With the noise reduction switched on, my *istDS gives very clean long exposures at ISO 200. It is, however, rather slow as it takes a further blank exposure and deducts the noise from the image in this way.

I did quite a bit of firework photography using around f8 or f11 and the "B" setting. No noise problems at all.

What sort of exposures are you using and on what subjects?

No, the DL2 is the equal of all the 6MP Pentaxes. In fact, being the most recent, its JPEG performance could conceivably be the best.

"In My Humble Opinion" Sorry, just forum-speak that saves a lot of key strokes!

You will get a better performance from your *istDL2 by upgrading your kit lens to the 16-45mm. This is the logical and simple answer IMHO.

The K10D has a higher resolution sensor, so using this there will be a further improvement in quality.

The trouble is, the more we go into this the more complex the answer becomes and probably less generally helpful as well, but I hope the summary given helps cut things down to the "nitty gritty".

There are lots of other options, but many are best suited to photographers who have considerable experience and the extra procedures some lenses will need will seem nothing to some, but unbelievably tedious to others...

The 18-55 is a competent lens that is slightly soft wide open but crisps up nicely when stopped down. We have two of them and both perform exavtly the same. Others have reported some variation, but that is to be expected.

When I got my 16-45mm I took a lot of comparison shots between the two lenses, and aperture for aperture the more expensive lens produces sharper shots. This is visible in A4 and larger prints if you know what to look for.

In isolation, without comapring, both lenses produce prints which look sharp.

In summary, I use the 16-45mm promarily for its slightly wider coverage but I'm pleased with the definite jump in quality.

The best way to improve the quality of results from a lens is to use a good solid tripod. And that has always been true, but it's such a nuiscance to put into practice!

However, lately we have been very good and at least use a tripod for church interiors and macro shots. It's a start.

The 16-45mm is a better lens and at around £300 is IMHO very good value. The 18-55mm is also a good lens when stopped down, but not quite in the same league. It is still probably the best of all the various makes of 18-55mm that are available.

The 24-90mm is also an improvement, almost as good as the 16-45mm. If you can find one it might be a good choice.

Finally, how about eBay? You might find a mint used example at a more reasonable price.

All very sensible, Steve, many thanks for that.

There is a good reason for waiting for a buyer to leave their feedback - this is the point at which they confirm safe receipt.

I have often left feedback first and sometimes a buyer will weeks and weeks later then claim non-receipt and they try to use their outstanding feedback as intimidation of a different kind. It is wise to remember that some buyers are rogues....

Much simpler and safer to wait for that confirmation of satisfaction and then finish off with the seller's feedback.

But let's not eggagerate the situation because 99% + of the time all is smooth and well.

As a seller, as soon as I receive payment then the goods are sent the very next morning. Which means cleared payment of course, but with PayPal that is usually instant.

As a buyer I buy carefully and, so far, have only had minor problems and very rarely even that.

By and large i think it is the best way to buy or sell, and it has the benefits of being (usually) very fast and worldwide.

Thanks for mentioning the S5i that's on eBay at the moment....

An update on the A20. Although noisier than a DSLR, for obvious reasons, it nevertheless makes a very nice constant companion. Quite versatile, with lots of features accessed via easy to find menus.

A nice touch is that the green button can be re-programmed to adjust a variety of features as the photographer desires. I have reset mine to mimic the Fn button of the DSLRs.