Another thought:

The plastic mount introduces a weak point into the system, but does so on a relatively cheap and easily replaced part.

I'd far rather buy a new lens after a knock broke the mount than have to replace the camera because the lens mount has been wrenched partly off! Same as some vehicle manufacturers deliberately make driveshafts slightly weaker than differentials and gearboxes. They're cheap and can usually be replaced at the roadside with a few tools.

I've had the plastic-mounted 18-55mm DA-L with my K-m for over a year now, and it shows no signs of serious wear despite the fact that I frequently change lenses. I really don't think it will be a problem. The lens will most likely have been replaced by an upgraded model long before the mount wears out!

You could probably use it as a defensive weapon without damaging it...

Ahh, that explains it!

I had always thought that it was something to do with the field of view of the human eye, but that makes much more sense.

28mm is slightly wider than the mid point of your 18-55mm, the equivalent focal length on film would have been around 42mm. Co-incidentally that's only a mm off the fabled 43mm Ltd, which was created as Pentax decided that 43mm was a better "standard" focal length than the usual 50mm lenses.

The SMC Pentax-M 28mm f3.5 is not too hard to come by, is very sharp, and makes your camera a very compact package at the expense of being manual focus and needing you to use stop-down metering. £50 should get a good one if you watch and wait.

The SMC Pentax 28mm f3.5 (earlier, bigger, and heavier) is even better. Unfortunately it is not a common find, so you'll need to keep your eyes open.

Manual focus and aperture really aren't a problem in a landscape lens. Both of these lenses hit infinity focus very quickly (anything further away than about 3.5m) and can be left on f8. Just compose, press the button to stop down and meter, then shoot. I've had shots like this direct from the camera as JPGs with no post-processing.

Laws of gravity? I prefer to regard them as guidelines...

One of my favourite sections on a right of way near me - the direction could be accurately given as "turn left up rockface"

The other problem is that the likes of ATS don't really understand Land Rovers. The suspension and steering isn't like a normal car and the alignment procedures are different. I'm also a lot pickier than farmers about the handling as I tend to throw it around a bit, so need a garage which can set it up properly after changing anything.

My car is currently at the local independent landy specialist having a dud alternator replaced. As the part is less than a year old it'll be a warranty or sale of goods claim.

However, as this is a very good garage I'm not worried about that part. They'll do everything to get a warranty replacement short of driving to the supplier mob-handed with cricket bats!

Don't rely on this, but I've heard that a timing belt in regular use may well cope perfectly slightly beyond the official service intervals. One which has been sitting around for months should be changed as soon as possible however - the theory is that the rubber hardens and then cracks when moved.

I just ordered one of those fish-with-legs bumper stickers, only mine has "EVOLVE" and is carrying a spanner. Quite fitting for a modded Land Rover I feel!

Just noticed that!

My Dad's considering a K7 with the two WR kit lenses, I'm trying to nudge him into a trip over to Hereford to see if Melgrays have a demonstration example, as even if the price is ridiculous and they're not willing to match Clifton or SRS he can still handle one and see whether he wants to spend £900 on it (or whether a K-x would suit him just as well).