Where Pentax are relative to the competition depends where Pentax wants to be in the marketplace and I think that position has been very confused in recent years. Ricoh haven't been in charge for long and certainly not enough time for their intentions to have been converted into the product line. I don't see what more Pentax could have done at this Photokina without laying all their cards on the table and therefore giving competitiors the jump on them. I think Pentax should be judged at the next Photokina.

I think Ricoh have made all the right noises about where Pentax are going products wise. I think they will give some sensible direction to the Pentax Nutty Professor Department. I have my doubts about the financial health of the company, of which the camera business is a small part, as sales continue to decline and the listed company has made its first overall loss. Pricing strategy is still rather unclear with well priced bodies but massive rises in lens prices, in the US in particular. But products wise I have no doubt we shall see good things, Pentax innovation and common sense is a good marriage.

I did like the comment about the K01. The design community really liked the product and sales were good (within that very limited market). It seems that the camera was one of the cheapest Marc Newson designed products, therefore appealed to collectors. However, the photographic community didn't understand the camera, so sales were disappointing. I think that typifies the thinking of 'old' Pentax; that the customers need to understand the product rather than Pentax understanding the customer. I had never heard of Marc Newson before and I couldn't care less about having his signature written on something. So I am one of the ignorant who didn't get it. I think Ricoh, however, will design photographic products with photogrpahers in mind.

I wonder what the DA Wide Zoom will be, it looks pretty much the same territory as the DA12-24.

I add my condolences.

'Fraid not. I rarely use it but I collect the cheap lenses in case something happens to the expensive ones. But just looking through the completed sales on ebay, one went recently for £30.

They aren't that scarce, I got a minter for £30. Worth bearing in mind versus the cost of repair.

A reversed 50 will give great results in the right hands, well worth a try but it can be a bit of a faff. A dedicated macro lens is a useful thing. So yes, I would recommend the Tamron. There is a place for 1:2 macro work, particularly useful for larger subjects such as flowers, fungi, larger butterflies, etc. You can get 1:1 but I find the extension tube very awkward to fit so I have never really bothered with it. You could consider spending a little more than the later f2.8 1:1 version.

I like the colours the lens produces, it seems particularly suited to autumn's warm colours. It is very sharp.

You should be aware that the lens can produce a purple spot in certain conditions, I have seen it with my lens on occasion. See here.

SRS have one in mint condition with the adaptor for what looks like a reasonable price, you can get the postage free as a forum member. It hasn't got the extension tube but I'd happily sell you that.

I have considered selling mine, but prices have come down. I have a 1:1 macro and a 1:2 is still useful. Every now and again I like to have a session with it to remind myself how good it is. I actually think I might prefer it to the Pentax DFA 100 and I have wondered whether to change from the Pentax to a 1:1 Tamron. Anyway, enough of a rabbit, here are some piccies taken with the Tammy:

Beautiful shot, perfect blue hour mood, great reflection.

In extreme cold you could always wrap a scarf around your camera.

I think a six and a nine year old would be very pleased with a cheap zoom compact. I think it is the ideal choice for young children. I think the Q is too advanced for kids that age.

I would wait until the reviews come out.

The K5II looks good for autofocus, if that is important. Although I would want some real like feedback on how good it is. I'm not sure there will be a great leap forward in image quality unless the IIs is a temptation. I suspect most existing K5 owners will skip a generation when it comes to upgrading, or save the funds to invest in the affordable full frame model when it comes and keep the K5 as a second body.

If the Q10's sensor really does represent a quantum leap then it is worth considering, otherwise I would personally go for the original Q as I prefer a metal alloy body to a plastic one and I prefer the styling.

For the family to use I would buy a cheap zoom compact.