pinwu_xu

<p>I had in my hands a while ago, a Pentax 50-135, which could not focus between fl 90 to 135mm, a crippled lens.<br>

I now have a Sigma 70-200mm macro HSM II, which is so far fine.<br>

The problem with the Pentax SDM lens, especially the 50-135, from the forums, is that it seems to fail a bit too often; to make things worse, Pentax has the worst warranty -- 1 year. Sigma has 4 year, while Tamron has 6 or 7.<br>

As far as the SDM HSM technology, I could be wrong, but didn't Pentax use micro something on the 50-135, while the new Sigma 70-200 HSM II uses the ring motor? (and Canon uses ring motor, I guess, which is newer, and more reliable, comparing to the motor Pentax used in the 50-135).<br>

Regards.</p>

<p>Pinwu</p>

I haven't used the ME option on my K10D yet.

However, I believe that you can set the EV level to be automatically adjusted in ME, thus no need for the

software purchasing.

There were several posts, maybe on d p review?

HTH.

Pinwu

For the K10D, one can shoot in Av mode, with M42 lenses. This even would make the M42 lenses easier

to use (than the K and M lenses). You do have to manually focus, though.

Regards.

Pinwu

For M42 lenses with the pin, but without the A/M switch, you may need to "permanently" push the pin in.

The simpler way is to use a sharp pin, just push the pin in, that worked for me with 2 of the Sears

lenses, and try to waggle a bit so the pin will stay in.

If possible, like on my other lens, I cut a section of ball-pen tube, stick around pin from the rear-opening

on the lens, and this plastic tube keeps the pin in.

Hope this helps.

Pinwu

Put it the other way.

The vendor on Amazon seems to be dumping the 24-60 Sigma lens, I'd say, grab it before it's gone, you

will be using it.

The Pentax DA/FA 50mm, it's always that price, and you can get it at a later time, safely.

My 2 cents.

Pinwu

Have you guys noticed that MSFT is giving cash back for "qualified" bay BIN purchase?

This would simply making stick to non-LBA hard.

Pinwu

You can get the Minolta NP400 from BH for less, even if it's only

around 1500mah, it's safer.

Even for that Zenitar 16/f2.8 FE, you might be able to use it in A mode.

By using the M42-K adapter, set focus in Manual, metering in A, fucus

first, then change the aperture by turning the ring, and shoot.

HTH.

Pinwu

I have a Phoenix .25x fish-eye one can attach to the front of the

regular lens.

Haven't got the chance to use it yet. It seemed to come with a set

of step-up rings.

HTH.

Pinwu

Have to say "Wow"!

They are nice, considering you are doing the manual focus, and these

are really encouraging.

Hope that I can get some nice focused photos like you did.

Pinwu

For the 1st picture without the flash, what if you adjust the white

balance?

Pinwu

Any solutions to the lens that don't have the Manual/Auto switch?

I've a lens that is "Auto" only, that I observed that when changing the

aperture settings, the opening doesn't change, only see the change

when I push the small ping at the end.

Could this be fixed (I mean to make it "manual")?

Regards.

Pinwu