I've kept for ages one of the delightful tan coloured Pentax speedbags for the 110 system, and caught myself mulling over how it might suit the new Q system very well....

That tells me I'm gearing up to buy the Q, once the price has fallen from its initial high, and that there might soon be a market for 110 bags.

I don't know yet whether or not it will actually work for the Q, but if it does I'll be glad I can't resist camera bags.

People come and go, depending on their Pentax interests. If they go, experience has shown that goodbyes can be a shockingly bad idea - they have always resulted in furious arguments as to why they have moved on to something else. I can't recall an "I've moved to ...... and this is why" thread that ended well.

I suppose that if someone loses interest they won't bother to return to explain, and there could be many reasons other than that. Indeed some do join, ask or sell and move on.

Sometimes they return as well, and are always welcome to do so. PU is an open door.

It's one of the forum sections, just like this one.

Despite the cost, the Pentax 12-24mm is the lens of choice. Perhaps you could find a Samsung version or a second hand one cheaper, if you search the Leads to Deals section and then the wider web.

The 12-24mm is as rectilinear (straight lines remain straight lines) as it egets, sharp and thoroughly excellent. The 16-45mm is also excellent, but a bit close to what you have already.

I don't think we can compare POentax with a tamron lens to canon with a canon lens, it needs to be Pentax with a Pentax lens to be a fair level playing field.

Plenty of people shoot concerts with all marques, and as you do that already you'll have a fair idea what it's all about. Perhaps you need to hire a camera and lens to make sure it suits you. If in the UK, SRS do this.

As for stabilisation, SR works just fine, but of course does nothing for subject movement. The high ISO performance of the K-5 would allow you to use much higher settings and still get the results you need.

You could always get a quote, assuming they don't charge for the quote, but you're probably right about the cost effectiveness of a repair.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Are you insured? If so, then a claim is in order. If not, the official repair house is JP Solutions.

See the Pentax UK website for contact details.

Glad you're enjoying my pot pourri of eBay sales!

There are quite a few people who inherit camera equipment and have little idea what it's all about, so I wouldn't discount all those types of auction. They can sometimes be just telling the truth.

Unfortunately, much of the stuff isn't in good condition, maybe badly stored, damp, full of fungus...

Now only the MV + 35-70mm is free for offers as all the others now have bids, so those auctions need to run to be fair to all bidders.

If anyone wants to bid, my username is johnriley1uk