Thanks for that Barrie, interesting.

Next question then:-

Which 3 or 4 lenses would you take given the choice of, SMCP-A 24mm, SMCP-FA 31mm Ltd, SMCP-FA 43mm Ltd, SMCP-FA 77mm Ltd, SMCP-FA 50mm 1:1.4, SMCP-FA 50mm Macro, SMCP-FA 100mm Macro, SMCP-FA 135mm?

If you've been there, can you recall which focal length you used most. I fancy the 31mm will get a fair bit of use.

Or, would you pack the 16-50mm and 50-135mm zooms instead?

Agreed, keeping it in the car is not such a good idea. Hotel safe seems the best option.

Thanks for all the comments.

I haven't, and I'm not sure I would entrust my gear to hotel security anyway.

I'm happy with the solution I've used on numerous occasions. The Pacsafe hasn't let me down . . . yet.

The gear will be in use most of the time anyway, it'll only need to be secured during meal times.

None of the room safes in the hotels I've ever stayed in have been large enough to take the contents of my camera bag. Maybe I take too much gear.

I'll have my car so maybe I'll secure the gear in there.

I think a Sigma 180mm Macro might be on the market soon if the Voigtlander lives up to its reputation.

Excellent photo Mike, and one of very few in your gallery taken with Pentax glass too. Well done.

. . . keep your precious gear secured when staying in a hotel?

My wife and I are going to the Halambra Palace in Granada soon and I'm taking a K20D and a selection of primes with me, leaving all the zooms (locked up very securely :lol at home.

When staying in a hotel there are of course times when you want to go out without your camera gear (thoroughbred anoraks excepted), so how do you secure it?

I use a device from Pacsafe. It's essentially a hardened steel netting bag in which I put my camera bag. Then the whole thing is secured by a large padlock to any suitable plumbing, or the bed.

What's your solution?

The DA 18-55mm kit lenses, MK1 & 2 are very capable lenses. I still own a MK1 version but it sits in its box unused. I also had, then sold, a MK2 version. The DA16-45mm lens beats them both for image quality and the DA*16-50mm is in a different league altogether. Both the 16-45 and 16-50 are also constant aperture zooms, which I prefer.

RE. my comment about their respective resolving capabilities, I was quoting sales blurb from Pentax from when they introduced it. I have very little experience of the two 18-55mm lenses. I've used the MK1 briefly before acquiring the 16-45mm, the MK2 version was sold in brand new, unopened condition.

Why have I got both 16-45 and 16-50mm lenses? I have a K10D & DA16-45mm kit in UK so that I don't have to waste my luggage allowance when I return. The 'big guns' are with me in Spain.

On a GX10 you'll notice no difference between the MK1 18-55 and the MK2 versions. Samsung, Pentax, same lens, but the MK2 was designed for the higher resolution capabilities of the K20D/GX20.