Now that is excellent, what a terrific shot!

I thought the 200-500mm was available in Pentax mount, but maybe not.

There are plenty of Pentax lenses up to 300mm and after that we look to Tamron and Sigma, if something longer is needed.

I think the Sony has an electronic viewfinder, so the K-5 will be much more responsive for action shots. EVFs are still not up to the standard of optical glass pentaprisms.

I just thought a few shocks to the system might dislodge anything that might be causing the problem - maybe a long shot, but it's what I'd try.

Just give SRS a ring and ask how you should proceed.

Have you tried operating the dust removal system a few times to see if it clears things up?

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Please PM this new user if interested, which enables being able to reply.

Yes Bill, Sue and I both use the 18-135mm as our standard lens.

Nothing to do with Pentax, Pentaxophile, but everything to do with lenses having quirks of their own. This is something that is rarely touched on by testers, but lenses have character.

The thing is to find what suits you and find what defects (if we can call them that) we can use. The classic example is the 1970s photographer David hamilton, who made a fortune out of his favourite, flare-ridden, rubbish 50mm lens.

Just recently I have found a use in my chapels series for the purple fringing that can be induced in the 12-24mm in some circumstances. It is a defect, but there are times when it can become a virtue.

Kris, that doesn't look right. It looks as though the lens hood is not fully clicked into position - is this possible?

Today we went up to Lowther Castle, near Penrith, and the wild flowers were incredible.
Pentax K-5, SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm WR.