Starting at the top of the thread I am afraid.....

But what is VPN? (I know what VPL is !!)

So, I tried to switch to Manual Focus on the Body and use the Autofocus Zoom in this 'Manual' mode but doesn't seem to work this way.

Will this only work with a Manual Focus lens. (No Manual setting on the Autofocus lens)

Thanks, I am thinking of using the TAv setting and manual focus as you suggest. Then I can preset the depth of field and let the camera adjust the sensitivity......I knew there was a reason why I purchased the K10D!!

Our Lions Club is organising a 10K Run for charity and I have volunteered to take photos of the runners as they finish.

I have looked at a few websites with 'snaps' of runners that seem to want to charge around £10-20 a pop! Realise that this putting professional photographers out of business but quite honestly the quality of what I saw was not impressive and would like to make a reasonable job.

We aim to probably give Runners access to downloads for free and maybe consider expanding this as additional fund raising in further events...

To the chase..I will use trusty K10D (just ordered a BG2 as it gave me the excuse for additional battery and grip, could be over 200 runners) a nice new 4GB SanDisk Ultra II and use a 28-200 zoom F3.8-5.6 and shoot portrait. I guess 400 ISO and a 100mm focal length is best. Not sure there is much else to consider but any 'tips' would be well received.

I found the Magic Lantern Guides book on the K10D an excellent resource. it works well with the manual and explains why you do things rather then how.

I got it through the Pentax User Club but the ISBN no is 978-1-60059-185-3 and was around £ 15.00 plus postage.

I am sure your friend would find it useful. Maybe buy one for the Store Guy as well

This is related to this thread I hope and maybe someone can advise me....

I have a K10D that currently uses a Pentax-FA 28-200 SMC f 3.8-5.6 from an older MX50 Kit I purchased ages ago and this lens alone was the reason to purchase my original istDS and now upgrade to K10D.

But I am less than convinced this is a 'good enough' lens for the K10D and struggling to justify the upgrade now to the new 18-250 recently announced (I was set on a Sigma 18-200).

Some one tell me the lens is good, indifferent or it is just the user before I commit to upgrading. I feel I have had some good shots but wonder if 'great' ones are around the corner.

I want a good all rounder before a trip to NZ over Xmas.

Now I feel a lot better (almost).

I've been seeing this loads of times and thank goodness that Picasa is so easy to sort this out quickly. I kept thinking that I was not holding the camera still enough and making all sorts of lame excuses (any excuse to buy a decent tripod!)

I actually thought that a heavy drop into the boot of the car inside a protective Oyster bag may have been the reason but now (somewhat) pleased to hear this seems to be common.

Concern is now that I purchased the K10D in the U.S. so I guess Pentax won't look at it in UK for me (or will they? - serious question).

Reading again some of the comments on the post, you are right I had the same issue with my trusty DS as well.

Someone please put me out of my misery:

Can I get it fixed by Pentax in UK?
Is there something I (we) are doing wrong?

Just arrived.......BUT it does burn battery.

Had a nearly fully charged battery and downloaded 18 (10 Mb JPEG - approx 3Mb) and burnt half the battery and just to make sure repeated the exercise and stopped before I completely flattened it (10 pics).

Thought that the Docking Station I had Logic3 with power input and a Ipod socket might prove a useful combination but no go. (Does not recognise the adaptor).

(Any suggestions please otherwise it is fairly useless)

Spooky....just pressed the Confirm button on Pixmania to purchase and in comes your response. So purchased for £ 16.17 plus postage (whenever that will be with strike!!).

I visited link thanks, so only concern appears to be battery life and speed.

I have a recent 80GB Video so hope it has the grunt for battery. Any comments from your side on this?

Tell me more!!!

Are you saying I can download pictures direct to my Ipod Video.....(dump data card etc.)

Where can I get this cable, my prayers are answered!!