If there was truly no intent there would be nothing, so I don't really buy that. I would call it more an intent to be random.

It's a different model, so I wouldn't worry. Everything starts at v1.0

Manual control would mean you deciding what aperture and shutter speed, aided by the exposure meter in the camera.

What you are describing is Tv mode, where you set the speed (Time) and the camera sets the aperture.

Av mode would be where you set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed.

There is a review on ePHOTOzine that may help you: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-x-5-review-20615

I haven't got the manual, but when setting in manual try first setting the shutter speed and then press and hold the +- button which may change the function to setting the aperture. That's how pentax cameras usually work when there's only one control wheel.

Final street price will be what counts, so it will be a while before we look at buying this one.

I never delete anything, but being a hoarder by nature it's probably natural for me not to delete anything. Even an out of focus or movement blurred image could have a use.

Images to not always have to be sharp to be great images. Some images do, but it depends upon the photographer's intent.

Part of the appeal of cameras like the Q is that they encourage experimentation and offer lots of different effects and approaches. Very young photographers use these without the contraints of the knowledge of rules. Just pure inspiration. When coupled with a bit of natural talent they can produce some very interesting images.

I'm not sure yet what relevance this has to Pentax photography...you seem to be asking what you could take into the past to record the world in a way that could last into the present.

Nothing. Almost anything you could take would disappear in time. Digital would be useless. Film would get thrown away or destroyed. The most you could hope for is going back 100 years or so. Anything longer would be untenable.

At least you could be rescued from the desert island, and the purpose of that was to see how we related to having a choice of just one lens for every purpose.

Photography books, K adapter for Q, lens hoods for Q, but most of all lots of family and friends around to share it all with.

Alternatively Gwyn, the cat was very clever and quite mischievous. It knew if it climbed up higher and looked helpless that somebody would come along and rescue it. This would be followed by cuddles and treats and involve huge amounts of purring. All very satisfactory.

The 16-45mm is a lovely lens, but without weather resistance.

Perhaps you could buy the 18-55mm WR with the body, it probably won't add much to the package, and then at least you have weather resistance for those wet and windy days. If you can add a second lens, brilliant.

If that isn't an issue for you, then go straight for the 16-45mm and you will I think be delighted with it.

Thanks Simon, but not quite accurate maybe is accurate enough to understand what's basically going on.

The trouble is that the more accurate some exaplanations becomes the more complex the information becomes, and eventually we lose the audience as their eyes glaze over.

But I'm not disagreeing with you, and appreciate the improvement in the explanation.