Thanks for the advice
So am I to take it that the lock SHOULD stop the autofocus..?

As far as I can make out the going rate for a minty second hand DFA is around £280 - £300 and for the WR version £350 - £380. Would this be about what I should pay, or am I totally wrong here?

I agree John - from what I've seen so far it does indeed look like a great lens

I reckon as time goes by "full frame" will increasingly become what the camera buying public choose to spend their money on. It's the old more/bigger/faster/larger is better mentality. You can't escape it, it's hard wired into our brains it seems - why else would we want to upgrade our equipment periodically, whether Pentax or some other make. It's the lure of more...

So, it's sell a full frame or die in the long run IMHO. Look at the excitement that the US Pentax forum created with their April fools spoof! There's a definite market waiting for one. And what a chance to resurrect some of the FF lens back catalogue!

I was having a go with a friends DFA 100mm macro the other day and thinking I'd probably buy one. I'd be happy to have the non WR version same as his because I don't wish to pay the extra premium when I never shoot in the rain anyway! And the aperture ring would be useful for my purposes also.

I noticed something on his though that I wanted to ask about: the focussing ring can still be turned beyond the two extremes of focus! Basically you can keep turning the thing as long as you want, albeit with a little more resistance. Also, the focus lock switch knocks out the auto focus in use, but again does not prevent you from turning the focus ring manually and altering the focus that way, even when the lock is engaged.

Is this normal for this lens?? I found it a little odd at first, but wondered if it's a by-product of the quickshift clutch.

Any advice would be welcomed before I go out and spend my money

Thanks John!

@markw82 - drop me an email will you, if you'd like to chat about the lenses on offer?

Hi John - could you please send my email address to markw82 as we're both too new to be able to send a pm. Thanks.

Hi Mark
From previous experience I think you'll raise more money by selling the items separately.
How much would you want for the 50mm lens?

Ordinarily I'd be interested in buying it, but I've only recently splurged on the purchase of Johns 77mm Limited, so I no longer have the spare cash. If you still have the 50 in a month or two I'll get back to you

I believe the only requirement is that the user can prove they are a student (via a photocopy of a valid student photo ID card) You can telephone software4students or check on the website here :arrow: link

I see that you can now purchase Design Premium CS5.5 for £279, a SAVING of just under £1,500

Well, I own an old Nikon (sorry to swear) Coolpix 4500 with an enormous 4MP to it's credit. The images it can produce, especially macro, are stunningly good. Having read the link I think I know one of the reasons!

It's well worth finding a cheap photography course at any local council run FE college. Usually these entitle you to a student card, and this is the golden key! Having a student card enables you to buy software MUCH more cheaply. I use software4students here :arrow: link

As you'll see if you click the link, the availability of Lightroom for £50 and Photoshop CS5 for £175 make it well worth your while. Alternatively, children / grandchildren might like to "purchase" a copy and allow you to use it once in a while...