To the OP, what use do you have in mind for your new prime? I have the 43 and swear by it, but I also get a lot of use out of a K55 f1.8. The 43 is very small in comparison to the DA*55 and is a known quantity image wise, i.e. its very highly rated. The DA* is an improvement over the FA50 and is probably meant as a replacement for the FA*85 f1.4. There is a big difference in price though, around £190 in favour of the DA*. I'd try and get a 2nd hand 43 first from a reputable source first for around £4-450, if you don't like it sell it on and try the DA*.

PM sent with interest.

And arrived safely in Ireland. Thanks

Pm sent.

Well I completely blew myself away last night when I put a Chinon 50 1.9 on my K20D, it had been hiding in my mums house for around 12 years waiting patiently
Now my dog and cat think the are super models and i'm getting stuck in learning the M mode..

Hi Roscoe,

I've actually never been to Donegal, only person in my family that has made that trip was my Mum and that was to see wee Daniel!!! (he is an crooner that older women totally and utterly adore for those of you that have luckily never been subjected to what I call Daniel torture)
I'm in Cork so I have everything from the Old Head of Kinsale to Mizen to play with, all within say 90 mins drive . Kerry is an interesting spot, you're correct when you say its heavily touristy but if you aim for Kenmare and then go over the Kerry / Cork border there are some fantastic shots to be had....
How is the 50-300?, I think that is my next purchase, my Mrs has LBA I think She is amazed with the quality of the K20 and 16-45 but she told me quite seriously that she prefers longer zooms for her shooting style

Thanks all for your kind welcomes.
Ref the length of research, there is an awful lot of FUD around ref Pentax!

Hello,

I've just started my photographic learning journey courtesy of a terrifyingly complex looking Pentax K20D and a 16-45 lens. I've actually been researching getting a dslr for around 18 months now and its actually been the online community that has finally helped me make up my mind + of course my usual habit of not following the sheep
A few notes:
1: You cannot buy a new DSLR Pentax anywhere in Ireland it seems.
2: Canon everywhere, Nikon next up and all soon to be swallowed up by Sony shelf space wise.
3: I bought fairly blind but qudos to SRS for taking and handling all my calls, big thanks to Nikki, Chris and Will for finally sorting me out.
4: The K20D feels so good in hand, really makes a D60 or 400D feel a bit fisher price.
5: The Pentax online community seem to me to be a bit less kit obsessed, more picture obsessed and generally a lot more mature that their competition.

I apologise in advance for all the remarkably stupid questions I shall probably ask in the coming months.

Regards All,

R