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This very true - a bit like trying to get the best energy supplier. FIx and stay put for two years I say in both cases!

I have nothing to compare with really. I had K-mount film cameras (Cosina for the longest)although just pre-digital had a Nikon F-55 film camera but didn't use it much before digital took over. I even had one of those funny film zoom compact Pentax's with the zoom which seemed to stick out forever. So some lenses to start me off. I then enjoyed the experimentation of older cheaper lenses. I have now worked my way up to the excellent K-30. I think I know what lenses I need the most. My DA*300, DFA 100mm WR Macro, Tamron 18-250, Sigma 150-500. Amongst the draw full of others that are rarely used but nice to play with there is the 50mm f1.7 SMC-A and the Adaptall SP 35-80mm.
But, for the first time the other day I did add up my Pentax assets including flash and other specifics and they would have a S/H value of about £2.5k. It did make me think if I had that bundle of cash and a free choice what would I buy? But then I don't have a free choice do I - I am a Pentax owner !

Anyway, to summarise, for me to go out birding or wildlife shooting with a set up as small as a 300mm DA* and 440mm of reach with a matched AF converter that focused quite well and gave good IQ would be just fine for me. Add to that the extra cropabilty of the K3 and it would be a nice package. Maybe it is a pipe dream but others do it.
( Maybe I should just limit the Sigma 150-500 to 440mm because it is quite good but once you have seen the DA* 300 IQ, well .....)

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Nor was I ! Not sure what I said to provoke the vitreol Algi
Any way I have the Kenko 1.5x and it is pitifully slow although optically reasonable on the DA* 300. I have tried the 1.7x Pentax and it was temperamental and slower still. I have used the Kenko with both the 55-300 and the 150-500 and the IQ was inferior to just cropping, in bird photography at least.So why have I read loads of threads about these being the only ones with AF if Pentax have these other ones already and why would they put another one on the road map?
I presume from your comments that you are saying the AF is slow with the camera and the lens and will be even worse with the TC. What I am saying is that isn't the case with a Canon or Nikon equivalent set up and I was hoping Pentax could find away of matching it? There's a difference between hoping and moaning.

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What current Pentax AF 1.4x converter can I use matched to my DA* 300mm with minimal loss of IQ and AF speed then please, as per Canon, Nikon?
Dave

Which begs the question why don't big Companies ask potential customers what they want? If I were running a business I think I would try and find out what the customer wanted then you know you've got a market. I'm sure like other companies Ricoh must spend a fortune on Market Research but have they ever formally asked questions like that on this forum or the American one? Or are we deluding ourselves that real enthusiasts are a significant part of the market?

I really think this would be a great one to get out as soon as possible. Lots of different users could benefit from it. It is something that other competitors have in good quality and AF. I feel I have everything I need for my wildlife photography in my price range except this. (K30 + Da*300 +Sigma 150-500). I don't think I would upgrade to a K3 or K5 variant unless this came out in the near future. This and faster more accurate AF would keep me happy for some time. Without it my eyes are always drifting to what I could do in this area with a Nikon variant.
Dave

I'm not for or against anything based on that. It didn't do a lot for me though really. It was just a video of a person taking shots of a ballet dancer with a few glimpses of some specific features.

Yes, good advice. I would say from experience auto never compensates enough for tungsten and the tungsten setting improves things but most shots I feel I need to tweak WB a tad in raw.

Anyone had this problem. Set the interval for 30 secs and it will take several shots, variable but maybe 20 or so, then stop for say 4 mins, then start, then take more at seemingly odd intervals. I have turned off the power save feature although it should restart when asked. COuld it be a software glitch that a firmware reinstall would cure?
Dave