I don't want to unfairly malign the website so I'm not going to mention them (especially since I suspect I'm worrying over nothing) but it is one of the online suppliers named on the Pentax UK website.

I'm not alarmed in any way, and the camera seems fine, but, not knowing what to expect, I just wanted to make sure.

Greynolds and Mike, your posts are pretty reassuring.

JohnX, I was thinking more about tests for image quality, and I hadn't thought of a test like that. That's an excelent idea, thanks.

Hi there, I'm hoping somebody can help me.

I've just received a new camera and lens from an online store and I want to check that everything is ok.

I'm a little apprehensive as the camera box wasn't sealed, there was a thumb print on the LCD (which also didn't have a protective film) and the battery was already charged.

I am new to photography and don't know what to expect from new equipment. The view through the viewfinder seems darker than I had expected, and is slightly "grainy".

Are there any decent tests I can administer to check all is well, and that this isn't a camera someone else has previously returned because of some flaw?

HHH. I have just done all of this ^^^^

Struggling around all the controls, and worrying about the graininess through the viewfinder.

Completed the first project from the book I got from the charity shop over the weekend.

All good! Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone.

Ooo. Lenses going UP in price. What's that about, then?

The Pentax 18-135mm does seem like the obvious choice, but it gets such a slating here I was instantly put off.

Gah! Very torn!

Accepting the compromises inherent in the lens type, which extreme range zoom should I get for the K-5 I have got on the way? I'm thinking the Sigma 18-125mm?

^^^^^ The Short Version ^^^^^

vvvvv The Long Version vvvvv

I'm new to photography. I've bought a K-5 with the 18-55mm kit lens. The camera's going to be used by me and my wife.

I'm keen to try out new techniques and develop my understanding - an extreme range zoom lens will let me experiment with fore-shortening, and various other opportunities.

My wife will want to use one lens all the time, and frame a shot using the zoom.

We are both likely to only want to take one lens with us to certian opportunities for photographs (ie, weddings, walking etc), at least to begin with, after such time we'll get better lenses.

I appreciate that manufacturers have to make serious compromises with these lenses and I appreciate that primes will possibly make me a better photographer.

Thanks for any advice.

I'm very new and trying to learn a bit, and anticipate being in the position you describe at a friend's wedding later this year.

I have a K-5 on the way with the kit 18-55mm lens. I'm trying to decide on a higher power zoom. While I'm really drawn to the 55-300mm I think this would leave me a bit high and dry come the wedding...

At the moment I am thinking that at a wedding if I could only have one lens I'd want something like the Tamron 18-200mm. which would allow me to frame shots better when I can't run back and forth that much.

Is this a ridiculous idea?

Thanks Chris. Sorry for the delayed response. I just got sucked into the classifieds for quite some time...

Hi there. I've finished reading all the reviews, and obsessing over stats and I've opted for a K-5 as my first DSLR and it's winging its way from SRS.

I've got a million questions which I'm trying to figure out without posting them all here but I suspect I'll be asking a few of them if I can't find the answers myself.

Thanks for all the help I'm sure to be requesting!