Entering the big bad world of DSLR

Greetings and saluations to all. I am a new Pentax k30 user and a new DSLR user. Having upgraded from a compact camera I felt compelled to give my experience of moving into the DSLR world.

I have used a fujifilm 2mp point and click quite happily for several years. Until I realised my partners nephew was taking better photos with his mobile phone. Cant have this I thought. Time to upgrade and get serious! It will be easy to upgrade and get a new camera... little did I know.

Over zealous sales people, deep pools of insipdly confusing camera reviews and bizzare techno babble.
Typical conversation; Me: "I need some advice on a DSLR"
Salesreptile; "I advise you to buy this camera from me. It has 16 mega pixies dancing in harmonious cross eyed 27 point auto phase with sideways stepping apertured for low contrasting hedgehogs"

Trying to get information from magazines or the web is very limited. High on tecno speak, low on practical advice. With all things being aproximatley equal in cameras, ie 16mp, auto tracking, they take photographs etc I set my own purchasing criteria.
1. Can I hold the camera comfortably.
2. If yes what other practical benefits does the camera have.

This narrowed my search to the Canon 600d and the Pentax K30. The K30 won because its weather sealed - very useful as I'm an outdoors person , in body shake reduction - meaning I dont have to buy special lenses to have this feature, lens compatibility and the fact my father has four screw mount primes that he's sending me.

Not a very elegant purchasing criteria but it works for me and Im very happy with the results. I thorourghly enjoy this camera. It makes me want to go out and take photos.
Note: This is an abridged version of my traumatic camera buying saga. Currently undergoing therapy by taking lots of wonderful photos.

Pentax K30, 18-55WR , Sigma Dl 100-300. (yes i know the sigma is soft and needs to be stopped down but it was inexpensive)

Welcome, and enjoy!! BTW: can you please post some photos of these dancing pixies and the side-stepping hedgehogs??

Welcome to the forum!

That gave me a good chuckle for a Monday!

Matt

Hello and Welcome to the Forum!

Welcome aboard Your 1st post made me smile this snowy Monday morning
Gotta say your "Not a very elegant purchasing criteria" Is a cracker and landed you with the correct camera.

ENJOY

It was an elegant buying decision, based on requirements. I've been looking for the hedgehog setting on my camera......

You'll it find behind the left jiggalator toggle flange Mate

Hello and Welcome

Not sure about hedgehog setting as long as you avoid hedgehog splatting with your car

Welcome...personally i think you chose the best buying criteria there is, there isn't really a bad camera around these days and the importance of actually liking how it feels in use is often missed my many new owners, I think it's especially important and the main reason I chose Pentax too, together with the weather sealing

Simon

I think the hedgehog setting is the one in all the Custom Image menus that can give extra sharpness.

Philip

Internet banking? Speed dating?

Welcome to the asylum!

Martin

thanks for the warm welcome. When I spot the pixies dancing on the hedgehog I shall certainly take the shot.

I agree. I think if camera manufacturers spent a bit of time with the ergonomics of the cameras they might get better sales. Like buying a pair of shoes you want a comfortable fit.

I have the Pentax K30 with a Dal lens, does that mean it's weatherproof?

The camera is, but the lens isn't.

I thought it was all weatherproof, bit worried now. Not sure if I should take it down the beach now. is there a lens that is weatherproof?