Would be interesting to see if there are any UHH members beside me in Rome Italy.

Living in Italy I would say go as wide as possible.

Places are tight, 18-105mm is my walking around lens and works 99% of the time.

Outside of a major population center, as in travels in the countryside, then my 60mm-250 is the lens of choice. I still pack the 18-105 once we arrive in a village…….

One thing to know….. Italy is hot in the summer. July and August will see high temps and humidity. Plan for the heat. Also August….. holiday month for most and once outside of the regular tourists places you will find many places closed for part or most of August.

It is simple. I live in Rome and my advice to folks who ask about the tour is this..... do not come in months known for high tourists visits. Summer (June-August) will be hot, humid and lines will wear you out. August is our holiday month and outside of the tourist traps a lot of places are closed for the entire month or a week or two.

As for the Vatican tour, they strictly enforce no picture taking in the Chapel. It is not the best place to take photos without the right lens, and tripod. The rest of the Vatican is open to shoot away.

Crowds at the museum are normal. It would seem every one is only there to see the Chapel. (like there is nothing else to see -not)

One tour few take is the Scavi Tours under St Peters. Tickets must be done well in advance as it is a very limited tour but it will give you a whole different look at things.

Are any of the jump the line tickets, official tours worth the price...... all comes down to your expectations, budget and time in Rome. If you have the time beak the Vatican into parts and take all the time in the world to enjoy the place.

Living in Rome makes street shots on the easy side with the large number of tourists that visit the city. They do not react to being photographed if I am noticed.

I do try to avoid taking pictures of children unless I get an OK from the parents. It avoids being chased down and yelled at.

As for the locals and local events most do not mind being in a photo. I have learned from the past if in doubt it does not hurt to ask. Just be friendly. I have even offered a print if they like the photo, nice way to meet the neighbors. Most are happy to be in your shot.

If you like it then it is a good shot.

A phone at times is better than nothing. Too bad it was not perfect to those that never have a bad shot.

It might be 'old' in terms of time but it is still is a good camera.

I still use the one I have along with the K5.. K3 and the K1 ii.

Shoot a bunch and find out all it can do for your return to photography.

Good to see another Pentax user here on UHH...... for the money spent Pentax has always been a good buy. They make solid cameras that serve the user well. As I tell folks it is not the camera but the eye behind the viewfinder. :)

Pentax has been good to me over the years from the spotmatic to now way too many of their cameras..... have a k100, (used as a learning camera for those wanting to try taking a pic), K20d, K5, K3 and just got on 20 march the K1Mark ii.

I sold the K10d and the K7 to fund lens purchases..... now with a full frame it means the terrible I gotta have that new lens is already cropping up.... I was happy to find that 50% of my current lenses will work with the new rig. Better than I expected. The rest will work but in a crop mode.

Welcome back and enjoy the new K70.

Been there but both slots were empty. After a few choice words I thought to check the battery grip.

Thanks to the battery grip.... there was a 64gb card in the storage slot... saved a long walk back to get one.

Saved the day.

Head over to the Pentax Forum .... https://www.pentaxforums.com/

You should find more than one source for what you are looking for.....

Outstanding.......

I found saying thank you but I feel that someone else will be their perfect fit.

Did it twice. Be polite. There is enough stress doing it right without a bride with a negative attitude.

Luminar 3 is a nightmare.

Was not ready to be released.... more Beta than prime time. They are trying to fix but it will be a month out to get right.

The library function is weak at best and no where near Lightroom and is useless.

Luminar 2018 works. Stay with it for now.

Until they prove they got it right the best thing too do is avoid this release.

It is slow to load and their use of AI leaves a lot to be desired.

POST AWAY......

Grew Up in an era where when someone said is it PC was asking what kind of computer you just got......

Terrible thing one can not just enjoy life, smile, laugh and needs to think everyone needs to be protected. Screw them ..... if their feelings are hurt - grow up and get a life......

Graham without your posts my day would not start with a smile.

I thought I was the only one to find such deals.......

Here is my new rig ...... even got it with a removal flash unit.

Built for both color and black and white with only a flip of a switch.

It is called the cost of doing business.

Get over it.

I do not enjoy VAT in Italy being 22% but when conducting business, buying or selling it is accepted and don't complain.

Plus buying simple camera gear from the USA is hit with custom fees and the VAT making it most times totally out of the question.