I have the 16-50 (one of the first ones), 50-135 and 60-250 and all have been working fine.

I also hope to start doing some astrophotography this year. However the more I read into it the more complex it seems to be to get good images.

This UK-centric astronomy forum seems to have a lot of useful information on astronomy imaging: link.

On reading this forum I decided to follow their recommendation and buy the book "Making every photon count" by Steve Richards. Reading through this book has given me a good grounding on the various factors that have to be considered in getting good images.

I now have in place:
- A good mount (EQ-5) with autoguiding potential.
- A Celestron Schmitt Casegrain telescope
- A Celestron T-mount adapter that places the camera in the prime focus of the SCT.
- Another Celestron eyepiece T-mount adapter that permits the camera to view through some eyepieces (although I may attach the camera direct to my new Baader Hyperion eyeypiece).

Plenty of stuff, I just now need time to try and experiment with it.

I normally carry a set of Ltd lenses for my trips to the Scottish hills and generally find they are fine in most conditions so long as you dry them out afterward. However for the worst weather I take the DA* 16-50mm despite its bulk. For example I was out in blizzard conditions on 2nd Jan and did not want to be changing lenses etc., whilst taking pictures of the snow and wind captured the flavour of the day. Conditions were bad enough that the camera bag was full of snow!

The DA* lenses are the only lenses that I use a protection filter on the front (B+W). In really bad conditions you can get water/muck on the front element and may need to wipe it off to take the picture - risking scratching the front element in the field.

When you get home, make sure you let the lenses dry out thoroughly just in case any dampness has got inside.

Sony Vegas Pro 10 & 11 have no problems working with K5 video files. I am currently rendering an DVD sequence of K5 clips using Sony Vegas Pro 11 as I type this.

I used to have a Samsung GX20, which was a clone of the K20D, before changing to a K7 and now K5. I prefer the fit of a K5 in my hand, it just feels so right. But handling is very personal and I do have smallish hands. I think if I were you I would try and find somewhere I can handle the camera before buying it.

I can't reallly comment on the menus as the GX20 menus were very different to the K20D.

One thing I initially had trouble with on the K7 was the use of the 4-way controller buttons on the K7 to provide functions, not move the focus point about. I did speed up switching between normal mode and 2s delay, but made moving the focus point around more of a phaff. However I think the K5 operation is better, but I have not yet used the K5 much.

One thing I love in the K5 (apart from the sensor) is the smooth shutter action.

Hi,

Yes the K7 body is still available. I have sent a PM.

It is my understanding that your consumer rights regarding warranties relate to yourself and the seller, not the manufacturer. So in this case your EU rights apply to what Avides' responsibilities are. If Pentax offers a warranty then that is something additional to your consumer rights.

A couple of links I found interesting when reading up on this:

link
link

However the above is just my understanding from reading various conflicting statements on the Internet, I am no lawyer.

18-55mm lens sold.

18-55mm Lens currently under offer.

The Pentax K7 is still available.

The 18-55mm WR lens is available for purchase again.