Mike, I was comparing the K-5 to the D700 and 5Dmk2 for the fact that if you want to do weddings and studio work seriously, you will want FF for that very reason (k-5 excepted). If you went APS-C you will still need a robust body that can take the workload and demands. So the CaNikon equivilents would be the D300s or 7D (I would be very surprised if the 60D or D7000 could cope as well). So subtract only about £800 off the CaNikon price.As for lenses, CaNikon don't really do similar high quality lenses at the same focal lengths, the ones that they do are nearly double the price anyway, so you you would need the L lens or similar Nikon, which again are designed for heavy professional use.

Anyway, the OP was saying "Dream" kit rather than reality kit.

Who wants to be scared?
I worked it out. and we are talking quite a lot of money.
Now taking prices of SRS, Wex, Calumet, ebuyer amazon etc. The bare minimum you would need for both weddings and portraits is thus (and it does not include a studio)
Now before I say the price, it is based on the following equipment:-

2x K-5 bodies, 2x battery grips, 6x batteries, 6x sandisk 16GB fast cards, 2x 540 flashguns, DA*16-50, DA 35mm, DA*50-135, DA*55, FA77, DFA 100mm WR,
3x Bowens 500watt with 2 diffusers, 1 snoot and 1 beauty dish. 3 different backdrops (white, black and coloured), PS6 and LR4 (you will need both), a reasonable laptop (£400 is reasonable) desktop, 27" screen (you will need a large screen) 2x 2TB external drives (backup) lightmeter (important for portraits) and of course PL insurance (cheapest item ironically)

Total cost?

£10,880! And I have not included a couple of bags either....

Now if you went CaNikon and their 5D mk2 or D700, would would be around £17,500. Change to 5D mk3 or D800 bodies, and add another £3k to that figure.

So not exactly cheap then.

Still, cheaper than a new car............

Ignoring the K-mount lenses you already have. How many of you still have M42 lenses and still use them (both film and digital)

I was quite impressed with what I have, and actually started to use them on both M42 bodies and digital.

Soligor 28mm F2.8 (given to me)
pretty sharp, but a blue cast in the shadows. tiny though.
Pentacon 29mm F2.8 (cost £25 15 years ago)
Blades stuck wide open, but when it was working, it was great!
SMC-Takumar 35mm F3.5 (bought with Spot-f)
Not used on digital - yet, only SF, great optics. I will keep you posted
Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm F2.8 Tessar (came with my Prakica for my birthday xxx years ago)
Not fast, but sharp and lovely. When focusing it moves slightly on the mount. Does not effect the IQ though.
Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 (bought with the SV)
WOW! sharp contrasty lens. Love it!
Mamiya-Sekor 55mm F1.4 (£35 recently)
Not as contrasty as the Taks, but lovely bokeh. Could be a portrait monster.
Helios 44m-2 58mm F2 (given to me)
Never used it. But if the other forum is to go by, worth a play
Cosinon 135mm F2.8 (£20 to replace my knackared CZJ 135mm)
Rather good on digital. could be sharper, but pretty good
Pentacon 200mm f4 (given to me)
Not used it yet on digital, but reports say it is good. Love the iris on it.

Nick, how much are they asking for the Zeiss?
The only reason is that there is an alternative, and that is the Pentax Da-35mm F2.4 AL. It is the cheapest new prime on sale, and is fantastic.
Mind you Zeiss lenses are indeed excellent, yet don't have AF.

If my old M42 CZ-Jena 50mm F2.8 tessar is anything to go by, the 35mm will be great.

Personally, if the Zeiss 35mm is in your budget, and you don't mind no AF, just get it. As 35mm on APS-C is great fun and usable. Plus the value of the lens is not going to go down, and if AF is your thing, you can get the Pentax 35mm at a later date.
Whatever happens, the 35mm prime will be better than the kit lens.

Hope this helps.

At a recent trip to Saltiare there was a large number of Pentax users walking around......Oh hold on, that was the group meet......

Seriously though, in Tallinn in May, there was a few Pentax users going around the city. I was pleasantly surprised.

I have just got back into film, so trying various film types.
Currently in my Spot F I have a roll of Ektar 100, My MF camera (rolleiflex - sorry) is Ektarchrome, and my MZ-5n is some Ilford FP4 B+W

I have not used Agfa ever, but I might just try it.

Having said that, I LOVE Fuji Reala 100, especially in the studio. Natural colours and fine grain. Even in the street it was nice too.

I might just get a roll of Agfa Vista 400 in the SV when I get it tomorrow.

Strange title, but let me explain.
I love my nifty, but today I was taking some shots on my K-5 with wide apertures. Guess what, the CA is appalling! Large edges of magenta cast...
On earlier DSLR bodies (DS, K10D and K20D) it is okay. But on the K-5? Well I think it has reached its limit. Sure it still sharp as a tack, but the 16MP sensor has found the lens out. Strangely, stopped down it is fine, but wider that F2.8, oh boy!

I won't get rid of it, as on my MZ-5n it is a beauty, but it looks like that on my DSLRs (certainly the K-5, and any future bodies) a further lens will need to be considered.

The new DA 50 F1.8 does look like a good addition, and will surely sort out the CA problem, but it is "only" F1.8, and F1.4 is addictive.

So the DA* 55mm F1.4. Has WR and SDM, but nearly triple the quoted DA50 price, it will need some serious saving. However, that WR and F1.4 (especially with the summer we have had)

Hmmmmmmm.

I will wait until the 50 F1.8 is out and in the meantime, use PS to rid most of the CA with the K-5 (it cannot get rid of all)

I have used my K-5 (even my K10D and K20D) in monsoon weather with my 50-135 no problem.
A funny anecdote was it the Jubilee party in Marple. Two "Pro" togs for newspapers had covers for their top cameras (D3's 1D mk whatever), yet I was busy shooting with my K-5 and 50-135, fully exposed to the elements.
Problems? none whatsoever.........LOL
Again in the monsoon that was Southampton on Tuesday for the P&O celebrations. K-5 and 50-135 or 18-55 WR. Problems? nowt, nothing, nil, nada.

I so LOVE Pentax and their WR bodies and lenses. Work in any condition.......

Anyway, I digress, the 18-55mm WR will be fine if you shoot at the sweet spot ( F8 ) but get the 55mm DA* if you want shallow DOF in the rain.

I just wish I had a 60-250 on Tuesday for the P&O celebration.
The K-5 and 50-135mm worked brilliantly (as usual) in the monsoon, as did the 18-55 WR kit.

Looks like I will have to invest accordingly.......

I would welcome a compact FF camera from Pentax, as opposed to the big bruising brutes that are the 5D and D700/D800. It could be a great USP for Pentax IF it could be done. (electronic motherboard, battery and indeed the sensor itself do take a lot more space than a mere roll of film)
Plus, as Nikon have proved, the electronics deal with DX lenses accordingly - unlike Canon who fool the user to buy EF-S lenses and then have to buy again when they upgrade to FF...naughty Canon!
anyway, Pentax are committed to SD cards, so that will reduce space needed as opposed to CF on the rivals.

So, a FF body no bigger than the K10D/K20D I would be very happy with. If they could get it down to K7/K5 size, even better!

Maybe they could even do some processing to counter the vignetting on certain DA lenses too (anything longer than 28mm)

Will it happen? Well knowing Pentax, possibly. I just look forward to the outcome, as I will certainly be on the list for a FF Pentax digital.