I see John, a case of if in doubt read the manual, would this be the lens manual, if so I do not have it

Will it, can't remember how to operate them but there are times it would be of use, can you or someone else tell me please?

Been having a look and think it may be Sigma lens I will be getting rid of. Have two Pentax lens that have a sort of collar that if you move will show the legend ‘Power Zoom’, seem to remember this was operative on one of my 35mm cameras.

Off now to look at the links I have been given, thanks.

What I had in mind, thing is, I need to know what I am going to buy before I know what I wish to get rid of, although I do not think they are going to bring in much as it has taken me about 30 years to learn that the quality of the lens really does matter.

Thank you I am sure that will help. Ashamed that someone who has had a 35mm from the 1970s still does not really understand about the lens on offer and what (except by personal recommendation) I should be thinking of buying. Consequence of this is I have a number of lens in my draw that I do not like much and therefore do not use, If I am to buy more I think it is time I got it right.

A very novice question about Pentax lens in general – what does the following mean or signify the prefix DA and the affixes ED, (IF), AL, SDM, and what is the meaning of the gold band and are there any other colour bands, if so, what do they mean. And last does limited mean just that, limited.

Could be that as old Pentax lens will fit most Pentax bodies, not the same with most of the other makes of camera bodies, therefore more lens of other makes will be sold second hand because they will not fit newly acquired bodies, With Pentax we are inclined to hold onto our old lens because they are still doing a good job and will continue to do so for may years to come - as some one said supply and demand.

Tooks, I was not attacking Nikon or Canon but you do not have to look far to realise the owners of such equipment either look down on the owners of other makes or totally ignore that other equally good systems exist. They are able to ignore or accept the downside for their systems but not those of others, the difference being the good side of other makes is totally ignored.

I own a Nikon compact, works well and was bought because at the time it was the only one available that seemed to fulfil my needs. I have considered other makes of DSLR but I will not list the dozen reasons why I decided to stick with Pentax.

The red areas are where the whites are in danger of blowing and blue areas are where the blacks are loosing detail.

What are you using to edit on Amin, best to know as it does differ a bit from software to software but in most cases you can turn it off till you want it. Increasing the 'recovery' will lessen the area of red, it can also be adjusted in levels you need to get the chart away from the edges of the frame, the white is on the right and the black to the left.

Sorry posted my rather simplistic thoughts whilst the experts were posting but I will leave my thought as it may help.

What you are saying Paul is only too true, it is the person holding the camera that decides the setting and composition, the camera does as instructed and within reason any good camera will take a good shot for a good photographer.

Often wonder how many owners of N or C would change to the Pentax if it were 3 times as expensive? Could be wrong but the way they talk makes one think they own what they do for the joy of owning not because they like their photographic results.

Think most on this forum are interested in doing the best they can to improve and get good results, Pentax owners expect, with out question, that the Pentax in their hand will come up with the goods and that it does time and time again.

IMO Pentax owners are not interested in status they are interested in the results, the fact that we find ourselves in the situation that the equipment we like is amongst the most reasonable and flexible is down to our good choice.