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Very nice!
Comment by smc posted on Trying Out a Q 08 at 28/10/2026 - 20:24
Lubbyman wrote:
Steve
There's a DA* for £350 BIN and another on auction with a couple of days to go currently at £271. The only £150 300mm I've found is an M, not DA*.smc wrote:
Anyway, enough rambling - must look for that 300mm lens at £150!
There's a DA* for £350 BIN and another on auction with a couple of days to go currently at £271. The only £150 300mm I've found is an M, not DA*.Anyway, enough rambling - must look for that 300mm lens at £150!
davidwozhere wrote:
This trend isn't picking on any particular maker but appears to be saying that the whole idea of photography as we all know it is rapidly becoming history.
Yes, the same thing has been happening as has happened over the years in many other areas. 200 years ago there were horses everywhere, it was the only way to get around. Then trains and, later, motor vehicles arrived. Horses are now mainly just for enthusiasts who appreciate them for what they are, not as a means of transport. 100 years ago and more there were pianos everywhere, most middle class homes had one, they were in pubs and clubs, and there was always someone who could knock out a tune to entertain whoever wanted to listen. Then came recorded and broadcast music. Pianos were destroyed in their thousands. They are now mainly just for enthusiasts who appreciate them for what they are, not as a means of general entertainment. If there is a piano in a home, pub or club it is probably digital, not 'real' (or in my case, one of each ). Piano tuners are rare, there is only one 3-yr course in the UK. But pianos, pianists and piano tuners are still around, they are now just a specialist minority and no longer part of mass culture.This trend isn't picking on any particular maker but appears to be saying that the whole idea of photography as we all know it is rapidly becoming history.
Steve
I really dont need a DA* but at that price it's hard to resist.
Comment by smc posted on SRS is closing down at 28/10/2026 - 16:26
davidwozhere wrote:
I think we shall be missing one or two other things too before very long. Watching Ebay (like it or lump it) gives a very good indication of how things are progressing in general. The number of sellers who are gathering mountains of similar items - one presumes for very small outlays - and offering large job lots of them is increasing daily. They don't even differentiate brands and offer say, 5 -7 lenses or 10 SLR or even DSLR camera bodies in a heap. This trend isn't picking on any particular maker but appears to be saying that the whole idea of photography as we all know it is rapidly becoming history. Even relatively modern items that were purchased for 4 figures maybe five years ago (DA*300mm for example) are appearing for £150! If the box-shifters cannot make a go of it then where does that leave things?
I have been thinking about this post since I read it yesterday, and it comes soon after the news about Pentax. I believe the current situation reflects economic conditions as well as the impact of phones and AI impacting photography (who needs a 300mm lens when you can simulate it). As Pentax users, we are a small niche within a niche, so tend to take these events to heart, especially when SRS was considered "part of the family". I hope the team there resurrects their business in another form but it will be difficult as things stand. Weirdly, I love that they kept their name as a computer retailer while selling cameras.I think we shall be missing one or two other things too before very long. Watching Ebay (like it or lump it) gives a very good indication of how things are progressing in general. The number of sellers who are gathering mountains of similar items - one presumes for very small outlays - and offering large job lots of them is increasing daily. They don't even differentiate brands and offer say, 5 -7 lenses or 10 SLR or even DSLR camera bodies in a heap. This trend isn't picking on any particular maker but appears to be saying that the whole idea of photography as we all know it is rapidly becoming history. Even relatively modern items that were purchased for 4 figures maybe five years ago (DA*300mm for example) are appearing for £150! If the box-shifters cannot make a go of it then where does that leave things?
It feels like a real inflection point but there are still enthusiasts for Nikon rangefinders and Linhof large format cameras. I hope we have enough of a community to keep going like that and enjoy what we do.
Anyway, enough rambling - must look for that 300mm lens at £150!
Comment by smc posted on SRS is closing down at 28/10/2026 - 10:55
What a shame. They only recently moved to Chesham.
Comment by smc posted on SRS is closing down at 27/10/2026 - 20:58
Handsome camera.
Comment by smc posted on My replacement camera has arrived! at 26/10/2026 - 15:43
Last bump for the SMC-F 1.7x converter.
Comment by smc posted on FS SMC-F 1.7x converter, KT6 II converter, SMC-A 200mm f4 lens at 26/10/2026 - 12:16
I usually adjust for infinity focus at the long end of the zoom, on the assumption that there is more latitude at shorter focal lengths with greater depth of field.
Comment by smc posted on Adjusting the HD DA* 16-50 at 25/10/2026 - 15:56
Love the forest shots. Fantastic colours.
Comment by smc posted on My replacement camera has arrived! at 25/10/2026 - 13:29
The second photo has good 3D "pop".
Did the photos need much PP?
Did the photos need much PP?
Comment by smc posted on Took the SMC-M 200mm f4 with the K1 mk2 out for a play. at 23/10/2026 - 11:32
