I have a Lowepro Nova 3 AW that packs in an incredible amount of gear in a tiny space!

* K-5 + DA*16-50 + Grip
* DA*50-135
* DA12-24
* AF360FGZ
* Cactus v4 set
* FA50/1.4

(Needs careful packing to get this lot in, but it's not a problem at all!)

I've also got the Lowepro Classified 140AW (sepia) which is great for travel (bought for a trip to US) and for not looking too much like a camera bag. Very padded, so it's more bulky than it needs to be. Realistically I can get in K-5/DA*16-50/DA*50-135/DA12-24 (but have squeezed in DA55-300 as well). There's reasonable pockets for documents and other bits (you can get in an un-cased iPad apparently).

Matt

What a tale!!
Welcome back
Matt

I have the Cactus v4 - superb stuff

Be aware that some of the radio triggers have synchronisation issues on Pentax. Some that a friend of mine has work fine Pentax-to-Metz, on his Canon gear, but putting on the AF540 or AF360 will only sync below 1/60s

Matt

Think it has to be the DA*50-135
Such a joy to work with!
Matt

Toby,
I have a K10D with a broken connector on the main board... everything else on mine is fine. It's been sat on my shelf in pieces waiting to have its fate decided

Like you, mine isn't worth getting repaired - but I'm on the lookout for a working main board. Prepared to pay a bit for parts

Your other option is to check your insurance. Some household insurances will cover you for accidental damage

Matt

As I mentioned, the batteries getting warm are the number one thing to check. The CCD takes a heft of current to run, and doing this for a substantial time will create heat in the batteries.

I'd suggest doing a test run indoors. When my (dud) batteries ran they were significantly warmer than body temperature - and all that heat translates into electronics supply noise that eventually finds its way into the sensor circuitry.

Matt

The *ist-DL has a CCD sensor. They get hot during long exposures!
Additionally, I found that the quality of the battery made a big difference. Some of the batteries I used in my *ist-D were getting warm during long exposures, and the heat in the battery created more image noise

For asto work you are probably better off taking many shorter exposures and stacking them (Google for freebie stuff).

The image you show has 'banding noise' - the regular lines, and general noise. CS2 can tackle it, but LR is easier and perhaps more intuitive for noise reduction.

Was the JPG you showed processed from RAW? Did you have to 'push' up the exposure in the RAW converter?

Hope that helps!
Matt

Back up to £549 today
Matt

This Sony 500mm f/4 is mostly white, and "built to order"

What a monster at nearly 3.5kg!
Shudder to think of the price!!
Matt

Me too!
Having seen some DNGs from it, it's really rather capable and extremely cute
Matt