Hi
I regularly use my Pentax 40-600 reflex zoom. Most shots at 400 mm are fine, but at 600 mm a monopod or tripod are essential. Also, as Chrism8 has already said, a shutter speed in excess of 1000th is a must, not to mention good light. Good luck

Michael

As one of those 'ancient ones' that Lubbyman refers to, our world was monochrome. The daily newspapers, newsreels on tv, come to think it, all programmes on TV!! Films at the cinema - some of which had soundtracks as-well were predominantly black and white. So, the fact that our photography was all monochrome, we just accepted. I don't ever recall imagining colour in lieu of the monochrome image.

This may be of no use whatsoever, but I Googled your problem and came across this

"This specific lens features a collapsible retraction mechanism to save space.Action: Ensure the lens barrel is fully locked into position at the 55mm mark. If the retraction button or locking mechanism fails, the electronics may behave erratically.Check Manual Focus / ResetAction: Take the lens off the camera and attempt to turn the focus ring manually. If the ring feels physically stuck or continues to grind/twitch when not attached to the body, an internal gear or the PLM motor may have stripped or broken"

This info may be about as much use as a chocolate teapot, on the other hand.....

Michael

Highly doubtful that parts still exist for the X5, I have emailed one possible camera repairer and am waiting for them to get back to me. If they quote £750 I think it might be cheaper to buy a new (hate to say it) non Pentax bridge cameras!!!

Steve
Yes! I tried that too. Still no change to the situation. I tried a card that works fine in my Olympus - nothing seems to work. I just cannot get my head around the fact that one card works yet none of the other cards do. I am not trying anything larger than 8 Gb!!!

Michael

I have tried battery removal to no avail. This morning I examined the working SDHC card under a stereoscopic microscope to see if there were any obvious physical defects. I then compared the only working card with each that are indicating card error. Nothing obvious. I checked the problem cards for warping - negative. Cleaned the card contacts with alcohol. Still got the same problem.

So thanks everyone for all of the helpful advice. I am just resigned to using the X5 with the one and only acceptable card until that gives up the ghost.

Best wishes

Michael

Yes. I also reformatted the cards on computer. All worked OK on my K5. I even tried formatting on a K5 and then inserting in the X5. All rejected. As things currently stand I can save pics to the card that is in the X5 but if that fails, I will be left with a camera shaped doorstop!!

FAT32

The card that it recognises is an 8GB SDHC. The cards that I am trying are all SDHC 8GB. Illogical or what?

My X5 has developed a problem with memory cards. It will only recognize one card. If I try to insert a new card, memory card error comes up on the rear screen. I have checked the write protect switch etc, but whichever card I insert I get the error message. Any ideas anyone, please?

Michael