Hi, I don't know if you picked up on my late edits to my response but reading around the web it looks like the K-x doesn't accept the cr-3v, unlike the K100D.

I think he's probably talking about the cr-v3 batteries. They are equivalent in size to 2 AA batteries side by side. As I recall the pentax battery compartment in the K100D accepts 2 of these, although I never used them so cannot be certain. Reading around the web it looks like these don't fit the K-X battery compartment though.
I've gone through the frustration you are facing with my K100D. It started to do similar things but unlike you the AA lithium batteries fixed it. It's really quite annoying, all you want is the damn thing to work with a battery, any battery.... Good luck.

A couple of wonderful macro there. I like the lighting and the subject plus your focus is spot on.

That's more my concern. I had to use the DNG converter for some camera models before I had upgraded to more recent s/w. It really helps keep old s/w relevant. Meaning I can carry on happily upgrading cameras. My mind then says if adobe doesn't have any standalone s/w then why would they need to support the DNG converter, it's all built into their cloud model. Thankfully at the moment they've just announced photo shop elements 2018 which is standalone, therefore that should keep the need for a DNG converter for a few more years yet.
Of course this is just delaying the inevitable where I will have to switch away from adobe as I don't want to use their subscription model. In the meantime I'm head in sand adding ratings/tags/edits in adobe that I may well loose when migrating. So part of me thinks just wait while the market sorts itself out and someone comes along with a good product that imports all my adobe extra bits. The other part says what if the product I like best doesn't do that, then I could have lost that useful info, it's not the end of the world, but maybe I should just start with a new product now. Trouble is I've tried a few, darktable, dxo optics, affinity but I'm just so used to how adobe works and the results I get out of it..... They all seem to be lacking in something I use in adobe......

I would have bought a quality 180mm or 150mm macro lens that has internal focus, has silent fast af and designed with flexible focus limiters. However having found a beautiful Sigma 180 F3.5 macro that is sharp and fast to AF on my K3, my need has now diminished a bit.
2nd, would love to replace my poorly af'ing DA*300 with an updated version with of course a decent AF motor. I'd like a focus limiter on that as well.

My those riders were flying.... ok I'll get my coat....
Superb panning and timing. Love the first 2. Although I'm confused by what looks like a line up of Yamaha RD 350 LC's... They can't still be using them can they?

What a beautiful image. As I don't shoot these types of images I never realised how difficult it would be to capture. Thanks for the great info on your blog.

Very well done in getting these southern hawkers doing what they do best! As for brown hawkers my approach is forget af, prefocus on a point it may appear and just spray and pray..... They are very unpredictable hawkers and my hit rate is poor plus they are very time consuming...

Looks like it was a great afternoon walk. There are so many migrant hawkers around at the moment and like you I managed to spot and get shots of them (both male and female as well). As much as I love watching dragonflies though, your shot of the bank vole is wonderful, a great spot.

I've not been to Stodmarsh, I tend to go to Strumshaw Fen or Hickling broad in Norfolk for the double whammy of Norfolk Hawker and Swallowtail butterflies, well that's always the plan, but nature doesn't always follow it!
I wouldn't recommend the DA*300 for the flight shots, along with the K3 it's a bit frustrating, great quality and close focus for the statics though. I was interested in how the 150-450 performed in comparison hence the question. I've added a Tamron 150-600 to my 'other' Canon kit and am slowly getting used to carrying a 2Kg lens, so the 150-450 doesn't feel quite as daunting! Still not my preferred solution though. Perhaps a fast focusing version of the DA* would be perfect in the future.