If you happen to have a Psion Revo or Series 5, there's a nice utility called "PhotoPal" that calculates all the depth of field values for you.

If you cannot find what you need, and if you Excel, or a compatible spreadsheet, I could rustle up a sheet to work it out for you.

Matt

Jimbo,

The MZ-7 is autofocus, the ME Super is manual focus. While the lenses from an ME Super will fit (they have the same PK bayonnet mount) and work, you will have to focus them manually

The lense mount is PK bayonnet, while the lense type you really want to go for is FA - ie autofocus, automatic. Jessops in the UK, for instance, term it "Pentax AF".

The Pentax lenses can be expensive, but worth it
Just to make it more confusing for you other companies make very good lenses too - Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. These companies make lenses for the main camera types, so make sure you specify that it is for Pentax autofocus

If I were you, try and find out what lense(s) she already has - the type of lense is usually marked on the front of the lense, then pop into a local camera store for advice It also depends on what type of photos she want to take...

Hope that helps,
Matt

The main thing to prevent damage to the *ist-D is this: get the voltage right.

To prevent overloading the supply, get one that can supply enough current (ie mA - milli-Amps)

If the supply is under-spec'd (in terms of current) it will get warm and may trip out or pop off

Oh yes, and the power supply input of any device (e.g. the *ist-D) may well have extra electronics that require a higher voltage than that supplied by batteries, and possibly slightly higher current.

Matt

Erm, it's further up the page on this thread

3000mA

Matt

Steve,

That's one seriously hairy spider

Shoulder mount: Wayhay! That's great, and such a brilliant result too
Glad you could use the information

Matt

Steve,

That's great

(Seeing you finding pseudoscorpions reminds me of this I found in our loft: http://www.pbase.com/image/25306538 - thought it was a black widow And your elephants are superb!)

Happy snapping Steve!
Matt

Glad I could help Steve!!

BTW, I bought a 2.5mm stereo 2m extension cable for a couple of quid, and that works a treat with the CS205

Enjoy!
Matt

Hi Shotgun!

Well, in the UK here, Park Cameras have it listed for £25. I managed to get it off ebay for £15. It is the same release as the MZ-7 (and others).

The lead is very short though (less than 0.5m), so knowing it is standard 2.5mm stereo is useful for extending

Matt

I take absolutely no responsibility for this information and the use you put it to!

Managed to buy a CS-205 shutter release for my *istD. For those electronic savvy out there, here's the pin out:

• 
  2.5mm stereo plug (like a smaller headphone plug)
  Sleeve - Common
  Ring - Focus
  Tip - Shutter
  

Like all remotes the focus shorts to common before the shutter does. It also includes a lock facility which leaves both Focus and Shutter connected to Common.

Matt

Steve,

Not really sure why you would want to when you can get the 2CR5s so very cheaply from http://www.7dayshop.com (£2.09 each)

The rechargables will be lower voltage than the lithium, so don't hold out too much hope for the EN-EL1. However, if you've got both, it's worth a try

Matt