Hello Mike, I too have a W80 and the picture quality is very poor. In fact it looks like the image is covered in fine dust. I e mailed pentax and sent a jpeg with the exif details. The return comment was on the lines that the W80 is capable of much higher quality photos and that there was a possible fault with the sensor. I was advised to send it to Johnsons Photopia for repair. Johnsons have had the camera for a week and I telephoned today just to make sure it had been received. One of the technicians has predicted a faulty lens and a new one is on order. My advice would be to send a jpeg to Pentax and any relevant comments. Have a look at W80 image faults on the net and draw your own conclusions. Have a look at my post about W80 image quality just a few posts down from this one.

Cedric

Hi Mark, sooooo pleased your kit has been found. Bit of a blow with the car though. Keep your spirits up!

Cedric

DA 300 is a superb bit of kit. I am sorry it was not about when I went the tamron 28-300 route. But then that works very well on my K20.

Cedric

Count me in too, it could have happened to any of us.

Cedric

Just remember if you have easy access so do others. I had a zip pocket undone in Amsterdam and never felt a thing. I use a Lowepro that zips against my back so the only way in to my kit is when it`s off my back.

Cedric

Thanks Pete, I tried the same technique with a shovel leaning on the fence and drew the same conclusions.

Cedric

I left the Debug mode open and available on my K10. The kit lens and DA 50-200 are best at + 200. It`s a useful addition to the menu. Shame Pentax don`t do a firmware update.

Glad you find it makes a difference, the K10 is a great bit of kit.

Cedric link

After using the Tamron 28-300 DI on my K10 I decided to give it a go on the K20. With Mr Borque`s chart it had an even front/back focus with + 8 on the K20. K10 was + 500 (different scale). Bit boring trying this on a black and white focus chart so I had a go with a model of the new "Tornado." Much more fun, the focus was set at the intersection of the black pipe and the fourth white band from the front of the loco. I finally settled on + 6.

Cedric

Good idea James, just had a novel idea! I think I will buy an extending keychain and a motorcycle disc lock stretchy spiral thing. Clip the two together for extra length. Clip one end to my belt and the other to my bag that way I am not going far without my kit.

Cedric

Mark, this is such an awful thing to hear. I have come so close to doing the same I went cold when I read your post. I really hope you hear good news soon.

Best wishes

Cedric