I've got a tidy *istDL with less than 1400 actuations that I no longer use. Not a K100D, I know but PM if it is of any interest.

I'm left eyed but right handed and use my left eye in the view finder. I had always thought it was relatively uncommon, but there seem to be quite a few others on this thread (I've never noticed it as a problem using a camera, except perhaps for the nose marks on the screen). Probably explains why I've never been that good a shot, though!

One quirk I understand to be connected with this is that I can't instinctively tell left from right; I can work it out, but have to concentrate/think about it. I've always been told it was because I had a different dominant eye and hand. Does thjis ring a bell with any of the other left-eye right-handers on here?

Hmm... That does look ideal for me. The waterproof and dust proof-ness certainly would be handy. Time to find some sample images and start looking out for a good deal on one if the pictures are OK, I think.

As for the high-ISO performance, it's a bonus, but I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it - I'd be a bit disappointed if a comparatively inexpensive compact could acquit itself too well against my K-5!

I did a similar trip a few years ago, before I really got in to photography and would love to do it again some day (waiting until my kids are old enough to appreciate it...)

I'd second this; I think that the 55-300, your 17-70 and either the Sigma 10-20 or Pentax 10-17 would give you a range of options in most situations and not be too bulky/heavy. I'd also be tempted to smuggle a fast prime in to your bag for low light or narrow DOF shots (probably an old MF 50mm f/1.7 or 55mm f/1..

If you can get to the edge of the Grand Canyon at sunset, it's definitely worth seeing. Bryce is also pretty spectacular, as you can easily walk down among the rock formations - I'd imagine this would be interesting with an ultrawide. Where abouts are you planning to go biking? We did a few trips in Moab, which was good and suitably evocative, but a bit hot compared to the UK!

Apologies for the thread hijack, but I've just broken my Nikon pocket compact (dropped from about a foot off the ground a couple of days ago) and am looking out for a new one.

I've been looking at Optios, as the colour rendering from the Nikon was nowhere near as good as that from my Pentax DSLRs, but would be interested to hear what else is worthy of a look, as I'm in the process of reading up on options and looking at sample images.

I'd happily consider anything up to £150 and pocketability, ruggedness and IQ are my primary considerations

I have one too and would highly recommend it. As everyone says, provided you don't mind the size/weight, it's hard to beat as a walkaround/portrait zoom.

Excellent image quality and superb build - I think you got a bargain at that price.

Excellent - get one. I love mine; it's great for low light work and portraiture. I haven't got a 35 limited (although I would like one), but from what I read about it, it is a very different lens and would probably complement the Sigma well. I don't think that the Sigma will be as good as your 35 limited in terms of ultimate resolution and micro-contrast, but it isn't bad.

The Sigma is impressively sharp wide open (although the 35 limited looks sharper at comparable apertures) and has smooth bokeh, which I find pleasing. It doesn't focus as close at the 35 ltd, though.

As always, I think it depends on what you want it for. I bought mine as a normal/low light/portraiture lens, and am very happy with it for that. There aren't many AF alternatives at f/1.4.

The 35 limited is a bit special in terms of IQ, and I don't think the Sigma is quite as good, but it can get shots in low light or with narrow DOF that the 35 limited can't (and vice-versa if you need close focus ability). The best advice I can give is to look at samples from both and see which one best meets your needs.

+1, or alternatively, the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 which is one of my favourites as it is just about wide enough at 24 to use as a walkaround lens, has superb IQ and excellent build quality.

+1

I have one and have been very impressed with it.

While I'm sure that there have been some quality control issues, I'd concur with John's view that at least some of the negative reviews are down to user error/unrealistc expectations.

I think that in most practical situations where I've shot, the autofocus system is a bit of an imprecise instrument to consistently nail focus with such a small DOF. For the pictures where I've missed focus, it is usually either because I've moved slightly, or there wasn't an AF point exactly where I needed one.

If you get one, enjoy it, as others have said, it's a cracking lens and doesn't often leave my camera.

I'm sure that it is in the vast majority of cases. I've bought from other members and had nothing but good experiences so far, but I think I'd be very unlikely to pay over £700 to someone in a different country who hasn't been a member for very long, hasn't been very active, for a lens that I hadn't seen!