The difficulty in deciding is finding someone/a shop that has one that I can try before I buy!

Thanks all for your input. Guess I'll see how I get on with the K5II for a while and whether I get a sense that a need a more substantial camera, i.e body plus grip.

I'll also ponder over whether a 'knock-off' grip is the way to go in the short term, unless I see a stonking bargain for a genuine Pentax grip.

Cheapest I'v seen new is c£175.

I have a Pentax grip for my K20D. Been on the camera once just to check functionality. Never felt the need to use it.

Fast forward to my new K5II. Smaller body, but does it need a grip? If I buy one, will it suffer the same fate as the one for my K20D?

So, those of you with gripped K7/5 cameras, why? Does it help, or is it attached simply because you've got one or feel you should have one?

Strap arrived to-day thanks Andrew. Doesn't look like it's had much, if any, use. Is that down to you or Lowepro?

I've never thought twice about updating my camera software...until reading this thread.

I genuinely never have seen an issue - just followed the instructions. Am I missing something? Lead a charmed life?

Thanks Andrew. Payment sent.

PM sent

Take as an example an F-stop of f13. The corresponding "aperture value" will read 7.4.

Why? Av is formally defined as 2 x log(base2) of the aperture. So 2 x ln(13)/ln(2) is ~7.40.

Why log(base2)? Because each whole number increase represents a doubling, i.e. one stop.

Why multiply by 2? Because the amount of light let in by a given f-stop is proportional to the aperture's area rather than its diameter, so the aperture squared is the key variable.

A fuller explanation is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APEX_system

Take a look at Red Snapper tripods. link

Well regarded by many and seem to offer good value, but I don't thing they offer the same versatility.

Use Manfrotto myself which also offer tripods with the variable centre column.

I guess so but am not to sure There are quite a few on ebay[/quote]Decide what it is you want to 'shoot' = lens you need to buy next (possibly).

This Forum is a great place to get advice on lenses and what would work/be best for particular situations and could well save you money along the way with some of the kit that gets sold here.