Beautiful before and after shots.

Although it does remind me a bit of this scene from 'The Mist': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRrbbBpIep0

I have thought the same... Any blue K-x owners out there who could confirm the durability of the gloss finish?

I trust you have tried focus adjustment? My Tamron is as sharp as anything else I have, including primes. It is much sharper and faster than the 18-135; apples and oranges.

The US forum has just published in depth comparative reviews of the Pentax 12-24, both versions of the Sigma 10-20 (which are optically quite different), Tamron 10-24mm, and full-frame Sigma 12-24mm. The review includes full size samples. It's interesting to see the completely different distortion characteristics of the old and new Sigma 10-20s.

All the lenses score well; the Pentax and newer Sigma come second, with the full frame Sigma 12-24mm just sneaking ahead of them - I guess there's a sweet-spot advantage on APSC. Fairly big chunk of glass to lug around though...

I'd take a DA15mm over any of them anyday!

Tobacco grads and starburst filter? Usually they'd make me do a little sick in my mouth, but the back-to-the=80s look actually works really well with these shots!

Some people are a bit dodgy on the technical side, so if they type out the shooting data manually generally a blind eye is turned.

If you can get it for 300.00, the K7 is an amazing camera for that sort of money; and if you do find yourself able to afford a K5 in the future, the handling and accessories (e.g. batteries, grips) will be the same.

The K5 is by all reports much better than the K20/K7 in IQ terms, but not yet within your budget. In good light or with flash, you'll not see much difference though, except where you need to pull a lot of detail out of the shadows.

Seemed a good natured comment to me, Steve.

You'll get used to Smeggy's schtick in time!

You could pick up the 18-55WR for 50.00 or so (S/H or unboxed); the 50-200WR goes for about 100.00 but isn't awesome according to the - ahem - reviews ; get the Tamron or a Pentax 55-300 straight away

As if the colours weren't enough, they do them in 'Crystal' or 'Silky'... Gloss or Matt in other words...




http://www.pentax.jp/japan/products/k-30/color/index.html