I have now tried it now! I spoke to SRS and they cancelled the Tamron and I recieved the DA*16-50 today

To be honest I like a heavier lens and camera combination, as it feels more solid which was another of the big factors for me choosing pentax over the nikon that was cheaper at the time of buying my K10D. The pentax felt so much more solid and less like a kids toy!

Heh sorry OP for hijacking the thread with discussion on lens hoods.

The price of the pentax lens hood @ SRS is insane o_O

Does anyone know if the ebay style square lens hood can be fitted backwards onto the lens to take up less space when storing?

What kind of lens hoods would you guys suggest? Would this rubber Hama lens hood be okay to use with the FA 50mm ?

I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure

Sadly srs didn't have the Tamron in stock (they will on Tuesday) but I recieved the other lenses I ordered. The battery grip makes a huge difference in the feel of the camera I love it! I haven't had a chance to use the lenses I got but wow the 40mm is so tiny!

Im still a bit torn about the Tamron even though I have it on order, the fact I could still cancel it and get the Pentax has me wondering if I should just get it for the piece of mind having a lens that can withstand a bit of rain (which is why I bought a Pentax anyway) ... But then again it is £300 more

I appreciate all the advice from everyone Happy new year to everyone ^_^

I got a box of wine gums for christmas Tons of chocolate coins as well though

The 77 sounds really good but will maybe see if I could find one for sale second hand for a bit cheaper than new (I had better get saving! But getting married this year heh). I decided to go for the Tamron because I doubt my fiancé would let me stand around taking photos in the rain at the top of a Munro anyway lol Plus I have a Panasonic FT3 waterproof compact camera for really foul weather.

Maybe I do indeed have a wonky 18-55 never actually tested it in the house for BF or FF but just never seemed to get sharp results. I have been trying to get my fiancé into photography so if I find I need a more weather resistant lens I may just give it to her and go to the DA* 16-50 route in the end if it bugs me that much

Since i have ordered the Tamron now I have been having a look around at covers. Anyone know of a good make? The Kata one looks a bit bulky and you have to look through the plastic of the cover to see into the viewfinder. Will get a couple of optech rainsleeves as a backup but saw a couple of sites such as here and here which may be better.

I ended up getting the Tamron 17-50, FA 50mm, DA 40 Ltd and a battery grip to make the K5 a little bigger for my hands Will hopefully get a 15mm Ltd in the future aswell for the wide angle landscape shots (or maybe a 21?). Not sure lol!

Sold yet?

Including the 16-50mm DA* ? :-/

Well, £599 ... thankfully!