Faster lenses will be wider as the elements need to be bigger. Full frame lenses will also need to be wider to cover the format. Then we add motors and electronics and plastics that might need to be thicker than metal.

I don't think the motivations will be increased filter costs as generally lens manufacturers sell lenses rather than filters. Most filters may not be needed anyway.

It's also possible to set the time and date without realising that there's one final setting confirmation, otherwise the settings will be lost.

As our winner didn't appear to set a new competition I set one a couple of days ago "Music". Do please have a go, I've extended the end date to next Sunday to give everyone a fair chance.

Usually our winners set the next competition, but I think if they don't I'll take it up on the Wednesday evening if that's OK with everyone. It would be tempting to move to the second place to take over, but if they aren't around either then it runs the risk of stretching on again.....

Anyway. Music is the competition so let's hear from everyone, in perfect key.......

Sorry about the delay, the system needs to be set up properly to maintain the continuity. The request has gone in and it will be dealt with as soon as it can.

Meanwhile, there have been a few let downs - if anyone enters these competitions they really should be prepared to do their bit at the end if they win.

I'm sure you'll think of something......

I've given the winner till tonight, after which we'll sort something out.

I think you should do whatever you want to do, but there are a few things to look out for. I would really check out what you are contemplating moving to. Is the grass greener? Maybe, maybe not. If it ends up a not it could be expensive. Pentax have lots of compact lenses.

Some mirrorless cameras can be very fiddly in terms of controls. Where you are used to the ergonomics of having dials and buttons and a particular menu system some others are very frustrating.

Focusing with Pentax is very precise. One example is a single thin frond of tall grass in front of a background. Pentax will focus on the grass, some mirrorless will not. This can also affect birds within a mass of branches and similar subjects where AF systems can hiccup.

You might also look at which way controls operate. Some marques rotate in the same direction as Pentax and some don't. I'm talking here about the rotation of aperture rings, focusing, zooming....

I would suggest trying your alternative - hire it perhaps? It could save you a lot of frustration.

Open shelves are good. Also best to store the cameras and lenses out of their cases to ensure good air circulation.

But ever since digital cameras arrived, hasn't the undercurrent always been the same "Pentax is doomed" message? And yet, here we still are and Pentax are continuing to produce excellent new product, as well as revamping the old as well.

Not everybody wants a mirrorless camera, and Pentax may yet be right in becoming the niche player that still produces DSLRs and lenses of a high quality, for those who prefer them. There might even be a swing back to DSLR as the desires of photographers wax and wane.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all designs of camera.

Glad you have arrived! You are in a very spectacular part of the world, so we'd love to see some of your Pentax pictures of it.