Again, I don't think the 35mm format is to blame... The old 35mm Pentax 80-320mm is comparable to the 55-300mm. You're probably comparing a high quality f2.8 or f4 lens (with in built OS) to the Pentax's screw driven f5.6.

What adorable strange birds! You'd swear they were baby owls. The side view in the last shot looks a little nightjar like.

Sigma / Tamron anyone? It's a fair bet what the OP has seen are Bigmas.

Can someone please explain what poppies have to do with football? They'll be insisting they should wear red noses on Comic Relief day next.

I think Pentax, not Sony, are ultimately responsible for the QC of Pentax cameras, in fact I don't think it's so much the sensor as the AA filter assembly. But I agree perhaps the stain issue has sensitized k5 owners to further niggling faults which they might previously have forgiven Pentax for...

I've had a P30, a mz50, an istDl2 (all of which were stolen), a k200d and a k7, a P30t and a Z70. None have skipped a beat! So my general perception of Pentax products is of reliability.

On the other hand, I wouldn't want to diminish the problems people have had with the k5, which are clearly well above the norm.

Good idea using a regular video camera for the master shot, and getting a continuous recording of the audio. If all else fails you'll have a record of the performance! But you'll also be free to take closer shots with your K5 and fast lens and not have to worry about messy starts and finishes to takes, stopping and changing lenses, drifting focus etc.

However it can look odd when you cut from a full stage shot to a 'talking head' so think about your editing and don't make life too hard for yourself... as John says, keep it simple.

It's annoying when prices go down shortly after you bought something, but if it's any consolation, I think the K7 represented a massive bargain even before the latest price slump.

Has anyone actually read any of the posts in this thread before going off on one about negativity?

I can't see how they'd justify not replacing/ refunding, that chip's horrendous. The condensation may be due to moisture getting in when you zoom the lens, I guess the weather sealing makes it hard for humidity to escape as well as get in. Leave it in a dry place with the rear cap off.