Someone is selling the 28mm version of the lens I mentioned on here (it's called Sigma Mini-wide II).

I haven't seen any evidence of a cyan colour cast on my Sigma, btw. Maybe a smidge less contrast than the Pentax kit lens, but nothing a tweak in Silkypix won't sort out!

The 50mm is ideal, but you might like something wider.

I read this link by Hin Man - a Pentaxian after my own heart with his obsession with inexpensive lenses!

After my own research I ended up with a 24mm Sigma Super-wide II f2.8 rather than the Vivitar. I find the extra stop is significant, and the extra brightness through the viewfinder, compared to the kit lens, and enjoy the restriction of a fixed focal length.

The lens is also close focussing, which is something your current lenses do not offer! At f2.8 the DOF is wafer thin at the minimum focussing distance.

A tranquilliser dart usually does the trick.

Seems more like a GX20, rather than a K7, with added extras. Maybe Pentax will release a similar model to fill the rather large gap between the K-m and the K-7, and keep the traditional Pentax values of high end spec - but affordable - cameras alive!

You can mimic the dust alert feature yourself. Set camera to the smallest possible aperture, add +2 EV, defocus the lens, and take a picture of something bright e.g. the sky! Examining the shots in PP (whack the contrast up to make it easier) should identify any dust spots.

Flip the image horizontally so you get the same view you will get when you are cleaning the sensor.

If you find there are spots with one lens and not the other, I guess there must be dust on or in the lens itself - although I wouldn't have expected this to show up on any images at normal aperture settings and focus distances.

I hadn't thought of a co-op scheme, but I have often thought it might be an idea to arrange 'swaps' between members who are thinking of purchasing a particular lens, so they can make an assessment before they splash out.

Right. Could the dust have been dislodged when you changed lenses?

Nice day to you too Ravi, and welcome!

Although never a real fan, I feel sad. I always feel sad whenever the young MJ came on TV, either with the Jackson 5 or his early solo career... he crossed all sorts of boundaries... black/white, soul/rock, etc... incredible talent and what a charming sweet guy he seemed to be. It's a double tragedy, the way his private life and career subsequently developed, and his untimely death, which robbed him of a chance to redeem himself.

Maybe this was a question to ask before you bought the lens, not after! Now you have it in your possession, why not try taking some pictures to see if you like it? It certainly sounds like a good un! I'm jealous.

18-55mm kit lens a 'disaster'? I know that a lot of people have 'upgraded' to more expensive glass, but on the other hand most people seem to think it's a reasonable performer. So I'm surprised it has performed so badly for you - what was the problem?