My friend has a GX20 / grip / Bigma and uses a Manfrotto 190 series tripod which (just about) does the trick. I personally use a Manfrotto 055 series tripod but then I always preferred overkill to be on the safe side...

Hi Phil, you'll find the lens only works in Aperture Priority (always fully open) and Manual (any aperture) modes. When metering with a digital body you have to stop the lens down to take a reading. On the K10D this is achieved with the "Green Button" but I'm not sure about the *istD as I've never owned one - I'm sure someone will be along soon who knows though.

The lens *will* work so you haven't wasted your money...

I've got an M50/1.7 and it's certainly capable of stunning results!

Must. Resist. Temptation. Buy. More...

How big is the heaviest lens you intend using on it and do you normally have a grip attached? No point buying a tripod if it can't hold your gear...

You're right about it being 150mm equivalent. It's an AF lens which (to be truthful) you rarely use in macro photography, however, you mentioned in your first post about shooting school plays in low light - that's where having a fast AF mid-tele would be useful.

As for focus "feel", if you want the very best tactile experience then you can't beat older manual lenses; the Pentax M series have a movement like buttered silk and are wonderful. Later (AF) lenses are far more "loose" and feel less precise because they have to be driven by the small motor in the camera, heavy gearing would just burn it out. The Pentax "Limited" lenses are a halfway-house having AF but with above-average MF feel. They also tend to be quite expensive but beautifully made with a very high IQ.

All the lenses in the Pentax DA / DA* / D-FA ranges have a "Quick Shift Focus System" meaning that you can override AF at any time simply by turning the focus ring (no buttons or switches to move!). It doesn't sound like a big deal but actually it's one of the nicest features ergonomically and once you get used to it you'll wonder how you ever did without...

Every year, as regularly as clockwork, my Billbergia awakes and blooms for Christmas. It's nature's annual reminder to make sure all the cards are delivered and presents wrapped...

[IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd37/hefty1969/competition%20stuff/IMGP4905.jpg[/IMG]

K10D | FA77 | f2.8 | 1/60sec | ISO400
22 December 2008

The K20D is essentially the same as a K10D but with an improved sensor (more resolution, higher ISO range, better dynamic range) so the question is are you happy with what the K10D gives you? If you are then I'd say save your money and put it towards lenses instead. If you've found you're often saying to yourself, "I wish this could go all the way to ISO6400" and/or you plan to print at sizes larger than A2, then the K20D's worth the trade up.

Nice dilemma to have!

For the sake of £30 I'd get one of those 50-200's from Jessops before they're all gone!

I'd then get the K20D + 18-55 MkII bundle (£579 - £100 cashback), forget the grip (nice for balancing heavier lenses but not really neccessary with any of those on your list) and buy a Pentax D-FA 100 Macro (£351.36 - £50 cashback) for all the reasons ikillrocknroll states above.

This would come to a total of around £810 after the cashback and you'd have two reasonable zooms covering 18-200mm and a very good fast mid-telephoto lens that happens to shoot true 1:1 macro as a bonus.

Spend the rest of your money on a spare battery, camera case and a couple of good quality memory cards and start saving your pennies for a tripod. And a flash. And more lenses. And a remote. And... You get the picture.

Fair enough, I've never owned one with scene modes so I'm happy to stand corrected