I've just been looking at the Ricoh website and there are 44 K mount lenses listed. Nine of them are definitely full frame.

At the peak of the 1980s there were only about 40 lenses in the range, so I guess things have come along a fair bit in the past few years and we're back up to strength.

What gaps are left?

Mike, when I do get out I'll have a go with the converter and see how it behaves.

A while ago some concerns were being expressed regarding the K-3 being the only body that could fully utilise this lens. I've had a chance to look at this now and the only thing the K-3 adds is that it enables the use of four buttons placed around the body of the lens at 90 degree intervals. Apparently these buttons can be programmed to do things that we can select. I expect things like "move to infinity" or whatever. Or "Move to programmed focus point".

Otherwise, the lens is fully functional, so no particular problems there. I'm just sorry I can't get out with it sooner.

It's done. I took delivery about 20 minutes ago, having ordered the lens from SRS yesterday afternoon.

Initial reaction is excellent construction, fantastic lens hood, brilliant case to carry it in. The case is pretty much essential as this lens is big and heavy. Focus on the K-5 is fast and totally positive, no hunting whatsoever.

One negative point is that there are lots of buttons on the lens and no instruction leaflet. It may well be that with the K-5 many of them will have no function, but it would be nice to know what they do!

So, next step is to get out there and run it through its paces. It's looking like the next opportunity may well be Monday at Martin Mere. As soon as I have some results I'll post them up.

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You'll need some sort of editing program. Buying Photoshop elements might be the most effective way, but you can also download for free a program called GIMP.

I thought I'd have another go at this. This time it's been processed via Photomatix and then CS5. I've still gone for the warm colour balance, but included more foreground now.

This one seems to have inspired quite a few versions, so thanks for posting the RAW file.

It comes out pretty strongly for the Pentax K-S1 - better made, better specified.

There's often this gap in experience Andrew; I totally agree with you, I never have a focusing problem either.

But then I don't use tracking focusing for moving subjects - I still use centre point only and if I think it will be difficult I go back to manual focus, so for motor sports for example I would just pre-focus on the appropriate bit of track and press the shutter just before the car got there. The slight lag in my finger response and the even slighter one from the camera mean a judgement has to be made as to when to release the shutter. AF might or might not lock on, but even if it did, by the time the shutter released the car would have moved beyond the point of focus.

I'm sure it depends on lens used, distances involved and light levels as a friend showed me his Nikon D7100 with Nikon 70-200mm f/2/8 lens and its focus was positively slow.

Anyway, the K-5 is fast enough for my requirements and certainly accurate enough, and the K-3 is even better.

Thanks for the comments Nigel. It sure is great to have a place all to ourselves and well worth the modest cost. We've done a few places now, such as Muncaster Castle, Haddon Hall, Dunham Massey and so on. The owners have all been very welcoming.