I did read that, and the announcement is similar to HC when that came out.
However, there is no reason for it not to be compatable with older cameras with a firmware upgrade. It is only the operating system (ie firmware on cameras) that need to be upgraded to allow the reading of external devices (ie the card itself) to be done.

The only exception in recent times has been USB, but even then USB 1.1 cards could read USB 2.0 devices albeit at 1.1 speeds. and vice versa.

I am sure that a number of SDHC hardware will in time accept SDXC cards with the appropriate software upgrades. SD only however will be a different matter.

I was going to start another thread, but as this one is here, I will add
Do you think that Pentax will do a firmware update for the new SDXC cards?

They did a firmware update for the Ds so that HC cards could be used, but I would find it unlikely they would do an XC firmware for the Ds. This however as even one of my 8GB cards will suffice on it, and even 32GB SDHC will be more than enough for a 6MP camera.

But, what about my K10D and K20D? The K10D is probably borderline and 32GB might be more than good enough, but the K20D? If you shoot RAW +4 star Jpeg that I do (and no asking why, I just do) then a firmware upgrade to XC will be a welcome update.
However, knowing Pentax and their updates, I may think that the K20D will conk out before any firmware is available.
But they did an HC for the Ds so maybe an XC for the K20D.

Here's hoping.

cheers mate.

Gives me a little project whilst my back get back in order this week.

Mowog, can you put some instructions together? I dont mind taking apart, as long as it goes back together again.

I am looking for a 28mm M42 mount lens.

Why M42 mount? Well I currently have a 29mm F2.8 Zeiss Jena (yep for Praktica) but it no longer has the ability to change its aperture. Its stuck! Now I could have it mended (it is a nice lens to use) but is it worth the cost. We are talking about £40 minimum.
But you are still thinking "why not K mount, he has a few Pentax bayonet bodies?" Although occasionally I will still use my praktica, I do have extension tubes which are M42, and are great with the K adapter for "super" macro.
So I am looking for a 28mm Lens to replace the faulty lens and use on both the Praktica and the tubes.
Why a 28mm? Well one, it will replace an existing lens, and two, my other M42 primes cannot get close enough with the tubes (I have a Zeiss Jena 50mm and Cosina 135mm)

Advices please.

Arguements over which lens will always occur. But, it depends on how you use it. I have heard that the 50mm F1.7 is mighty, but is it better than the FA F1.4? well that depends. If your eyes are not as good for manual, and you rely on AF, then no, but if your eyes are good, then maybe. I wear glasses so AF is ALWAYS a bonus, as I cannot rely on the focus (even with the diopter set accordingly.
However I do have a number of MF lenses and they are great. The 55mm-M F1.8 is a little soft, but as a portrait lens it is fantastic. I also have the K mount 135mm F2.5, which does not SMC coating, it still great fun, and when used in certain circumstances is fantastic.

ANY Pentax prime lens will be good, as all have great optics. It will come down to budget. If you can afford a F1.4, then go for that, if not, the the F1.7 will be a great alternative.
Finally, remember, Whatever lens is on the front of your DSLR, it will still be far better than any digital compact......

They are good, and their prices are very competitive. The only other place in Greater Manchester that has Pentax Kit, is Jacobs on Cross Street. Great guys, but not that cheap. LCE no longer have Pentax Kit for some reason, but they are not the best as they don't have much of anything in these days..

I am wondering if Roger Hicks is aiming his article at compacts and certain Mirrorless cameras. Indeed to a lesser extent certain features on DSLR's
For instance, face detection? - Can be useful on a compact for a novice who shoots for their facebook pages. Smile detection? Oh please!
Touch screen modes - no thanks.
scene modes on a DSLR? - purely for the person who has come from a compact, not useful for experianced users.
All those other modes on a compact - again for the facebook generation.

Some however have been useful
TAV and SV mode on Pentax - Oh yes, tried for the first time the other week and are good.
Various WB and colour "tweak" modes - Good.
Ability to change ISO - no brainer.
multi point AF (more than 3) Of course. And remember prior to the *ist no pentax SLR had this, they only had 3,and this was the forunner for the Digital range.
big FPS - Not a Pentax thing admittedly, (and I dont count the 21fps on my K20D) but did anyone have 10fps on film? Not sure.

What we have to remember is that today Cameras are not just cameras, they are mini computers, and adding various "features" in their operating system is cheap. The code is there and you just add it accordingly.

Not that I like all the extra features, but being computers they are there and you can choose whether to use them or not.

More important though is this "pixel" race that continues, even now. Pentax so far have stopped upping theirs for the time being, as have Nikon and Olympus. Canon however..........

I do like Haydnw's idea of differing films modes though.

How about the Trim phone, timeless but you don't see them anymore.
B+W Nautilus speakers.
The Dyson Vac
Notable cars such as the E-type, DB5, Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 250GTO,
The Beatles Sergeant Pepper Album cover
Pink Floyd Dark side of the moon
Post Office Tower
The Gherkin Tower
Humber Bridge

Loads more to come.....LOL

Canon are more a "gattling gun" rather than a "sniper rifle" when it comes to lenses. Flood the market with with similar focal lengths, rather than focus on specifics. For example, Canon make 5, yes 5 lenses at 70-200mm, they are, and I quote 70-200mm F4 USM, 70-200mm F4 IS USM, 70-200mm F2.8 USM, 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM and 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM MK2. Whereas, for the same EFOV, Pentax make the DA* 50-135mm F2.8 SDM.....Enough said!.

Because Canon dominate the market and have a large range of users (and bodies) they try and dominate the lens market too with differing Lenses to suit the needs of the different users who have a need of various lens that they produce. For example the 50mm comes as a F1.8 (for amateurs) F1.4 (for enthusiasts)and F1.2 (for Pros). However even this has its detremental effect as most pros prefer the F1.4 version.......

Is it a good philosophy? well no as it is too saturated.

Pentax however, with their range provide optics that will suit the needs of most of their customers. Is it too small? well yes and no.
Yes, because they are playing catchup from years of limited number of products. and no, as even now, the range is already excellent and a history of suitable lenses (even manual) that pentax users can obtain.