On the K10 I only use M and K series lenses in fully manual mode. In AV mode the camera will only shoot at the widest aperture, irrespective of the aperture set on the lens.

The procedure I use is this:

1. Set camera to manual and then set aperture on the lens
2. Compose and then press the green button (note the camera meters early lenses at the widest aperture, pressing the green button stops the lens down to the aperture that you set and then meters at that aperture. The shutter speed is set and will remain at that speed until the shutter is fired. The set aperture will not be seen (F--but the shutter speed will be indicated)
3. Shoot.

Regarding SR
1. Do not use on a tripod
2. On a manual zoom I usually set somewhere in the middle of the range and it works reasonably well.

Regarding exposure
1. Exposure moves from under to over (eg F1.7 - F22). The amount seems to vary slightly with the lens in use, but I usually find from wide open to F5.6 acceptable. I only shoot in RAW, and correct as necessary in post processing.

2. If this is a concern and you would rather bracket, then certainly set up the USER profile in manual mode with bracketing set up at say 1/2 stop either way.

Hope this helps - Steve

Give yourself the morning off you deserve it, or better still give yourself the morning off and go play with the K7

Seriously though, many thanks for putting in the time and effort.

I agree with the comment above 1600 looks very useable and on this evidence a big improvement on the K10.

Not wishing to create more work for you, but what I would find interesting is if you could take the same shot at 1600 ISO with the K20 and K10 with no noise reduction just straight out of the camera.

Steve

Cheers Jack, the picture was just a quick grab shot, after reading your post. The bears reside in my office and are an overflow from my wife's collection.

The only one of significant value is the old somewhat dishevelled bear in the centre, which was passed onto my wife by an aunt.

Steve

I just realised the mistake in my original post, the distortino does occur at the wide end, but obviously not at 28mm.

for the price you paid Jack you probably got a bargain.

The zoom slides on 2 nylon bushes secured to the barrel by small screws, which have a tendency to work loose. If they are loose it is a easy fix, roll back the rubber on the barrel to reveal the screws, either tighten or for a more permanent fix add a little loctite to the threads before tightening.

Steve

I have one, that I used to use as a light walkabout lens on my Super A. The IQ is not stellar, with some distortion down at the 28mm, but it is not too bad from 35mm upwards. Pentax made a constant F4 version, which was better optically though not as compact.

Check the link below taken this evening with my K10D at approx 35mm.

[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/GP9217.jpg[/IMG]

Steve

I believe the KM kits originally came with the DAL versions of the 18-55 and 50-200. These had plastic lens mounts and no lenshoods

Steve

I know , but they have different cashback and voucher deals if anyone is planning to go that route.

Steve

This might help someone who is thinking of buying this lens

Currys also have the 100mm macro for the same price as PCWorld. There is £15 off purchases over £300 using the code 15SAVE at checkout (valid until 17/06/09).
If you go through the topcashback site thats another 4% off bringing the price down to around £321.

Delivery is free on items over £150.

Steve

Sorry David

All publications and their editors are slaves to and at the bidding of their advertisers. That is a fact and it really should not be a surprise that in any side by side test the company that spends most on advertising will get the best review.
It really is just a case of job preservation and how can anyone blame them for showing bias. You are not forced to buy the magazine or believe what it written.

I could point to reviews dating back to the late 70's early 80's when there was page after page of Pentax product advertising and Pentax got very good reviews and manufacturers of equally good products did not.

The fact is that current Pentax marketing is a joke. The recent viral campaign surrounding the K7 and its subsequent uncoordinated damp squib launch is further evidence of that.

The K7 is undoubtably a very good product, but unless Pentax gets behind it with a professional grown-up marketing campaign and some serious high street presence, it's moment may pass.

In the meantime it seems that it is left to users on this and other Pentax forums to do their jobs for them. Keep up the good work Danny

Steve