Every high tech consumer product has a small percent with issues -and we are only talking aout a small percentage. The K5 has got over the main one - sensor stains - and I really can't see any point whatsoever in waiting for Pentax to learn 'lessons' .. yeah right. Canons & Nikons also have some 'issues' so what are you going to do .. give up using a DSLR ?!

Life is too short to wait for the perfect camera.

OK - what I said over there:

The Kr is a high quality entry level camera. As such being available in different colours means it attracts people from all walks of life and cultures. Many of whom find the fact they can choose a camera's colour to fit their personality the deciding factor in selecting their first DSLR (or even for switching from another brand).

The fact that the Kr is such a great little camera inevitably leads them to the K5 (or whatever is the flagship or step up model when they choose to upgrade).

All of which can only be good for Pentax in the long run.

n.b. I saw an ad for Canons in 4 different colours today. All manufacturers will follow Pentax's lead sooner or later.

That'll look great on the resume Kris !

Congrats !

I see no-ones said anything about lenses yet. Since you are going to be using your flash it's not necessary to get a low light beast to handle this job. You don't say what lenses you already have (oops ! just spotted you did - ah well) or whether you have a budget to buy / lease another one.

Anyway the Tamron 17-50/2.8 is a very reasonable price and could handle this - and your table to table hopping for singles, couples or more - quite comfortably. Of course the Sigma 17-50/2.8 is a slight step up for just a little more money and the Pentax 16-50 is also comparable but a rather large step up price wise. If you don't want to buy another lense and have the kit 18-55 then that should be capable enough too though won't offer the low DoF for creative singles / couples shots.

You could also look at primes however the flexibility, ease of use & price of a 17-50 / 2.8 zoom seems to fit the bill though.

On the K7 the Dust Removal is a quite distinctive high pitched sound, on my K5 it is silent (and from what I've read elsewhere this is the norm). Sounds (ha) like yours is fine !

Gotta love those Water Calligraphers ! Nice set Thoughton.

Hope you don't me putting this one in here ? Another Water Calligrapher - this one from my wife's home city of Wenzhou.

#1 is a nice shot.

I guess you weren't too far way because at 20m / f4 / 300mm you'd have had 70cm DoF and both in focus however if you were at say 10m / f4 / 300mm then that DoF has shrunk to just 17cm. f8 would have doubled those DoF distances.

If I know what I'm shooting I just make a few notes before I go out after checking DoF here : link

Ha Ha - I can't believe this Troll has FIVE pages so far ! He must be loving it.

Gareth, I agree with Dave ! I was sure someone would say you really need this lense or that lense

K10D - that's an excellent tip (Ping-Click) and a superb portrait - looks like one of those excellent Thai golfers ?

Kr + 18-55 + 55-300 to get you going. Add the 35 if you really want but to start you have a lot more flexibility with a focal length range covering 18 - 300 ! Add / Sell lenses once you know which direction your lense preference is going in (primes / zooms / WR / * lenses) etc. etc.