At a guess you don't have the grip tight enough to the mount, or the mis-fit is holding some contacts off.

Both batteries register fine and switch over on grip depletion without issue on my k3_3rd party grip

Nothing's changed from film slr to digital so I don't understand the reference to film SLR's.
I've always used a grip don't like holding a camera with my pinky floating free
Increased battery power is another big plus , maybe some people just dont use there cameras enough

As to balance the extra weight countered the lens front weight so when your on a gimbal you can achieve balance without pulling the camera to far backwards.

In hand is the same your supporting the lens with your left hand the less weight your body has the further forward your left hand needs to be and the less control you have over movement.

IMO
cmos did not overtake ccd for low iso shooting till kx/k5 so its no wonder people with k20d or k7's keep their k10d's .

up-to iso200 the k10d offers higher IQ than both those cameras.

Nope I wrote nearly a page but fro some unbeknown reason when posted was seriously truncated.
Having lost the will to live a couldn't face repeating all that typing, apology to all

It was only twaddle on proving it made no odds.

If you assume that its totally irrelevant (within reason) where the beam strikes the brolly then your question is answered "why doesn't somebody design a bracket that would overcome this problem"

There is no problem to solve.

Punch through brollies makes no odds whatsoever providing the beam hits the middle 1/3 , as you'll have the flash set to

quickest way is format card take one shot.
on pc rename to imgp0000.jpg (or any other number you want.

slip back in camera take one image, format card and voila your back at 0002

Doesn't help my resolve any though.

Not sure where you see 'wanting a fight' in simple facts but as you say to each his own.

Ps you seem to be repeating yourself you may want to remove the 2nd copy, saying the same thing twice is a little confusing.

I think raw performance of Pentax cameras is unlikely to alter at the price points there at the k5/ii already performs at teh same level of it competitors.

But what is likely to happen they will join the kidology of multiple sensor rapidly hitting 50+ just to con the naive.

With funding Pentax will introduce higher level cameras these cameras will have superior AF and decent predictive tracking due to fast ASIC and more cpu horsepower.

But don;t expect any changes in the K5 or k30 price point any time soon.

Ere ?? Strawman alert I said it was entry level not third rate.

You tell me which Pentax Dslr is marketed below the k30 and we'll raise the assessment, its entry level.

Where is the mic input hdmi , extended bracketing , fast shutter etc etc

If you really want to see the longevity of the k30 as a system camera then have a look ate accessories in your manual..!!

Though your right its IQ from the sensor is probably better than my K5 I don't see it as a pxssing contest , The K30 is a great camera but entry level and practically throw away it also is.

It built to a price and that price is low. Considerably lower than it's RRP today.

As to the general 'worth' of the two cameras Vs each other thats a tough one.
If you want a cheap camera that does the job have no expectation or need for anything more than the basic body and a few lens then the k30 probably ticks more boxes.
If your on a budget and want a camera that will grow with your needs then the k5 is a better option as the k30 has little growing room.

With their respective feature set they both very much sit in their respective classes , just as today the 10 year old 1d still shows itself a pro camera even if unable to match the worse Sony on sale today for IQ.

Nope I think all manufacturers dumb down entry level cameras to hit a price point the k30 is no exception slow cpu with insufficient memory but passes the overriding criteria .....cheap.

The idea that these days entry level is in any way pushing the envelope is astonishing.

Your buying a product at a price level it will perform in line with its competitors no more no less.

As to the k5 these cameras AF faster than the d7000 so undoubtedly out pace the d300 where the k5 fails is in tracking where it predictive AF is a little crude

The K5ii with its expanding AF may be better but built on that same ASIC is likely to be found wanting, but then again it is 3year old tech the k5ii is built on.