You sure are a wise man! Welcome to the pentax world and this great forum.

I use the K10D with the sigma 105. A great combination.

About the shutter release, it all depends. With flying insects I don't use anything. Just the camera in my hands.

When possible I use the tripod and a cable release. You can find some cheap ones on ebay. I find the cable release the best for this sort of work as I can look in the viewfinder and press the button on the cable release at the same time.

But the trick with macro is not the shutter release - it is the correct light - and plenty of it. You will find that you can handhold a lot of shots if you use the right flash setup. We have a few experts on this forum when it comes to macro work.

Im sure a few of them will add some info in this thread as well.

So did you get an invite - and how?

I have signed up in the guest book - is that correct?

Just to give some feedback on my research.

Atm. I'm thinking about two options.

1) Buy a set off skyports with an hotshoe/cable adapter. Like the one Don presented in the digital forum.

2) Buy a set of FLashwaves - link - which I have had recomended by other pentaxuser on Dpreview.

Both seems to be around the same price. Just don't know if I can find the Flashwaves in EU.

The Flashwaves have a hotshoe directly on the receiver - why I don't need to add an adapter like the skyports. Hmmmm.....have to pick soon...

I'm glad you got it...

It is hard to understand at first. I know - I had the same learning curve a few years back. Sometimes I still think lenses are faulty - but 99% of the times it is just me....

As long you are aware of the DOF a fast lens is a good choice. Just don't be disappointed if you excpect everything to be pin sharp in F1.4 - because it won't.

The fast lenses are very good at portraits - due to the lovely out of focus area - the Bokeh.

Keep asking - we are here to help!

Not sure how that will work?

To use the 540 I have noticed it only have the 5 pin outlet - not a normal PC outlet or similar. So the only way (I guess) is to place it on a hotshoe with the cable attached as Dons.

I love the fact that we used to rule England...

I found this - and now I just have to find it in EU or a place they have it

You will find two versions FA or F with f1.7 and a 1.4 verison. You can still buy the 1.4 in shops.

It is roughly £150 new.

It is possible to pick them up at ebay around £100 (second hand).

People rarely part with them when first purchased.


Edit: Try take a look here
Others love the older manual focus more (K,M or A models). It all depends on style. For portraits you could use a manual lens just as well.


Just one thing you need to remember using F1.4 or similar. The DOF (the sharp area) will be were shallow. Sometimes people makes mistake thinking the lens is not sharp - it is - but you will notice the sharp area in the shot will be very shallow/limited. Hope that makes sence. Happy hunting - and keep asking.

Thanks a lot all.

Matt - I will have to try that as it is not a part of my current PS skills.

Father Ted - we just had some shots from the kindergarde last week too. My god they are crappy, but we all pay for them the wife wants a memory......I really need to get me a quality printer soon (ahhh... Christmas)

Lovely colours on both.

Composition wise I like #1 best. Colour wise the second.

Perhpas I would have liked a wider DOF on the second - making the entire red leaf sharp.

Overall - really good shots.