Lurach,

It's quite alright... I get confused sometimes too (late night postings etc)

What on earth was the salesman on about??! The FAJ lense is only different in that it has no aperture dial. "1:1 image ratio" my foot

I am sure the AF280T will work. Your only downside is that it will "only" work in TTL mode. It'll be at least as good as your 35mm SLR, if not better. The advantage you get with the AF360FGZ is the P-TTL mode where the flash fires a small pre-burst, the *istD meters with 16-segment mode, then adjusts the main flash - it gives a more accurate exposure, especially under difficult situations. The AF360/*istD is a formidable pair. I will check the manual and let you know what level of compatibility you'll get with the AF280T

However, the built in flash is absolutely amazing too when it comes to fill-in flash (because it works in P-TTL mode). I took some during late afternoon with the kids - very close shots - and all were perfectly exposed and had a very natural look.

Pentax have, I feel, bent over backwards for compatibility. It's a real joy to switch between bodies and PAF-lenses and not worry about compatibility. Admittedly that may be more of an issue with other lenses - but I can't comment as I have none

Oh yes, just get yourself some decent NiMH batteries (I bought a Hama delta-charger and 4x2200mAh batteries from 7dayshop for about £1. The Lithium batteries are expensive, but useful as an emergency.

It'll be another worry that you'll lose the *istD to your wife...

Enjoy!
Matt

Lurach,

I'm not sure what you meant by the "loss of time"... perhaps I didn't make it clear enough - the *istD is fabulously fast (and the S30/40 are a pain)

Using the *istD is like using any other of the excellent Pentax bodies... it just doesn't use film.

(I am feeling your pain, Lurach )

Matt

Lurach,

Shutter lag... what lag?? I've have the S30 and it's painfully annoying. It's autofocus is the main problem.

The *istD, on the other hand, is as quick as my Z1 - lightning. You can just rattle off the shots, and it feels very, very responsive. Obviously ambient light plays a part - it hunts a little in darker rooms, but that's to be expected. If you use the flash then it fires bursts of flash to assist the autofocus mechanism (which is a bit of a surprise at first). If you have the AF360FGZ connected physically (ie not in wireless mode), then the AF lamp will come on, projecting a nice little image that helps the autofocus. Being digital you can clock off 20 or 30 shots without worrying about the cost - then go back and throw away the duffers (this is good for shooting kids).

It is also really quick at starting up, even with a microdrive. Something like 1.5 seconds from powerup. Generally it is "shoot priority", like the S40 (although there are a few exceptions - when setting ISO for instance).

There's an excellent custom function that allows the *istD to auto-boost the ISO rating from where you have it set. For example, set it to ISO200 and enable the feature. Then, when the shot is a little too dark, making the shutter speed in the "shake" zone, it'll whack up the ISO until it's out of the shake zone. That's from 200 to 1600, or 200 to 3200 ISO. Additionally, if you have it set to ISO800 (for example), and the shutter speed exceeds 1/4000, it will click the ISO down. That's really neat

Just to sum up - you cannot compare the S30/S40 to the *istD The *istD is in a different league

As far as the "Ministress of Finance" goes, I can't help much on that score All I can say is check out a couple of the "cute" images on my PBase site (I too have 3 nippers). http://www.pbase.com/image/22189115 , http://www.pbase.com/image/21799589 , http://www.pbase.com/image/21920002. I have taken some of school friends too (which I cannot put on the web) and I was more than pleasantly surprised with the result - printed out on decent Epson paper.

Just don't hold one until you can afford it... 'cause you'll want it

Matt

Lurach,

...istD camera that istD great fun to use

So far, so good. The only peculiarity is the amount of images I'm taking right now Battery life is splendid - I'm using 2200mAh batteries (from 7dayshop). Flash exposure is spot on. Autofocus is fast. I only have a few minor niggles about the way the menus have been laid out, but then that's probably largely personal opinion.

Well, actually there is one thing I found. Shot 400 images in two weeks, then revisited some Fuji NPS negatives with the Nikon Coolscan IV. I had to scan them twice because I thought there was something wrong - so much grain!! I've got so used to the silky digital, and haven't been bothering with NeatImage at all for the istD. It was a real shock going back to 35mm negative.

