I'm waiting until I get back from Aberdeen (next week) to get a K5, probably my "last" camera although I said that about the K7 (that was at end of life too)

So will it replace listening and looking for the "beep and green lozenge in the viewfinder" which I pass every time in manual Sound like a good idea

Playing around with the 55-300mm set at 300mm and took this shot of a pair of doves. I know the sky is a bit "urgent" and I'm not sure if these birds have bits of blue in their wings but I think this photo is much sharper than any of the others I've taken. Cropped in CS5

K7 55-300mm @ 300mm Center Weighted Average f/16 @ 1/160 Av AWB. When I opened the RAW file most of the setting were 0 but exposure was +2.05 and contrast +85

Suggestions on toning down the "impossible" blue sky and any other tips welcome.

[IMG]http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g406/tyronet2000/_IGP2335asDoves1.jpg[/IMG]

i forgot to add I'd removed the UV filter as advised in another thread.

The third lens is just a bog standard walk about everyday super dooper and probably doesn't even have a tripod mount or fit the Q so I didn't include it

I seem to have the 18-135mm on my camera most of the time. Think some of my better photos have been taken with this and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Or you could try these two.

[IMG]http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g406/tyronet2000/biglens.jpg[/IMG]

Yes, but take into consideration the extra total weight of the camera when using a tripod.

Almost on the point of getting the K5 (the cash back sounds good) but can you explain what focus peaking is. Don't think I've heard of that as a newcomer.

New Olympic Sport announced:

Throwing a Strop

President of Argentina expected to take the Gold Medal

Thanks for all the helpful comments.
I think I was secretly hoping everyone would say Yes get a K5 now Although no one has said absolutely don't (just delay awhile) and Mrs Snap agreed with those comments
I've got a flat test card and one of those triangular things so will try setting something up to test the lens.
I'm still working my way through the manual and have the memory of a gnat so didn't know/forgot SR turned off when using a timer or remote so thanks for that. I very often use the two second timer or a plug-in remote.
I'm away to a wedding in Aberdeen (Wednesday to Monday) so everything is on hold and I will have time to mull over the advice and try it out when I get home.

I'm toying with the idea of "upgrading to a K5 and the one of the things preventing me is, the lenses I use are the kit lenses 18-55mm, 55-200mm which I got with the K7 and the Pentax 18-135mm, 50-300mm (the metal mount), Tamron 10-24mm and Sigma 105 macro.
Out of those the 55-300mm has been the most disappointing. I tend to use a tripod and auto focus most of the time and was wondering could I expect better image quality with a K5 than what I get with the K7. I'm not talking about composition etc just the general overall quality (sharpness).
Or should I just stick with the K7 and buy a new lens or two