As the distinction between fast and slow continuous shooting seems to be connected to whether the card can be filled or not, then there must be some technical limitation in passing data from the buffer to the card continuously that determines the lower speed (the high speed burst just stops when the buffer is full).

The lower speed is surely the fastest possible with this continuous passing of data until the card is full - so the reduction to 1.6fps in the later model camera is presumable due to a lower specification in the data writing, yes, it seems a step backwards ??

Or does the continuous shooting until the card is full not actually work on the K7, and Pentax are just trying to be sure they can live up to their claims? Anyone tried it? I'm not that keen, but I suppose you could fill a 2gb card fairly quickly without feeling you're upping the 'milage' on your precious camera too much.

It looks like Pentax's 'Updates' are actually full versions, but need to see an earlier version installed, or the disc in the drive to run.

Thanks all again. I'm up and running now - Mike, the link worked a treat. I hadn't realised that the update on Pentax website was the full software, we just had to trick it into thinking the disc was present!

I'll still try and get a replacement disc as a backup. But thanks for the kind offers of help!

Thanks for the kind offers. I'll give Pentax UK a call and see what their approach to this would be (and let all know) - otherwise I'll get in touch, many thanks.

I decided to re-install Pentax Camera Utility, mainly to try it out for WB presets and distortion corrections as don't use Lightroom. Annoyingly I can't find my software CD.

I got on to Pentax UK and used their online e-mail form to request help. Asked them if a download is possible. All I got was this unhelpful response : 'It is not possible to download the software due to intellectual property issues. Tell us how we did in solving your problem....' .It sounds like a computer generated message. Frustrating.

Is it worth it trying to call them to ask if they'll send out a new disc? Has anyone had experience of this issue or similar? Grateful for any ideas.

Right, all sounds good. I was disappointed that the G Fong Lightspheres didn't fit - its really a problem with the flash head attachment nodes (for want of a better description). They stick out at the base of the head, preventing the plastic diffuser from fitting on. I guess this is a older design. Most new flashes I've seen look like they have the nodes, or head hinges flush with the surface of the head.

In any case, the diffuser company website lists the Metz 44 as being compatable. SRS here I come.

Thanks, yes I've seen the Sigma guns - they look like a capable budget option. The Metz ones have a more modern looking design and controls, and they boast about a USB input for firmware updates, which their advertising claims would be able to take advantage of future changes to camera functionality in newer camera models. Anyone ever updated their flashgun firmware?

I shoot RAW only, (on a K7), and I have tried numerous bursts and 5 bracketed shots on a number of occasions, and to me it seems that the camera fires off the shots rapidly with no delays for the first 5 or so shots, then it stops and writes them to the card.

This is the same for different settings, such as noise reduction, distortion correction etc. It feels as if the camera is leaving the processing of these things until it writes to the card, and so it doesn't seem to make any difference to the initial speed of the burst of shots - the only thing affecting this that I notice is the shutter speed of course.

I don't use RAW + Jpeg but my guess would be that the camera would treat the JPEG as just an additional processing parameter, and so delay it and carry out this at the time that the images are written to the card.

I bought a hotshoe stereo mic by Polaroid - from Amazon I think. Good value, about £40, light and it has two angle settings, 90 and 120 degrees. It comes with a soft case and a foam cover for windy conditions. Connection is straight into K7s mic input, a small 'stereo jack', and it screws tightly onto the hotshoe.

Shouldn't be hard to track it down in a search, it was the only Polaroid example I saw. So far results are very good, quite a noticable difference between it and the built in mic. The sound is almost 3d in that you can place voices around the scene, even from behind the camera. And the reduction in wind buffetting is effective also.

When playing back on the K7 I see on the display the volume icon and 'Stereo' written, which is kind of reassuring.

I've been enjoying using my AF280T - it certainly looks the business with its impressive iso and distance scales, and with some experimentation it is possible to get well exposed shots in most situations. But I have to admit, when combined with a manual lense, the sheer number of individual settings that need to be managed, (focus ring, set to manual mode, iso setting on camera and flash, read off the aperture setting on the flash and set on aperture ring, make any aperture adjustments for bounce flash, green button to stop down - then try a test shot and adjust till right) - theres a lot goin on!

In a quick moving situation I'm missing shots. Also, I got some Gary Fong Lighspheres link but unfortunately they don't fit on a compact style flash head.

I know what you're thinking - why change a flash to fit an accessory, not the other way round - but these diffusers will do what I need, which is to light up a room evenly with minimum fuss.

So I thought about trying a Metz unit. It seems you can get full P-TTL on Pentax (I think?) which would cut out a few extra steps in setting up, and they have always looked to be a quality brand, and cheaper tha Pentax. Does anyone have experiences with any Metz uiits or other advice? It would need to have the fullsize flash (full length really) flash head.