Thanks for the replies everyone....ironically I was going to get an 18-135 when I bought the K5iis, but got distracted with non-photography matters Judging from the replies that would have been a good move.

Dangie - I read "your" thread and took on board the comments about the 18-135 which made me reconsider it.

CMW/Christopher - that is one stunning shot, very nice. Looks like the 17-70 is no slouch either.

Hmmmmm.....

Hi – bit of an infrequent poster/lurker on here (often find the answers without posting!) but think I could do with a bit of help on this one:

Looking to replace a Pentax 16-45, preferably with something that goes a little bit longer and is a bit sharper at the edges (my copy is pretty soft at the edges at 16mm) so my shortlist (probably used) is:

Pentax 17-70 SDM – possibly the current favourite and what I would probably have bought instead of the 16-45 if I could have afforded it at the time. Some posts/reviews suggest it may be a bit soft, whilst others call it a “hidden gem”.
Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4 – I've read similar things about this one, seems similar in quality to the above. But I think there may be two versions?
Pentax 18-135 – poor reviews, but real world users seem to like it a lot. And weather sealed. I do have concerns about the edges, would it really be any better than the 16-45?
Tamron 17-50/f2.8 – not really any gain at the long end, but reputedly very sharp. There’s also the Sigma version. The extra stop over an f4 zoom isn’t that important to me but another possibility.
Pentax 16-85 – possibly outclasses the lot, but may be a stretch of budget.

I may be over thinking this, but I tend to prefer buying once and getting it right if that makes sense (had the 16-45 for 7 years mainly used on a K10d) . I currently have a K5iis, and I suppose this may become a K3 (or something else with a higher pixel count) at some point in the future.....

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions, much appreciated!

My guess:

There's a custom function that says "release whilst flash charging" or something similar (don't have the camera to hand right now) and it's set to "No". This means the shutter won't fire until the flash is fully charged.
The flash may be faulty (if I've read corrrectly you've never got the onboard flash to fire?), so never reports as being charged to the camera.

On second thoughts, I think there may also be a setting to set the flash as a wireless trigger or somesuch, might be worth playing with that also to see if the onboard flash can be got to work?

@ChrisA - Pentax released a FW update for the K10D a couple of years ago (v1.31?) by which time the K10D was discontinued. (FW update for K20D at the same time, think that might have been dicontinued by then also).

Eastridge - yes I'd say the IQ of the 55-300 and 10-20 is pretty similar, possibly the Sigma has the edge in centre sharpness but I haven't used it enough yet to be sure of that.

Not much experience of the other lenses (I do have the 55-300 Pentax), but recently bought a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 after spending 6 months wondering whether to go for that or the Tamron.....and general "hesitating"....

I'm pleased with the Sigma, build quality is very good (better than the 55-300 and 16-45 lenses I have, I expect the DA* and Limiteds are better still). Focus and zoom rings are smooth, no wobbling when the barrel extends (only slightly).

To me it's a sharp lens, the corners are softer, but at f/8-10 (where I tend to use it) not bad at all, even at 10mm. I echo the comment above about nailing focus, some of my shots are soft with no apparent point of focus (operator error rather than kit problem I think!).

A sample at 14mm f/8 on a K10D (not particularly great for evaluation at web resolution, but on the original I can make out individual grains of sand in the foreground):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61508593@N04/6647870797/in/photostream

Just bought a Sigma 10-20 from SRS....Excellent service and a fine lens! .

Registered it on the Sigma website just over a week ago for the 3 extended warranty, got confirmation saying "Details sent" after I clicked "submit".

Should I have received a confirmation now (put in a valid email address), does something arrive in the post, or is that it?

Wow, thanks for the quick replies folks....

@Dougf8 - my Sony remote (or Panasonic) doesn't work, unfortunately

@Gwyn - yes I did check that Custom Setting - but with AF off I assume it will fire whether in focus or not....(?)

Seems like I have a "dud", will try to get an exchange I think.

Just received a 7dayshop Remote Control for Pentax (Bargain at £2-99 or so I thought...)

On my K10D - Press Fn, set drive mode to Remote Control - icon appears on LCD, red lamps front and rear blink. Press shutter release on remote....nothing!

Is there some subtle custom function I'm missing (i.e. I am "thick"!) or do I have a "dud"?

Thanks in advance!

Pentaxophile - nice shot of the tree/Tesco sign, well spotted....

Thoughton - cracking shots of the 80's concert (Martin Fry doesn't look much different, really!)

Peekie - had a bit of a love/hate thing with the 55-300, wasn't happy with it at first, it seemed soft/back focussing/both, but I've got used to it now...The shot that changed my mind was this one:
link


Will start looking for an adapter (no rush, will see if I can pick up one cheap).

Thanks again!