The best protection for the front element is proper care in use and a lens hood. As has been noted many times, a filter that shatters will likely scratch the front element anyway. A lens hood will take the first knock and thus protect the lens.

There are different evolution lines of Pentax DSLRs and the K-r more naturally fits the same profile as your K200D.

What the K-5 has is sturdier construction, weatherproofing, faster shooting, more pixels and the lowest noise levels.

That's true, Barrie, but with studio flash you get modelling lights. These are low intensity bulbs that show what the lighting will be like. They are not so bright as to dazzle the sitter. With small units that have no such luxury the only indicator will be to quickly review a test shot. At least with digital this does become possible.

Continuous lighting does have advantages as you have perceived, but also many disadvantages.

My lighting of choice would be natural daylight and in the right place this can be just magnificent. However, when studio lighting is needed I prefer flash. It also removes the need for a tripod as the shutter speed is effectively the flash duration.

1) Not really, because it's the brightness of the light which is the problem.

2) Tungsten and halogen lights generate a surprising amount of heat.

3) Yes, that's the sort of thing.

You'll need to think about colour balance. As regards the model, the bright lights will tend to make her (or him) squint and the pupils will close down. Portraits tend to look better with dilated pupils, hence the widespread use of flash.

The other thought is that the model will get quite hot and makeup may start to run.

Cold continuous light is available and seems a better alternative. However, for the reasons stated I would prefer studio flash.

Not specifically with this combination, but in general front lens converters are not wonderful. Combine that with a lens that is pushing the limits of design and I would not expect much.

However, don't let me discourage you from having a go. maybe stopped down it will be worth the relatively low price.

Pentax make it quite clear ion their manuals that they take no responsibility for non-Pentax attachments working. And why should they - they have no control over how well other people make the lenses or accessories.

It's a great little lens and can't be beaten for the money. I believe it is the same optical formula as the WR version.

AP has a free focus checker next week.

The sister site to this one for lenses: www.photodo.com

And of course ePHOTOzine also carries lens reviews.