even second hand it will probably cost as much as the 16-45. Does stunning macros too

My advice is to see how you get on with the 16-45 first, and if you happen to see an SMC-F 50mm/f1.7 or SMC-FA 50mm/f1.7 second hand, try and get it! I managed to find one for around £50 (around $90).

Have fun!
Matt