Yes, you're still talking about the 18-55 zoom range I think, and I believe the mk11 version of the original non-wr lens was an optical advance as you say, and this version remains today in both the current models. So I guess the best approach is to avoid the original mk1 if poss, and if its in your budget then ideally get the WR, especially if you have a WR camera.

wow, excellent, I did pretty well then. While I'm on a roll then I'll add that in value for money terms I think the WR is the clear winner ... Not much more money for a number of worthwhile extra features plus a very nice looking design and quality feel.

As far as I understand it the DAL is a budget kit lens without weather sealing and with a plastic lens mount. The WR is a higher quality item with 'weather resistance' and a metal mount. It also adds on 'quick shift' focussing allowing instant manual adjustment if needed even while still in autofocus mode, a great Pentax feature. Optically I think the WR is better, but I'm only going on memory really with that. All in all the 18-55 AL WR is an excellent kit lens, better than the norm for this type of bundled offering. As such it is added with the kit for the higher end Pentax models ... First introduced with the flagship K7 in 2009, now probably with the K3 / K5ll or K50 packages. The DAL version would be bundled with the K500 mainly.

I hope you get a few more lunch breaks soon K10! A very productive outing, you've worked the area hard and well. 3 & 6 are my favourites, its amazing how much you've been able to squeeze into each frame. Did you use a tripod...I assume so as the DOF is very deep? I think the mono works well too ...great set!

I would have thought there was something available that would clamp on the arms and maybe swivel and change height also ... Then with a ballhead attachment you should be able to aim the camera wherever needed. Good luck and let us know if you find something ... Then the pressures on to show us all those low light hdr bracketed images! .. No no, no pressure honest.

Snoops,you're clearly bouncing back from that very distressing accident which I appreciate really changed your life, and yes there will always be interesting places to photograph that you can get to. I wonder if there is any sort of grip attachment for the chair to take the place of a tripod, so you can still take all sorts of shots that require a slow shutter speed and very steady camera?

And yes! You've found THE really friendly and helpful Pentax forum ... See, we can still do it guys!

The first one works really well, great atmosphere and the contrast is perfect I find. I would pull down colour saturation on the bridge shadow areas just to restore better grey.

I like the last also for its bright boat colours and the lovely white mist, again a perfect contrast within the scene.

Huh? ... I thought this was THE Pentax site for the younger, hipper and cooler photographer ... thats why I felt I really needed to stick around!

That's a fine view out of an office window! Rather special in fact, at first glance it looked like you might be an air traffic controller at, ahh, Ludlow airport !

Nice rich colours outside. Now this could be the ideal place to play around a bit and try out the camera HDR features. Should work well if you can stand it on a desk or shelf.

No, not with the on-board camera corrections ... They will be blanked out when a manual lens if fitted. The lens needs to have electronic contacts and transmit its id to the camera plus focal length as the camera memory will have a data store of lens info so it knows how much correction to apply for each specific lens and focal length. I'm assuming this will only be DA lenses for us.