Have no fears about the performance of the K-r ! It's a 'cracker' in both good light and bad light.

It will virtually shoot a black cat in a coal celler !

I find the heaviest part (if you are not using the DAL kit lenses) is the lenses !

Peter

I just checked the Pentax (Japan) website to see if there are any later updates to PDCU4.

It claims that the latest version is 4.40. However, when you open the DOWNLOAD link the file is version 4.35 ! (Which I already have)

In the words of 'The Rowan & Martin Laugh-in'..."Very interesting - but also stupid !"

NB: Only us 'silver surfers' will remember that classic show !

Peter

I have several bought off e-bay from Hong Kong for around £2 each.

NOTE: There are 2 types :-

1) fits INTO the DSLR K-mounting and STAYS THERE if you are not careful !!! BEWARE ! They have a small spring which holds the adaptor tightly in place and this is the culprit. However, it is easy to remove (tiny screw) and it is then safe to use as long as you screw it tightly onto the M42 on the lens and turn it fully into the camera mount. However, I'd not leave this on for long or it may come loose and the lens may drop off !

2) are usually a black colour and have a flange which sits OUTSIDE the camera face, and a small hole which locates on the flange lock, so is fully SAFE to use. The drawback with these is that you may not be able to focus to infinity due to the 'spacer' effect of the flange thickness ?

However, I have used this type (from e-stores) on my Helios and Pentacon M42 lenses for close focus shots so the infinity problem did not matter.

If you are happy with manual focus and manual aperture setting then spend £2 on an adaptor NOT on return postage !

Good luck

Peter

If you can find one that looks in good condition snap up a Sigma 28-70 AF Epsilon. It is f3.5 - 4.5 so whilst no faster at the wide end it stays fast at the tele end. It is also fast A/F.

I got mine for £15 plus postage earlier this year but I've not seen another advertised since.

I am more than happy with the image quality and you will find many shots, including one taken from a moving carriage on the Ffestiniog Railway, in my Portfolio Gallery.

Build quality apparently varies, and it will depend on it's prior use as well, but mine is as good as new !

Good hunting

Peter

"Thanks have put it into favourites. What's the difference between Elements and Premier?"

Adobe Premier Elements is the cut-down version of Adobe's full video editing software, just as Photoshop Elements is the cut-down version of PhotoShop. (i.e. "Elements" is Adobe's shorthand for 'simplified/cut-down')

If you only want the Photoshop (stills editor) then the bundle is STILL the cheapest way to get it - just ignore the Premier (video editor) !

Hope this helps?

Peter

Check Amazon NOW !

They now have a special offer on Photoshop Elements 11, but only the bundled version with Premier Elements 11. They have the bundle pack for £49.99 until 28th Nov ! See the link below:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-Premiere-Bundle/dp/B0090DQ980/r...=sr_1_2?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1353489938&sr=1-2

NOTE: This bundle price is much lower than buying Photoshop Elements 11 on its own and even cheaper than the upgrade version !!!

So you get Premier Element 11 for FREE PLUS a lower price for Photoshop Elements 11. So even if you don't want the video editor it is STILL the best buy !

Good luck

Peter

That offer on Amazon is for 4 batteries plus a charger.
If you already have another charger suitable for NiMH rechargeables you only need the batteries.

I have found Battery Force a reliable supplier of different batteries and their link for the same charger plus 4 batteries is :-

http://www.battery-force.co.uk/detail_SOAANI001A-Sanyo-Eneloop-Overnight-MQN04-C...

However, they have lots of other packs of Enenloops and other 'pre-charged' batteries, similar to Eneloops. I use the UniRoss Hybrio types in my K-r as I got those locally at a bargain price in ASDA !

Good luck

Peter

Quote :- "The automatic lens will remain at its maximum aperture until you take the shot; this makes the viewfinder image much brighter and therefore it's easier to focus accurately. Regards David"

Please correct me if I'm wrong, David, but I thought ALL Pentax K Mount lenses (not just those with an 'A' setting) stayed at full aperture for focussing until the shot is fired ? The only difference being that the 'A' lenses allow automatic aperture selection by the camera rather than manual ?

If so, an 'M' or 3rd party lens will be cheaper.

Peter

Similarly, it is my bargain Sigma 28-70 epsilon(A/F) that lives on my K-r.

I wanted a lens with a bit more 'reach' than the 18-55 kit lens so took a gamble on this when it came up for £15 !

It does all I want it to and my copy is sharper and faster than my DAL 18-55 so it has to be my 'best buy'. (It even came in it's original box with hard carry case !)

On the other hand, it's a toss up between this and my DA 55-300 which I got from Amazon when they did a 'half price' offer ! To avoid embarrassing all those offering this lens second hand for more than I paid new I won't reveal what I paid ! This is certainly the better of the 2 lenses but how do you rate 'best buy' ?

Peter

Check out what 7DayShop have.
They had several lightweight ones when I got mine, including one designed as a dual purpose MonoPod/walking stick.

Good hunting

Peter