Buying a K10D

Right, I've read review after review of DSLRs and I've decided on a Pentax of course (also because I still enjoy my Pentax film cameras).

I can't really afford a new K20D or K-7 but I was very impressed by the test shots I have seen of the K10D and the reviews have all been hugely complimentary. However, after searching for a while I can't seem to find a new one from a reputable dealer.

Can any of you guys help? I'm sorry if this has been brought up already but I swear I searched on google for at least an hour this evening

Thanks in advance.

I may be wrong but I believe the K10d is discontinued. Plenty of second hand examples around though, some get posted here on the classifieds forum. The K20d is also discontinued being replaced by the K7 though you may still get a new one if you are quick.

Another option is the new Kx though i know little of it but it does have good reports, though not up to K20d standards.

Yeah I thought it may have been discontinued but I was hoping to grab a copy from deep in a warehouse somewhere

There's often some K10D's in good condition going on Ebay at prices much lower than what the K10D should go for when you compare it with similar cameras from Canon or Nikon. The K10D is an excellent camera.

In all honesty think you would be very lucky to pick up a new K10D

Your best bet as Steve says is to keep an eye out in the classified section, perhaps even for a K20D depending on you budget. Or take a look a the K-x which is getting good reviews.

Does anyone have any opinions on the K-m. Reviews seem to be very mixed and people seem to be frustrated by the lack of AF target points in the viewfinder, but is this really such a big deal?

Also, I've noticed the K-m is powered by 4 AA Batteries as opposed to a Li-Ion battery. I have had problems with AA batteries before with digital cameras (taking far too long to fully charge) but of course this may have just been the brand of battery/charger I used. Opinions?

I had a DL before the K10D and the AA's never had the battery life of the battery in my K10D. I would look on ebay, the classifieds on here and look for a used model. I would never sell mine as it is a good back to my K20D.

The K-m is great little D-SLR, very under rated. My daughter has one and has taken some very impressive shots with it.
Good handling and very solid build compared to other entry level offerings. Focus point confirmation shouldn't be an issue once you are used to it.
For rechargables search out Sanyo Eneloops or for non-rechargeables use Energizer Lithiums which last for ages.

Are you only looking to buy new : If not, look in the classifieds, unlocker is selling his K20 + grip for just 400quid, I doubt you will find a better deal than that.

I would go for the K20 over the K10 without question. In terms of features and IQ, the K20 is a winner in all respects. And if unlocker says his K20 is in excellent full working condition you can believe him. You were probably going to spend in excess of 400quid for a new K10, so buy the second hand K20 you won't be disappointed. cheers

It may not be a big deal by itself, but combined with the other shortcomings - including a poorer viewfinder and no LCD top panel - you might prefer to use a K10D or K20D.

This should be no problem with good quality batteries and charger. Lithium AAs can be used as well, and they can be bought for less than a Pound per cell nowdays.

My suggestion is to forget about the batteries and think about what other qualities are important to you.

We are also selling our K10D Grand Prix!

Need to find the box, take pics, list it etc and try and work out a price, but with eBay prices for this (and ours is complete) easily hitting £400, I'm not quite sure what to sell it for!

With regard to the K-m viewfinder, whilst it's not as bright as the K20/K10D it is a similar in size and much better than most all other entry level D-SLRs. I was actually quite impressed with the VF when trying out my daughter's K-m.

Thanks for all your helpful advice guys, you work quickly.

I think I'll start looking for preferably an amazing deal on a K20D, but failing that an amazing deal on a K10D would be equally as welcome.

This is going to sound really spoilt but I have now had an offer from my parents to buy my first DSLR, so I need to work out a budget with them and see if they are comfortable buying from a user on a forum as opposed to a company (they have trouble trusting ebay).

Wow, that made me sound awful Oh well.

I don't know if this is still possible with the K-m but my *Istdl2 can take CR-V3 batteries as an alternative to AA and after having problems with AA Ni-Mh rechargeables (probably because they were tired, in all honesty) I went over to Li-Ion rechargeable CR-V3s (bought from Maplin). These worked much better. In theory slightly less capacity than the best AAs but they used to last better and, importantly for me, if I left them in the camera for a week or two it would still be ready to go when I picked it up whereas the AAs would be flat.

Kevin

I think you will find its worth no more than a decent normal K10D now so let me have your details and I will Paypal over .. say £200 as soon as I receive them