Old thread I know but having noticed my 240Z in my bag and forgetting how to use it on my K5 I have just used this info here to refresh memory on the operation. The gun has just been sitting in the bag with lithium batteries in it and they have proved to have held power nicely. As above, I fitted it on K5 with P setting on the dial. With the P setting I had full automatic shutter and aperture settings which varied according to the lens zoom position. I just had to set the tilt and flash Zoom head position and was able to get some decent results just messing about in my living room. even taking pictures into a display case square on to the glass door with no flash reflecting back with flash set straight up.

Camera has a Sigma 18-250 lens on it. This lens hadn't been used for 4 years as the zoom was seized solid when I went on a trip to Belgium. Yesterday I decided to get the screwdriver out and stripped the lens down pretty much down the bones. Zoom function fault was due to a couple of loose screws. There are lots in there and all very small. Got it back together with full functions. Really a matter of taking my time and wearing 2 pair of glasses.

For the very little use I am making now with the camera it was refreshing to play for a bit. 8 years ago I was using camera quite a lot after having a KX previously to the K5. But like others, I presume, hobbies change. I went back to motorcycling and have been putting in about 10000 miles a year with even 3 trips to Belgium and twice to the IOM TT races. Really must go for a walk with the camera in hand without a lens cap as I always found that those instant pictures are missed in just the time to take off cap.

Hi there romi welcome to the site.

Also welcome to Peter from another Pentax user in NW Norfolk.
Hope to see you about at sometime on the coast. I sometimes get to Titchwell RSPB.

Pat

Laura, yes you can lock the card. You would take the card out of the camera, after you have taken some pictures. On the side of the card there is a small slider. This is simply slid to the opposite end of the card to be the other end to when the card is taken from camera.
With the card having the slider in this locked position you would be able to put it into a card reader or back into the camera, then connect to your computer, and then "read " the card contents. You can copy the pictures from the card while it is locked. Remember though that while the card has the "lock" in position that you will not be able to take any more pictures onto this card until it is "Unlocked".
Unlocking is simply a reversal of the Locking. Slide the slider to the other end of card, make sure it goes all the way.

If you have a spare card, why not format one, after saving your pictures, and then have a go at retrieving any pictures on the card by using the free program mentioned earlier as a practice just in case of any future mistakes. At least then you would have more confidence in using the program and also save yourself money which I am sure is tight for most people.

Good luck and Merry Christmas

Pat

Matt, Do you consider the Q was a fair swap for your wife?
Must be a good camera if any kids want to use it!

Pat

Sorry but it don't work for me. Maybe the same shot, DOF and focus from a lower angle putting the barley head over the woodland in the back so the barley head sits at one third from the top.

No idea really but it just aint right for me!

Pat

I have this lens and use on K5. Cannot say I noticed any over exposure. It is now my general walkabout lens and for me personally get on great with it. Some people may say the IQ could be better but when I bought it earlier this year the reviews seemed to rate it better than the new Pentax 18-270. Tend to do a bit of sport with it. I feel it focuses faster than my Pentax 55-300.
Have a look on Flickr http://flic.kr/s/aHsjHkjbRS

This was my workmates son, No6. My mate used to ride but just does amateur meetings now.

Pat

Went to BSB at Snetterton on the Saturday for qualifying and some races. Took almost 1300 pictures with my K5. Got them down to just under 400 for my keepers. Lots were decent IQ which I dumped as not too much point in repetition of them. The next day I went to Amateur Speedway and took another 150 pix. This was on one battery charge for the two days, which I consider good going for a non standard battery which was 2 for under a fiver.

Both sets on Flickr at

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjGMk9Ko

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjGWwqGB

Pat

Update on PU site problem.

To John Riley, Well after deleting all cookies and Temp internet files it seems all is well for now.
Site is accepting that I haven't actually logged out, even when just shutting laptop lid so machine is going to sleep mode.
The new post page is actually since last logged in DATE, and not just since last log in TIME.

Thanks for at least answering to my problem.

Pat

John, I CAN see a reason for using Genuine batteries, and as you say an Individual Choice, but when I bought my K5 it fairly cleaned me out so at the time I figured that £5 was worth a chuck to at least have a usable camera while charging the Pentax battery.
They work fine, with equal if not better performance, so I haven't seen the need to spend on spare Genuine batteries.

In my Kx I have given up with rechargables as it sits there in the bag only getting used occasionally. I just keep lithiums in, as originally supplied. My Tesco right now has them at £5 for 4 on offer so 2 packs will probably last a year.

Anyways I'm trying to let QC get to his new charger!

Pat

Thanks John, I'll see how it goes. I just deleted all Cookies and Tamp Internet files . maybe that will help as it fills up again.

Pat