Dear Jackie,

I am an optical lens specialist and from close examination of your picture it is evident to my hightly trained eye that the elements in your DA* 60 - 250mm are out of alignment as a result of the impact sustained. I have seen this subtle form of image degradation before and, based on my considerable experience, it is likely that it will deteriorate further if you continue to use the lens. Being a kind-hearted fellow, and wishing to alleviate your pain and suffering, I am willing to take it off your hands for £50.00, in the somewhat vain hope that it might be repairable. As a gesture of good will, and to allow you to pursue your interests, I will throw in a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO that I have been keeping as a spare.

No - please don't thank me: just courier the damaged lens to me asap and I will then send the £50.00 and replacement lens to you.

Sincerely yours,

Jon

CEO Trotter Enterprises

p.s. you must have a protecting angel - wish I had one too

Thanks for the helpful comments. I think I'll go for a can of 'Frog Juice" and, having had a play with some duffers, reserve it for use with prints of my more notable images.

And yes, I do realise that this leaves me open to unkind comments to the effect that, in which case, it should last me a lifetime and/or for me, whatever the cost, it will represent exceptional value and finally that I should check before buying that it has a long shelf life

Jon

Mat,

Your "rather lovely blue flower with somewhat twirly buds" also answers to the name of Meadow cranesbill and is a member of the geranium family.

Fine specimen sensitively photographed: by far the most successful of the set from both a technical and creative perspective, IMHO.

Regards,

Jon

In my experience they can and do when compared with their more modern counterparts. I had the good fortune recently to obtain a 50mm f1.7M and 200mm f4M (both SMC) for around £30.00 and £35.00 respectively. Both had obviously been cherished and were in immaculate condition. In use each has proved capable of producing stunning images with good contrast and high definition when used with either my GX-10 or K20D. I really enjoy wresting back some of the control from the electronics in the camera and having to stop, 'engage brain' and think about differential focus and exposure before shooting. In fact, I would say that although I end up taking fewer pictures when these lenses,the proportion of 'keeps' is actually higher than when using my fully auto, albeit zoom, lenses (Pentax DA and Sigma DG/EX. I suspect that I am not alone in my views and this undoubtedly explains why these lenses are becoming harder to find and more expensive to buy.

Peter's point is a valid one, although as I always shoot with a lens hood attached I haven't found flare/lack of contrast to be a problem.

Jon

Image of the Tern gets my vote, Mike, and I agree with Pete, the image of the 'Thrush' is actually a female Linnet.

Jon

Hi Ken,

Trying to tweak colour balance post capture is, in my experience, often a thankless and frustrating task. For this reason, especially for critical work, I always carry a small target grey card (Perfect-Pixs) and/or a Lastolite Ezybalance collapsible reflector. This way, I can either use the custom white balance function pre-capture or leave the camera on the auto setting and include one or more shots of the target card/reflector for correction post-capture.

Since adopting this practice I've been able to spend much more time with the family and get to bed at a reasonable hour!

Jon

P.S. The above assumes that you have calibrated your monitor.

Hi Pawel,

I've just had a look and this is the DAL version, which has usually been split from a KX kit. They have a plastic lens mount and come without a hood. There are, I believe, other differences, too. If these don't bother you, and you are 'gentle' with your lenses, as the optics/coating are the same as the 'full blown' DA, you might well be happy with your purchase. If you decide, however, that you want to go for the DAL version, and want a full U.K. warranty, pay the extra fiver and get it from Park Cameras.

Can't help with the AF speed, I'm afraid, but someoneon the forum is sure to have the answer.

Regards,

Jon

Hi,

Does anyone have experience of using Lyson PrintGuard Protective Spray or similar for preserving prints; especially those intended for wall mounting in the home or public display? It seems a sensible thing to do for those 'prized prints' but I'm wondering how difficult it is to apply the laquer without making a mess of it. Certainly, if these products have properties similar to those used for e.g. bodywork repair (car and not mine, before you ask)then in my hands it would all end in tears.

Cheers,

Jon

Ouch! Can't say whether or not the lens can be repaired (is economic to repair), but if you do go for a replacement (second user) try here:

http://www.wessexphoto.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=98_111_64

It is described as 'boxed as new' and listed at £169.00, but I bet they would accept £150.00 inc delivery if not a little less. I recently purchased a K20D body from them that was in immaculate condition with only a couple of thousand shutter activations and I suspect that this lens originally came with the camera. I simply sent an e-mail making an offer which was fair, but much lower than the price of any second user K20D that I had seen elsewhere, and it was accepted without any counter-offer being made. They were an absolute delight to deal with and even gave me a brand new, replacement charger when I queried the lack of one in the box with the camera, even though, I had to admit, none had been listed as being included in the original advert.

Being a 'real shop', rather than a 'flea bay' outlet, you will also benefit from 6 months guarantee.

Hope you get it sorted one way or another: I know I couldn't manage without my DA 16-45mm.

Best wishes,

Jon

Listed as new genuine U.K. stock from Pentax with 12 months warranty. Being sold by the Camera Centre, Cardiff. 6 available as of 21:00.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110547919401&ssPageName=STR...

Seems a good price if you've been hankering after one.

Jon