Cheap grips like the one I linked too earlier are not as bad as the purist would have you believe.The Miekke(?) one I use feels solid and for the price well finished.

I have a genuine Pentax on the K-200, which has started to fail after 3 years.

The copy I have on my K-5 feels as solid and, at a fraction of the price, if it fails within 12 months I can get another. At the price they are I can get 5 for the price of 1 Pentax.

The only down side is they tend not to be water tight, which the originals are.

Those are the old 'Standard' lenses from the film days.

They're not in the DA* league, but if you just want to play then get and enjoy.

I have copies of both and use them only on my film cameras now. The 'short' end not being short enough for my taste on a DSLR.

Don't bet on it.

Cameras always seem cheaper over the pond, but thanks to HMRC we never get to enjoy the advantage. Cheaper in mainland Europe though is a different thing.

Why the need for a full frame?

The K-5 with an aps-c sensor gives excellent results that can crop down and still be printable at larger sizes.

As for the need for Tokina to make 'FF' lenses, look in your camera bag and see what you all ready own.

I use my DA-40 on my MZ bodies, and my DA35, as well as all the older Fa lenses...

Beer?

Did some one say beer?

Adnams Sole Star it is then, while I await the curry arriving...

The control duplication makes vertical hold shooting easier, the extra battery gives longer between having to recharge and the spare SD card holder means I always have a spare.

That's on the K5,on the K200 it was just to balance the camera better.

I have and use a grip on my K5 and miss it when removed, that's personal though, if you want to try a grip get one of these and, if you feel it's worth while you can always spend a lot more on a genuine Pentax one.

Good news indeed Bernard.

My good news is that the Chinese package arrived today!

It only took the royal mail 29 days to get it to me, the Chinese postal system had it on the flight here 24 hours after posting!

Royal Snail!!

I'd suggest a MZ-50,cheap,plentiful and easy to use.

LINK

And mine can use M series lenses!

It snowed well on Friday night, yesterday was a right off!

This morning we awoke to..

...rain and sunny spells and all the snow gone!

From 10 inch to nothing overnight!! There's going to be flooding some where with these conditions.

Old Harry's Game, Black Sheep = Bliss

Oh, and I'm making the sauce for the pasta later...