Well I still desire the "Holy Grail" of Pentax Lenses. That is the FA*85mm F1.4. But reading lots a lots of reviews That Sigma 85mm F1.4 seems to have usurped it in its quality.
So, I would rather like to get hold of the FA*24 F2 and indeed the 250-600.

Any others (limiteds) I can still buy new when I can afford them.

A good review John. I think you have pretty much summed it up.

thanks bjolester. I will look into it.

Thanks for that, I forget about the rather good 70-200.
I'm not really that up on the Tamron timeline, but know that they do produce great TP lenses (my old manual 90mm F2.5 macro can attest to that)

Errrrrrmmmmm.

I think it was the 17-50mm F2.8 back in 2006/2007(i think)

Since then we had the 18-250 re-badged as a Pentax, no 18-270, no VC lenses, no new 70-300, no 10-24.

It's not as though Tamron don't know how to make a K-mount lens, but it DOES seem a tad odd that since the 18-250 and the Pentax badge version of it, ALL of the new lenses Tamron have brought out, none have had the option of the K-mount? Did something sour the relationship between Tamron and Pentax as a result of the 18-250? Makes you wonder.....

I was thinking about the potential of this lens on the K-mount, being, as it is, a great focal length for Macro and Portraiture, especially considering how fast it is. It is also small enough to have it in your kit bag.

So, I e-mailed Tamron as to why they don't make it in the K-mount.

Here is their response

Thank you very much for your inquiry.

Unfortunately, we do not currently have a plan to make our SP AF60mm F/2 DiII MACRO (Model G005) for Pentax. Nevertheless, you can be assured that Tamron observes the market very carefully, and we will certainly pass your email along to the appropriate department.

Best regards,
----------------------------------------------
Tamron Co.,Ltd.

So, bad news that they are not making it in the foreseeable, but could be good news IF the market for Pentax generally increases. So, Ricoh. You know what you have to do.

I might do John, although they have not made this lens for years, and I bought it second hand back in 2004.

The other option might be Real Camera Company, but being a classic place, I am a little concerned.

I would not be interested in the Tamron, if it has the same optics as the non-VC version, too much CA and PF. The cheap non-APO Sigma is better, but badly built. The Pentax is better than both, but you can't use it on film cameras....
IF the Tamron did have better optics to its older model, I might be interested, but in all honesty I would probably save up more for the DA*60-250mm F4.

Now that Canon lens. The 70-300mm L!

I, like a lot of other togs went "what the......". But a couple of friends of mine have this lens, and OMG! it is sharp!, not fast, but very sharp.

Still, I would rather have the 60-250 on the front of my K-5

I have a Tokina 20-35mm F2.8 ATX-Pro lens. It is a beast and I would hate to get rid of it.
Now considering my 16-45mm is battered and bruised, this could be the best option to replace, short of getting the DA*16-50, Tamron 17-50 F2.8 or Sigma 17-50mm F2.8.

There is one problem. The optics are excellent, but the zoom ring has come adrift from the body of the lens.

So, i am asking, does anyone know of a good lens repair centre (Manchester preferred) that could sort out the issue I currently have?

Advices please

There is only one new prime that has AF and although it is not 28mm, it is the DA35mm F2.4. New it is around £130-£150.
If you want 28mm, then the only new one is the Sigma 28mm F1.8 at around £330.

Second-hand, you could try and find the Pentax F28mm F2.8 or FA28mm F2.8.
However, it may take a while in finding one for sale.

Apart from that, there is not a lot, apart from spending a lot on the FA31mm F1.8 Limited.