I'd say the AF in the Tamron is no noisier than the kit lens. Still, I'd like to try a lens with a focus motor some day.

Ffordes are showing the old version while Park shows the new one. I didn't rate the old one when I had it but at that price I'd say the new version is a great deal if it's optically better.

Before buying my Tamron 17-50/2.8 I tried the older Sigma 18-50/2.8 and wasn't impressed at all. That lens didn't last long on the market before they replaced it with the 17-50 which I hear is much better. I wouldn't mind comparing it directly with the Tamron one day.

I have bought a lot of lenses here on the forum and rarely had any problems.

Collectable cameras are a good, reliable and friendly firm (http://www.collectablecameras.com/) and sometimes have some very rare and interesting items.

I have used Ffordes in the past but I don't any more. Beware or them. They have a returns policy that's good on the face of it but their delivery costs are extortionate and they won't refund them even if they have made wildly incorrect assessment of the condition of the goods they're selling (broken cameras sold as EX+, lenses full of fungus sold as EX++ etc etc).

I can see Pentax updating the K-3 with K-1 technology, but I think they'd be shooting themselves in the foot to some degree if they release it within a couple of months f the FF.

A new top-spec APS-C model would be good later on to reassure customers that APS-C is still very much a part of the plan, even for "pro" models.

Lots of lenses claim to be "close-focusing" but be aware that this is not the same as "macro".

Standard lens, yes, kit lens, no. Rather too pricey for that. Maybe there'll be a re-vamped 28-70mm f/4 as a kit lens. Personally, although I won't be buying the camera, I'd like to see it released with a prime kit lens - either a 35mm f/2 or a 50mm f/1.7. Re-vamped FA to DFA models, of course, with improved build quality, optics, coatings etc etc.

I think a prime kit lens would be good for Pentax as they've largely built their lens reputation on their primes rather than zooms.

I've been saying for years that the FA Ltd lenses need a refresh (coatings, add quick-shift, maybe optical tweaks) and Pentax would really miss a trick if they don't do this now for the FF camera coming out. Otherwise, despite the reputation of the three lenses, many people will say they're not happy with using it with lenses designed well over a decade ago for film.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is what's happening, though what John says about B&H is absolutely true.

Wow, that's very cheap indeed. Yeah, I generally avoid 24 exposure rolls just due to this. They end up being virtually the same price as 36 once you factor in developing.

Vista 200 is Fuji C200 film. I have used it a bit and I quite like it. Colours are muted and grain is pleasant.

I would rate it at 160 or a bit less, not because it's expired but just because colour film, especially cheap consumer grade film, benefits from a bit of over-exposure.