For me, my Tokina 24-200mm is a very useful "everyday" lense. I like the weight of it on the *istD (it's heavy). Nice and sharp.

However, after getting the Pentax SMC-F 50mm/f1.7 I use this for any serious work - beautifully sharp, handles well in low light, excellent bokeh (or boke). Hmmmm, lovely

(Wish I could afford more Pentax glass, and time to switch lenses when out and about!)

Matt

Santy,

Quite right you should share these

Fabulous results That really shows off the *istD nicely, and the wonderful Pentax 50mm/f1.7 lens. (Soooo glad I invested in one!)

(While we're sharing images, I have some more *istD images here: http://www.ephotozine.com/user.cfm?user=16488 I can highly recommend ePhotozine: fabulous techniques, great crew.)

Now where can I setup a studio... <g>

Matt

Hello All!!

Looks like Pentax are releasing some remote software
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1079364629.html

Two days to go.....
Yeeeehaaa!

Matt

Hi all!

Just found out from the PMA information that Tokina are releasing a 12-24mm f4 for digital SLRs. Should be due out this summer

http://www.pbase.com/image/26008748
http://www.photosharp.com.tw/article/news.asp?Code=20040216000149

Hopefully it'll be cheaper than Sigma's 12-24 (which works full frame)

Matt

Hi Ava!

The histogram is counting the number if pixels at each brightness (effectively). When you have a large expanse of black, say a backdrop with a single flower, or you are taking a stain-glass window from inside, a large number of pixels are black. In that case, the histogram will appear very low, or almost non-existant, with relatively few pixels non-black (to the right of the histogram). Your subject will be making a small statistical difference to the histogram.

It's not a bug You just have to understand what the histogram actually represents

Regarding the auto-pushing of the ISO setting - there's a custom function "Auto Sensitivity". You obviously have it enabled. For close up work, or work on a tripod, set this to "off". (Personally I have got it enabled in custom set 1, and disabled in custom set 2 - that way I can quickly switch between tripod and hand held settings.)

Hope that clarifies things for you!
Matt

Joshua,

Thanks for the images! I've routinely used ISO1600 for concerts - it's fabulous! However, I do find that a wash through with NeatImage (using the profiles I did that are available online) work a treat. It has even rescued a couple of ISO3200 shots I thought were for the bin.

Here's a sample: http://www.pbase.com/image/23620197
And the whole gallery: http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/pg2003nov

Also just took a load of the school pantomime, all at ISO1600, and the cast were just blown away by the quality Looks like I've got a job for the next panto

I find the real test is going back to film or to another digital camera (especially consumer cameras) - they seem to have soooo much noise compared to the *istD!

Matt

Babelfish translation:

Duff Sparky,

Sounds like a lot of problems Ouch.

Regards recovering images, and indeed any other information, the best approach is to not write anything to the card at all. There are several packages out there that can do recovery.

Image Recall is shipped with the Lexar cards. However, I had to recover a damaged IBM microdrive that was showing about 6Mb free (what happened to the rest of the 1Gb!!?) I tried a couple of programs, and only one worked with the Microdrive properly (I'd have to look it up).

However, for SD recovery, I used "Image Recall / Don't Panic". You can get it here: http://www.davoom.com/products/index.php?boxaction=software_recovery
or their home page www.imagerecall.com.

Hope that helps!
Matt

If anyone is looking (especially you *istD owners), I've just seen a nice 50mm/1.7 for sale at www.ffordes.co.uk ( https://secure.ffordes.com/Shop/Store/Itemdet.asp?Type=secd&sub=1&Code=P... )

Believe me, it's a lovely lens (and I paid quite a bit more for mine )

Matt

Rab,

The UK "do anything" company is www.srbfilm.co.uk - they stock a crazy range of adaptors and filters. If they don't have it, they can do it (so they say!).

Let us know how you get on!

Matt