I use the strap which came with my Ds - it has two little pockets in it so the remote lives in there. A spare SD is in a holder attached to the strap. The battery in my pocket/bag has the cover on it so it can't short and catch fire.

Maybe with the K7 I'd use a grip but I can't imagine I would. As I said I find the K20 too big already, and the added weight/size of a grip would really stop me from using it so much.

But who knows - as my arthritis progresses I may need a grip just to hold the camera, or more likely I shall have to give up all together. The weather is really making it play up at the moment and I am getting worried about the future.

Great photos Amin.

Issue 4 2006 of the PU magazine has a way of setting up the background to get the lighting right, with the light coming from behind the background.
They used professional tracing paper for it, with a sheet behind that to act as a diffuser.
https://www.pentaxuser.com/magazine/Winter-Issue-4-2006-7

I don't own any exotic lenses, and apart from wanting a longer mid range zoom (such as the 60-250) I am reasonably content. An 80-400 would be even better, if I could afford it.

I wish Pentax would reinstate the SDM TC that was in the road map for a long time. I'd buy that.

I have never used a grip. The K20 is already too big for me so adding a grip would be just pointless. The Ds never had a grip so it was never an option then.
I carry a spare battery with me, but I rarely have to change batteries whilst out. I also always have a spare SD card or two with me.

We never used the sockets in lamps but always managed to find a free socket or two in the room for charging, and for the laptop. If necessary we unplugged a lamp, but usually there were sockets enough.
We have small flatish adapters that work for UK and European plugs. The only thing is you have to remember to take them with you when you unplug things. We lost a couple this last trip by not removing them. Luckily they are cheap and we have lots.
I didn't notice things taking longer to charge either - we had several things which needed charging with us (iPod, GPS tracker, camera, phone etc) and they all took much the same time as at home.
Adapters are so cheap it seems daft to spend extra on a new charger. The Pentax charger is small and lightweight and does the job in the US just as well as in Europe.

I just used the Pentax charger with a socket adapter. It worked just fine.

I also have a Hahnel charger which I can use in the car, but the Pentax charger is smaller so that is what I took with me. Plugged it in in the evening and unplugged it in the morning.

I like number three too. It looks like the car is about to launch off into that great sky.

I would have thought under the sales of goods act you had the right to expect repair or replacement without having to pay extra, assuming you did not inspect the lens before you bought it.
Have a look at http://tinyurl.com/5jqgww and http://tinyurl.com/r2kwcy

I'm sorry to hear you're leaving us .

Lucky you staying at El Tovar!
We stayed at Thunderbird, and they were right outside our room! It was amazing to have those massive birds zoom less than 3 feet over your head. Stunning! I was cursing not taking the Bigma with me!

I posted some of my photos from last year here:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/Cliches-7217