Don't forget the 20% discount from JPS if you are a PU Plus member.

A quick test shooting JPEG and trying the three fluorescent settings could have been a good idea. I would try that with a tripod mounted available light shot first.

A flash set up would probably need several flashguns or a studio set.

I don't recall seeing anything in particular about this lens. I guess it's just the law of averages - a percentage of anything man-made will fail.

Hope it gets sorted quickly for you.

I usually buy cameras at the end of their production cycle. That way there are terrific deals to be had. There will be improvements in the K50, but then there always will be, so wherever we jump in something else will be following.

Perhaps if you go for the K30 now you could add a lens or two instead of paying a higher price for the K50?

Sue uses the 18-250mm and it's a great lens. If we were buying new now then the 18-270mm is a slight improvement.

Very classy viewfinders that could be usefully used on classic cameras as well.

Are you sending secret messages in your posts Mr S, or is there something amiss with your keyboard? :

I think you've got that right David. Exposing to the right puts us in danger of blown out highlights. I always "under-expose" to keep the highlight detail.

Giorgio, there are indeed some who buy expensive kit that really never gets used properly. That's up to them if that's what they want to do.

There's an assumption that those who join Pentax User must be interested in photography. That's what we do here.

Of course there's an argument for kit being significant, but usually in relation to something specific. For example, you can't very easily photograph a kingfisher with a box camera. But you wouldn't usually try to.

Taking pictures of the kids in a casual way is the stuff of camera phones and compact cameras usually. There are some staggeringly expensive choices if required!

Please be aware though that there's a Pentax-only policy at Pentax User, so experiences with a Canon camera would be off topic.

There are more general forums over at ePHOTOzine, the sister site to this one.