Looking for one of these in a small. Just thought someone might have one knocking around in good condition that they don't use, before getting it from elsewhere.

I'm trying to decide whether to go for a Redsnapper tripod as well. I've read nothing, but good things about them, but the Triopo ones on Ebay and stableimaging.com look good as well.

The Redsnapper 284 works out cheaper, but weighs around 2.7kg with the ball head. The Triopo is carbon fibre so weighs in around 1.9kg with the ball head. The downside is that it folds up to around 62cm compared with 49cm for the Redsnapper.

I do a lot of travelling so the lighter weight would be really useful, but the extra length means it is more difficult to carry on the rucksack!

That's a very sensible suggestion. I might do that as well if it doesn't sell on Ebay.

Just posted a picture in the gallery I took in 2004 when we lived in Aberdeenshire (taken with a Nikon Coolpix - sorry!). Can't work out how to include it in this post.

Miss the auroras, but not the cold....Too far south here in Norfolk to see anything.

Problem is that Mifsuds have unboxed new DA 18-55mm for £49 at the moment according to camerapricebuster. I'm selling (well, not selling...) a new DA-L plus hood plus UV filter on Ebay for a similar price and can't get an offer. It's so cheap new that those of us who had it as a kit lens can barely give it away.

I have the Pentax 18-250mm. It's a fairly recent purchase so haven't actually used it for travelling yet.

First impressions are that it's very sharp across the range, easily as good as the kit lens and better in mid-range. Colours seem a little colder compared with the kit lens or prime, but this can be adjusted in Photoshop or perhaps by playing with the white balance a bit if necessary. It's not up to my FA 50mm, hardly a suprise, but much closer than I thought it would be.

Zoom creep is a bit of an issue, but I've used one of the silicon charity wristbands which makes the zoom a little stiffer, but stops any creep.

It seems heavier than it ought to which might become an issue for carrying it for long hours. The actual weight isn't that much, but seems more on my K-r - something to do with balance, perhaps. I've bought a digital holster for my speed belt so can 'rest' it occasionally if it becomes an issue. It might need a better neck strap.

I travel a lot and bought it because I didn't want to be changing lenses all the time and I'm satisifed that it is more than up to the task. With that and my FA 50mm I will be able to cover most eventualities.

I haven't noticed any distortion or chromatic abberation at any length (have both turned on on the K-r).

I seriously thought about a smaller zoom, like the 17-70mm as well, plus the 55-300mm, but bought this as a compromise.

They are pretty scarce now. Expect to pay around £250 on Ebay, if you can find one. There is a Tamron one (identical optics) on the classified section of this forum at the moment for £190 delivered, which is a very good price (seller is bobda). If you don't get on with it, you won't lose out when re-selling it anyway.

I have a Lowepro Nova 160 AW dslr bag which is brand new and still in original packaging with tags. Still undecided about the best bag to get so I've bought several recently and still can't make my mind up.....

From experience the 160 AW will hold a K-r with attached Pentax 18-250mm (hood reversed) and another lens (it swallowed my FA 50mm with hood in place) plus battery charger and cable, memory cards, spare batteries and a few filters with a bit of room to spare. It has two side mesh pockets for drinks bottles etc and a pull out all weather cover.

£19 delivered to the UK. Payment by bank transfer or Paypal gift and will post as soon as payment is cleared. I haven't been a member long, but have bought a lens from stu49 so he could confirm that I actually exist and did pay!

Pretty certain stu49 still has one for sale.

Did you sell this or is it still available?

Andy (bobda) has a Tamron one in good condition still for sale (check further down the page with the k100D). I was going to buy it, but one came up nearer to home that I could have a play with first. He responded quickly and politely to e-mails and it looks to be in good condition.

I'd get in quick - more and more people seem to be wanting one and the Ebay price has been rising for a while now.