I use an Actic Butterfly from Visible Dust to clean mine. I haven't yet had to use their wet system, but am told by others that it is very good.
In the good old days when Pentax NL were in Breda they would clean it for free, but those days are gone. Some big photographic shops offer an expert cleaning service, wiithout having to lose your camera for weeks.

I'm sure some of us would be glad to help you out with your problem. Those of us who can't afford the K10D just yet....... (Mind you shipping them to Holland seems a bit extreme but I'm sure there are UK members who'd be happy to help....)

If you have jpegs you want to rotate use Irfanview - it is a lossless rotation. PS isn't.

The Sigma is big, hence the nickname Bigma. It is heavy too, just over 4lbs (1.8kg). But I have used it without a tripod and got good photos at 500. It is also good in fairly low light. I haven't had it that long (since August when the weather here was dire)and haven't used it lately, but hope to get out with it in the early mornings this week if I can so will really put it to the test then.

The reason I bought it (was given it ) was that I was frustrated by the Tamrom 28-300 when on safari - even allowing for the 1.5 crop factor it just wasn't big enough sometimes, but as I don't have a second body and don't want to be contsantly changes lenses in the field I wanted a lens that offered a good zoom range. I had seen the photos by members of another forum made with the Bigma and the *ds and was very impressed.
One (Canonist) birder swears by it now instead of some of his more expensive glass!


There are a few reviews about : http://www.vividlight.com/articles/413.htm, http://www.lonestardigital.com/Sigma_50-500.htm and of course http://www.dpreview.com/news/0505/05051901sigma_50-500mm.asp

One thing I notice when using it is that people are more aware of me taking photos and so walk behind me, or stop, instead of barging on through the frame! I have even been asked if I'm a pro - just cos of the size of my lens LOL

For $1000 you could buy the superb "Bigma"- the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3, which would do away with the need for a converter, and with the need to change lenses in the field, thereby reducing the chances of missing a shot and more importantly of getting gunge on your sensor.

I may be wrong on this but I don't think you need as fast a lens as a 2.8 for wildlife. I use either the Bigma (my new toy), or a Tamron 28-300.

Others here KNow more about this than I do and will give you a lot more advice on this but that is my two cents worth.

Given the number of ads on TV for the Canon 400D I think Pentax have missed the boat again

I bought stick on plastic protectors from my local camera shop. Just ask for LCD protectors, they come in various sizes so it's a good idea to know which size you need.
The flip up ones are apparently a real pain to use as you are constantly flipping them up and then back down so you can take the next photo.

thanks!

Where do we find the details???

If you did the firmware updates, it will support a 2 gig card, but it's worth checking that you have version 2.0 of the firmware loaded.