Again impressive, richandfleur. I always felt a DSLR doesn't handle well as a camcorder but I really like what you are doing. A pity this site doesn't have a video category in the forum, nor the ability to show clips without needing a link.

Thanks for the link, lovely images and great to hear the sounds as well. Now you have got me thinking.

I have gone back to basics and recorded a short clip of 34 secs, which is 94Mb! Reduced in Microsoft Media Player to about 7Mb but unfortunately cannot share as the site says it's the wrong file type. So what is? However, Can I just say it was taken with a static 100mm macro lens in aps-c format (appeared larger on the back screen) and looks pretty impressive. Potential for different type of movie to my holiday ones and I am looking forward to the spring when the flowers and insects emerge. There is a whole new learning curve here. And accessories!

One odd thing though, you can look at a static photo hundreds of times but a movie clip much less. I suppose it locks you in to a time frame whereas a photo can be 1 sec or a minute.

Thanks for your generous responses, I will go through them in detail and see if I can come up with a decent result. I do see that there is shake reduction in movie mode though, but I guess if using a tripod it should be switched off.

Ps richandfleur, K1 has a headphone jack and a menu option to adjust headphone volume.

I just tried for the first time movie mode, and was underwhelmed by the experience. Firstly it only works in live view, and secondly it is quite juddery when panning. Thirdly the focus hunted a bit but I guess that is down to getting the right mode. So went to YouTube to see if there were any examples, I only found a couple for the K1 and they were rubbish, frankly. So, does anyone use movie mode regularly?

The question arose after laboriously transferring some old movies onto dvds I took with a camcorder on mini cassettes, and deciding I could leave the camcorder at home now I have a DSLR but now not so sure.

Went for walk last weekend in lovely sunshine with snowdrops everywhere (can't show you because I snapped them on my iPhone). Silly me, I thought spring was on it's way! Yesterday caught a chill in a bleak cold wet London.

In answer to your original question, I don't recall any special prices on Pentax gear at previous NEC Photography shows, the stand tends to be a shop window for products where you can handle the goods and ask questions. As I recall any offers tend to be on accessories or special editions. Also bear in mind the cost of entry plus parking, unless you want to have a serious look around or attend a presentation then save your money and look for a K3II bargain elsewhere. Having said that I do enjoy it and often come across things I wasn't aware of and there are bargains to be had elsewhere. Previously I have come away with special deals on a magazine subscription, gear insurance, and a Gitzo monopod as well as being tempted by much else. And of course last year a large glossy brochure on the just-launched K1!

Sorry, my fault I was looking for the thread I am sure exists somewhere about the new lens to post this news but as usual didn't check properly first! I have the old lens in question which is why I recognise the issues you mention. Sounds like Pentax have it sorted with the new one, which although more expensive than those from other manufacturers is still at around £400 not a bad deal. Interesting to see in the Digital Camera survey the compatibility problems suffered by Nikon between bodies and lenses.

That sounds more like the old 55-300mm lens, the review pointed out how fast and quiet the new lens is.

Just seen that in the current Digital Camera magazine this lens came best in test against all other manufacturer's similar lenses; also 'best for Pentax' so presumably that means better then the cheaper Sigma lens.