But what you get with FF (apart from a fab viewfinder) is even more control over depth of field (or rather, lack of it). I can quite see the argument that for people who tend to use long lenses, then smaller sensors have their advantages. But most of my time is spent from wide angle to moderate telephoto (I don't often venture beyond 135mm). In which case, a larger sensor with less pixel density (I'd be happy with the Nikon 12MP approach) and reduced depth of field would appeal. As long as the camera was small and cheap, that is!

Decided not to get the one at Ffordes - if I'm going for this lens then I want it to be as close to new condition as possible. There are a couple of other possibilities that I am aware of, but if they don't work out, then it may well be B&H - but need to keep an eye on the exchange rate!

Hi Stefan - I wasn't brave enough to do that, although I know of people who have showered their Olympus E-1's and had no problems. Luckily there was a nearby mother with young child and box of nappy-wipes! These got most of the gunk of the camera (well,just another form of brown squidgy stuff I suppose) until I got home. I then used a lightly dampened anti-static cloth, which sorted out the rest (and removed the smell of nappy wipes) no problem.

No - there's at least two of us! I find the noise of the K-7 very easy to process from RAW files, and with less chroma than K20D (so less objectionable). Looking back at the test on DPR, of the high ISO samples, I much prefer the Pentax approach. OK it has more noise than the Nikons and Canons, but more detail and better colours are also retained - at least up to ISO1600 beyond which I very rarely venture. I'd rather start from that baseline and then fiddle on my PC.

Cheers,

Jon

Now if only we can find a couple of FA31 Ltd sellers who understand all this.....

No problem - as long as he keeps buying mine!

Hi Richard - just to confirm it has arrived safe and sound and in very good condition. Many thanks! Jon

Dynamosh - thanks... actually the 31 is planned as replacement for my 35FA and 28SMCA. You're right the FA is a great lens - but my 77 has spoiled me!

I'm thinking about the one at Ffordes as I know that cosmetically it has some signs of use (a scratch on the paintwork). It won't affect image quality but a but of me thinks that if you're going to fork out a lot of money on a lens you want it to look good too!

Hmmm - this is from "British Bargains", aka "Simply Electronics" amongst other names: and they don't have a terribly good reputation. When things go OK, they're fine, but you hear on the net of some pretty horrendous experiences with them - and an awful telephone system if you do need to get in contact. I saw this but decided to give it a wide berth.

Thanks Richard - actually SRS have sent it back (!) as I also asked for a quote to have the bottom plate replaced (at my cost). I slipped on a long walk the first weekend I had the camera (when they first came out), and had decided to live with the scuff on its bottom - but given it was sent for repair anyway, I've decided that an extra £45 to get it back in as new condition seems like a reasonable deal.

Aside from the fact that, at the time, I was covered head to toe in mud (and I can confirm the K-7 is mud-resistant!) the real insult was that by far the best photograph I took that day was the accidental shot when I pressed the shutter in mid-fall!