You can download the K10D manual as a pdf file from the Ricoh web site -

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk/en/digital-slr/downloads/pentax-k10d.html

Philip

I have little knowledge of optics and lens structure, but I would have thought that to design and construct a precision motor-driven focus zoom lens is technically more demanding and complex than it is for a screw-driven focus prime lens. I would be interested to know if that is correct and, if it is, should the current price of the 20-40 HD Ltd then be considered reasonable by comparison with the HD Ltd primes?

Philip

It looks like an unnecessary product that the Dragons would kick out of their Den, unless perhaps the delicate products from other manufacturers need extra cotton wool protection. Most of the time when I'm not using it, my tough K-5 (with screen protector and lens cap on) goes in my general purpose shoulder bag with the rest of my junk.

Philip

It seems I failed to make the point that the lens I bought (shown above) was advertised as "Pentax PK fit", so no warning-off there, and I assumed it was a normal Pentax K-mount lens. I did not know about the Ricoh pin until I searched the Web for the cause of the lens getting stuck on the camera. It would also seem quite likely that some sellers will have no knowledge about the Ricoh pin. So buyers beware.

Philip

I suppose you are correct but I wrote that "...some old K-mount third-party film camera lenses (and not just Ricoh) might have the Ricoh pin..." because I took the photo of that lens after freeing it when it jammed on my camera. I had bought it because it was advertised as a "Pentax PK fit" lens, so I assumed that it had a K-mount, and it did not have the Ricoh name - it was labelled "Clubman 28mm f2.8". I did not want someone else without your detailed knowledge to make the same mistake that I made.

Philip

As others have suggested, some old K-mount third-party film camera lenses (and not just Ricoh) might have the Ricoh pin, which can get jammed on a DSLR, so they are best avoided (unless you have the confidence to remove the pin).




Philip

Tried a different memory card?

Philip

Several have mentioned the 18-135 WR, so just wondering here (the written equivalent of thinking out loud) how the 20-40's image quality might compare with the 18-135 over those same focal lengths. I couldn't find any evidence yet, but the Photozone website does show the MTF values for the 18-135 at 24mm and 50mm on a K-5. The nearest Limited lenses to those focal lengths are the 21 and the 43 - now other factors will also affect image quality, but their MTF values make interesting comparisons with the 18-135's 24mm and 50mm results.

http://www.photozone.de/pentax

The 20-40 will probably prove to be a great lens, but I have been pleased with the performance of the 18-135 and will stick with that. The latter is heavier but not much bigger, only just about a stop slower at 20-40mm, the extra lengths are useful in a general purpose lens, the image centre is almost always sharp, and the edge softness at longer FL doesn't seem to matter in the sort of shots for which they are used.

Philip

I got into Pentax a few years ago, when I wanted to upgrade from a point-and-shoot to a DSLR. At that time, PC World had them on their display stands and, as soon as I picked one up, the Pentax seemed to be much better quality by comparison with the other models at a similar price, which felt more like plastic toys. I have stayed with Pentax, as I have discovered for myself all the good reasons that others have stated above. Oh, and has anyone mentioned yet those wonderful DA prime lenses that easily fit in a pocket?

Philip

I don't have an answer but I am just wondering if you have you investigated whether the D-Range Settings (shooting menu 2) affect your exposure problem?

Philip