The istD fetches a bit more than the other, later versions - I've not noticed one go for much under £200 when I've been looking at them on E-bay. The Battery grip is pretty rare - bought 2 to go with my istDs and neither cost me less than £60.

A Sigma 70-300 can be picked up new for about £80 on E-bay (the cheaper version).

Hope that helps. At the end of the day, it's not a arms length disposal, so it's about what ever you are comfortable with as a price.


Steve

Telstar - I've got both lens. In my experience the FAJ 75-300 is good in the mid range - 135/150 area but not hot in the upper range. I got mine in March/April 06 bundled with an MZ60. It travelled with me as the long zoom option for the MZ50/iST film cameras when we went to Aus/NZ in late 06 and has been relegated to the back of the cupboard since as I've usually favoured my Super As, LXs and MZ Ss since. Based on the limited examples from 06 that I can identify as taken with this lens - wouldn't buy.

The 100-300 sits in my draw at the office as a longer reach option for the iSTD I keep at work with the DA18-50 and DA50-200. Not had many occasions when the added reach is wanted and it's not been very good then (but the subjects haven't been good either in all fairness).

The best Pentax AF zoom in the range is the FA80-320. I used it with a K10D in the Kruger and it performed well (backed up with an iSTD and the DA50-200). Second hand FA80-320s go for around the £100. Of the 3, I'd go for this lens everytime.

Added point - don't think the 75-300 will work with your MZ M - the lens has no aperature ring.



Steve

As hats are in vogue, have up loaded image taken at Laycock in June, curtesy of Richard, as my avatar. Trust you don't mind me doing so - best portrait of me I've seen in many a long year!

Hat bought in Stellenbosh last January. Ventilation pretty good compared to most things we see.


Steve

Paul - I took a version of this lens to Sri Lanka back in January - if you look in My Portfolio there is a shot of a pole fisherman taken with it at max zoom. Exif give you the data on aperature/shutter speed etc. I don't use it a lot but it goes with me on my travels as I can use it with my MZ-S - for local long zoom work I've got the 150-500.

Since lens prices have gone through the roof in the last 8 months, what constitutes a fair price is hard to advise. They aren't that common in Pentax fit - they come up on EBay only intermitently.


Steve

Max - a tripod will probably spend more time in your case than not - some here rate the gorillapod for zoom lenses as a light weight flexible alternative.

I'd take the lenses and use the shake reduction function where shutter speed is a bit low. You can also vary the ISO at will - the K20 is good out to 1600 ASA.

Don't forget you can always carry a lens in your jacket when it comes to baggage weigh-ins. Hand luggage doesn't always get weighed (and you certainly don't) but if it gets bounced , use your jacket pockets to meet the weight, then repack before passport control!


Steve

Another very important plus about the FA 43 Ltd - it's got an aperature ring, so you can use it with any K mount Pentax body. I still use film cameras - mainly my MZ-Ss but I've got LXs, Super A's amd ME Supers that all get an outing from time to time - so it's nice to be able to use top quality lenses like the FA 43 (and the FA 31 - in bound as of lunch time today from SRS ) what ever body is selected.


Steve

Max - I've toured Australia twice and New Zealand once, and will be back next Easter (atbe). My advice based on what I used on those trips would be to take all 3 zooms.

The 12-24 will be the normal walk around lens - wide enough for street scenes in towns and cover most landscape needs but have the 17-70 in a pouch for those oportunities where a little more length is needed.

If you go to Uluru and the Olgas at dawn/dusk, fit the 17-70 but you might find the the 55-300 useful as the second lens - the viewing point is set back and a standard 50mm equiv is a bit short. Take a light weight monopod as whilst there is a fence to help with stabilising the low shutter speed shots, its not the best prop for man or camera.

Take a filter system with adaptors for each lens, such as Cokin P and pack an ND, Grad Grey, Grad Blue and Circ Polariser.


I've always travelled with 2 or more cameras, either all film or mixed in more recent times. A second camera is a good idea - if the main camera dies for some reason, you've got something to record the sights. Its a long way to go back to reshoot something! And lots of 4 Gb memory cards.


Steve

Having seen the K7 at Lacock and looked at both live view and video, neither of which were high on my wish list, I'm changed my mind.

Live view, with a long lens (like my SMC K 135-600) on a tripod is a stunning combo and makes using the lens sooooo much more fun. Can't imagine squinting through the view finder for long periods now - wack it into live view, sit back with a glass and a remote - avoid the eye strain and you can be sociable to

Video is not something many of us will use frequently. But there are times when to be able to change mode without major effort will be brilliant. Anyone going on safari for instance will find this feature a great option. Ok, its not got power zoom and it's not a substitute for a dedicated high end camcorder - but what Danny showed us on Sunday was still pretty special - definate wow factor.


Steve


Edit: Danny - you almost wrote my comments for me - have to learn to type quicker!

Hadn't realised you taken that shot Danny - saw you sizing it up and getting v exsized about seeing the bubble rise in the guy's glass 20 yards way (not sure he was quite so enthusiastic about the lens being point his direction though!). Attracted a few envious glances from others in the garden - mind you, could have been your tripod - serious piece of kit.

Didn't get a bad reaction about me musing about shelling out for a K7 from SWLTBO - a sort of "Oh it's your money". So may be second traunch.


Steve

ps - Richard - I though your shots of me were quite flattering.

Going to bring my "Impact Subs" as well as the 2 lens already listed.



Steve