[quote:3496ace15f="justa"]thanks for the replies

I have had a problem with dust on the sensor since pretty much day one - its driving me mad !!

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Tried a rocket blower ?? Shifts any noticeable dust just fine for me.
Failing that how about try cleaning the sensor ?

You're definitely missing out

The 50-135 doesn't go long enough for landscapes for me, so whilst I have one I wouldn't take it.

I would add a much longer lens for picking out details in landscapes. Personally I'd take the excellent 60-250/4, however the 55-300 is good value and lighter, depends if it's the trip of a lifetime ??!!!

I surprise myself sometimes how much I use a simple prime lens too, I have a FA35/2 which gives very pleasing results, you might consider a 28mm instead, no recommendations.

As a wildcard I sometimes wish for a fisheye lens for that unique perspective but don't have one.

My bag would have DA12-24/4, FA35/2, DA17-70/4, DA*60-250/4 or DA55-300.
Think about filter sizes too, it reduces the bulk in your bag if what you use fits most of your lenses. A used A50/1.7 would be a cheap shallow dof lens, I've often taken mine with me on trips, but find I rarely use it, preferring the FA35.

NB it's going to be VERY hot in that area in summer so carry some water bottles / bladders and drink ! And a hat and a spare hat !!! Also have a large fresh full water bottle in the car ALWAYS.

sorry to sound like grandma

AAA maps are great if you can get your hands on them.

NB roadmap is Mar 24 2009

IIRC Hoya have not been updating roadmaps at all since they took over pentax, so I would take this with a pinch of salt and not get your hopes up.
Having said that, 3 out of 4 on the future list ain't bad, so you never know !

Thanks Gwyn, did you buy something like this ? http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-hahnel-unipal-universal-battery-charger.htm

I think we're all fine now thanks. Wish you well with your recovery Dave, when the man upstairs gives you a second chance it's definitely time to give thanks and count your blessings.

Thanks, I certainly hope so, the K7 didn't quite cut it for me I was more interested in a 2nd hand K20 until the K5 came out.

ha ha, yes it's a thought, how about a universal charger for all Kseries batteries, would be handy ? Or SRS could charge them up in advance for a small fee ?

Unless the k3/k2/k1 is very special I think it's going to be a good few years before I change up again though.

I've been awake since 4.15 this morning, courtesy our 7m old little darling, I reckon the pocket sized manual will help send me off to sleep pretty quickly 2nite. Daft though isn't it - takes until p49 for them to mention charging the battery ! But silver lining I managed to get into and leave work early today and pick it up this afternoon, battery is on charge as we speak

I'm intrigued how the DA200 pairs with this body, I've not been mad keen on it with a K10 and have thought about parting with it on occasion.

enough rambling, time for some bedtime reading !

Nah, it would be Monday delivery, but I live about 1/2 an hour away so hopefully I can collect on Saturday instead

I'm starting to look forward to something enjoyable, since new year one way or another all of my family have been ill, including a trip to hospital in an ambulance for one of us, only thing tempering my excitement is the wait for battery charging, oh and fitting those new 1TB hard drives to the computer too...

I've had a call today from srs to say they've just got some more K5's in.

One has got my name on it

just got to wait until saturday now - sigh

qimage had a good number of followers last I was looking into this,

I'm about to start doing some A3 printing and intend to look into again in the next couple of weeks, and I would also like to do a largo pano too, so I'm interested in your non-photoshop solution too (I don't have it and don't intend to use anything more than PSE if I can help it!)

link : http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/

enjoy