I like it!
I have spouted for years that Pentax needed a "pro-spec" compact camera that could rival the likes of Canons G series, Nikons P7xxx, Pano LX etc etc. If this was out 12 months ago I would have bought it instead of the LX-5. Then again, I love its looks, it has a decent sensor, not as big as the Fuji X10 or Sony RX100, but neither does the G15 P7700, and the LX-7 (which is now 1/1.7" as opposed to the 1/1.63" of the LX-5). Shame no hotshoe though, but that is not putting buyers of the RX100 off either.

I am very tempted. Launch price of £399 seems reasonable too. Street price in a couple of months of £350, End of year £300-320.

Well done Pentax! You have finally provided a compact that photographers will want.
Next stop - FF

I would be very surprised if you have issues at ISO3200 caj. I have shot theatre productions at ISO8000 - yes 8000 without problems on my K-5 mk1, and the results were good. Sometimes even 12800 when the exposure was spot on and a little tweak with Camera RAW.

The K-5 series cameras are such low light monsters, you really don't have to worry.

This is probably the first of a few questions I have for lenses that I don't have, but considering. I cannot afford all of them at this time, but just one (or two depending on the combo).

So Part one. the DA*60-250mm F4

I have the 50-135mm, the 55-300 and a Siggy 170-500.
I am looking at this lens, not as a replacement to the 50-135, but as a superior and faster model to the others. Sure the Siggy is a lot longer, but I was thinking of trading some reach for image quality.

Is this a good lens for most nature and Aircraft work? The latter because I am going to the Paris Airshow in July.
Also, I am not thinking of the DA*300 at this time, as I want a lens that can have in increased role for event photography, where the 50-135 is not long enough.

How have others found this lens? Is it as good as some say?

I am interested.

I don't use the 28mm as much as I should, especially as I only got it less than 12 months ago. However, when I DO use it I love it. It is a great street lens, and complements my 21mm and 40mm in this regard. One thing I have done for the first time is to use it in the Studio for full length shots (for some reason the 35mm struggled with the focus, which is a first. but I know why)
So, my resolution is to use it a lot more this year and have it as my primary street/landscape lens.

I am afraid that Bowens DO vary in output and colour balance, even new ones. I know to my cost yesterday in the studio with new 500watt monoblocs.
It only really happens with heavy use during the day, as they struggle with recycling constantly.

According to one professional photographer I know, (as it happens my uncle) who for years who did studio, commercial and video work. The only strobe monoblocs that could be relied on to be constant were the very expensive Broncolours.
Apparently the ProFoto monoblocs are as good.

Tungsten lighting were preferred as they were constant, and with control you knew exactly what you got. Being tungsten you either put colour balance gels on them, put a filter on the front on the lens, or used tungsten balanced film.

Today, it is a different matter, as the colour balance issue can be corrected in cameraRAW or PS, so one shot will look like another, colour balance wise.

Personally I would not worry. Shoot in RAW and let the PP sort the colour balance out. The most important thing is to play with the lighting set up in the first place to get what you want. Then Post process accordingly.

I think I will stick to Win7. Win XP was excellent when it first came out, it was stable reliable and user friendly. This was really a first with Microsoft, as previous generations of the Windows platforms were not.
Trouble is with XP now is, that due to the many security updates and no more Service packs (SP3 was the last one) it is now slow and clunky to boot up, and being 32bit, will not recognise anything more than 3GB RAM, and it needs it now. (never used the 64bit version so cannot really comment in it, but it is rare)
Win7 on the other hand, Wonderful! Fast startup, fast opening of applications, and another reliable OS.

Win8? Not sure. Too much of a tablet style interface for me, but I suppose that is the point of it, as the majority of computers in homes will be tablets in the next few years, and Desktop PC's will become the realm of businesses and serious computer users. Even Laptops will start to suffer as well.
Me? I would rather have a PC and a Laptop, due to photography, I'm not really interested in a tablet, but I anticipate that I am in the increasing minority in the next few years, and I work in IT!

I can see it being a F2.8-F4 rather than a constant F2.8. Why? If it was a constant F2.8 the lens would be huge and also kill off sales of the 16-50. My Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 is big at the best of times.

Personally I would not mind a F2.8-F4 lens, especially a DA* with reliable SDM and full sealing, it would be very useful indeed. I hope that the distortion control at 16mm is more like the 16-45 than the 16-50 too.

Fingers cross that this is the case, even at £1000 price tag (more than likely)

I was speaking with the Pentax Rep in Jessops today (Pentax rep? in Jessops? surely some mistake! LOL)

He confirmed with UK head office that the 14mm is now end of line. Bad news is that there don't appear to be any in Europe either.

Looks like that unless you are VERY lucky to find one in a shop, you will have to by the 15mm F4 instead.

I use the Op/tech USA shoulder/neck strap. Very comfortable. Plus you can unclip the strap with ease.

Worth a look.

For size, the current Pentax bodies are amongst the smallest around. For example, my K-5 more or less the same size as my old *istDS, which for a "semi-pro" body is quite a feat!
If weight is not much of an issue, go for the K-5, as the build is superb and gives you some piece of mind.
As Ronnie has said, the big weight part of a camera kit is the lenses. Fortunately Pentax also excel at this too. Small sharp primes to put on the front of the camera, or some smallish zooms that are quite light, such as the DA16-45mm. My favourite, the DA50-135mm is pretty heavy, but when you compare to rivals lenses, it it a fast sharp lens that is a lot smaller than other makes.

I hope this helps.