Ok,many thanks for the interesting replies. Putting weather proofing to one side would there be any advantage in getting the K5 over the K-R. I should add that 95% of my shots are landscape at base ISO.

Many thanks for the advice John. I love the build quality of the 18 55 WR,has to be the most solid kit lens available.
What is the opinion on the K7 ? seen some for a good price but unsure of any issues.

Ok here goes. I have had a merry go round with dslr's and currently do not own one. I sold my last one and bought a Panasonic FZ150 which I can only describe as a revelation. However I now want to buy a DSLR for the rainy days which living in the Isle of Lewis we get now and again .
So to my question, which of the Pentax's would be best.
I hope to use a 16-45 and possibly a 55-300. My budget would be around £300 for a body so the K5 is out then, but what about a K20D ?, K200 seems to have vanished second hand so guess the only other option is a K7 which I am unsure of. Any advice would be welcome.

Only a fool would pay anywhere near that sort of money for the 18-250mm lens. For the same money one could get the two lenses you mention, 16-45 & 55 -300 along with IQ and coverage vastly superior too the 18-250mm IQ/coverage.

I want to thank all those who responded but I have decided to turn my attention to the new Fujifilm XS-1 as long as the X10 issues can be resolved.

Bump, anyone have a Pentax 18-250 or Tamron version that they seldom use, willing to pay up to £260.

I know about the one currently on eBay but it is way outside my budget

The version SRS are selling has the built in motor,not sure I understand the argument that the Pentax one is more expensive because Nikon bodies have no SR ??

Is it the Pentax or Tamron version ?
SRS sell the Nikon version new for £229 !!

Saw it thanks,pure rip off at that price.Ffordes had a mint one recently for £159 !!

That is one lens which is very difficult to find. I hunted high and low on eBay the other Pentax forum, and many second hand shops for the last month and a half. In that time I saw two,one a Tamron in Ffordes for £159 which was a bargain but I left it thinking that I would easily find the Pentax version.

The other one is the Pentax version and is still available here, but is sadly overpriced in my opinion,
http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used_Pentax_AF_Lenses.html

I hope you are successful in your search.
UPDATE: Just spotted this one as well
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Pentax-SMC18-250mm-ED_45928.html

I want to thank you John for your faithfulness in responding to questions.
I wouldnt say I want to shoot in the rain but its good to have it as peace of mind. Even if I did go out in the rain I am unsure of how far one can push these weather sealed cameras.
At base ISO is there an IQ gain in the K20 over the K-R ?
I imagine the live view on the K-R is better ?