Although I've never had one of these protectors on a camera (but I've never owned a DSLR before), I do have one on my mobile phone (a SE P900)

The fact that my screen is still OK is testament to their efficiency given how I abuse my mobile.

You do need to be carefull when applying to stop dust getting underneath but I suggest that they're a good investment. I'd want one specifically designed for the camera though (not cut from a sheet).

Let us know if you find a iST DS specific one.

I've used a Beattie in my Rolleiflex TLR and it's a significant improvement.

Of course the benefit with a waist level finder may well be greater than a closed in pentaprism.

Whether they represent a good move given their quite high price is another matter. I would have though that unless you really need a brighter viewfinder (long slow lenses for example), it wouldn't justify the expense.

I don't think its quite a bias against Pentax - more like an obsession with Canon/Nikon.

I suspect it's the product of the "EOS era".

Pre EOS there was a "Big 5" of Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Minolta/Olympus.
In the early days of autofocus, there was EOS/Dynax with Nikon following close behind. Olympus gave up immediately and Pentax were slow to follow (the SFX).

Olympus went digital early (my first digital was a Camedia 800L) but Pentax seemed to stagnate.

Now Olympus are away on there own with the 4/3 system (and sticking to XD cars on the compacts), Minolta are too expensive with only the Dynax 7D and Pentax are overshadowed by the marketing/advertising strength of Canon/Nikon supported by fawning reviews.

Personally, although I always read the reviews (extensively!) I still rely on "hands on" for a buying decision which is why I am now a happy owner of a iST DS, and not an EOS 350D or D70.

All we can do is "keep the faith" and spread the word that there is an alternative to Canon/Nikon - and its a good one.

To join this thread as a new user to the forum.

I've had my iST DS for a week now and I too am absolutely delighted with it.

I've traded up from a Dimage 7i and so far I'm very glad I chose the Pentax over the 350D (who needs 8Mp anyway and it is just not comfortable in the hand - grip is far too shallow).

It ticked just about every box for me especially as I don't need proprietry Li-On batteries (I was happy to change from CF to SD as memory cards are cheap now and nearly a GB of CF cards helped the sale of my Minolta).

I'd like program shift ("Hyper Program") in P mode but I'll live without that and I'd give up the "auto scene selection" (in fact I'd give up the scene modes completely) - just P,A,S & M would do nicley but these don't detract from the wonderful ergonomics/ease of use and the quality of the images.

What's more ISO 3200 is perfectly useable - no more trying to determine
which noisy blur is one of my children on a poorly lit school stage 100 feet away.

I see questions about the Sigma 430 flashgun but can anyone confirm that the EF500 DG ST (not the Super) is fully compatible with the iST DS

cheers

Terry

I loved the extended red sensitivity of Ilford SFX200.

Use it with the red filter for near infrared effects - or without a filter as a normal B & W film.

I used nothing else in my Rolleiflex in the last few years.

Now I have a Pentax DSLR, if I buy an old 35mm body for fun/spare that's what I'll load it with.