That's also a fair point. We can't all afford £1500 or more on a lens. In terms of value for money and the budget available there are lenses that can do the job. They may not be as easy to use, but they can deliver. Light is one major problem, as with restricted apertures it can be difficult to keep the shutter speed up to a fast enough speed. Then we are into high ISO territory and the noise it brings with it.

Streets ahead is a vague phrase, but the Pentax lens is definitely better. It's not just slightly better. I have used them side by side and the difference is quite marked.

Welcome Carol. You can start a new thread of your own if you wish to.

There are shops at WWT sites who are very knowledgable about binoculars as well as all other birding scopes and accessories. If you are near one then perhaps worth a visit?

It's always good to hear some positive feedback as so often it gets overlooked.

I use Billingham Hadley bags and keep the lens on the camera and the lens facing down. The logic is to minimise lens changes that open the mirror box to dust and to carry the camera so that dust falls off the sensor rather than on it.

This requires the purchase of an extra Superflex insert to allow the camera to be held safely lens down. The camera is supported by the insert so there is no weight resting on the lens.

Rather a nice shot as well, it gives a very attractive rendition of the scene.

Somewhere I saw a breakdown of when shutters failed (so nothing to do with the aperture motor then?) which was quite interesting, but where it was I can't recall.

Some last a shorter time than others, so I think the 100,000 is probably an average life expectancy, but I don't think it's a minimum figure. I know that doesn't help, but there are lots of second hand Pentax cameras around that would probably cost less than the K30 repair. I think you could pick something up for £100-£150 that would serve very well. Why not check out the Classified Ads on the forum?

This is a brilliant lens and £115 is a brilliant price.

I think that's basically it Nigel, although it also gives the possibility of much more accurate aperture selection compared to manual linkages. I'm not sure we need that for stills photography, but I can see the value for video. Other marques have similar diaphragm mechanisms in some lenses.