My three dslrs rarely, rarely come off "M" mode. Spot meter. custom or flash white balance.
Haven't yet run into a technical problem that I couldn't solve. So switching brands right now is not at the top of my list.
There is the hi-def video of the Nikon d90, that might influence my descision if by the time one of my dslrs fails, Pentax doesn't have that feature. I shoot video and stills so being able to use 35mm lenses would really give my video footage a unique edge.

I just bought a samsung d(s)760 for one of the kids, 7.2mp seems like a solid performer, $69.00 cdn

cut the sleeve off an old winter parka.
sew some velcro to the cut edge.
put your camera in that with the lens poking out the cuff end.
add a chemical hand warmer.

you're good to go to forty below.

When in doubt, ask a cannuck

Put some powder on those feet and ask yourself "Is the guy holding the Sony a better photographer than me?"

the composition is not bad, but not that good either... but the lighting is nice. the exposure looks good. The expression is lovely.
Just an all round nice shot. Most parents would be very happy to get shots like that.

The goal of these attacks is to get India to mobilize troops along the India/Pakistan border. Which in turn would prompt Pakistan to move troops from the Pakistan/Afganistan Border to match the buildup along the India border... opening up the floodgates for militants and supplies to get from Pakistan to Afganistan.

So I'd say there won't be much more terrorist activities there until they see if thier efforts get any results.

Hi.
Welcome!

why go to the trouble?
A bargian if it works, but if it doesn't, hardly worth the trouble...
what other lenses do you have?

since you already have the 50 1.7....

here's something to try while you're waiting for you're new lens...
switch the camera to mf.
set up your shot, using a teddy bear as a stand in for the grandchild.
remove the bear, pose the child, aim the lens so the childs eye (closest to camera) is dead center, adjust the camera's focus, until the green focus indicator lights up, recompose and shoot.

eyesight issues aside, the irony in portraiture is this: my best images are almost always shot in full manual.
even if your lens doesn't af, the indicator should still light up!
not perfect solution, but if you can adapt to it, it may buy you some time to save up for a much better lens.

BTW (by better i mean new weather seals sdm motors fast zoom like the 16-60 and 50-135, or ltd primes, better for walkabout not better image quality, hard to beat a 50mm prime) my 50 1.4's (both af and mf) and my 100 2.8 macro are my main portrait lenses.

Sad story.
that is why we do our "Baby in Bathtub" shots in an empty tub, with diaper/bathing suit on, and add bubbles.