On a limited budget if AF is required consider the MZ5,6,or 7. All come up quite often on eBay and usually sell between £25-50 depending upon what's been bundled with the camera. The MZ3 is very good, but but comes up less often and is usually more expensive. I have the MZ6 and like it a lot.

If you are prepared to consider MF then for you need to look at a Super A if you need Tv mode. LX aside also consider the MX and ME Super. I have a Super A and ME Super.

The Super A is my favourite, very solid and small. Prices range from £15 -£40 depending upon the bundle and condition.
Note the light seals and the mirror damper foam on these cameras degrades and becomes sticky. If it gets onto the focusing screen it is almost impossible to remove. Since these models are around 20 years old, odds are that unless the seals have already been replaced then they will need to be. This is not a major job and kits are readily available.

Steve

Any announcement of new camera models at this time makes no commercial sense as it would surely cut into Christmas sales of the K20, 200 KM ect.

That said Pentax marketing have never struck me as being very bright, so who knows.

Steve

On a basic level the Microsoft Powertoy, SyncToy http://tinyurl.com/ysc45p does this.

It is pretty easy to configure, but there is no scheduler included.

Steve

I have carried out a number of focusing tests with several of my lenses and my K10D GP.

My original results pointed to back focusing on focal lengths shorter than 28mm and front focusing above 35mm. This pattern also repeats itself with the standard 18-55mm kit lens.

I assumed that 30-35mm was deemed standard focal length on a Pentax DSLR and the AF system is optimised for that range.

My FA50 definitely FF by a similar amount to that reported by Nathan

I have made adjustments via the debug mode and yes I can get the FA50 to focus accurately, but every thing below 50mm is then thrown out of focus.

Since I tend to use the 28-35mm range the most I returned the camera to the default setting.

I know this question has been asked before, but I do not understand why focal length has such an impact on the K10's ability to focus.

Steve

In this statement I recognise the effect of DOF, but surely under controlled conditions, with QC passed lenses, the camera should be able to achieve absolute focus across the range of focal lengths?

Thanks - Steve

Here is a link to a website that provides some information on Steinheil lenses

http://tinyurl.com/58bzmj

Mike beat me to it

Watching how this auction goes may give you some idea of its value.

http://tinyurl.com/6zqd6e

Steve

I too have both the SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4 and DA 50-200mm. In my tests there was no discernible difference in sharpness.

IMO, the 'A' scores; in construction (built like a tank), constant F4 aperture and the useful 1:2 'macro' feature.
The 'DA' seems to offer slightly more contrast and it is much lighter, making handling at least for me much easier.

Steve

My birthday on the 12th, as I said in the original thread if I am in the country, then I will be there.

To the mods should this be made a Sticky

Steve

Can't see the new post Terry