Correct though John may be (I've never used a Pentax MF macro lens), the Tamron SP 90mm is superb and a lot easier to find.

Don't get me wrong, if you can pick up a Pentax then go for it, but don't turn your nose up at an "off" brand because you're waiting on the Pentax, because you might be waiting a while. Also macro lens prices are pretty stable so if you buy a Tamron tomorrow and find a Pentax next month which is better, you'll almost certainly get your money back on the Tamron.

In addition to Matts fine suggestions

if you're looking for second hand and don't mind manual focus then the Tamron SP adaptall lenses usually offer very good value for money and come up often on a certain well known auction site. I use one myself with very satisfactory results. I got mine with a matched 2x converter for £50.

Similarly the Kiron 105mm is a cult classic lens and reckoned by some to be the best ~100mm macro ever made bar none. Its cult classic status pushes the price up somewhat but it can often be picked up at around the £100 mark.

I can confirm that you can just go straight to v1.3, since that's what I did recently with my work camera.

nice one John


Sorry I was sure you and others would be on it as soon as possible, but he was just really getting on my nerves.

he's been spamming the forum for at least 2 days, can someone bar him please?

Merry Christmas all!




take care, and God bless you all


EXIF

K10D
SMC-A 50mm F1.7, ~F10
ISO 100
~3s exposure

Cheap Jessops flash on camera, old Braun slave flash behind the stable on a patent infinitely variable self positioning flash mount (AKA my Dad, who should get as much credit for this shot as I)

well, mainly the same as last year,

5, 6 and 10Megapixels, 1440x900 and occasionally 3200dpi.

we've got an R1400, had it for a few months now. We haven't printed a huge number of photos in that time but have been impressed by those we have printed.

Nice printer at a (for an A3 photo inkjet) nice price

me thinketh if he can't afford the Sigma 10-20, he will need a mortgage for the 16-50 F2.8.

you'll have to join the queue!

still if there were lots of 2nd hand ones about that would probably indicate that they weren't worth having in the first place. There don't seem to be many people upgrading from the Sig 10-20 to the Pentax 12-24, suggesting that the Sigma is a fine piece of glass.

I have recently had the pleasure of playing with a Pentax 12-24 since my work have bought one. I am tempted to snatch it and make for Panama in a Canoe, but I think it may have already been done.