Thanks for spotting that. Don't think it will have much impact as at a quick glance it's adding new models to the supported list - like the D300....


Steve

Sigaria's a bit of a climb to get to the wall paintings and you need a 16mm or better as you haven't got much space to work in. Dambulla's Ok for not so wide lenses - I found it worth a play to see what the K20 can do in low light sans flash. Only part of Temple of the Tooth is indoors but the available light for some shots of the ornate decoration benefits from having the extra flexibility of a fast lens.

I try to take as many lenses as I can (realistically) get away with, which is raely less than half a dozen because I shoot slide with an MZ-S as well (and DAs don't work on an MZ-S)


Steve

Mike - re yr Sri Lanka trip. If you go to Sigaria, Dambulla or The Temple of the Tooth (Kandy), you'll need the fastest lens in your bag - F2.8 or better - as all 3 sites either don't allow flash or it's an important place of worship, so not culturally acceptable. I used both the DA*16-50 and the 50-135 a lot.


Steve

The MZ6 is a little less common than the the MZ50 - there are usually 2 or 3 available on E-bay at any one time. They don't fetch big money as a concequence of being in good supply. Designed for the "cripped" KAF lenses ie those with no aperature ring such as the DA & DA* lenses.

I've used one and found it reliable.


Steve

I think the idea definitely has legs and worth pursuing. Dare say that there are a few of us around who'd be very happy to sell the odd image now and again but haven't the time or energy to set up a bespoke web gallery. So an 'off the peg' app got to be of interest.

Steve

I started with an ME Super back in the 70's and still shoot slide (and the odd print film now and again). It's a valuable tool - makes you spend a bit more time thinking about composition/DoF and one I'd be sorry to loose.


Steve

Its a slow process - reckon on a good day I can scanner a roll in an hour and a half on my Coolscan V (base settings, minimum crop to remove holder edges).

If you're up for it - Nikon Coolscan (IV or V) or a Minolta Dimage are your best options - none are available new and they seem to hold their value second hand - so you'll need a lot of slide archives to balance the books.


Steve

scyla - your best bet is to use the K20's easy to change ISO sensitivity.

The DA*50-135 is a constant F2.8, as is the Sigma 70-200. I'm in the process of scaning my slide archive, and I was in the Masai Mara on 09 Nov 90 ealier tonight. That trip was shot with 2 ME Supers with differently rated films and the same set of lenses - 28/50/135mm. I would have killed for the ability to change from 100 to 200 to 400ASA in seconds - 800 ASA only existed by "pushing" and 1600 with limited noise was a fantasy then.

Depending where you go and the season has a great bearing on what lens is best. A zoom is more versatile that a prime. The FA 80-320 is a good all rounder - it's not a F2.8 - but if you use the variable ISO then it will cover most circumstances. A Sigma 135-400mm (or it's current equivalent) is also an option, but it's a lot heavier and benefits from extra stabilisation in low light.


HTH


Steve

I'd general endorse Technoblurbs comments. Its an 'OK' lens but nothing special - not surprising at the price before things got silly of around £150 for the better spec version. The cheaper version was being offered on E-bay at a BIN of £70 plus P&P until quite recently.

HTH


Steve

Forgiven. It was well past 11pm when I wrote it, and I didn't have a dictionary to hand, let alone a spell checker.

And I forgot the DFA 50mm macro. Possibly something to do with 3 glasses of Shiraz and a can/tinny of beer.


Steve