could'nt agree more......

Anyway, I believe with zoom lenses, the focal length is measured at infinity. I may be wrong there, but a certain magazine did a test of the Nikkor 70-200mm mk2 F2.8 at its closest focal point, and it worked out at 165mm...

Still who cares? if it does the job that you want it to do, and it produces stunning results, then hey

Thats good to see. It won't work on my MZ-5n which needs the aperture ring, but my MZ-50 will be a different matter (plastic bayonet on a plastic mount - hmmmm) Still I will get some batteries for the MZ-50 and give it a go.

Great shot BTW, proves how good the 35 is.

I have one.
It's big, it's Heavy, but above all else it's sharp!

At £329 it is a bargain. That is the same price I paid for mine 6 years ago!

Hmmm, interesting one.
You already have the Siggy 10-20, which will give you the really wide stuff. The 50mm for fast prime stuff and at the longer end the Siggy 70-300.

I would say that the 17-70 will be excellent to replace the kit lens, but have you also thought about the 16-45? If it is quality you want at a reasonable price, then this one might suit better? But if you want maximum flexibility, but pricier, then the 17-70 would be a good choice.

The other option could be the 21mm Ltd and the 35mm F2.4

There is a good choice of lenses that you may find meets your needs.

As already said,

The 16-45 - a nice light sharp lens with a constant aperture.

The 17-70 - A more flexible lens with its better reach, has partial sealing and sharp. Reports say it does have a tad more barrel distortion over the 16-45

DA* 16-50mm - Great fast lens I have heard, and fully sealed.

Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 - Faster lens and pretty good optics.

Or you could have a combo, the Pentax 12-24mm and Sigma 24-70mm F2.8. Both stunners but have a combined price of £1000! (ouch!). Still, if you can afford them both, well worth consideration.

Best thing is try before you buy, and go for the one(s) that suit you best.

Although the 50-200 is a great lens for the price, for me the 55-300mm.
Still small, yet has the extra reach.

Totally agree with the FA50 F1.4, you will love the shallow DOF.

Although you are in SA, surely someone like SRS will ship there?

I will see what the place will do. Sure it has been reported that it is softer wide open especially at 200mm, and some CA wide open too. However both can be addressed in PS. However the above image does prove it is an excellent lens. They are, however, asking for £100 less than a new one that is asked at SRS, so might not be as good a deal as it could be, but I know the manager and he has indicated a deal should I wish to have it.

The other thing is, it is less than half the price of the mighty 60-250, faster but no sealing.

Although I already have the 50-135, I am still considering it due to the extra reach which would be perfect for Theatre work and nature stuff.

It seems from the OP and the thread on the other forum one common item - the Firmware. I am still on V1.02 and I have not had this problem.

Seems that v1.03 might have a bug in it causing this problem.

I stand corrected.
I am aware of the Sigma TC's and lack of HSM control. I had a detailed look at Focus in March.

Nice thought, but I would prefer HSM, however very tempting nevertheless. Hmmmmmmm that is the spanner in the works......