It's not bad Neil. What distance were you? I think when I test I will do a 300mm on K30 with a crop to same size to see if it's worth the effort. How did you get on with locating and focusing? I'm thinking the use might be distant fairly static waders or distant rarities for record shots.

Yes, well done. Keep posting on here, I've found it to be a mine of useful information.

I know we've asked this before but can someone remind me if you put in the actual focal length in for the SR when requested or the 35mm equivalent. I noticed it caters for some ridiculously high values which made me wonder if it was the latter.
Dave

Ralph - you will find SRS extremely helpful. They usually make sensible deals with you and you have a potentially high spend with them longer term so make sure they know that. (Chris may already know that as he sometimes pops in to the forum). I've hired a DA* 300mm from them and it was like new and it is a good way of testing.
Dave
P.S - If you go there try and park at the top end of the pedestrian street(north?) it is in - it's a long walk from the Multi Storey I ended up in!
Final word of caution though - our enthusiasm is slightly bias, although fairly, but for a lot of us our initial reasons for Pentax were similar to yours for choosing Olympus!

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Got mine today as well Neil! Rubbish with a quick test handheld with my 50mm f1.7, probably for the above reasons. Like you will try with my 300DA* tomorrow.
Dave

Just for fun I thought I'd see how Linux was these days. I was quite impressed because in a few minutes I got a version called Linux Mint to install off a USB drive which allowed post partitioning of the HD. Now get option to boot to Windows or Linux. Even did the wifi networking automatically. Great to use for just surfing, if left uncluttered it seemed much faster. Also it boots in seconds rather than minutes and shuts down almost instantly.
I should add I did this on a spare Laptop running XP in case it buggered anything up!
Dave

Just a quick word for the Sigma 150-500 - can't be beaten on price vs IQ at 500mm. Obviously gets better shut down a tad and cranked back a bit but if you can still get one for about £600 ............
Dave
K30 +Sigma 150-500

Thanks John, my adapter should arrive soon so I will also post some test results.
Dave

I've used it with the Kenko 1.5x and it autofocuses and gives results somewhat better than expected in good conditions.
Dave

Bridge cameras are actually brilliant for birding for the non-expert and the only option for all round type of shooting on a low budget. Digiscoping - too expensive with the scope, DSLR - too expensive with the long lens, Pentax Q + lens too limited, must have tripod, manual focus, spotting etc. It is true that the Panasonic bridge cameras with their Leica lenses are the best.
As a beginner I think the X-5 would do a job but the best bet is to get a used Panasonic DMCFZ-38, the best of the bunch before the recent FZ-150 and FZ-200.
All in my humble opinion of course but before I moved up to DSLR and greater expense I got some excellent shots.