Good shots there. Just proves that the 35mm is a great light little lens.
Put it on my new K-5 today, and even with the increased resolution of the K-5 over my K20D, it is a cracking lens.

cheers all. I had a play with it today, and of course had to try the upper native ISO of 12800.
Well its like my K20D at ISO3200. Not really good for large prints, but smaller stuff it is more than usable.

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5339725789_cf62a91695.jpg" class="comment_image" />

IDK50083 by Offertonhatter, on Flickr[/img]

Good Luck Smeggy. Once you get it, you will be hooked. I am and I have'nt taken a real shot with it yet.....

I have made the decision. With the age of both my K20D and K10D getting on and both have 30000 plus shots under their belts. It was time to indulge in something new. Something that will be more reliable when it comes to AF (read my other thread on the frustrations with both my K10D and K20D recently).
I was very tempted with a K-7, but what would it give me over my K20D?
Well it would have given me a more reliable AF, better shutter, better build quality, more FPS, better metering etc etc. But would the IQ be better? probably not as it is the same sensor as the K20D and the low light performance is the same (something important for me as I shoot theatre productions). But it was a point of almost desparation that I considered it.
So, what did I do, I have got the K-5, from a fairly local Pentax Pro dealer (in Bolton) and the same price as SRS (Sorry Chris at SRS, but these things happen).

First impressions.
Well I did'nt realise how small it was, its barely bigger than my *istDS, the is only a small number of mm's between them width wise.
However, it feels perfect in the hand (all Pentax DSLR's do in reality) but I like the cutaway in the grip, thought I would'nt, but in reality it is perfect fit for the second finger, and moves the finger out of the way of the focus light. Typical Pentax, always thinking of the photographer when designing their cameras.
I have done the F22 against white paper shot with flash to see if it has the problematic sensor problem. Well, there is one tiny spot, nothing like the problems others have had, so might be a spec of stubborn dust instead. However I will put it under my sensor scope to double check (when the battery is charged).
It needs the firmware update, so again will do this once the battery is charged.
Shutter. How quiet is it! Not something I am used to, being a earlier Pentax DSLR user, but I like it!

Looking forward to taking photos with it tomorrow, but from my first impressions, I can't wait!


Now I can contact Pentax to find out costings for K10D and K20D servicing/overhaul, yet continue to shoot.

I have a minor SDM problem with mine. If I have not used it for a while it decides it does not want to AF. However A bit of coercing from me before I need to use it on a shoot (switch to MF, move the focus ring, take lens off, put it back on and voila!)
But I don't care really, as it is one stunning lens and if mifsuds have it at £659, grab it while you can, it is one of the greatest Pentax lenses out there.

Reading the thread, it sounds like it is that old chestnut. "Is photography art".

So, it depends on your point of view.

Is Photoshop photography? Well yes, it is only a dark room on your computer.

Is manipulation photography? Depends. As even in the dark room it happened, but then it could be called art.

In the end though two phrases sprint to mind

"Beauty is the in eye of the beholder"
and
"One mans meat is another mans poison"

You are probably right.........

Heavy slap of the mirror. Of COURSE. Older Pentax bodies are renowned for this, even the DS. But the DS has done less than 10000 shots, but my MZ-5n film SLR is not a heavy slapper, so could explain it.

Thanks Mike, that is a BIG relief.
It sounds like an inherent problem with the first generation Pentax semi-pro bodies (and in reality the K20D is only a K10D with vastly improved sensor and controls). So an upgrade to a K-7 or K-5 will sort out the biggest issue I have with the K10D/K20D combo. will I get rid of either? No!(well, maybe one of them) as from F8 onwards they seem fine and will be suited to other things, just won't rely on them for portraiture or fast aperture shots too much, just as a backup.

Pennies will be spent on a K-5, is I can find a body with a guaranteed clean sensor and the right price. if not, a K-7 will be fine.

Yes.

You can on the K20D, but not on the K10D, so it seems even more strange that on the K20D it still happens.

But what gets me, it is not all the time. only intermittently.