...and to answer the previous Guest post on 18-35mm (on behalf of Shotgun)... The lens has a focal length of 18-35mm on both digital and 35mm. It's just that the digital sensor is a middle-crop of a 35mm frame, so it appears to be 1.5x closer. If you needed an angle of view on the *istD that was the same as an 18mm on a 35mm camera you would need a 12mm lens Remember, the focal length does not change (for the purpose of depth of field, lenses etc), it is just a crop. Hope that makes sense - it's a subject that's been causing great confusion

Anyway, my PBase account is rapidly bloating. It'll soon be time to organise them more effectively. I'll look forward to some images, Lurach. Oh yes, and Peter, I'm definitely going to be submitting some for the PUM next issue

Matt

Malcolm,

Owning both an *istD and an AF360, I would be inclined to say go for the AF360
Wireless and digital is a wonderful combination - no leads, no limits, perfect exposure (can't bust it yet!!), and to my mind a better built unit. If you're in any doubt, check out my very quick flash test: www.pbase.com/mattmatic/istd_360 - you should see what I mean.

Still, if you can get the AF400 fixed cost-effectively, it'll be even better having two flashes (www.asahiphoto.net are a pleasant company to deal with - give them a call).

Matt.

Malcolm,

Your answer is entirely sensible
I'm sure you'll have fun catching up - especially now with cutting technology.

With your AF400 - have you had a good look at the battery contacts? They've probably corroded a little. If they're not shiny, you can get these neat little glass-fibre pencils (Maplin's sell them and places like Halfords) for contact cleaning - a gentle rub might make a difference. Not too hard, though, because you could take off the plating.

Enjoy your *istD
Matt

FYI, there's a lithium "coin" cell that keeps the time when the AA cells are replaced. You'll find it on the base of the *istD. You'll have to change it eventually

BTW, Malcomk, thanks for the "sticky-tape" suggestion. Do you have a gallery of samples yet??

Matt

Hello,

Thanks for commenting on the images It's been really fun so far, and I am trying to get at least one image a day up on the PBase site (for the time being anyway).

Removing the card is a pain, it has to be said. With an IBM microdrive it is more of a pain - it's fatter than a normal CF card. Consequently gravity cannot help... You need a carefully placed fingernail to catch hold of the little lip on the underside of the microdrive. I considered making some kind of plastic 'hook' to help eak it out... it would be nice if they could amend mine though

I have been pulling the images off the camera using the PC-istD USB connection - this has been fast enough for the highest resolution JPEG images, emptying it every day.

Considering the niggles with the CF card, I now wish I had bought a 512Mb CF card rather than a microdrive. ParkCameras did a deal on the *istD and microdrive - the 1Gb microdrive worked out an extra £100. I may still go 'real' compact flash in the future...

Mind you, that niggle aside, the camera is fantastic - especially, especially the wireless AF360 flash mode. AFAIK, with the Canon solution you need to buy a wireless sender in addition to the flash. With the *istD it's all in the palm of your hand

Matt

Hi Shotgun,

Yes you neeeeed an AF360FGZ

Still, from what I gather you can use both flashguns, or all three. If you get the extension lead kit too, you can mount the AF500FTZ on the extension as a direct slave, use the popup flash too and have the AF360 in wireless. You can then choose whether the popup is just a controller (as in all my sample shots), or adds the picture. If that doesn't work, you can daisy chain both flashes using two sets of flash kits (ouch - expensive!).

If you use P-TTL for all three, you should have a formidable lighting arrangement

That said, I am surprised that the AF500FTZ doesn't work for you. It should do P-TTL mode when directly connected. Maybe a revisit to your manuals might help I had to dig the AF360 manual out to set it up properly.

So, all that said - there are six more images on the *istD Flash test gallery. Three directly connected, three in wireless.

Enjoy!
Matt

Hi Shotgun,

I've just taken a few quick images. Not the greatest subject, but basically I couldn't make it go wrong The flash-to-subject distance was very short - only 600mm or so. It throttles down very nicely. All taken at ISO400 with Tokina 24-200, and of course the AF360FGZ. If I were using the images for real (heaven forbid), I would tweak them in PSE2. (Accidentally took them all with cloudy whitebalance - another lesson to learn!)

http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/istd_360

The wireless flash is just fantastic! It opens up so many creative possibilities. I've just got to tame the beast first

As soon as I can get a "real" subject I will update the gallery...

Matt