Don't know if anyone has one of these yet, but Sigma have issued a 'service notice' for the following:
They're offering free service to fix the problem. I guess it must be a big deal, since they didn't do this for the front-focusing on the 50 f1.4!

The DA35 may win slightly on sharpness (the 'macro' capability is not up to much - even 50mm is slightly too short on APSC), but for street photography (and any other photography with Moving Things such as kids/pets in it) the DA40 might well win due to better (faster) AF.

When you use your Playstation 3 as a general purpose computer, Sony does not dictate which software you may and may not run. Any application which is compatible with the Linux distribution you select can run - you do not need to ask Sony for permission to use your preferred software supplier, nor do they need to give Sony a cut of their earnings.

They are not designed to run third-party software from anyone with the necessary programming ability. They are only intended to run software from large professional developers, with the ability to produce software on the same scale as others who release software for the platform. The iPhone, on the other hand, like other computers and like other smartphones, is intended to run software from developers who have no direct relationship with the platform creator (unlike game development for consoles, where approved developers receive extensive support and custom development hardware from the console maker).

The PS3 no longer supports the installation of a different operating system (Sony recently changed this). The choice of hardware accessories does not affect the user's degree of freedom to install software (which is the issue under discussion): one cannot install and play (for example) ioquake3 on the Playstation 3's industry standard hard drive any easier than on the Xbox 360's proprietary hard drive (or for that matter the Nintendo Wii's industry standard flash memory).

I trust my own judgement on the suitability of software more than I trust an Apple employee who a) I do not know, b) Whose software security qualifications I have no knowledge of, and c) Will not be liable to me in damages in the event that their judgement is wrong.

Furthermore, the fact that software is approved by Apple does not mean that it does not violate user privacy, only that it does not violate user privacy in a way that Apple considers inappropriate.

For example the new iAd technology developed by Apple (and intended for third party software developers) enables software to phone home (metaphorically speaking!) to external advertisers and supply them with the user's personal details (including IP address and by implication their location) without the user's knowledge or consent.

So I do not believe that Apple can be trusted to judge whether a piece of software violates my privacy - for the record I would not trust Google, Microsoft or RIM to make such a judgement either.

From my checks (of reviews, not of lenses) the DA35 seems to have slightly better contrast, while the FA35 seems to have slightly better sharpness at larger apertures (and I mean f2.8->, fully aware the DA35 doesn't have any sharpness at f2 )

Because he 'hoped' the Sigma 30 1.4 and Pentax 35mm f2 (each about £400) were superior to the Vivitar 28 (the various varieties of which seem to go for £40 absolute tops). The reason for that hope seems obvious dose it not?

For my immediate purpose no - middle of August! As for the Vivitar, mine isn't one of the absolutely legendary ones. It's still a decentish lens, but being M42 means a) Hassle changing to/from it and my K-mount flock, b) No PTTL flash and of course c) No AF (see above on my abilities )

PM sent re:35 f2

My hoarding instincts mean that I shoot RAW: I like the idea of deciding I suddenly want the exposure to be three stops less, drastically changing the colours, or being able to non-destructively fix WB issues on the odd occurrence (mainly inside).

EDIT: Should add that I'm also a computer geek, so an excuse to spend time in Lightroom (which I got for free from Amazon Prime) is welcome.

Yeah, but 28-31mm is roughly 'normal' on APS-C and is therefore a perfect walkaround lens. 50 is just slightly too long (and I speak from experience with the excellent 50 Macro) and 55 would be even (slightly) less suitable focal length wise.

Still, since I won't be buying until after the VAT hike anyway I suppose there's no harm in waiting another month or two for more DA*30 info! Worst comes to the worst, I'll take the 50 and sit further back - I'm not The Photographer and there'll be lots of superzoomers!

Two main reasons:

1) Creative - see posts above

2) Copyright - putting a frame round the image means you can add a watermark to the image without actually putting it on the photo

I don't mind manual focus, but my eyesight isn't the best! I suppose I can try my Helios a bit more and see whether I can reliably MF when taking photos of people - then expand my range if it turns out I can.