In places where noise was an issue I used to use an MZ5 instead of the Z1p because it was a lot quieter in action. Generally I much prefered the noise of the Z1p though - it sounds like a proper camera.

I've had no issues with the noise level of my DS or K10D so far and that includes shooting candids & street portraits at close quarters.

To be quite honest with you Pete - having seen the pictures you posted from your first wedding shoot I'd have thought that your primary concern shouldn't really be with the noise your current equipment makes but instead working at your technique using your existing equipment.

Having only ever shot one wedding I've only got limited experience however for that I used mainly fast primes and I'm sure I'd have found a lens as slow and limiting as the Nikon 18-200 you mention to be a problem. Having faster lenses isn't just useful for making better use of available light it also gives you the ability to throw backgrounds well out of focus which can be very useful in crowded venues.

Surely the cost of changing system to Nikon is going to be more than the cost of buying a DA* zoom which will be much quieter in use with your K10D?

[quote="McBrian"]Brian - I might well do that. I've never been a member of a photography club and I've absolutely no idea what they provide etc. Having access to a proper studio would be a big help - I've got studio lights (just the cheap Jessops portaflash ones) but I have to take over one of the rooms in the house and set all the kit up each time I want to use them, plus my largest room 24x12 is still a bit on the small side for anything other than single person portraits.

Brian - were these model shoots a club thing or something you set up yourself? I've been playing around with studio lights on and off for a few years but it's restrictive only having my reluctant family to model for me so I'd be interested in something more organised.

I've no experience of the Sigma 20mm F1.8 but I'd be very surprised if it's crap. The Sigma prime lenses I've played with or owned (I used to have one of their 28mm F1.8 manual focus primes) were good performers optically and also well made. Ok their cheap consumer lenses might not be very good (but then are anyones?) but it'd be a mistake to think the same is true of the rest of the their range.

I only test lenses properly if I've found some issues with them in use. If I'm happy with the results I'm getting then I don't bother. The only lens I've tested properly in recent years was the 18-55 and that was because I was disappointed with the lack of corner sharpness.

I've been using one on my DS and find it pretty good (something like the grip-strap on the Z1p).

I find mine helps a lot when changing lenses. I sling it round to the front, take the lens off the camera and put it in the bag, remove the end-cap from the lens I'm changing too (all the end-caps point up) and fit it to the lens I've just removed then fit the new lens - no problem doing it on the hoof even with heavy lenses like the 80-200 F2.8. It only gets a little more complicated when fitting a 2x TC as well but I've a system that works for that as well.

Regards
Steve

I'm yet another happy slingshot 200AW user. Mine is a comfortable all-day carry with my K10D plus 16-45, 10-17, 10-20 and 80-200 F2.8 lenses.

Regards
Steve