> Any list member been to the NYC show yet? I intend to go > tomorrow to check out the *istDs, among other things. I'll > see if they have any information about operation with M/K/M42 > lenses there.
Yep, I went. I went to the Pentax booth first. Didn't like the istDs at all. The front scroll wheel is missing, I didn't see a meter in the right side of the viewfinder...little features I've gotten used to on the istD are missing, so I won't be buying one. But go check it out for yourself. I played with the Optio750Z, the retro-looking one. It was a very nice looking machine, but a little small even for me to handle. I also got to try out the DA 14mm, and I fell in love instantly. I even ran over to B&H afterwards (they still don't have the FA 50mm 1.4, even though the Pentax guy told me they should by now) and I almost bought the 14mm, but of course it's not a full frame lens. But the sales guy tried his darndest to convince me that it was, heh. I wouldn't mind it not being full frame for $200 or $300, but not for $700. Anyway, that's why I asked about the K 15mm last night. Saw some other fun things...bought a magnifying Hoodman for my camera's LCD, and after the show I bought the nifty Promax system from LumiQuest so I can start having some fun with my flash. Also, I've been looking forever for the right toploader, and Roadwired Podzilla turned out to be pretty cool, with tons of room for other gadgets besides the camera, so I ordered one last night. I went to the Nikon booth to check out the Coolwalker, their image tank. No one there knew what the product was or where it was, but one nice person helped me find it; it was in with the pro gear. The guy behind the counter didn't know anything about it either. I really liked it, but of course it can't read RAW thumbnails from anything besides Nikons, which is a shame. Also, it was a little big, which I could have lived with under other circumstances. But the screen was big and the user interface was easy, so I'll be looking for something like this that can support other formats. I've been wanting to get a superlight tripod for shooting flowers, and Bogen has a new line of "digital" tripods that'll easily support a body & macro lens, and which are mostly under $100, so I'll be buying one of those soon. So that's my recap of the show. No big surprises, but I'm happy with what I learned. Now I just have to get my hands on a super wide angle lens! Amita
