The 50mm is probably the easiest one. You have a choice between the SMC Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 and the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited lenses. I prefer the latter for its overall quality.

The 35mm can be met by the SMC Pentax-FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited, an excellent lens.

The 24mm is trickier, but Samyang make some excellent manual focus wide angles in Pentax fit. Well worth a look.

A Pentax SP simply means a Spotmatic. SP II would be a Spotmatic II.

Some upgrades to the firmware are significant. For example, the K-3 will need its new upgrade to use it with new lenses using the KAF4 variant of the K mount, such as the new 55-300mm.

Others are less important, but we'll get them cumulatively whenever we do decide to make the decision. Sometimes there are glitches which need a further update, but that is very, very rare.

If you give SRS Microsystems a call they will be able to supply the AC adapter. It's not just a cord though and will cost a fair bit.

The battery life is so good on the K10D and K-5 cameras that I wonder if you need an AC adapter? I would have thought that extra batteries would be more useful to you?

Here's my latest blog on EPZ: https://www.ephotozine.com/user/johnriley1uk-22471/blog/which-lens--old-or-new--...

These comparision images date back some way and may not be as technical as my lens reviewing is now, but I thought interesting anyway. The lenses compared are:

SMC Pentax-A 24-50mm f/4
SMC Pentax-A 35-70mm f/4
SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2
SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm f/3.5-4.5

So which one would you go for?

What you are all saying is fine, although I'd stop short of being too judgemental as we don't know the circumstances of anyone who fails to judge or set a competition. We can't make the process too rigid either, as it is for fun and intended to be friendly.

For whatever reason, I've now had to step in and I've set a new competition that I hope we can easily get to grips with. Have fun with it and I'll be posting the results and appraisal, perhaps in the early hours of New Year's Day, just after our New Year's Eve celebrations are coming to a close. If I have to make that a little later, after breakfast, I'm sure we'll all understand!

The only thing you want on the SD card is the .bin file - try unzipping on your computer and then drag and drop the file to the card.

A reminder is always sent if nothing happens, either judging or setting a new competition. If, after a suitable time is given for a response, still nothing happens I'll cover it.

Typically something like 1000 charge cycles is the figure I normally see quoted. After that, there will be a point where it isn't performing properly, but I suppose that will vary to some degree.

Is it a fully charged Pentax battery? Maybe the current is low, perhaps even a battery reaching the end of its life?