Well yes, but it's a whacking great thing to have on the hot shoe when you just want the camera in your hand.

When I had that go in the studio I mentioned a few days ago, they lent me a little flash gun (with a red filter on the end) to use as a trigger. Foolishly I didn't find out what it was (I will do if I get the chance), but on the hot shoe it extended vertically no further than the built-in flash, and was only about 4 inches long front to back, so it didn't protrude forwards further than the lenses I was using.

It was very convenient and compact and didn't get in the way at all. But I would rather have been able to use the built-in and not need anything extra at all.

There was a bloke using a Nikon of some description, happily triggering the strobes with his pop-up flash, and for the want of "pre-flash off", it was annoying not to be able to as well.

Guide number about 11, it would seem, from the instruction sheet.

I'm playing with one at the moment, providing some back light in conjunction with my Samsung 540 in manual mode.

This has all given rise to another item now on my K10D wish list - to be able to switch pre-flash off on the built-in, which would then be usable for triggering things - from the Xtra flash at one end of the spectrum, to Studio units at the other.

It'll work with the K10D, but only with a flash unit attached that can be set up not to give a pre-flash. Otherwise, the pre-flash will set off the Xtra, which will be all finished by the time the shutter opens.

What do they do in Slough these days, then? Is it just offices and stuff, no service centre?

Well sure. But there is no facility to lock the mirror up, and take a picture 'now'.

The 2s timer, and indeed the 3s timer with the remote, are fine for taking shots of static subjects having let any mirror-induced shake dissipate.

But it would be nice to be able to fire remotely, quietly, and with guaranteed no shake from the mirror. So I'd like to be able to have the mirror-up separate from the shutter release.

As an additional option, of course - I do like the timer-related facilities.

Which forums are they?

I read PentaxForums.com a bit, and it's always entertaining to see the fuss kicked up whenever RiceHigh posts anything. Some of them are currently moaning about the inevitable (:roll imminent demise of Pentax due to the absence of a new high-end body and long focal length lenses in the lineup.

But as here, mostly they're big fans of Pentax gear. (They're also considerably less critical of bad photos, so I no longer feel particularly inclined to seek critique there - I'd rather get slagged off here than praised there, if you know what I mean.)

As for Pentax-bashing, it does seem a bit bizarre. As you say, if you don't like it, don't use it. There are some that slag off the gear when actually they don't know how to use it, and others that simply expect miracles.

But the K10D isn't perfect, and if there was no criticism from the user community, Pentax would lack a very important source of feedback for upgrades and new products.

Some of the criticism I've seen seems to stem from liking it so much already, that the imperfections that are there, paradoxically seem disproportionately large. I know that's so in my case, since I like the camera very much, and it still niggles that stop down metering doesn't work right, and that there's no proper mirror up facility, given that they've built the facility into both the hardware and the firmware for sensor cleaning. And of course, I'd prefer a quieter mirror, although it's not often an issue. But these are relatively minor points, and I'm nowhere near exhausting its capabilities.

Gawd. Not that surprising then, that people here are a bit reluctant to buy something expensive from the USA. I'm sure it often works out Ok, and of course if you're desperate enough for something you'll take the risk, but lots of potential for hassle and expense.

So just to make sure I understand you, if I buy a lens from Joe Bloggs in the USA (he's not a business and nor am I), does that count as an import?

So the government wants 17.5% plus the duty?

Do private (as opposed to from a shop) UK purchases from eBay sellers in the USA attract import duty?

That's a good point. I'd better get on and sell the ones I'm thinking of sooner rather than later.

Here's a list of the stuff I'm thinking of selling. I haven't thought much about prices yet, but it would be nice to get back at least what I paid for them, and it would be nice if they could go to folk in the forum community, although I'll eBay them eventually if not.

Pentax SMC-FAJ 75-300 F4.5-5.8
Pentax SMC-M 135mm F3.5
Pentax SMC-M 200mm F4
Pentax A Zoom 28-80 F3.5-4.5

Sigma A 400mm F5.6 (MF)
Sigma 600mm F8 Mirror lens

Takumar A x2 Teleconverter
Pentax Program A body

It's all in very good to excellent condition. If anyone's interested in any of it, drop me a PM. I'll do some photos on request - haven't quite got myself organised yet.