It doesn't sound like lens changing should be the issue and the camera shouldn't be allowing dust in via the mount despite not being weather sealed. Strange one.

In your case I'd go for the Kr over the Kx or K7, and the K5 if you wanted to add a little cash yourself (I would - the K5 really is that good). For the wedding any of the Kx, Kr or K5 would be preferred over the K7 unless you are permitted the use of flash in all areas then the K7 is just as good indoors and wonderful outdoors. Having the right lenses will just as, if not more, important though.

My wife has just bought a Mac Air ... it's a beautiful piece of kit and amazingly light, however I was told that you need to be careful with these ultra thins because whilst great for travel due to being so light and small the thin covers mean they can be less tolerant of knocks. Not sure how true that is but maybe worth investigating for more information on this - whether you intend to buy one of the Ultrabooks or a Mac Air.

Great shot ! Looks like he's making her cry, with pain or pleasure we'll just never know

Do you think those high street stores are going to suddenly start promoting Pentax over Canon/Nikon ? No neither do I, and if Pentax's lenses are now more expensive than those of Canon/Nikon (talking globally rather than in specific countries), which they are, they have lost a major marketing advantage.

I know you are only commenting on speculation .. but how on earth has the launch of a new camera got anything to do with the prices of lenses that have been available in the market for some time at considerably lower prices ?

I may well go off and buy the 60-250 this week because it is still available for around US$1,150 - 1,200 here and if the street price is anywhere near that new US$2,000 list ... I'll never buy it. As for the 16-50 and 50-135 and it's 90% rise, for fault plagued lenses, ....... it seems some people at Pentax have just totally lost it. These prices will put many of there lenses beyond that of Canon/Nikon and I couldn't blame anyone for jumping ship. Those price rises are just insane. Even if they bring out a FF camera will people stick around for the launch and to pay those prices ?

I can see Zeiss & Voigtlander to say nothing of Sigma & Tamron, doing very well out of this. Sigma need to bring back the 50-150/2.8 now, it would massacre the 50-135 if still around $600 - 700.

In fact I see a 5DII in my future, plus the MPE65 for my macro, the 400 5.6 + x1.4 TC for birding and some fast portrait lenses for that gorgeous FF portrait look. I'll keep one of my K5s and my favourite PK lenses.

Wide aperture short tele, tripod, diffused light, multi-shot stack as required to get the whole plate (or whatever you require) in focus. Combine in software.

This brings a smile to my face .... that's what the Pentax Ltds (both FA and DA) offer, quality (both of IQ and build), size and are oh so portable.

What a quite magnificent phrase !

*added to memory banks for future reference*

Dave I currently use two Chinese monos (and have more in the cupboard !). One heavy duty one for birding with heavy lenses (Fancier - carbon - FT-1603T) and a much slimmer Benro A35FBR1 (aluminium). I would have no hesitation whatsoever recommending either of these (and there are many other more than decent Chinese brand monos/tripods too).

I have a Chinese Wimberley Simile on the Fancier - and I love this heavy duty combo for birding. Use this 90% of the time now.

They are more expensive over there (naturally) than here in Shanghai but there are excellent brands over here that have real quality products.

Benro : link . Their ball-heads are decent too and you can get a good deal buying it as a set (I have the BH1-M). Check out their website for details of weight capacity etc. though this set would take a K5 with DA*300 (just) before I upgraded so should be fine for most jobs.

Fancier (I think this is the twist-lock version of the one I have - I prefer the flip-locks): link

Fancier (Weifeng) website : link

Benro's website will be easy to find too.

I also have a Benro lightweight tripod (same ballhead as above) and much heavier Fancier tripod with a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head, so can vouch for both these companies having excellent and reliable products

Thanks Jeeess & Alan. I think this one will make it into print Alan and 16 x 12 sounds about right !