Nice shot!

I know how awkward ladybirds can be, they usually sit still just long enough for you to focus, then get up and walk off before you can take the shot

A focus rail does make for a lot less shuffling around of the tripod, I got one off fleabay for about £15, well made in aluminium but it only has the forward/back adjustment (usually sufficient)

Today I received this reply from Jessops:

"Dear Sir,
Thank you for your response.

Your order has been continued as per your request. As soon as we have had received further information regarding your order, will be back in touch.

Once again our apologies for the inconvenience that has been caused by this.

RegardsShirley
Customer Support"

As copied from email!
There may still be hope

I know this sounds unbeleivable, but 7dayshop do a CPL in 67mm for £4.99 and free post!

I ordered one in 52mm for the 18-55 zoom thinking that it may not be up to much, but at £4.19 inc postage I'd give it a go!

Well it seems to work ok for me, apart from a boldish "7dayshop.com" round the edge of it, can't fault it!

Give it a go for a fiver, if you don't like it you can always double your money by selling it on ebay.

I too ordered the 50-200 lens on 6th Dec when it was £48 and they were doing £10 discount on all lenses (£38 after disc).

I chased up order just before Xmas and was told they were expecting delivery early Jan 09.

Chased order again on Fri 9th Jan. and got this reply;

"Thank you for your enquiry.
As of early this week, Jessops have now temporarily ceased trading with Pentax. Unfortunately this now means that we are unable to provide any dates as to when your order could be fulfilled. Should you still wish to continue with the order please let us know to avoid a cancellation, or if you wish to cancel please let us know so we can action your account accordingly. We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the inconvenience that has been caused by this and also for the delay in bringing this development to your attention and if there is anything else we can help you with, please feel free to get back in touch.
Kindest Regards Customer Support."

It doesn't say I'm NEVER going to get it (prob. the case!), just they can't tell me when!

As no money is taken till order is sent (I'm watching!) I have voiced my annoyance at the situation and have asked them to continue with order and keep me informed.

I'll let you know what reply I get!

Thanks ttk/steveT

I'll try both ideas, although ebuyer.com may be more successful!

Thanks John, at 25mb (Raw) and 15mb (jpeg Prem) it looks like it's going to have to be a BIG portable HD needed! Or a lorry load of blank DVDs!

I couldn't wait any longer, I've ordered a K20D from SRS this afternoon!!!
Now, how do I break it to my wife that we are going to need a bigger hard disc as well!

Thanks
Steve

Thanks to all.
I have bitten the bullet and ordered a K20D & 18-55mkII from SRS (yippeee). I guessed that both the K10D and K20D are going to handle and feel almost identical and I haven’t read a bad review on either’s’ feel or handling.

The clincher was my wife saying that if I didn't buy the K20D, I would only regret it and want to trade up again in a years time (she's right, as always!) and that was as good as a "go get it" to me. I think I now have some sucking-up to do!

Only down side is that it is my Xmas present, so the next two weeks could be the longest of my life! I'm going to be worse than the kids!

I will add my views after Xmas.

I would like to say thanks to SRSmicrosystems for the great deal (my second camera from them), it should be delivered tomorrow!

The other thing to remember is that SRS give 2 years warranty and free postage to forum members if you ask nicely!

Steve

The more pics I see from the K20D the more I realise I need to beg, borrow or steal the extra money to get one (I was going to get the K10D as they are such a good price at SRS).

The colour, clarity etc. is amazing.

John, could you give me an idea of the file sizes of the Prem jpg & Raw for the K20D, so I know what size of hard disc I'm going to need to get!

Many thanks
Steve

Hyram

I'm in a village called Yateley, North Hampshire, near the Berkshire border.

I see you have both the K10D & K20D, in your opinion is the K20D worth stretching the budget for (and I will be stretching it!)

If I go for the K20D (looking that way) I will only be able to afford the kit 18-55 MkII, does this do it justice?

Both will be a great leap from my 6mp K110D, I'm sure.

Hi and seasons greetings to all.
This too is my first post, although I have used the vast knowledge of this forum to answer many a question in the past.

I am in a similar situation to salixarbour, the difficulty of getting a K20D in my hands to try out! Nowhere on the high street seems to sell Pentax nowdays (SRS excluded, but not very local to me).

I at least, am a bit more tied to Pentax, having owned a K110D (just sold!) for the last 2 years, so I have a few lenses already (I have also been happy with Pentax since my first SLR, a MV1).

I think pound for pound, the Pentax range can't be beaten if you are at all serious about photography. If only Pentax could get them into more dealers, there would be a lot more people taking up the brand, especially with the beginners models that feel a lot better in the hand than the tiny Nikon/Canons.

My problem is that I’m torn between the K10D with 16-45 lens or the K20D with kit 18-55, both are about the same price (with K20D cashback) at SRS.

I have ready a review about ghosting on the MkII 18-55mm, anybody shed some light about this?

Regards
Steve