I wouldn't call the k500 mediocre it's a cracking camera I take brilliant pics with it. Ok it hasn't got af points illuminated in the view finder which is annoying but you get used to it.

I think you can get bad copy's of any lens,I have one of these lenses and it stays on my camera all the time I find I take really good detailed pics. You do pay a premium price for Pentax lenses but there optics are brilliant compared to other brands.go on Flickr and see what this lense is capable of.

Hi sancho. I've had my k500 just under a yr now and I thought the same as you. I decided to keep my lenses the 18-55 is a cracking lense I also have a 55-300 that just stays on the camera most of the time. Best thing you can do is go on a digitalphotographycourse I did and got off auto in one day never been on it since. There is a guy in Leicestershire called digitalphotographycourses. Co . Uk he has people from all over the country go to him.

Hi have a look at that glider pic I took on Sunday you can see the settings I was on.hope that gives you some idea.

thanks david thats good to know about the 18-135 lens i read on the pentax website that it needed firmware 1.03 to work,my k500 is on the same as yours.the 18-135 pentax doesnt get a good review on alot of sites.i love this k500 takes really great shots.thanks for all the other comments.

I want to keep the 55-300 lens. I'm looking for a lens from 18 to around 200 I don't want to keep swapping lenses.the 18-135 doesn't appear to work on the k500 as you need 1.03 firmware.

hi.im after some advice pls hope im in the right section its my first time.i have a k500 with a 18-55 kit lense and a 55-300 too.i would like another lense so i dont have to keep changing.any advice pls?