A few extra memory cards is going to be a lot cheaper and lighter than a Netbook/Notebook PC and it'll make sure you are not tempted to start processing them.

Only a bit! Now I'm impressed, it's stratospherically out of my budget.

We don't need a full street address, just a vague idea of where you are would be sufficient. Data protection and all that.

You don't need to leave your kit anywhere, the Pentax Police are on to you, they'll collect it.

Now, on a serious note, I fit the lens hood to protect my front element rather than fit a cheap filter which degrades IQ, if only a little.

I took some images of a dragonfly sitting on my washing line last weekend. Great pose but the shots were ruined by my having left a Hoya HMC UVA filter on my Sigma 180mm macro lens. All the images had a ghosting effect which I believe was due to internal reflections from the filter.

So, I use hoods, not filters for lens protection.

EDIT: Mike beat me to it.

Absolutely, I'll be round to confiscate your gear. Although even a P&S camera is of limited use in solitary confinement.

Only kidding, of course not Jeanette. I'm occasionally guilty of that particular crime, but seldom in sunlight.

It could be worse, they give the death penalty for tax evasion in China, god only knows what you'd get if you were caught with a Pentax and no hood.

It shouldn't, early reports from users suggests that the K-7's IQ and noise control is no better than the K20D, which is one of several reasons I bought another used K20D.

I can't think any member here would use their Pentax WITHOUT a lens hood, would they ? ? ?

The max flash synch speed on other Pentax DSLR's is 1/180th unless you use high speed synch. As far as I know, there is no minimum shutter speed when using any flash.

You can make an adapter easily enough that will enable you to use your ringlash. I made one from the body mount from an old extension tube and a 58mm filter. I just took the glass out of the filter and glued the remaining filter body to the body mount.

This then fits on to the reversed lens and you can attach the ring light to the filter thread.

Works a treat.

Have you tried cleaning the lens and body contacts?