Well I still hope that it Pentax have more for the PMA than just a 645D and/or a full frame, though the rumour mill doesn't seem to suggest anything.

All I'm saying is I know of people who are disappointed in it, fro various reasons, including noise, having bought one at a much higher price than it is now.
They have switched to Nikon, Sony or in one case to a Kx. The latter one had too many lenses to get rid of to make a change of brands worth while. The others sold their kit at a big loss. One had been a Pentaxian for 30 years, but felt they had lost their way and reluctantly went to Nikon.
He will not return to Pentax, and nor will the others.
Pentax can't afford to lose faithful users like that.

Exactly Don. Now a Kx with a mic jack would be worth having.
Or a K7 at a better price and with less noise.

I know quite a few people who have given up on Pentax because they were disappointed in the K7. I benefited by getting a great deal on my 60-250 lens, but it is a real shame that some Pentaxians of long standing are moving over to Nikon, and even to Sony.

Cheapest it is here for a Pentax NL K7 is € 899, which is just a tad cheaper than SRS. I see a lot of places no longer have it in stock though.

Something good coming at the PMA? Besides a full frame and/or a 645D I mean. Because there are people out there (me included) who have no interest in either but would (maybe) buy another APS-C camera.
Pentax would really be shooting themselves in the foot if they decide to discontinue the K7 in favour of either a full frame of 645D. After all not every has the money for those, some of us have a lot of APS-C only lenses, but want something as good as the K7.
Knowing Pentax though I can feel a foot shooting incident coming up .

I also notice that both the 16-50* and the 16-45 are on sale, with the indication that no new stocks are coming.

Edit: comment on lenses added

Lucky Gitzo

Thanks for the answers.
This weekend, or next week if the weekend is too busy, I hope to go to a shop which has the Trekpod and the Gitzo in stock and try them out. The Trekpod is still the favourite I think.

I might try the Sigma 18-250 while I'm there

Ouch that was my credit card complaining .

As I said, I miss my Ds, and do sometimes regret the K20D which replaced it.
My darling husband wrecked the Ds within a few weeks of having it - he left it out of it's case on the back seat of the car and when he had to slam on the brakes it went flying to it's death .

I am never truly happy with the photos from the K20D - whereas anything I considered a keeper from the Ds was always something I was proud of.

If so what do you think of it - both as a hiking pole and a monopod.

We are going back to La Palma at the end of February and are intending to do some walking while there. Normally I would take my hiking poles and my tripod but luggage restrictions prevent me taking both. I'd rather take the poles than the tripod given the terrain so I was wondering if the Trekpod would offer a good compromise.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the comments.

David that's what you get from too many beans in a pot (a totally un PC Anglo-Dutch comment :wink.

I have just collected my new second-hand 60-250, so I am hoping if the weather isn't too horrible tomorrow to go back and try for some more shots, and a chance to play with the new lens.

I'd say picture 1 was taken with the Ds.

I miss my Ds and sometimes tbh regret the "upgrade" to the K20D.