Why do people post eBay auctions here.

An auction is not a for sale item. It is an auction. Simple.

I guess I am simply saying that I never expected the camera to work miracles the photographer cannot. Others have different expectations, no doubt.

There is little room for IQ improvement from the K20D. The only cameras that have less noise also have either fewer pixels or more noise reduction smearing. If the K-7 manages another stop I will be surprised. Banding at high ISO could be slightly improved as well. But in general the K20D rocks.

Why are people expecting their camera to focus for them? Where's the fun in that?

The K20D already is cheap.

I would love this feature. It's on my wish list, almost none of which the K-7 implemented.

RR is correct, "the FA 50mm f1.4 has got to be the best value for money". However the FA43 is in another class of workmanship. Quite simply, it is a little jewel that is a wonder to use. If you wanted pure sharpness you'd get the FA50 macro, but then you'd be gaining no speed over the zoom you are giving up. There's a lot more to pictures than sharpness, and the FA43 delivers an astounding image that I have not seen from any other lens. (But yes, you can come close.)

That said I like my K50/1.2 an awful lot as well. It is better for wide-open bokeh pulling power. The FA43 is better for 3D imaging and is an excellent portrait lens for that reason.

I have both the DA35/2.8 and the Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5. Both are at the top of their class. The former sits on my K100DS permanently, since it can be used in "P" mode by the whole family and is a general all-rounder... that just happens to focus as close as you want. It is the ultimate flower lens. The Vivi is big and heavy and has incredibly precise manual focus, unlike any other lens I have tried. Steady this on a monopod and you have a great bug lens. Also good as a fast telephoto. Sharp!

Arctic Butterfly definitely works for me. Don't need it often, but when I do it clears the senor easily.

Here is my take on "reading between the lines". I tried to present the info in the clearest possible way without wild speculation:
http://noisetheatre.blogspot.com/2009/03/stop-rumors-all-your-pentax-questions.h...