When you take the battery out for recharging, the clock keeps running. I dont know for how long?

Is there a rechargeable battery stashed away in there somewhere, how long does it last, and where is it?

It would appear that it is not possible to recharge the battery while its is in the camera, so batteries have to be removed.

I bought my Pentax 55-300 from Taiwan on E-Bay, it said that they came form KX Kits, and came in a cardboard box (new) with no lens hood. So it looks like sometimes the Kits are upgraded.

I went onto E-Bay to buy a lens hood. I wanted to by one with a slide lock mechanism rather than the screw on (harder to store).

I found a replacement for the Pentax Hood at a reasonalbe price.

I noticed it had a removable little piece, and was going to ask on the forum just what would you use that for.

Someone above answered that thank very much. CPL filters of course!

Any other reasons why you would use that removable tab?

I didnt pay any GST on it coming into the country. The sellers always seem to put a lower value on the product for the documentation. I was waiting for the bill though!

I bought a Pentax 55-300. The focus is just so much better. But I havent given up on the Sigma 70-300 APO yet. I bought a focus chart, and will perservere a little longer. May be keep the Sigma as a second lens, for those bad weather days.

I liked your Kayak photos on the Sigma Lens thread. If you see my subsequent posts, I bought the DAL 55-300 on Ebay. Someone in Taiwan is selling them ex Kit, no hood.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PENTAX-DA-L-55-300mm-F4-5-8-F-4-5-8-ED-LENS-K-X-/3603...

It cost me $NZ 406. Got it in a week. I think its great, better focus without the trials and tribulations of getting everything just right with the camera when using the Sigma. I even used a UV filter with the Pentax 55-300.

Only one thing is that it is a smaller and compact lens than the Sigma APO (if you have the new model) The bigger lens helps with the hand held steadiness due to its size and weight balance. Also the Pentax doesnt look as much like you mean it. The sigma look much cooler.

I am about to put the Sigma on Trademe. But first I bought a focus chart (yes on Ebay again) and am going to perservere a little more and perhaps keep a spare lens or for those bad weather days.

I like the better range of the Pentax as well, a little more versatile.

I use a UV filter because I am taking pictures in the surf. I stand about nearly knee deep and whenever a wave comes I lift the camera into the air, just as an adde3d protection. The only alternative is spending mega bucks on a larger lens, a good tripod, and even then it is hard to cath the quick movement of the surfers, and follow them on a wave to get the best picture. I wouldnt want to be wiping the lens after every day out. You just cant stop that salt and sea spray.

Otherwise if you cant detect the degradation of the photo, and it doesnt affect your focus, why not have one. You never know when you are going to drop the camera, some movie star (if your a paparazzi) is going to key your lens in your face etc.

Wger you are in controlled conditions, and have somewhere to stash the filter, I would take it off.

This time used the SRS feature as ON. Hard to tell if there was a really discernable difference, but I would say that it was slightly better in some photos.

I am sold on keeping the Pentax 55-300, even though it doesnt look as cool. The Sigma is bigger, heavier and longer. Therefore if you are taking surfing pictures, it looks like you mean it. But for my money the Pentax out performs this particular SIGMA 70 - 300 APO (May not mean all Sigmas of this model). After all the end result is the most important. Plus there is a wider Zoom range with the Pentax making it a better all round lens than the SIGMA. Any one want to buy a near new Sigma?

Well took some outside photos. Even though the day was a bit overcast, the photos came in sharp through the wole zoom range. Using a UV filter as well. And shake reduction off. Will try again with shake reduction on.

But it looks like the Pentax lens will be the keeper.

Oh Well bought the Pentax 55-300. Someone in Taiwan was selling them new on E-Bay, taken from a kit. Cheap. Arrived today. Looking forward to trying it out and comparing the quality with the Sigma. Iam a sucker for a bargain. Initial test inside with a flash would seem to indicate the Pentax is more compatible with the K20D

May have to keep the better one and sell the other.

Will keep you informed.

Haha, I was using custom 35 as a sharpness enhancer, instead of under function - sharpness. No wonder I was getting soft focus.