Thanks for correction re it being a Red Admiral.

Just been out in the garden photographing Tortoiseshell butterlies on our buddleia.
Been using my new Pentax 55-300 PLM lens.
It's a great lens, easy to snap close-up photos from a nice distance. Great detail.

Now, if only Pentax could produce a great lens which would have a decent depth of field when doing close-ups.
I wonder if they can change the laws of physics and optical properties of such lenses.
Probably not!!!!

went for £405 on the Bay of E

I've just paid £400 for one thru FaceBook MarketPlace. Was advertised at £450 for almost 2 months.
Mine is complete with both caps, step down ring, polarising filter, extended lens hood and the final/second (petal shaped) lens hood, strap, box, original reciepts BUT no case. I'm happy!
Mine tis the 2012 version - APO HSM DG OS

Tis a heavy blighter. Had my first outing with it today at RSPB Bempton. Tried birds in flight as well as those on the cliffs. I expect that you can guess which was easiest?

Burst mode = 400 ISO; 1/250th, f6.3 and at 300mm with my "new to me" Pentax 55-300 lens on my K-S2.
The crouching dog belonged to another beach-goer and he was waiting for the ball to be thrown.
The wee dog and it owner - well, I just like the way that for both of them, only half their 4 feet are in contact with the ground.

Oh, we only live once - SO, I have gone for the Pentax 16-85 even though it is NOT available any longer at £490 BUT now at £570.
You folks have been a great help in so many ways - esp with my re-discovered LBA.
I can spend my retirement voucher and a fair bit of my pocket monies, enjoy life and not leave much to Care Homes or the "lovely" tax man
Win: win situation don't you think?

for size and lightness you'll be hard pressed to beat something like the Panasonic Lumix Tz80 (or Tz 90 or TZ 100)
https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/reviews/compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz...

It depends on how much you want to do with your kit.
https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/buying-advice/buying_guides/what-digital-camer...


Another option is a bridge camera whcih has DSLR/SLR type contol over your photos e.g. Nikon B700, or higher model.
https://cameradecision.com/review/Nikon-Coolpix-B700

Thanks, have 2 tripods and have prioritised a wide angle/standard zoom anyway.

Went out today and definitely needed a w/a lens as my 55-300 was the only lens I had and wasn't wide enough ;-(

Thanks - BUT - the vouchers i have can only be redeeemed at local independent photo shop

Thanks for input so far

The Pentax HD DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR is £490 at the local shop - so not impossible by any means