perhaps I should, but that wouldn't be pointless....

dont forget that AF performance means a lot of different things, lets wait until the detailed reviews before we cry "it's no better than a K-5II"

After all, by my understanding the K-5II is already pretty quick, it just lacks the tracking capability, so a small improvement in speed backed up with more effective tracking could make for a very powerful combo.

I use patern metering most of the time, but drop into centre weighted when I think problems will arise, because I find it easier to predict how CW will react in difficult situations.

That's on a K10D though.

I have used the tunnel several times, both passenger and car trains. It is highly efficient when it's working and the terminals are MUCH nicer than the ones for the ferry.

The experience on-board the car trains can most charitably be described as short, they aren't a nice place to be, but you don't have to stay there very long.

I do have a poor record at picking exactly the wrong time to try and ride the tunnel though. I've never come back from France on it without it breaking in some way. I don't think it's particularly unreliable, you just don't want to try and travel at the same time as me!

fingers crossed, of course none of us has yet had the chance to see how well it works in practice with real tracking subjects.

in the case of the K-3, the metering sensor is also used to track the subject as it moves across the field of view, feeding into the focusing system.

Not metering as such, but it is using the advanced metering doohickymabob to do it.

My mum has the short lived Pentax Optio T30 touch screen compact. It works well on a compact.

I have no problem with a Touch screen being present on a DSLR as long as it is in addition to physical controls, but I wouldn't consider it a feature I would pay extra for.

TBH I don't think I could part with mine either, I bought it when I went to uni and didn't want to risk taking my MZ-7 with me. I learned a lot with that camera.

good to know Smeggy, thanks

I've got a Ricoh KR-5 around somewhere, seems like an appropriate choice...