The 2nd one is a decent shot, worth keeping for sure. I went on the wheel during the Christmas break (nice view of the river area)and took the camera along hoping to get a decent shot but it's in a difficult spot to get anything outstanding, shame they didn't put it in the town centre

Simon

Thanks for the feedback...processing on these is a bit rough to be honest, I do need to spend a little more time on these - to address the sharpening and highlights that you mention. The lighting was a little tricky, I had to lift the shadows in the lower part of both shots quite a bit and the sunlight creating pretty strong contrast.

Our new friend looks like a great opportunity to improve my photography when the weather has me trapped in the house - only thing is I'll be needing that K5 if I want to catch him at his most active!!

Simon

Both taken with the DA 17-70/K20D - Iso 1000.

Simon

We've just had a new addition to the family who certainly likes his sunsets...positioned nicely to catch the setting sun through our living room window

Simon

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP3578.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP3582.jpg[/IMG]

I have the DA 17-70 as my main lens, the majority of my landscape shots are taken with it, despite recently purchasing a DA 12-24. I find it excellent, I'd say IQ will be above the 18-135, definitely at the wide end anyway - it doesn't have the WR though which would be nice.

Having said the above, as John mentions the 16-45 is apparently excellent and considering the price difference I'd probably buy one instead of the 17-70

Simon

I use the Redsnapper tripod with Pan head - for the money (& a bit more)I don't think you'll find anything as good. The only reason I'd consider changing it would be for a CF one as the aly one is a bit weighty, very sturdy as a result though

Simon

Initial indications suggest that IQ isn't good enough for the price been asked - it's the only thought I've had about it to be honest

Simon

Just a note of caution - make sure you check the returns policy of the company you buy it from just in case the copy you receive isn't up to scratch - it took me 3 attempts to get a decent 10-20

Whilst I'm happy with the Pentax DSLR line-up I tend to look elsewhere for compacts - Canon do very well here, the SX210/SX130 look pretty good, the Ixus range are excellent although a bit more limited on features. I'm soon to buy one myself & it will be the Panasonic TZ10 but its a little out of the price range you mentioned

Simon

This is a thread which will throw up a range of differing opinions so you'll be lucky to reach any conclusion from it, however...

I replaced my Sigma 10-20 with a used Pentax DA 12-24 & personally find the Pentax produces much better results/more pleasing images - unfortunately a used DA will probably cost more than a new Sigma, I think it's worth it though!!

I did consider primes (14, 15mm) but read a couple of reviews which stated the DA12-24 outperformed them, which I can believe, the zoom range is very useful too - I think you get the message I'm trying to get across

Simon