Dave,
Yes, I have been trying IMatch - have catalogued a load of CDs and DVDs of images. It works very quickly, handles *istD RAW files, and manages EXIF and IPTC information too.
I used it for a month (the free duration), but things have overtaken me and my intention of tagging my images has been put on the back-burner.

It's a very good package - I'd recommend you try it. You get a month anyway, and $50 is pretty reasonable

I tried Picassa, and it's much better than that, IMHO.

Matt

Think I might have found the tool

www.photools.com - iMatch
The newest version 3.4.0.19 supports Pentax PEF, and has amazing support for offline media (like DVD and CD). (Download direct from photools, rather than from a mirror )

Other features include scripting language, flexible and powerful searching, multi-level tagging, EXIF and IPTC support, contact sheet builder, etc etc.

Support seems super-fast (answered my PEF question in a few minutes!!), price is excellent at $49.95.
Just putting it through its paces, and I'll let you all know soon

Matt

Prieni,

Thanks for that link. I like the "timeline" feature - that's a really cool way of flicking through your photo collection.

However, there doesn't seem to be enough features at the moment for tagging, adding notes, and searching on tag etc. Also, there's no Pentax RAW file support either

I'll look out for the new version
Thanks,
Matt

Just a general question...

What do you all use for cataloging your digital image collection? Obviously there's ACDsee, and Adobe Photoalbum. Anyone used these and have any comments??

My image collection is growing beyond all recognition, and now has to include off-line storage (CD-Rs and DVD-Rs), and I need some neat way of finding my way around

Thanks!
Matt

I have to agree with JR.

However, I do have three very nice Tokina lenses from their AT-X range: 20-35, 28-70/f2.8, and 24-200. All are very good lenses indeed. A little on the cool side, but sharp and with little distortion. I would recommend them all. I have found them excellent.

However, I have recently got an SMC-F 50/f1.7 and an SMC-F 100/f2.8 macro. And I they are mind blowingly good Definitely worth the extra investment. Now the zooms hardly get a look in

If you have a manual focus camera - definitely research the Pentax lenses and get one second hand, you'll not be disappointed. If you have autofocus, again, try and get Pentax glass (though some of the entry level Pentax lenses are not that amazing).

And I can't resist more Pentax glass...

Matt

Steve,

I had an MZ5 that did this - at a wedding!! (Drat! )
Had to send back to Pentax for repair. Don't forget that if you subscribe to Pentax User you get a healthy discount off servicing

Matt

Gee,

Sorry, I've had no experience with the Optios.

However, I have found Pentax UK to be extremely helpful. It might be worth calling them first (assuming you're in the UK). If you are a member of the Pentax User Club you get a healthy discount on Pentax repairs

Also, www.asahiphoto.net do Pentax repairs. They were very helpful on the phone too

Hope that helps,

Matt

For anyone that's interested, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is now available in version 2.00.

http://www.gimp.org

Available for Linux, Windows and MAC.
Enjoy!

Matt

Dave,

It is true there are a lot of Pentax SMC lenses that are manual focus on ebay. Some of the real gems are the SMC-F and SMC-FA, both autofocus, and these hardly ever come up on ebay - probably because once you've got one you don't want to part with it

Like you, I like the one-lens-for-all. That's why I ended up with the Tokina 24-200. Cost about £250. Pretty heavy (which I like), distortion is minimal, sharpness very good. If you want a lighter super zoom, there's the newest Tamron 28-300 which is reported to be very good. With a young family, I too can't be forever changing lenses - I just have to snatch at image opportunities!

I did find though, in my mad quest for quality, that you can't beat a prime lens. Since getting the SMC-F AF lenses, Recently I've only been using the 28mm and 100mm macro and getting beautiful results. And, as I mentioned before, the 50mm f1.7 is superb for concerts and low light, as well as portraits.

Here's a 100mm macro shot: http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=58971
And a crop of a 50mm: http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=48574
(I can't match that resolution and contrast on a zoom)

Have fun with your *istD, and take plenty of pictures!
Matt

Dave,

I should have answered your question on lenses. Any 35mm lense will work a treat on the *istD. The difference with the digital lenses is their intended use - they have a smaller image circle (because the digital sensors are smaller than 35mm film). If you use a digital lense on a 35mm film camera you will get serious vignetting. Contact and mount wise they are identical

Don't underestimate the quality of Pentax SMC lenses! I stocked up on three really nice Tokina AT-X zooms (the 28-70/2.8, 20-35/4.5, and my favourite 24-200 is a really useful, but heavy, lens). They were much better than anything I'd used before. However, I now have three Pentax SMC-F prime lenses (28/2.8, 50/1.7, 100/2.8 macro) and the difference is amazing! Colour is almost always bang on, flare almost non-existent, bokeh beautiful, sharpness razor. I'm kicking myself for not getting them earlier!!

A second hand SMC-FA or SMC-F 50mm f1.7 is a really good investment if you can find one. (Great for low light stuff.)

One final thing, any 35mm lens you put on the *istD will behave 1.5x longer (so a 50mm will behave like a 75mm). If you want wide angle, then 24mm will help a bit, but even better is the new Pentax 16-45mm giving effective range of 24-70mm. You may find the price prohibitive, but the quality is superb (and IMO, worth the extra). Don't forget, you get what you pay for

Enjoy the *istD when you can get a lense!
Hope that helps!
Matt