Delivered safely, all boxed and bubble wrapped.

Thank you Alex.

Payment sent.

Financially I definitely shouldn't, but I must admit I am very tempted. I have been telling myself for a very long time that at some point I will own a Sigma 18-35 1.8, but in reality I just do not have the funds to do so. I do seriously lack for a standard zoom better than the kit lens.

Is this still available?

Thanks. I won the tickets to this event, and I have not been to anything like it before, but I am quite looking forward to it. I may even have 'gone native' a bit with my clothing choices. The last few weeks have been an entertaining blend of eBay and craftwork

I take the point about too many lenses, which is why I was looking for advice. I should mention that my plan had been those listed to cover the whole weekend though, not to walk around carrying all the time.

Sadly, I do not have a standard zoom of any better quality than the kit lens, and I am not going all that way just to shoot with my worst lens

Thinking about what people have said, I think I will rely on the low light capabilities of the camera, so leave behind the flash and the 50 1.4.

My new plan is:

DA* 50-135
DA 12-24
DA 40 ltd

Does this seem better to people?

Hi all,

In a few days I am going to a sci-fi convention (I won tickets in a competition and have never been to an event like this before). I am expecting there to be plenty of interesting costumes etc on show, and so am looking forward to playing with my camera.

I am unsure what lenses to take and was hoping maybe some of you could offer some helpful advice? The camera will be a K-5iis.

Currently my plan is:
DA* 50-135 - this will be my default lens over the weekend I expect.
DA 12-24 - for large shots of the crowds and the hall.
DA 50 1.4 - my biggest aperture for areas not well lit.
DA 40 ltd - just bridging the gap from the 24 to the 50.
Possibly also my AF-360 flash? I don't usually use flash, but perhaps the need may arise?

Many thanks in advance

So that's a relief. I went ahead and installed the update, ignoring the windows error message. All seemed to go fine, and the camera is reporting running at v_1.07 now

Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

Can anyone help me? I downloaded the latest firmware file for the K5iiS, but when I run the EXE file my computer throws up an error. The BIN file still seems to have extracted, but I am too nervous now to go ahead and install it on the camera in case there is an issue.

Anybody know what the problem is?

Well, my lens came back from Asahi Photo and all seems to be well. The delivery was actually a little unexpected, as they had not contacted me to let me know it was coming. Cost £120 for a replacement SDM motor and general service.

The repair took a little longer (by about 2 weeks) than they had initially quoted me, but there was apparently a delay in getting parts. My initial thought is that I am happy with the work done and the price.

I hope that is helpful to anyone else considering a similar repair.

Below is a sample image taken with the newly repaired lens. Just handheld with no special lighting.

Not just me then! I have had a 50-135 at Asahi Photo for SDM repair for several weeks. They had originally quoted me a couple of weeks turnaround, but when I phoned them a couple of days ago they said they were waiting on a parts delivery (apparently dispatched so should be there in a matter of days). Again, they had not contacted me at all to let me know about the delay, but at least now I see other have similar problems I feel reassured they haven't just lost it or anything. I guess there must be a run on repairs right now.