On the PK mount there's only one spring associated with an arm/roller. I don't know whether the contacts on the PKA mount are spring loaded?

I didn't lose the spring, but you do need to ensure you put the spring back correctly. I did on the second attempt!

I just took my time; lots of notes and a few photos as reference. From recollection I only needed to dismantle the lens side of the mount.

Only had a few bits left over on reassembly!

I had a similar problem with a PK mount. When fitted the lens could rotate slightly. The two halves of the mount are held together by 3 screws. They're visible from the (black) lens side of the mount. The screws were loose and this caused the two halves of the mount to move slightly.

I just dismantled it, tightened the screws, and the result was a nice tight mount again! Can't say if the PKA is identical in construction, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be the same in principle.

That said, cost me a few bob to get the screwdrivers to unscrew the tiny screws you need to remove from other parts of the mount before you can access the large screws !!!

I'd look at what you want from the upgrade. I have a K100D, and it's great; good photos, easy to use. A K10D will most likely be second hand. Nothing wrong with that of course, but if you can afford to buy new you'd have the confidence of a warranty, which would be 2 years if you bought from a Pentax Pro dealer like SRS. A K10D would certainly give you more control over your photography, and should give you improved picture quality as well.

The GX-20 + 18-55 kit lens is being advertised by Dixons Duty Free for £304.32, but it can only be bought (a) in a Dixons outlet in a UK airport, and (b) only if in stock at that outlet!

Jacobs had the GX-20, body only, at around £300 in their New Oxford Street store in London, but that was some months ago.

£75 inc p&p (UK)

Bought in anticipation of buying two K10D/K20D bodies; only bought one!

YES! Just checked against mine; you're definately missing a contact!!!

[/quote]I would suggest that you keep your kit in a good quality case such as a Billingham,(like John does), or a Lowepro,(like I do), or a Tamrac, and always, always, with a bag of silica gel in the bottom of the case!

[/quote]What size/weight of silica gel sachet would be recommended?

I've read elsewhere that this is showing up on a number of K-7's. Amazon US are said to have returned all their stock to Pentax because of the number of complaints they were having to deal with. Suggestion is that the problem was confined to one early batch of cameras.

Somehow thought to be associated with sensor heating/use of video recording.

Mine's exactly the same!

The clamp function simply locks the lens position when you are focussing manually, ie when using a copy stand.