The 55-300mm is a great lens, but it doesn't take to teleconverters too well. I really wouldn't bother with that path.

You'd be much better served with the Pentax 300mm and TC.

Do I sense you are alluding to conspiracy theories MrS?

All I can say is that to appreciate the technical skill involved, you had to be there....

As regards warranty, it depends where you are, but in the UK there are Pentax Pro dealers who offer 2 years. SRS are the obvious favourite around here, bust also Park Cameras and others.

Sometimes even Amazon can be a useful source.

Very interesting.

Very nice images, I love the Underground, especially the old stations with their mysterious stairwells and old architecture.

Then there's the added mystery of the unused and derelict stations...there are some excellent books on the subject.

Nice monochrome treatment by the way!

According to the article DrO the engineer was answering questions at a sales booth, not exactly whistle-blowing!

It seemed like a straight answer to a straight question to me.

I would have thought that a Pentax engineer saying something qualified as Pentax saying something? Can we separate the two?

Anyway, we have the answer, so many thanks for that.

It's OK, we'll let it run, but I'd urge you in your best interests to put it on eBay. I've been selling quite a bit of Exakta with good results.

For next time, please remember ads should be for Pentax related items only. Exakta isn't part of that, but I would put that on eBay and you might be surprised at what it will fetch.

People vary very much in the way they handle things, from the bash-the-stuff brigade who think dents and missing paint are a sign of professionalism to the I don't like to take the DSLR out in case it gets scratched brigade.

By and large though it pays to look after equipment carefully but not excessively.

The rain issue is interesting, but I'll continue to operate in the harshest conditions, albeit it with a degree of care. There's no point in having weather-resistant cameras and lenses if we're afraid to use them.