Hi all!!

I'm new to this forum. Like many of you, I'm also bewildered at how "low-profile" the Pentax users are in terms of message posting. Mind you, Pentax is a mainstream camera too.

Anyways, it is announced here that the new *ist-D is shipping to Singapore in two to three weeks time!! My loong waiting will soon be over. Based on previews and articles, it seems that this camera is a worthy buy!

I have been thinking of jumping to Canon, but I have been a loyal Pentax user for about 7 years now... and I just can't let go of the excellent Pentax lenses/accessories I own.

I just want to share my excitement (and anxiety??) for waiting for this baby.

Cheers to all.

I do find the DOFP button very handy, specially for macro work and close-up portraits!! And oh, the MZ-S has greatly improved it's ease of use by placing it in the shutter button collar!!!

Yes, the image will darken, but the idea is to look at the areas that are in focus. I have to agree with Rod on this, especially in macro work where you need lots of DOF.

Thanks!! Keep us posted. I am also considering of getting the AF360 if budget allows!!

Matt,

Thanks for links!! I've enjoyed browsing them (and still picking up some useful info ).


Stephen,

IMHO, if your are planning to get a new gun, a used AF500 is not a bad choice, but if you can get the AF360 instead, I think you'd benefit more from it. Besides, I think it's the current cream-of-the-crop Pentax gun so you wouldn't have anything to worry about future Pentax bodies as I'm sure they will utilize the full potential of this gun.

For me, I've been using the AF500 for over 5 years now and have been very happy with it. For indoors I almost always use it in bounce mode with a little white plastic bounce card tied behind with a rubber band, or the Stofen omni bounce dome - which I used more often. The results has always been great with my MZ-3 and MZ-S, especially with films like Fuji NPS/NPH.

I think either gun will serve you well.... but for added features and high-speed sync I think your best bet would be the AF360..... again, just my .2 cents


Cheers to all.

Matt,

Thanks a lot for the tips. If ever I get hold of that flash, most likely I'll do the same (ie. mount it on another tripod / rack or just hold it in another hand ).

Personally, this is my only gripe on the on the AF360's design (the lack of swivel), but I guess you can get the same effect when having it off-camera like what you've described. I really liked its wireless, off-camera TTL feature.

BTW, I'm very glad I've finally found a 'small' Pentax community with you guys who are welcoming and helpful. I'll be looking forward of visiting this forum as often as I can for updates.

Have you heard of the name Roland Mabo? This guy was (and I think still) famous in one of the U.S.-based Pentax discussion forums I used to visit some 4 years ago..... but after some PC upgrades I lost track of the website link .

Thanks again and have a nice day.

I forgot to add the 360 allows high-speed sync, which is a plus over 500

Hi bossman,

IMO, I don't see huge advantages of the 360 over the 500, other than having a wireless, off-camera TTL feature. I also don't understand why they have to remove the swivel feature for the 360 and the guide number is smaller than that of the 500. I find the swivel useful in portrait-oriented shots and bounce flash.

I could be wrong, but I personally prefer the 500 over the 360 in most scenarious.

Just my .2 cents!

Matt.... Thanks again for this nice link for *ist D review.

Looks like we have a positive feedback so far on this new baby!

I'm with you on this one, Stephen

I would love to get my hands on it before my next "project" comes in. My previous one I have rented a Canon 10D for the digital job (I shot both digital and Film) and I have to say the quality of the images a 6Mega-pixel SLR can offer is more than enough for my requirements, although I still prefer Film for the macro part of the work.

Ooops... forgot to log-in when I wrote the previous post..