Dangie: Your profile says you live in the UK. The 645D is released in Japan. Everything is on schedule. Pentax have never committed (or even mentioned) that this camera would be available in Staffordshire.

Yes, shake reduction, dust removal, an excellent sensor, handy features but full manual operation as well, runs on AA batteries... everything here except a video mode.

Yes, the K100D Super is still a great camera that can take top-notch photos. And has scene modes and stuff for beginners.

The ideal set of lenses to cover all aspects of photography? No-one's really trying -- let's push the boat out!

DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fish-Eye ED [IF]
DA 12-24 ED AL (IF)
DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM
FA* 24mm F2 AL [IF]
FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
MC Arax 35/2.8 Tilt & Shift
FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM
DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED SDM
FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
A* 85mm F1.4
Voigtländer SL Macro APO-Lanthar 125mm f/2.5
A* 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF]
DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
FA* 600mm F4 ED (IF)

Should come in a little under $20K and there's no real redundancy. You need the zooms in situations where quick response argues against changing lenses. There are probably more esoteric Zeiss lenses etc. to add, but these should keep you happy for a while.

Hey, I am in Limerick. And yes, no Pentax cameras are sold anywhere in Ireland. Argos used to, up until the K-m.

I too am voting for the first squirrel. Cutie!

If you are getting just one lens, also consider the DA35. It will get the shot when kids come rushing up to you, where other lenses will miss due to their close focus limits. And it's great also for macros or landscapes; it's pretty much a do anything lens.

I use the FA43 but miss shots when my "kids" (that is, pets) come too close and I have to back off. But otherwise I manage shots like this:

[IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4495485324_c1c632f483.jpg[/IMG]

Well, why not try it? Limit yourself to this lens for a month. You may find you need little else.

The recommendations for the DA16-45 are right on the money. It covers the range you most need, plus more on each end. It is a wider range than it looks and an excellent performer.

Well then you're not going to get anything better or faster in a zoom.

Thanks for clarifying. I had totally forgotten there was a Green mode!

Darn. And I thought it was a nice coincidence.