Evaluation: 
Conclusion: Rugged but small
Review: This remote control is both rugged and very small. I accidentally washed and dried this remote because I forgot it in my pocket and it was small enough that the casual check missed it but it came through the incident working perfectly. Pentax makes some rugged stuff. I'm thinking about gluing it to something bigger or getting the battery grip. The battery grip has a compartment for the remote. Oh, and it also works nicely as a remote control.
Evaluation: 
Conclusion: Remote Control F with my *ist DS DSLR
Review: I've used this off and on for a couple of years - works great with my *ist DS DSLR. Only drawback I can think of is that it won't lock the shutter open when using "bulb" - you have to continue to hold the button.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Good product, but a bit pricey for what it is
Review: The Pentax Remote Control F does exactly what it's supposed to do, but is quite pricey for that functionality. It's just an infrared remote, not unlike what we use with our televisions. If you have a programmable, universal remote or a PDA with an infrared emitter, you can actually program your own remote release. Since universal remotes are all different, you'll have to find the code on the internet or use the manual search function of the remote.
Pros:
- Very small and compact so you can easily store it. It's about twice as long and just as wide as an SD card. I've uploaded a picture to the gallery above.
- Easy enough to use. For Pentax digital SLRs, just set your drive mode to use the remote control. On the *ist DL/K100D, hit Fn + Up + OK to get to the drive mode menu.
- Wireless so you can easily participate in group pictures.
- Supports Bulb mode on DSLRs. This lets you take long exposures by holding down the remote release in B or Bulb mode. I didn't actually expect this to work, but it does. :)
- Supports auto-focus in the auto modes: AUTO PICT (green), SCN and any of the scene modes. You need to set "AF in remote control" and the camera will focus before releasing the shutter.
- Battery is replaceable, but you need a small screwdriver kit to remove the back.
Cons:
- Very small and compact so you can easily lose it.
- Doesn't support AF in the manual modes: P, Tv, Av, M and B.
- Doesn't have a lock to hold down the shutter release for extended exposures.
- Requires line of sight since it uses infrared.
If you need a remote for long exposures, I would suggest getting a wired remote because it'll have a lock feature to hold down the button for you, and the remote won't need line of sight to trigger the shutter.
Aside from that, the Remote Control F is a great addition to my camera bag. It makes it a lot easier for me to be in group pictures, especially since I can easily conceal it so it doesn't show up in the photo.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Nice little remote, but limited range
Review: It's very tiny. It's great if you're close enough but I found myself actually needing it at more than it's 15 foot limit so it just sits in my camera most of the time.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: works good
Review: I got this remote to use with my 500m zoom lens trying to avoid shaking the camera when on the tripod or mono-pod, avoiding blurry pictures. Worked great for that, the camera had settings for instant snap with remote and for 3 second delay which would be great for self/family pics.
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