AH well. Can`t get the debug menu to come up on the K200. I seem to have firmware version 1.01 which is apparently different to what was being used in the posts.

That`s that plan dealt a blow then.

Thanks for everyones` opinions and advice! At the moment I decided to go for the DA 18-135 (hopefully everything goes well with the order from SRS! I always worry!) that was at a very good price in their refurb section. Read a lot about it and saw the size comparison between the 16-85 and the 18-55 and was surprised at how compact it is! I`ll live with any compromises for IQ..... Also ordered the AF 201 mini flash just for a bit of fill.

I would still like to have a prime I just have no idea what I would like!!! THough I think it is between the 21, 35 or the FA 43................ Now that is a choice.............. If I fond a decent example used!

Seeing love for the 35mm. Does this not have quite a long throw on the AF due to the macro or is it easy to use quick shift and then fine focus with the AF?

I did think about the 16-85 until I saw how long the barrel extends. The whole aim of my thinking is to slim down the bulk of the big zooms so that I actually take the camera with me! I will keep the 50-135 regardless. UNtil it failed I was even finding the 16-50 DA* too bulky for everyday. I suppose this makes it highly unlikely I will ever go full frame. I suppose this is why I am rethinking my whole approach, hence have a prime lens and work around the limitations and hopefully engage with my lost creativity again. Maybe!

Hi John, how do you feel about the 43mm as a general all purpose lens? It would roughly be equivalent to the Takumar 55mm or maybe a 60mm focal length? With an Olympus EM5 I have the 25mm permanently attached and with the Pentax film cameras I have only really used the 50mm primes as I never really felt much need for other focal lengths as what I aimed to do was perfectly covered by a "normal" field of view.

I am no pixel peeper!!!!!

There is a DA 40mm at SRS at a good price at the moment. THough a pancake on a K3 may look a little daft! I am looking to have an overall smaller kit.

I`ve had so long with zooms I would like something different! It looks pretty. Just got a few days left to think about it. Is it quick enough with the AF? I am comparing it to the SDM system, and the compromise between being physically small enough to be unobtrusive and able to catch quick moving toddlers? F 2.8 would be easily fast enough.

Looking around maybe the 35mm ltd may be the best all rounder? I once had the 35mm 2,4 once that I sold for no good reason I can remember.

I think a prime with all the potential limitations may well suit me more.

Would be nice!! But even used it would be more than I could justify spending. The Ltd primes are just within the threshold. Finding used is not simple where I live and SRS is the only retailer I trust.

WIth kids etc and running around ApsC is already borderline bulky enough without even thinking about FF. For film I am more than sorted with MF lenses, just prefer AF with the digitals.

which one would be the one? Or just have something like the 16-85.........

I ask as the Pentax cashback at the moment might knock them below the psychological barrier to ownership.....! On another system I only use a 50mm equivalent prime even though I have other lenses including zooms for it. Indeed, I never felt the need to change lenses at all (indeed I should probably get some of them sold on). When I get the chance to shoot film I pretty much only use a Pentax M50mm...... But with the DSLRs I have only ever had zooms before.

Also the DA* lenses are beginning to feel a little bulky and as I haven`t been using any cameras at all that much recently I am starting to wonder about a total reallignment of my lenses to kick start my interest again. I suppose it`s the primes that Pentax were always famous for. Don`t want to change systems and am happy enough with the K3II as it is hard to get the best from but a big step up from the K5.

I suppose a limitation could get things interesting again. I also need to start taking pictures of the kids regularly again as they are growing up a bit too quickly.

Going to have good look through that. I've read them for the K5 but not the seen the K200 mentioned before.

Thank you! I suppose what have I really got to lose even if it all goes horribly, horribly wrong!

Ah but by the time I am in command of the technical aspects and have the time to sit down with it and find the K200 I am going to need a normal view lens. I was always going to keep the 16-50 regardless and see later when I had more time what could be done with it.

It's a lesson for having a back up available!! I have sold so much equipment on over the last few years to go to a two lens set up and I am now regretting it!