They were the best prices available anywhere in those days, but you had to go to Leicester to take advantage.

Add me to that too. We'd miss the site if it disappeared.

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, David, but just to say Andrew has now posted his comments for last week's comp now as he promised he would on return. At least its given your thread a bump!

1) Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD [IF] MACRO 18 elements, 13 groups

2) Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 23 elements, 17 groups

3) HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW 19 elements, 16 groups

The Pentax version (3) will inevitably be different to the Tamron Canikon versions (2) as they have optical stabilisation and the Pentax version hasn't, hence (presumably) the reduction of 1 group and 4 elements. It would be interesting to know the optical configuration of the Sony mount version of (2) as that does not have optical stabilisation either. Have they just left the optics the same as the Canikon versions or have they used the Pentax arrangement?
All three lenses are current, the former being the subject of this sale thread.
The Canikon and Pentax versions of (1) did not have optical stabilisation so its more of a big deal for Canikon users as now they can have the Tamron lens stabilised with the new version.
Typical cost of (1) £550, of (2) £800, of (3) £1550 (and for some reason £1100 for the Sony version of (2).) = Current SRS prices.
Is (3) really worth nearly three times the prices of (1)?

But the Pentax is said to be basically the same lens Algi! It might be better, a bit, but for an extra £1000 for a bit less? Mmmm. If it's your job and you have the funds, your choice. But for a casual shooter its hard to justify. I doubt the pictures most of us take would show much difference, neither would those of the person you linked to. Let's see what the new comparison video shows in due course.

When it comes the the FA 15-30 its a different story as there's no older version to fall back on and compare it to.

Apparently three times as close.

There's a recent YouTube video comparing the old and new Tamron verions link
It seems most of the cost of the new lens is in the stabilisation that wasn't in the earlier version, so it seems somewhat off to pay all that extra not to have it in the new (Pentax) version of it. If anything the Pentax version ought to cost less than the revised Tamron for other brands that do have stabilisation.
Apparently the author of the video linked to here says he will produce another shortly comparing the optical qualities of both. That will be interesting.

At the end of the day, I don't think Pentax users are missing much by making do with the older version, but I guess it's nice if you have that extra £1000 to spend if one wishes. It might well be worth it for Canikon users to get the new version in their respective mounts for the stabilisation. Pentax users don't need it, we've already go it!

Its a shame the revised Tamron on which the new Pentax lens is based hasn't been made available in K mount. However I suspect in a side by side comparison, the lens offered here wouldn't produce overly differing results to the new Tamron/Pentax. The only real oddity is the clunky MF/AF push pull system.

The new version on which the Pentax is based has improved optical shake reduction, a feature not available in the Pentax lens. So all in all, one would have to be a purist to pay the additional £1000 for a Pentax branded one when the Tamron version (not available to Pentax users) retails around £750 in other mounts. At the end of the day I don't reckon anyone would be disappointed with the older Tamron; a bargain!

Not saying it is, but it could be: K1-mode-dial-failure
So wouldn't be the first. Be interested to hear how you get on; at least its still under warranty if it comes to that.

Does this help: link ?

And a similar solution proved to work here: link

Though it could be an issue with the camera, discussed in those threads. At best it needs a 'workout' to get it fit again + perhaps a new battery (try recycling the charging of it several times.) At worst it might need a new aperture motor, but you'd need that checked out if the simple remedies fail as it could be something else completely! It would be worth resetting the camera too, but if you haven't used it for a couple of years it may have done that itself anyhow.

Seems so link
Apparently the K mount version has been discontinued due to lack of interest.