For written manuals, check out Martin Evening's book and you might also like "Lightroom 3 the missing FAQ" by Victoria Bampton.

Both available via Amazon.


Steve

Bit late for this year now, but manual mode, f8, 10 sec exposure and ISO 100 works well on a tripod with remote release. Got some nice shots with this set up on my K5 with the DA*50-135. As it was the first time I'd shot the location (a friends roof), didn't get the focal length right initially and wound it back from 120mm to nearer 70mm by the end. The location was about a mile from the display and perhaps 500 ft higher, with Bath Abbey as a feature in the bottom l/h corner.

Tried my K7 with the DA*60-250 hand held at f8, 1/15 sec and ISO 3200. Nothing worth keeping - shake reduction didn't compensate enough. Probably should have tried f4 and 1/60sec. Hopefully will get a chance to repeat the shoot next year. May need a more study tripod as position's a bit exposed and I'm not sure if my Velbon will take too kindly to a weight being hung from it's centre column config.


Steve

I've used the Darkroom for slide processing (30+ rolls) - good turn round time and no damage to the film. Not used them for prints.

Also used DS Colour Labs for a canvas print.

Agree with previous comments about getting Peak to redo the prints for you FOC. No need to use them thereafter if you don't feel confident of their performance going forward.


Steve

Well, it was the result most had expected but France made NZ work very hard for their victory.

As much as we love to hate the French, the one thing that continues to fascinate is you never know which team will turn up. Today they finally put in a truly great performance - the best of their tournament by a big margin.


Steve

I use similar bodies as a working set if conditions for lens changes are likely to be awkward or I might miss a good moment - recent examples being a club portrait/flash workshop K5 & K7 with DA*50-135 & Sigma 70-200 or night shoot K5 & K7 with DA*60-250 & DA*16-50.

Otherwise I only carry a single body - not always what I expected if I grab a body without looking to closely


Steve

Not had any issues with either of my copies. Have you tried a different memory card or that it's properly seated? Just tried one of mine without a card - brief flicker of battery strength then blank. So I think it's related to the card being detected and/or read.

HTH


Steve

ACE in Bath had one a year a go - nearer £400 IIRC - thought about it long and hard, but managed to resist my LBA this time.

If its in good condition, might be a relative bargain - assuming it's on your wanted list.


Steve

Until I picked up an FA 24-90, this lens was my standard walk around on which ever AF film body I was using. Not used it with a digi body as the it would be a 42mm equiv at the wide end and that's too narrow me.

Results always been good.

The f3.2 version is felt to be sharper IIRC.


Steve

Endorse John R's comments re Martin Evening's books - his book on CS5 will cost you about £30 on the High Street, less on line. Could also look at Scott Kelby's book - he's another photographer user.


Steve

Got a copy - usually travels with me if I'm using film and digital bodies as it has an aperture ring, so works with my MZ-S.

Generally felt to be soft at over 350mm when wide open - but with the high ISO capabilities of the current Digi bodies, less of an issue that once it may have been.

Couple of examples taken with my K20 in my gallery.


Steve