Many many moons ago I had some tiny critters walking around in the viewfinder of my SLR film camera of the time -a Zenith or a Fuji can't remember which - think I remember reading somewhere to put the camera in the gas oven (just gas - not lit) for a (very)short while. I tried different solutions but that was the only one that worked. This solution not recommended for smokers!!!

One problem I see is similar to how all of the Spectrums, BBC computers etc. fared against the 'pc'. Because of the popularity of the 'pc' massive amount of software became available, lots of hardware add ons and updates were produced making it even more popular and even more useful and cost effective. Most other computers died out. Almost everything made in the camera world nowadays is likely to fit a Canikon camera where as they might fit Pentax or they might not. Having a huge following can have be very advantageous.
I've been thinking of updating recently and have cast an eye on the other makes too and there are some cracking bargains (cameras and lens) out there with great features (and sometimes same sensor) - I have a small number of Pentax lens and does make me want to stay with Pentax and I'm sure I will but I have been tempted (maybe need to go to confession?).
If anybody is wondering - I have a Citroen Picasso!

That's correct to a point but maybe it's better to compare to similar level point cameras - especially new models - from other manufactures e.g the Nikon D3200 etc.

Nice shots. Yes looks like a great day out - shame I only just noticed your post today - I'm not a million miles from Tutbury!

Ditto! We can't be all the time you know - even retail staff have off days!

That was an absolute bargain! The KR is a very capable camera which will give excellent results. The KR has features for people new to slr's to learn with, right through to experienced enthusiasts who need more manual control etc. A great buy!

I agree.

But apart from the no Lightroom tethering (can't be that hard for Pentax to solve?) and missing an external microphone socket, in my mind the K30 seems to be a pretty fine camera!

Any chance of tethered shooting with lightroom?

I always say this to my brother when he is moaning about how bad (noise, grain etc)his shots look on his computer screen - "print one off and then see how it looks". Monitors can make our digital pics look harsh.

Yes you could be right Stewart - one thing is I feel happier now how Pentax are moving forward - we seem to be getting a good line up of camera's across the range with more goodies to come!