I have to agree with Peter on this, I do a lot of macro work and use the DOFP button frequently.

When your taking a butterfly at 1:1 you can use the DOFP to check that the wings or antenna are sharp, also when composing the shot the backgound may appear to be an out of focus green blur but when the lens is stopped down to F8 or F11 it's amazing how a blade of grass can suddenly appear as a bight spot.

Rod.

The problem I had with batteries seems to be a storage problem, I've been using the 645 a lot more in the last 18 months and the batteries are fine after about 40 rolls of film. The only thing that has changed is I always take the battery pack out when I'm not usng the camera for a period of time. My only problem is remembering to put the pack in before I try and use the camera.

On the subject of zooms; I've never been a fan because they tend to be at least a stop darker and are generally not as sharp as prime lenses. Your comments on the 45-85 are interesting and show what we already know, that Pentax make some pretty fine optics. I've recently bought a second hand (should that be 'previously enjoyed') 45mm 2.8 and will be checking the results in the next week or so. I'll keep you posted on what I think of the results.

Rod.

I bought a 645n a couple of years ago for doing macro photography. In use the camera feels perfect.
I've got 2 lenses the standard 75mm and the 120mm macro. I don't think I've used the 75 but the results from the 120 are fantastic, pin sharp and good contrast.
The metering is also pretty good. While I was familiarising myself with the camera I took some pictures of very pale flowers, thinking the pale colours would confuse the meter I bracketed, what a waste of time the cameras meter was spot on every time.
I'm also considering getting a wide angle lens, I'm not a fan of zooms so was looking at the 35mm or 45mm lenses. But then again the 400 or 600 lenses would be great on safari... we can all dream can't we.

Rod

Although I've not used my 645 that much, I have noticed that it seems to eat batteries, I've probably only put about 20 films through it in the last 2 years yet my second set of batteries are now dead.

I agree with your comments on the viewfinder, wonderful!

Rod.

When I bought my 645N I also bought the 120mm macro, this is a lovely lens and as is usual with macros also makes an excellent portrait lens.

One thing I must say is, if you've only ever used the 75mm lens then all the other lenses are far easier to use, I don't know why Pentax implemented the AF/MF switch as a switch on the 75mm and as a push/pull on the focus ring on all of the other lenses, but after you've used any other lens you will wish the 75mm used the same design as the others.

I've recently got a 45mm 2.8 but haven't had any results back yet. The only comments so far are that it focuses quickly and because it's a 2.8 the viewfinder is even bighter than usual.

Rod.

I do a lot of close up work with either the 100mm macro on 35mm or the 120mm maco on 645.

In the past I've tried a non Pentax ringflash (don't worry I'm over it now and will never do it again) but didn't like the weight as the battery pack was an integral of the flash ring also it wasn't a TTL flash (mind you back then my P50 didn't support TTL either).

The AF140C looks a much better design but I have a few questions...

1 Will it work on the 645 lens without causing vignetting?
2 Is there an external power socket? I know a ringflash doesn't use a lot of power but I like the fast recycle time of my Quantum Turbo battery pack.
3 What is the recycle time when running on ordinary batteries?
4 What's it like to use? Easy? Fiddly?

I'm going to ask Pentax at Focus but you can't beat the views of someone who's handed over hard cash.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I bought a new one a couple of years ago.

Pentax UK said it was discontinued when I spoke to them but I managed to obtain one of the last available in Europe.

It's a lovely lens and although it's manual focus when you use it with any AF Pentax you do get focus confirmation, and you also get the ability to use trap focus which is not available when using an AF lens on an AF Pentax.

Saying that unless trap focus is something you want (and I did at that time) I'd spend the extra and get the AF lens if your using an AF body, but if you've got an older manual Pentax this lens is still excellant and will give you much pleasure.

About a year ago I bought a Pentax 300mm F2.8 ED IF star manual focus lens.

The barrel was slightly marked and the inside of the lens hooded scratched but the lens does not show any signs of obvious neglect.

The lens didn't come with it's original truck case, lens hood or rear filters.

I've used the lens a couple of times but I don't think it's producing images as sharp as they should be. I know that some cat lenses that have rear filters must have a filter installed at all times even if it is just a plain glass one. My question is does any one know if the Pentax 300mm 2.8 requires a rear filter installed at all times?

If the lens doesn't require a plain glass rear filter then I'll get Pentax to service it and see if that fixes the problem, but servicing will cost about £220, which I think is a bit high if all I need do is order a filter from Pentax.

Thanks for the info, looks like I should get the lens serviced.

Just realised I wasn't logged in when posting the above reply, ahh well never mind.

Rod.