Thats a new one on me. But if true, then it is a good sign. Until recently it was the end of this year I can assure you. However, with economic situation being as it is, I am not surprised.

Good point Matt, but I said it because of the security updates. As we all know Microsoft is prone to security holes, and by peace of mind you want those holes plugged. So, unless you are never on the Net, you really want an OS that is secure.

I rather liked the Pentax Stand. I went on Monday, and they had two 645D's to play with (as per my medium format thread)
Most of the DA lenses were on either K-r K-7 or K-5 bodies to play with.
The only things that were'nt on display for some reason, were the DA*200mm, DA*300mm and all of the Limiteds, whether the DA or FA, and of course the flash guns.

However, if you asked any of the informative staff on the stand, they would get out a copy of the lens you wanted (apart from - strangely - the FA 77mm Limited). So, I was able to try the FA31mm Limited, and the FG160 ringflash unit.

I am sure from the queries this year, they will enhance the stand for next year.

Here is a shot I took with the SMCP DA35 F2.4 AL showing what the bokeh can be. No photoshop here, apart from some specks on the poppys that I removed. the background is as the lens created it.

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5394312932_8147228da1.jpg" class="comment_image" />

Poppy Wreath by IHD Photography, on Flickr[/img]

I hope this response will help, so here goes.

firstly Vista is rubbish! No major company I know of went to Vista, they stayed with XP. I know, my job is IT support.

XP is excellent, but will only recognise a maximum of 3GB of RAM. But, and this is a but, Since service pack 3 annd all the security updates for XP, you now really need 2GB to run with any sort of decent speed. Also, come the end of this year, Microsoft will no longer support XP, so no further updates.

Windows 7 is excellent, but you do need a decent graphics card to get the enhanced graphic features that 7 provides. I have put Win7 on a laptop with a mere 1.5GB RAM and works fine. But the graphics card is only 64MB so I don't get the enhanced look.

So, taking this into account you have two options.

1. Roll back to XP but increase your RAM to at least 2GB, but with the knowledge that next year you will have to go to Win7 anyway.

2. Bite the bullet and buy as much memory you can for the laptop, be it 2, 3 or 4GB, wipe the hard drive (ensuring you have backed up all your files first) and install Windows 7. worth doing if you have at least 128MB graphics card.

If your graphics card is less than 128MB, then just put XP on and save up for a new laptop for next year, unless you are happy with the reduced graphics on Win7

Hope this helps.

It is a fair review. Both the DA and FA 35's come out well. And the comparison with the Nikkor and Sigma is what I expect.
The Sigma is best wide open (like their 50mm), the Nikkor best in some areas, the pentax better in others.

At the end of the day though, are YOU happy with the results. The one who uses the lens. As indeed that is all that matters

Me? I love the 35mm, yes it's no Sigma wide open, and not quite as sharp as the 31mm I tested at Focus, but am I happy with it? Yes of course.

As far as lighting is concerned, both the AF360 and AF540 have a built in reflector so if you set the angle at 45 degrees and pull out the reflector you may find that for close up use you may not get shadow from the camera and lens. I have only used it with a dedicated macro lens, but not with my recently aquired reversing ring for my 50mm, to which you are very close. However having said that, the flash is far enough above the lens, it will probably be okay.
Also, both the 360 and 540 work wirelessly so if you put the flash on the dedicated stand (included with the 540) and put a stofen diffuser on the end, and a white reflector at 180 degrees you may find that you will have more than enough light for extreme macro to suit.

Hope this helps.

When I went to Focus yesterday, the first stand I went to was the Pentax Stand (of course), and apart from bumping into DLT, I had a play with the 645D.

Well, apart from the standard size of a MF camera, it was not that heavy with the 55mm lens on the front. In fact I would say it is lighter than my Bronica ETRS.
All the controls and menus were exactly the same as the K-5, so as a K-5 user, you will feel instantly at home.
Shutter/mirror noise was louder than the K-5, mind you just about all DSLR shutter/mirrors are noisier than the K-5. However it is still quieter than the K10D/K20D.
Image quality I can't comment on as I did'nt have a spare SD card on me, only the one in the K-5. More fool me.
As for lens range, well, apart from the 55mm SDM, Pentax STILL make all the 645 FA lenses. It was something I was concerned about, but that is a positive, and they had them all on display to try.

I also tried the 25mm SDM lens. It was a prototype version so no-one could record images from it, but considering how wide the FOV is with this lens, there was a complete lack of distortion. Straight lines are totally straight on the extreme edges no matter if it is in portrait or landscape. Very impressive stuff, but indeed it should be for a nigh on 4 grand lens.

For those who have 10 grand burning a hole in their pocket, you still have one day to go down and buy one, and get a 55-110mm FA lens included with the 645/55mm kit for free, and thats a £1400 lens!

I didn't have the aformentioned £10K, but I certainly know what my ultimate camera would be, and if I am lucky enough to have the readies, than the 645D would be it.

Fantastic camera.

It all depends on what I am doing.
But I use three primes a lot, my DA35 F2.4, FA50 F1.4 and Sigma 105 Macro.
Then again I have four zooms I also use a lot, my 50-135, Sigma 24-70, DA16-45 and Sigma 10-20.

Indeed Welcome.