Enthusiastic photographer looking to make next step

Congratulations on the purchase. Enjoy the camera, and remember that any lenses you buy for it will be compatible with the K20D or K-7 if you ever upgrade.

You might want to buy a good quality truly compact camera as well for when the DSLR is impractical, but a bridge camera (in between compact and DSLR) probably won't interest you now as it won't compete with your K-m, yet won't be very much more portable either.

Have a great time and enjoy the speed, the low noise, the wonderful lens heritage, the shake reduction, etc, etc

Pete

Well, a few days into K-m ownership and I thought I would report in.

With the lovely weather yesterday I took the opportunity to round to see my mum and dad. They live in a lovely rural area, and have a nice garden, etc. Perfect opportunity to try out the K-m. Didn't get too adventerous, just want to get a grip of the basics then develop (no pun intended) from there.

I was really pleased with the quality of images I was getting within minutes. Far more control and flexibility than any compact would allow, and so easy to use. Tried both the kit lenses out, and think they will both be useful to me. I know some people question the build quality of the lightweight lenses kitted with the K-m, but having had no experience with SLR's before I've got nothing to compare against and they seem fine to me! I found the 50 - 200mm to look and feel sharper than the 18 - 55mm, could be my technique (or lack of it) I suppose.

I've also managed to pick up a Crumpler Pretty Boy 3000 bag which fits the whole lot in perfectly, and doesn't scream "I'm carrying a camera, please rob me!" too loud.

One thing I am hoping to get hold of is a compact general purpose prime lens that can be kept on the camera for general "out and about" shots. I want to try and keep the camera as small as possible, so if anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful.

And that is the start of LBA... prepare your girlfriend already most of the time they don't like it

It's truly wonderful to know you have opted for the K-M and already get some amazing results out of it. Both kit lenses are fairly good and really not bad so I'm sure you would enjoy them.

For the fast prime lens, you can look at the 50mm lenses. You can get them very cheap second hand or reasonable cheap new.
You can also look at the limited lenses, maybe a DA35 macro. Not the fastest lens with f/2.8 but surely a fun lens to have and not too expensive.

IMO 50mm is way too long for a general purpose lens. I find 35mm about right (and here I go again) the 35mm f2 (not the 2.8 DA) seems to fit the bill nicely. It's compact, light, renders colour sublimely and is sharp enough. It never ceases to amaze me. Not expensive if you can still get one at about £235 new.

Failing that the 21 ltd is really small but not fast. Again it delivers the Pentax colours.

That big fast 50mm 1.4 lens is OK but it's not small although I think it is light nor neat and is as I say way too long.

I like compact primes. They just get on with taking photographs. But that's just me and I'm happy for all those who have the stamina to lug big zooms about it's all personal preference.

Mike

Mike