Is that bird stuffed QC? I've never been able to get a Blue Tit anywhere near as still and sharp (and close as that)..... JEALOUS!!

I find some of the other sites less pleasant than here... the strength of PentaxUser is its membership - let us not forget that one very, very important point. Without us, the mods are pointless

Pentax Forums gets a bit like Saab Central - started off nice and cosy and because of its size and demographic does become a haven for nasty arguments...The rumours section is sometimes quite painful to read, contributors giving out wish-lists, the same people who've not bought new gear for 3-4 years and start frothing when the new camera isn't full-frame. I've found the new place for our 'exiles' sometimes less friendly than I'd hoped.

This site is all about us... it is we who make it what it is.

I thought you'd succumbed to the SRS offer Mike...

I've got to wait until my D-FA is fixed....

magnificent!

Must find bearded tits to photograph....marvellous shots.

Eveything I had in that range went as soon as the 60-250 appeared, it really is an astonishing lens (although the SDM has failed) and I love mine - as soon as it came back from JPSS the 55-300 that came to 'cover' for it was sold.

Sainsbury's are doing 3 cases of stella for £20...

As a DA300 and Sigma 150-500 owner I would extol the virtues of the Sigma lens - for the range and price it is excellent value and of superb optical quality. As you intend to do bird photography at home then it makes sense. I am sure one will come on sale soon.

The DA*300 is superb, an excellent lens (better than my Nikkor 300 too) but you will want the flexibility of the zoom

Having done several safaris I can only identify one drawback of the Sigma (although it did not accompany me on any of the trips) is that Africa is not always sunny and you might find the f6.3 at the 500 mm end (as I saw with my old Sigma 70-300) is limiting in lower light - even more if coupled with a TC.

Enjoy the trip.

Just a couple of observations....

regardless of what has been said, and not been said, the Heartless thread is still there.. mods probably realise that deletion of that thread could cause meltdown.

Mindful of what has been said and what we think of the moderation we should consider the effect of people visiting PU for the first time. We've had battles on here before, established forum members have been driven away by this, and much as I feel for Laura's predicament (don't know the full story) it is probably best to draw a line under this episode to avoid new members turning away.

This forum is a poorer place if members leave. I just hope that no-one is barred.

I've commented on the moderator team to the people who actually own this forum, they are happy with the status quo - this is why I won't pay for Pentax Plus.

Perhaps the word 'Moderator' needs to be redefined.