I tend to keep a UV filter on, Marumi or Hoya Pro, and I have noticed on one a couple of very tiny chips probably from windblown sand; also they get coated with a fine deposit of salty spray. I am more comfortable wiping the filter in the field because no matter how careful there is the risk of scratching which on a lens would affect the coating. I assumed that UV would help clarity in bright conditions but apparently sensors are receptive to the UV part of the spectrum whereas film isn’t. A protection filter would be more sensible as the good ones are made from a much harder material. And if conditions are right then the filter can always be taken off for the shot.

My recently purchased mac was flagging up an update to High Sierra software, which like an idiot I clicked. Next day the software I use for work, AutoCad, wouldn’t run - panic mode! The repair patch on the website would’t open either. Two issues, large tech companies like Apple, Autodesk etc conceal their contact numbers so it took an age to actually find a way to speak to someone, and as I had bought directly from the manufacturer in the US I had no licence number to apply on their website.. Problem apparently is the new Apple software (and I bought my computer only three months ago) uses a different format for writing certain files.

Anyhow, Lightroom fortunately ran ok but the lesson here is if you get a similar major update message to wait and check very carefully first.

Thanks, that at least answers my queries. At least the lens can be fitted on the mount, and a vertical shift reduction from 12 to 10mm (with a bit of tape to stop marking the K1) is probably liveable with. I cannot see a circumstance where I would use the shift at 45 degrees, and if I wanted the full 12mm shift I could turn to portrait mode.

The usual uninformed comments in the article criticising Pentax on the design compared to the other makes but I wonder whether any other bodies have the same issue - as I said before I saw a video where the shift appeared to touch a Nikon overhang. I see the Canon and Nikon TS lenses have a bit more length between the mount and TS mechanism so maybe this a problem of Samyang’s making rather than Pentax.

You may wonder why bother when vertical distortion can be rectified in post production? I agree where this is very minor but otherwise there are two issues: firstly the more you correct the greater amount is lost through cropping, and secondly the image gets degraded in quality as before and after checks will show. Shifting horizontally can also improve the viewpoint if you cannot physically stand in the ideal spot. And finally, the tilt allows you to change the depth of field close to the camera so will be interesting to see what happens when a macro filter is attached, maybe avoid the need for focus stacking?

Trouble is, the siren call of Black Friday deals is seducing me to one of the lenses on offer this week so maybe the Samyang will have to wait.

It’s not so much the overhang as the body curve above the mount which is where the Sigma rubbed. I guess Pentax were only concerned with their own lenses. As well as the Samyang body size is the vertical movement, I saw a video of a Nikon with quite a high overhang which the vertical shift seemed to touch which could be a limiting factor. Maybe to get the full range it will be necessary to turn the body to portrait mode. I haven’t found anything about this combo on google so I guess the only answer will be to drive the 90-odd miles to Watford and try one out.

I am still interested in this lens, but I have noticed that the body is rather wide by the K-mount flange:


Bearing in mind the problem with Sigma lenses rubbing against the K1 I am concerned that this could be similar - has anyone tried this combination?

I have attached two Peak Design quick release catches between the camera strap and body. The Pentax strap is removed when I attach the 150-450mm lens and replaced with a Peak strap which is attached to one of these and the other end to a Peak base clip in one of the tripod holes in the lens foot. Hence both camera body and lens are supported and I can confidently sling the assembly over one shoulder. As there are two tripod holes in the lens foot the other can be used for a monopod screw attachment but unfortunately there isn’t room for a QR tripod plate. As the 150-450mm weighs 2.5 kg and is quite bulky I don’t carry any other lenses at the same time so I need to make the choice first; often of course an unexpected opportunity occurs when I wish I had made a different choice!

The 70-200mm weighs 2kg so probably would go in a bag with one or two others, and the strap arrangement above would work ok on it as well.

PS I rotate the lens foot 90 degrees so the assembly hangs close to my body and the camera strap attachment isn’t pulled in an awkward direction.

Interesting what you say about the weight, that is the one issue holding me back from getting one; still undecided.

Ah, you see, that’s where you went wrong. If you find an original view the first rule is to keep it to yourself!

Curious then that Jessops had Panasonic, Olympus, Fuji as well as the big three.
Same attitude in Leamington LCE, when I went in to first ask about a DSLR they showed me a Canon and Nikon. TBH I had always fancied a Nikon but when I picked one up it was a real disappointment, I thought the company had gone the way of Grundig etc and had the name pasted on a cheap Chinese knock-off. Back then (about 3 years ago) there was a small display of Pentax so I asked if I could try one, but the chap wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't asked. Chalk and cheese. Anyhow since then they have stopped stocking Pentax because 'no-one asks for one'. This seems to be the standard mantra of lazy retailers who are less interested in offering customer choice than making an easy sale. Or maybe the others offer more extended credit.

LCE Worcester was their regional Pentax centre so not good if they are dropping Pentax now. I went into Jessops Birmingham today and no Pentax there, but then again no Leica or Hasselblad either! Neither did they have a very good range of camera bags so I came away frustratingly empty-handed. Although a decent sized store it was all decidedly midrange stock which I suppose is what sells most. I might try the Calumet store sometime.