Thanks Richard. I've done the "Settings Complete". I thought it was a statement rather than a question, so had ignored it. I've also checked the camera with a spirit level and it is fine, so its obviously something I'm doing.

I like all the black too and I think the crops have worked well. I couldn't get down to the Hoe as you suggested as I was off to Portugal but I did manage to take a late evening shot or two in Portugal. I have uploaded one but don't know how to do the link.

I've just come back from a week in Portugal with my new K5. Remember I'm totally new to DSLR photography so the camera spent the entire week in its "Green" mode. I took a tripod but never found the time to use it or to read the camera manual. Suffice to say it was as easy to use as my previous compact. I found two problems for me. Having set the date & time and picked my "hometown" (why does a camera need to know my hometown and why is the only UK option London.) These settings were lost whenever I switched the camera off. Having reset them a couple of times I gave up and just ignored them. Hence none of my photographs have any real date and time information. I think there is a software upgrade to fix this so I'd better look for it. My second problem is that all my shots need to be rotated about 2 degrees clockwise to even out the horizons etc. I assume that is because the weight of the DSLR is new to me since I've never had any problems with level horizons before. I was told by people that I didn't seem to be holding the camera level so must be my own fault. I will do some more scientific checks on this though. I will post a pic when I've sorted them.

Don't expect the photos anytime soon - it takes 6.5 hours to charge a new battery. It'll be dark soon - how good did they say the low ISO was again.

I got a call this morning from Devon Camera Centre in Exeter. They'd got one in for me to try. I tried it and loved it and am now the proud owner of a K5. I got the 18-135mm lens kit. Not sure I picked the right lens but it's probably a better lens than I am a photographer, so I now just have to be patient while the battery charges.
Thanks for all the advice.
Frankie

Thanks for the information. LCE don't have one. I've been waiting a few days for Devon Cameras to phone me back when they get one. I haven't tried the place in Truro so I'll give them a go. As I say, its not an easy camera to buy.
Frankie

Thanks for suggesting SRS Chris, but the point I was trying to make is that since I'm stepping up from a compact I actually want to hold the camera in my hands to see if I feel comfortable with it before parting with my cash. The nearest retailer with one I could look at is at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. I live in Plymouth. That's a 200 mile round trip. I'm retired and only intending to buy one DSLR body so I might as well have all the latest "bells & whistles", particularly since the reviews are so good. When I go into shops and ask if they have a K5 they usually try to sell me something else. If anyone knows of a shop nearer to Plymouth with a K5 I could look at I'd love to know.
Thanks
Frankie

Hi Guys,
Sorry to introduce a new topic to your thread but I'm new to this website and (maybe) new to Pentax. At least you got to handle a K5, I've been reading reviews for about two months now. There's not much DSLR theory that I don't understand. I decided I wanted one but no-one holds them in stock. I'd have to travel 100 miles just for the opportunity to pick one up. I did all the usual things of look for stockists, then phone them to see who had them in stock, then emailed Pentax, who did give me a number for the sales team. I found an online retailer, fairly local to me, who said online that he had them in stock, but didn't have. In short, I think I'll just give up on the K5, I'm not a very patient person and if I want something then I want it now. Pentax will never sell anything to impulse buyers like me if they don't at least have cameras on shelves!
Maybe I'll learn some patience but maybe not.
Once again, sorry to change the topic on your thread but your experience made me realise that I really do need to hold my first DSLR in my hand before commiting to the brand.
Fran