OT, but I found these cool and impressive Q videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YvrmFYR7e0&feature=g-hist&context=G2ba67a2AHT0N_...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--x8cEVnb0Y&feature=relmfu

No, he was quite right - nothing from the Q has fed into any current DSLRs!

I was thinking of the improvements to the HDR (self aligning) which the Q features, which also appears in the Kr. But I had it muddled in my head as to which camera had been launched first. However I think some of the automated time lapse features of the Q have been carried forward into the K-01.

I should have made a general point that Pentax's R&D into a new model often get carried forward into future models - that's what I meant.

I was thinking of the success the Q has had in Asia - it's done rather well there I think. I'm glad. It's an excellent device.

I'll not labour the BS point... well most people post things as they they see them and understand them at the time. I wouldn't accuse someone I didn't agree with or had made a mistake or was just plain 'wrong' of 'spinning BS'.... Not even you, Shaky .

I would buy it at that price without hesitation....

You can use stop-down metering in M-mode via the green button. What I'd do with this lens is use it in Av mode and shoot it wide open, for gigs and telephoto portrait.

Where did you say you'd seen it?

Price reduced to 20.00 delivered (UK)

Niche is fine and has seen some success for Pentax (645D, Q).... both products which have fed back technology into the more mainstream DSLRs and probably been relatively profitable for the company.

What I said about the 50-200 also goes for the Tokina of course, re speed. If you can get it that cheap, give it a whirl. In fact if you want a slightly scuffed Pentax A 80-200 zoom I can sell you one for 15quid. But the 75-150 has that extra bit of speed and quality wide open. The metering issues are in stop down mode and shouldn't affect wide open shooting (I think?)

I would recommend the new Pentax DA35 f2.4, which is not as fast as the 50s you mention, but more flexible with its wider angle. Available for 125.00 or less.

Later this year Pentax will be launching a new 50mm which will probably be around the same price.

The 50-200mm you mention is pretty slow. I haven't owned it, and my impression is that it's 'OK-ish'. I have the Pentax F70-210mm which is pretty good, and the 75-150mm f4 which is outstanding and only costs about 30 quid. It's an M lens, I tend to shoot it wide-open at f4 in aperture priority mode. Stopping down via the green button is no big deal for me though.

[quote:3496ace15f="Mike-P]That lens was listed last night at £150 BIN.
By the time I had logged in some ****** had put a bid on it.[/quote]It might just be that the bidder was very dumb, and didn't realise that #150.00 was an amazing price. People are moomins on Ebay, I am always listing things BIN with Best Offer, and people just buy for the full price! Not that I am complaining...

Was the D700 a used body? I read that using very large lenses, without due support, can sometimes cause the mount to come out of alignment and require shimming.

It just shows that no brand is without it's problems if you are unlucky.