How do for instance the Canadians find the battery life - they have to deal with serious cold after all. I'm astounded that the battery seemingly reacts so badly to cold especially as this winter has been so mild compared to normal.

Maybe the Bigma will be to your taste - the Sigma 50-500mm or their 80-400?

I was going to say what about birders with spotting scopes? Don't they take up prime positions and stay there for hours? Often with cameras attached?

The Bigma is small compared to some lenses I have seen used (Canons of course, great big white things that frighten the birds,) but I've never heard complaints from birders about serious photographers. In fact they are very helpful and will gladly identify birds for you . Obviously they hate noisy daytrippers who just don't get it, but don't we all.

Price for K10D body Pixmania France : 949 euro, price Pixmania Holland 944 euro, Price Pixmania UK (after conversion) 947 euro.

Where's the rip off there?????

Price at Konijnenberg Holland btw is 949 euro for the body only so Pixmania are not much cheaper.

More interesting question might be why the K10D is a consumer level DSLR and for instance a D70 or a EOS30 an expert level according to Pixmania.

I downloaded the English manual for my Ds. I had a Dutch one with the camera. The Dutch wasn't a real problem for me, but it was just easier in English. Anyway my OH printed it out for me on the firms laser printer , double sided, two pages per side. Have to get the old reading glasses out to read it but otherwise it is fine.

I don't keep my sesnor clean is the simple answer.
I always change lenses with the camera pointing down, to minimise dust, but it always gets in. I clone out the dust till it gets too bad, then use a Giotto's Rocket to blast the sensor, followed by my Visible Dust Artic Butterfly brush. Works fine. I haven't yet had to move on to a wet cleaning system.
In Tanzania I stuck to my Tamron 28-300 to avoid lens changing in such a dusty place, but otherwise it is too limiting to stick to just one lens. You might as well go for an upmarket P&S.

Looking forward to being able to afford a K10D with it's built in sensor cleaning though!

I only turn the hood round when I need it, otherwise it sits in its parked position on the lens, but I know some have it on all the time as a bit of extra protection for the lens. Makes storing them difficult though.

Another good reason to get the K10D

Aside from aperure rings, sonic motors etc, are they weatherproof? Surely just as, if not more important for K10D owners?

Mmm. I too would like a Pentax replacement for my Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX but I've got a wedding in April, son number 2, (having helped son number 1 pay for his wedding in Oct 2005 I have to do the same for number 2) and I have recently paid for my own 50th birthday bash. Still no expensive holidays this year so that's some money in the Pentax pot

Me too - having forked out on a Bigma I nearly fell off my chair reading that