Much better?

Very unlikely.

A bit better, maybe.

I still reckon tubes or a Raynox is a much better way of getting closer on a sensible budget. It's a virtually zero-cost experiment, since you can resell them if you don't like them.

Doug's earlier point about needing a lens with an aperture ring if the tubes don't have the contacts is a good one, but even at 120 quid for the expensive tubes I linked earlier, you then have the flexibility of using almost any lens.

I think this is an example of exactly the problem the OP is attempting to solve:

Ah well, back to 'nice shot' it is... I doubted it would last.

I hadn't thought of that.. the only ones with all the contacts I could find on eBay is indeed a lot more expensive than I thought.

Mine are Jessops PK/A ones which I paid about £30 for, and they originally had a contact missing so I had to scratch a bit of paint off to get full aperture coupling.

Two minutes work, and they've been perfect ever since. I'll be holding on to them if 'proper' ones are over £100.

K-3, 18-135, tubes. Focusing distance, about an inch from the front element to the monitor.



[IMG]http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/chris5gd/Technical/IMGP0054_zpsf36cd736.jpg[/IMG]

That's why you need one that lets the exposure information through.

If you're going to use a TC, a good TC is more important than a good lens.

Most of them are rubbish and usually give worse results than using the same lens without the TC and cropping in closer. The Pentax 1.7x and the new 1.4x are the only ones I'd ever consider.

The most bang for buck you'll get is to get some tubes for 40 quid and keep the K-7 until you really know what you want to do.

Or are you really looking for an excuse to spend some money?

Edit.. Sorry, didn't notice Northgrain's similar answer. But yes, tubes and your humble 18-55 will be a revelation. Make sure you get the ones that let the exposure information through.

I experienced this briefly when I went from the K10D to the K-5.

The unfamiliarity wore off very quickly and I soon preferred the feel of the K-5.

I've had the K-3 for two days now, and already I prefer it to the K-5 (though obviously I would say that, wouldn't I).

I'd say that ergonomics has been the single most distinguishing feature of Pentax cameras, and there's been a lot to like about every generation. I think you'll like the K100D while you have it, and you'll like the next one when you upgrade.

Curious about the sharpening in the middle rather than at the end?