FAT32 is a logical file system it has no bearing on how the data is actually stored physically.

Defragmenting Solid state media is pointless, since memory addresses have no guaranteed correlation to physical location in memory. In fact de-fragging solid state media (including SSD fixed disks) is slightly harmful because it uses up write cycles for no benefit.

The controller chip built into the card determines what physical memory area a particular file is writen to, and most modern ones have a load ballancing algorithm to make sure no particular memory cells wear out more quickly than the average.

All the above, plus everything gwing said, is all true and may in certain circumstances cause problems including but not limited to slow data access and loss of images. It can also all be avoided in all cases by simply formatting the card in the camera you intend to use it in.

Given that on most cameras and certainly all Pentax DSLR models formatting the card is also the most convinient way to blank it, I simply don't see a reason NOT to do this. You can avoid all the technological babble and just get on with shooting great pictures if you just do this one thing - Format the card in the camera you plan to use it in before you begin.

if I may offer a voice of hope, since I was last active on the forum a few years ago I have changed jobs. I now work for a fairly small company of software engineers and consultants, the majority of whom are educated to Masters level or above in Science based subjects.

There are more Pentax shooters here than I've ever encountered in one place before! At least three in one small office.

John, my point exactly.

I'm sorry, I obviously didn't make myself clear.

What I meant was, the current standard version of the K mount, ie that mount which is fitted to all the cameras in the current range, doesn't have the necessary mechanical couplers to make use of an apperture ring.

In order to do open apperture metering with M series lenses and earlier, the proposed camera would have to have an "old style" non-crippled K mount. That would mean re-tooling to produce that mount specifically for this one camera body.

If doing so was cheap and easy, Pentax would have done it by now and shut all of us who want to use M series glass on our DSLRs up.

Since the people who want to use M series glass on a K5 II are also the people who would consider buying this "Digital MX", if they wont do it for us to make us happier with a mass market model, they certainly wont do it to make the same people buy a niche market model unless the price was very much in their favour.

Whilst I agree with the idea of some sort of digital MX, what we have to realise is that such a camera would probably have to be quite expensive. It more or less has to be full frame and that sensor alone is going to make it more expensive than a K5. Then you've got to start making what is now a non standard version of the mount. All this for a model which isn't going to sell in large volume and can't use most of the current lens line-up so wont drive accessory sales either.

It's a lovely idea but drastically unlikely and if it did happen it would be in the ~£2000 bracket imo.

Dear Pentax, please prove me wrong!

another vote for a reversing ring and an f-35-70, the zoom acts as focus when reversed making it more convinient than my other preferred option which is an M series 28mm

if you get hooked, look out for older manual focus macros. Much cheaper than modern ones and the quality is excellent almost across the board. I'm not aware of an optically bad macro prime, although some of the cheaper ones sacrafice build quality and therefore may not have aged well.

I use a Tamron Adaptall 90mm f/2.5 with a KA adapter and occasionally a 2x converter. Lovely lens and makes a good short telephoto as well. Only problem with it is it only goes down to 1:2 without the converter or an extension tube, so strictly speaking it isn't a true Macro lens. Also the KA adaptors are like hens teeth.

I put mine on ebay a few years ago with a £5 starting bid and got no takers, so now it lives in the back of my cupboard and very occasionally gets a roll put through it when I want a decent camera with me but am not prepared to risk my DSLR.

I quite like my old SFX, it's ugly as sin but hard as nails and it gets the job done.

I haven't put a roll through my K1000 in ages. It has been out a couple of times though, I take it with me to weddings of friends and familly as my "when everything else has gone to *expletive deleted* , in sunny 16 we trust" camera.

Nothing short of a nuclear strike will stop that shutter going off.

I used to use a 110 regularly as a pocketable camera, fantastic little machine within the limitations of the format.

www.pentax110.co.uk is a goldmine of information and accessories (I actually bought my 110 from there).

I haven't thought about that little camera in years, maybe I'll fish it out of its hiding place, blow of the dust and see if it still works!

Techno,

Unfortunately that is the problem with this idea, you can't use the petal hood with it, the rubber thing (technical term there!) does extend in front of the front element by an inch or so, so you get some benefit there but it's probably not as good as the original hood. The 55-300 doesn't come with a petal hood anyway so we haven't found it to be a problem for us.

Algernon, the beauty of the rifle scope ones is they're sprung, so they can't close on you at an awkward moment. We all find the solutions which work best for our needs