Bypassing the propulsion for now...

At least one fully operational space elevator will be in use within the next ten years. Once operational one would be able to build something the size of the International Space Station within a matter of a few short weeks.

Also look for upcoming major space news from: Individuals such as Sir Richard Branson, from CERN, and also even in the fields of ground based telescopes. I know two people working on the future 30 meter scope in Hawaii

Cost versus items such as: weight, apertures and optical abilities of the glass.

Unfortunately the bigger and heavier the glass is; typically the better it is; optically and typically on the aperture side as well. Yet it is also based upon the sensor; that 150-500 reaches out considerably more on existing Pentax NON full-frame (by having the 1.5 magnification factor) than any existing (typically 24x36) sensor.

There are a few items in the way of alternatives though...

Depending upon the type of spotting scope; if one can find a reliable metal shop - one can have an adapter fabricated relatively inexpensively. The existing Pentax converter for spotting scopes is expensive, but... Also compare that price to items such as the existing top end Pentax teleconverter. BTW that Pentax converter for use in spotting scopes will outlast any other Pentax hardware.

Consider too, that... The focal length range of a number of spotting scopes. Some easily exceed some 2000mm focal length when attached to non full-frame cameras. The aperture will be terrible. But also feel welcome to compare size and weight to a real telescope, such as my Meade 20" telescope.

More about the Pentax teleconverter... Depending upon ones digital body... That Pentax teleconverter is an above average option, but one will lose a considerable amount of optic ability and also a bit of aperture. Consider a comparison between a teleconverter and even a cropped image. For cameras such as the K3 (with most subjects) the cropped image will typically be better than most any teleconverter

Not far from that very road, there were tripods all over the place; seen minutes before the crash. As picked up by first responder radio; at least one person that was taking pictures (not in any vehicle) was either gravely injured or expired

Nine out of the top ten selling laptops (2014 stats for selling laptops) use proprietary parts. Companies such as Dell/Alienware, HP, Lenovo, even Apple/Mac. Proprietary meaning, one cannot purchase these parts anyplace except for where one purchased the laptop>

But it gets worse... Typically in Apple/Mac releases quite a number of parts are simply not available (even) with six months of initial product release. Even desktop (all-in-one) Macs have a large number of parts which are not replaceable at all; once certain parts go on the device, it's simply beyond repair.

Also to be quite specific, there are only some six laptops names ever produced today that have user replaceable parts, in case of failure of wanting to upgrade

Over time I've "lost two Pentax lenses with SDM to failure, yet still have current copies of them. Although it's also a bit of a shame; one basically always have to have a secondary lens if using one of those two SDM's in the field. Although I also have to admit, I've also clearly noticed that most of the current Pentax lenses with SDM are getting better.

I've never had one single issue with Pentax glass such as: Pentax DA 200, DA 24-40, DA 16-85, or even the 18-135...

From the best I can make from the existing poster, and also the start of my true collection... Yes, I still presently have each and every single piece of Pentax (non medium format, and non Q - although I like the converter for the Q) made since the 90's, with the exception of the 560. I even presently own the Pentax made but relabeled Schneider 28 t/s - which will hopefully even get better use once their is a Pentax full-frame

...And more related to that Pentax full-frame... Guess nobody is yet hearing anything much about it just yet - recently. A bit of irony in that one. Some large scale retailers *should* have heard something about it by now?? All of those same retailers know about ALL Canon, Nikon, Sony, even Fuji at least three to four months out. So either someone is incredibly good at keeping a secret, or chances are - It is not due out this year.

Pentax could also sincerely use some more glass to match that full-frame body. Sure there are presently some fifty plus pieces of glass on the market for it, but... Where is all of the other high end glass that typically goes with full-frame such as the constant aperture f1.2's

Did you still get BG5 grip, or perhaps a different grip?

I've seen aftermarket grips for various Pentax camera bodies (and Canikos), but the consistency in quality is a bit far from par on most aftermarkets. I've seen contacts that go after a few months, and the so called aftermarket AW just does not match Pentax.

If one goes retail, one will end up basically paying an extra one hundred that goes to the store and/or to the salesperson. There are also plenty of horror stories about a number of retailers.

Case in point... I've indirectly witnessed retailers not selling and/or even offering back up disks that were already supposed to be coming with the computer already. Who knows where these disks ended up; disks such as the operating system reboot disk, full versions of Office Professional, security software, other OEM software on disc, even bundled software, (darn) even bloatware disks.

What the stores do is keep and/or resell the original disks, then typically try to resell it - after doing a clean boot and then using items such as a license for an operating system. It would be interesting to see what happens if that person would ever need to do a reboot.


As for computer specs outside of operating systems... First let me suggest the option of doing a two boot portioned system - if possible. If one does not know how to do it directly, there are plenty of resources available to help out on that one.

Go with as much RAM as one can afford, but preferably 8gb. Not only will this help with routine tasks, but also if one likes to edit on programs such as Adobe Creative Suite,

One of the more important options that is overlooked... Try to get a built in wireless card such as 802.11AC.

As for disks... One could technically still go with platters, but -even with the best of platters they still need frequent defrags. Try to go with SSD, preferably with the largest one that one can afford. A major consideration if one has the room and budget for it - it saves on a lot of headaches...

For non computer game players go with strictly mirrored RAID dual drives. If the computer and ones budget has the room for it; go for RAID10 - which unfortunately takes four identical drives.

For graphics cards, try not to go with the most expensive options unless one really needs it. Could someone have a genuine need for a laptop with a 4k screen, or the need for a computer with several thousand dollars worth of graphics cards that could almost heat half of a house through the winter? One major consideration for graphics cards (in laptops) is to purchase a device with a power saving (switchable) graphics card.


One final note... Give EuroCom a look for computers, especially their prices - covering nearly every single option for budgets. The best item about EuroCom is that almost all of their devices are completely upgradeable. MOST other computer companies (even desktops) now sell their devices with proprietary hardware which is both not repairable or upgradeable

Difficult to make them all out in the poster/posting, but...

Since the 90's I've owned a new version of every Pentax PK lens made, even some of the Ricoh glass going back into the 80's, better yet - still have the solar pentaprism (and rechargeable powered) Ricoh XR-S. I also make an effort to try to find about everything I can in older Pentax PK, if not quite brand new.

Then there's also a strange exception... Schneider Kreuznach (some but not all) has some of their lenses rebranded even though made by Pentax; I currently only own one of them.


Correction; I do not own the Pentax 560

If it is a new Pentax K3, then one will have no issues. Only the first generation of Pentax K3 were effected, basically the ones which sold in the first six months of release. Unless one would be purchasing from an unreputable source, all of the new ones with mirror issues were sold long ago -or pulled back to the manufacturer.

All of the Pentax K3's since (the ones on the shelf now) simply do not have any issues. I personally own two Pentax K3's that were made after that initial first release. Both have shutter counts well exceeding 100k++ each

Lighter, but not sharper.

It's been this way for decades (many decades) with lenses. You get what you pay for in lenses. Minus advances in certain materials, one simply cannot make a lens lighter or smaller. If one wants aperture or optics, then size and weight will become a secondary issue.

Simply take a look at the bet glass for Nikon, Canon, Leica, and even Hasselblad for very clear examples of proven physics.