I had a lot of trouble deciding where I wanted the focus on my picture, no matter what I did it never felt right.

Congratulations to Dirk1000 for his winning shot, hard to complete against that.

How about:

Stainless Steel;
Rather Surprising Result...




K10D, DA* 16-50mm F2.8 & Metz 58 AF-1

I did something similar, take a look:

http://picasaweb.google.com/tyr.francoperlak/81MacroAlmostMicro.

This is the 'adapter' I devised using a Pentax A28F2.8 and my DA200 lens hood:

I have seen one second hand 10-20mm Sigma around Leeds. I don't know if it is still available though.

Well the only Macro lens with AF he could get does have IS built in. Still, he would have saved more in the long run and had a more capable camera overall.

When someone choose between a D40 and a K100D, went for the D40 and is now annoyed that he can't get a cheap Macro lens with AF. They save some money in the beginning but really have their choice for lenses cut down quite badly. Someone really wanted a Tamron 90mm and was disappointed to find nothing with built in AF.

You can only warn them, if they make the wrong choice they have to live with it. £500 if he wants a compatible macro lens

I use the secondary flash at 1/4 and depending on the situation and distance use 45 degree to 90 degree bounce.

I managed to borrow a Lightsphere 2 from my girlfriend's uncle and it really reduces shadows and distributes the light evenly. I really want to get one as it makes quite a difference.

The Metz is more powerful, has a secondary flash and feels better built than the Pentax flashes. It is easy to use andproduces excelent results.

Lighting is even and bounce facility is great as you can point it in almost any direction. You don'l loose that sparkle in the eyes as you have the secondary flash. I tend to leave that at 1/4 power.

I wouldn't buy a 540 after having handled the Metz even if they were the same price. The Metz is cheaper and better so there is no contest.

I thought I had fixed the problem but as it was a rushed job I only made it worse. I have now taken more time to fix it propperly and it seems fine. I can't remember if it was +70 or +80 correction. It makes such a big difference. It is good that it can be electronically fine adjusted thanks to the sr system.

All is now fixed, there is a slight ff/bf issue depending on where the lens starts from when focusing; ff from infinity start bf from minimum focus start point. Nothing major or problematic especially at a decent working distance as DoF increases the further you get from the subject. It isn't really a lens for close up work, that is what the 90mm Tamron is for .

I'll have to test other lenses to ensure proper focusing but it is all looking good.