As far as I know they all need the small jack plug socket to work.
I don't think the K-x has one.

When Amateur Photographer Magazine tested the 300mm A* it was 315mm at infinity, so longer to start with plus being a non-IF design the lens gets longer as you focus closer. I've checked it several times and at about 6M it's 11% bigger in terms of image size than the DA*300mm and F*300mm I've no idea what their true focal length is at infinity?

In other words if your sneaking up on a bird and get to 6M with the A* you would have to get to 5.5M with the DA*300mm to get the same image size.

The 4M closest focus can be a problem, but a 6-12mm extension tube cures it.

Lens works well with the Pentax 1.7x and at f/5.6 - f/8 is very close to the DA* in terms of sharpness on same size images. So it's actually sharper because of the bigger image size.

Nice One!!!

In Tesco's today and it was freezing (-1 deg C outside).... don't think they have any heating on, shortage of some items such as red grapefruit and Hollands steak pies

Went in Lidyl later for some white bin bags and sandwich bags, but it seems that they don't do the white bin-bags anymore. The store was lovely and warm though, but it wasn't just normal warmth it was refreshingly warm I think some places now have conditioned/tempered hot-air heating which feels fresh, but not drafty, could have sat on a deck chair for the rest of the afternoon

If he's torn between a Pentax and an Olly he can't have
much between the ears Never even mentioned
Noise maybe he likes it or always uses 100ISO

Once you've used a Wireless release you realise how poor the IR releases are. The RF-602 for £20 ish is absolutely brilliant, you can fire it from your pocket. The green led comes on when half pressed and the red led when fully pressed.

I sometimes stick mine on the table with Blu-Tak and fire the camera from there.

The Novoflex pistol grip was a "Follow Focus" you squeezed it to focus. Quite a good lens Scheider or Zeiss made.

I would think pushing a button on top of a 600mm lens would cause more movement. Canon releases are the same fitting so have a look at what they use with long lenses. The Wireless RF-602 is the best release I've ever seen green and red leds come on for half and full press. Shame Pentax don't do that.

Leave some room for the camera ...... when it arrives!!

It's still not bright sunlight though The sunny 16 rule can only be used between March and Sept and then only at mid-day until April that's according to the calculators on this page

Excellent shots Jules and it shows that the K-7 is still a very capable camera coping with some poor winter light

Shame they are phasing it out