Minimalistic and sober, I can do that:

I lost four months with my K20 repairs so you have my complete sympathy, hope it gets resolved soon.

An extraordinary view of the Loire. Lake Vassiviere near us is 5 metres below normal. The nuclear power station near Starless has nicked all the water from the Vienne. Laughingly I heard on the radio last week that they have finally announced water restictions in the Haute Vienne, I can from the start of November no longer fill up my swimming pool nor water my garden. Photo wise, river mud ain't great. I'd wait until it fills up again, find a bit of foreground interest and get there before dawn.

Congrats and very well deserved. The 31 (and the other FAltds) are just about unbeatable as far as I can see and ff ready when that eventually happens. Keep the pics coming.

Great to see some new output. No need to say how good they are, the last has a touch of magic about it.

P.S You seem to be collecting some rather tasty lenses.

Not around here there aren't, they're all in their nineties.

Failure of sophisticated electronic goods happens. The important issue is how it is dealt with when things go wrong.

I have friends who have had failures with Canons, the latest only earlier this week. Canon were very good, received the faulty camera one day and the replacement arrived the following morning. My early experiences with Pentax were extrememly frustrating. Since I have switched to SRS any issue has been dealt with impeccably and I feel very confident that I am fully supported. I agree with those who have said find a good dealer.

Oh and don't get me started on Ford.

My first DSLR was a K20D. It showed vertical banding problems and the rather unhelpful retailer (a Pro Centre) inisited on sending it to Pentax for repair. It came back with the same problem, so sent it back a second time. It came back with the same problem, so sent it back a third time. The sensor was replaced but the replacement sensor was faulty too and had to be re-replaced. Then it started taking blurry picture, so returned again for a fourth time. An internal screw had become loose and lodged in the sensor assenbly. Then the dial stopped working correctly, one click would change the aperture by several stops. Sent it back for the fifth time but got the Managing Director of the retailer involved as I had had enough - each return had involved a complicated journey from France to England and back. Pentax agreed to replace the K20D with a K7. Result finally!!!!!!!! (although it had cost me enough in postage and more in stress). The K7 didn't work - it didn't recognise any lens and only metered in green button mode. It turned out it had been a faulty camera returned to Pentax and they passed it on to me. This time got the MD of Pentax UK involved and I got a brand new K7, a genuine result this time. As I had been underwhelmed with the K7's ISO performance I px'd it, this time with SRS for a just released K5. Result!!!!! The K5 had sensor stains and was replaced without quibble and without transit cost. The replacement K5 had sensor stains too and was replaced without quibble and without transit cost. So far so good with the current K5 - my sixth Pentax in two years.

That's not moaning it's just what happened. I've probably had good enough reason to switch brands but I love Pentax lenses and the K5. Noone else does the DA*50-135, the DA55-300 or the unique Ltds or has such a range of beautiful old lenses to play with.

Beat that!

Yes they are. I photograph with a tripod, bulb setting and cable release with manual focus preset, judging exposures rather haphazardly. That way I enjoy the display in the normal way too and worry about the photos later.

There are a lot of reasons for the K35 to be in that line up. I've already got a macro option and the K focuses quite close anyway. The K is rapier sharp from f5.6 where I will mostly be using it. I'd love to see a side by side comparison of the K35 and FA31 - I can confidently predict that the difference in IQ isn't remotely worth splashing out an extra £900. The K slips in the pocket very nicely to supplement the 12-24 on landscape walkabouts and it's the best lens to use in dodgy areas as it only cost £30. It combines well with a telescope eyepiece due to its very compact glass. It's pretty indispensable.

When I browse Pentax photos certain images have a magical look about them. When I look into the details more often than not I find that the 43 or 77 has been used. So those are in their for their unique character.

The only doubt really is the DA*50-135, especially if I get the 77 (which I could if I sold the D50-135). It's a very useful zoom range but for specific events rather than walkabout as it is too bulky. The 55-300 might make more sense.

Why seven lenses? I could of course find a use for any lens.
But I figure I should be able to make do with seven top class lenses, it gives me a bit of a plan, they fit in a bag, seven is a nice number, it makes me think more about what I actually need and want, plus a more limited choice would result in me using the better lenses more. And it's fun to think about.