They are the right tool for the job, so if you want the best result the answer is clear. Yes, they seem expensive, but they are efficient.

I do allow the camera to apply its own noise reduction but don't use any additional software.

No, none. I was just quite pleased to be able to get images in a very dark place (1/15 sec by the way) and for them to be reasonably sharp (SR) and well exposed. Noise never bothers me and I do think it shows that we don't need fast lenses to take images in dark places.

Here's a couple of images from the dark recesses of Gwydir Castle, shot at 3200 ISO with the K20D and SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm WR lens.
First, at 1/15sec:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/010-The-Box-800px.jpg[/IMG]
And at 1/10sec:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/011-The-Clock-800px.jpg[/IMG]

Fair comment w126uk, it's not difficult to be a Pentax User!

My 8 year old granddaughter is a Pentax User, she uses my old T30. Loves it.

Yes, that's what I said in my first post. In a roundabout way I suppose!

The fisheye lens has a different projection than the rectilinear lenses, so focal length does not reflect field of view in the way we expect.

Just think of them as the exceptions that prove the rule.

No, I don't mind.

Definitely no non-Pentax photos when members' photos are being discussed. We've been down unhappy paths with this.

Obviously common sense applies as well, and Ansel Adams discussion is not forbidden because he didn't use Pentax. Although he might well have sometimes...

OK, I'm using mobile internet for an hour or two yet, so a late reply to this. The simple thing was of course to send a PM to ask...

Images on the site should be Pentax ones, simply because the site is here for Pentax Users to share and show and discuss that particular marque. So no other marques please for Your Photos and Competitions and usually elesewhere as well.

However, I don't see a problem with what particular camera is used to photograph an item for the Classifieds as long as a huge discussion isn't made of that and it isn't turned into a way to sneak other makes pictures in...although with a bit of thought it isn't difficult to get a camera to take its own picture!

We are pretty flexible here, but generally less so with non-Pentax things because of where it very quickly leads.