I believe the difference from K7 to K5 is far less than K10 to K5, in terms of focus speed. The K5 is a little better than the K7 but I think a little more incremental than the shift you have experienced Matt.

My personal concern about upgrading would be that Pentax tend to upgrade the sensor with one model, and the body with the next. The same pattern was repeated for K10 to K20, K20 to K7, K7 to K5. So the K3 (or whatever) will probably offer some body improvements when it comes out. (And there is still room for further AF improvement). At that point I could go with the K3, or if the improvements don't do it for me, possibly grab an end of line K5 at rock bottom prices. I'm as tempted as anyone to keep chasing the top model, but at some point I need to keep some sense of discipline and perspective - and control over the wallet.

Yes, sorry if you meant me, I was being flippant. However I do recognise Stefan's suggestion may be of interest to the OP, even if it's not for me.

Well I tried a monopod for long exposures once. No matter what I did, it just kept falling over

Just kidding- it's just a monopod wouldn't cover what I use a tripod for, which involves the camera being entirely self supported.

I suppose someone must have already come up with the idea of a spike you just drive into earth/sand and mount the camera on top of (probably via a ball head)?

- Actually I guess that would need to be quite heavy to be strong enough to be hammered in - in which case you may as well just take a tripod

Another dig at Photography Mags - the price. You can pick up a whole book for less from Ebay or Amazon. Something like Approaching Photography by Paul Hill should help us to 'unlearn' all those trite 'how to' articles

I wonder how the widespread ability of 'other sources of naughty pics' affected the sales of photography mags? My dad had a stack of them in his wardrobe (under his ginormous tin of weed) and they were quite racy back then!

While looking for reviews and stuff on Youtube, I've noticed there are more and more 'Unboxing Videos'. What motivates these people!!? Anyway - here's the first 'unboxing video' that I've actually managed to sit through in its entirety... enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrdHe__tt3U

Well that's the last time I'll be using my tripod as a goalpost, chucking it down a stairwell or dangling it off a cliff. Guess I'll have to pay £500 before I can consider doing those things!

I did find myself liking that Gitzo though, it looked really top quality. It IS reassuring to know your gear could take all you can throw at it. But you've got to weigh that up against your intended usage, and cost. For macro shots of daffs in the backgarden, the Gizo might be a bit OTT, and you're just paying for the 'ooh' factor of top-notch construction, and bragging rights.

I do actually have a really good tripod sitting in my mum's shed. I bought it after I won a video competition. It's got a really nice fluid panning action! Only problem is the base plate's missing. It's 15 years old so I doubt they're still available. Are universal adapters made?

It's a bit like the news. If you want the best picture of what's going on, it's best to flick between the various broadcasters - BBC, RT, Al Jazeera, CNN etc, and make your own mind up - bearing in mind the prejudices which may lie behind them and the countries they broadcast from!