I did not know Richard or his alter ego but it is sad, and must be very hard for those he left behind

there is no point dwelling on the past or on anyone's behaviours as only Richard himself will know why events turned out the way they did.

I am in the same position as Mike, I have the D3 for the occasions where I want fast and accurate AF; SDM and HSM for PK-AF is rather ponderous in comparison.

I am always asked why do I want Pentax if I already have the D3. After all, getting a D300 or D7100 would save me a lot of money etc etc.

Simply, Pentax has a MOJO, my K-5 and Z-1p/Z-1 I enjoy using, you would have to prise the DA*, FA* and Limited lenses out of my cold dead hands. they are a joy to use. Whereas the D3 is an exemplary tool you just cannot form an emotional bond with it

Next month I go to Carnevale in Venice, the D3 stays at home

:thinking::thinking:alternatives are D7100, D610 or D800....and yet the only one I want is the K-3....

Can you do PUK4 - body and grip for the same amount? please please please please

Frustrated by lack of 2nd Pentax body (sold the K20D last year) in my bag but already have FA35 f2.0 (and FA31)

I've had 2 jams recently where the focussing just won't happen, a quick turn with a jeweller's screwdriver managed to get the lenses moving again, seems in many cases it's just because of lack of use

Alas not so good if you already have a 35 mm lens, once the combined cost of the K-3 and grip goes south of £1000 then I'll pounce but please make it before the end of Feb.

Richmond upon Thames - we have none...Jessops went last year and the shop is now being refitted for a bakery... In Kingston we had a very good Jessops, and Jacobs next door....

Usual suspects in London - all covered - but Grays of Westminster get more business from me.

For Pentax gear I've used Park, Ffordes, Mifsuds, Cameraworld as well as SRS, although my preference is for my parent's nearest retailer - Cambrian in Bae Colwyn - unless they can't maatch SRS prices.

To fellow North Walians - remember Buckley Camera Group?

Hi Steve,

I've got a CCS case I used with my Tokina 400 mm 5.6, which might do the trick...but I think the Tokina is much shorter than 32 cm and the lens was a snug fit

Peter

Light pollution from where? the lights from Berwick can't be that strong surely?

Unfortunately the other forums are prone to a lot of infighting - I briefly dabbled with the other forum but left because of moderators bullying members.

Pentax have a product now that seems to have the upper hand on the direct competition, a halo product of sorts, assumed greater prominence thanks to the poll. It might not be the BMW M5 like the FF cameras out there, or the 7-series 645D, the left field Z4 like the Fuji X-Pro but an M3 or 335i - the competitors are like 318ds... Pentax shouldn't have any problems getting people out of the older K-cameras to the K-3 - what it wants to do is get the disenchanted Nikon, Sony and Canon owners into the K-mount - discussion by constructive deconstruction of those should be welcomed, but without flame throwing...

It would be great if I had a D90/300/7000 or EOS 50D to part ex against a K-3, but I cannot face getting rid of what I have at the moment