How many K-01 owners here?

Saw the K-01 in the flesh for the first time today, initial reaction was actually far better than I was expecting! Actually looks a lot better than it does in the pictures I've seen.

I was wondering how many forum members currently own the K-01 and how they're finding it?

Couldn't help but see the K-01 body SRS have for £349...!!

Benjikan has been using one.

Tried one in Jessops. I liked the look of it, but it did feel a little awkward. Next to the K30 with its deep grip, I struggled to find a comfortable way to hold it.

On the other hand, 349.00 is a tempting price!

I think we might see a bit of a price crash in the same way as the 'Q' has gone. It is already beginning with the SRS body only deal at £349 but they could come lower still.

Dave

There will be a point where I can't resist a K-01, basically for use as a studio camera for copying and small product shots. On a tripod, using the back screen is a very effective way to set these up. I've even used the Q for this.

At the moment I use the K20D for this purpose, so I don't need another body, but it would be handy.

It might also be useful for flower studies - composing on the screen is an effective way of avoiding having to constantly bend my back to look through the viewfinder.

John,

I bet that point will be a price point! The Tesco deal combined with the Jessops viewfinder deal reached the irresistible point for me.

Dave

Though I gave in to the Tesco deal, I'm so far holding off on the viewfinder deal. Do you have the viewfinder? If so, how do you find it?

It may well be a price point, as I realise that sooner or later the K20D will have to be upgraded, so I may jump whilst it has the right second hand value compared to the cost of the new purchase. It could even be a zero-cost deal.

The viewfinder is a superb piece of engineering. It is crystal clear, just like the best Voigtlander viewfinders of the 1950s and 1960s.

As I see it, it turns the Q into a classic reportage camera, not unlike an early Leica with external viewfinder but much quicker and easier to use. And with much better optics.

I know what you mean! A couple of the deals around at the moment are literally hovering right around that 'point', and I'm having to try my best to resist.

Not been much of a large sensor fan in the past, I've owned (non-Pentax) DSLRs but found myself not using them much. Since seeing the K-01 in the flesh though, it has really struck a chord with me. Whilst it may have its detractors and perceived weaknesses compared to other CSCs, the combination of K5 image quality in a slightly smaller body and access to a huge lens library positions it fairly well I'd say.

I'm not helping myself here, credit card may take a battering very shortly!

My initial impressions are the same as John's. Jessops don't appear to have many left, however, of these £49.99 bargains.

Dave

Thanks John.

Do you find it makes the Q a little more awkward size-wise? Specifically thinking the way you handle the camera when not in use. I fear that I'd constantly be worried about knocking the viewfinder. I guess the saving grace is that it would be a £50 viewfinder not a £220 viewfinder...

Still got them available for collect at store at Worcester, just 19 miles from me...tempted.

To get this thread focussed back on the K-01, that was my first thought when I saw it - ideal on a tripod composing off the LCD.

Personally wouldn't buy one for anything else, as I really think cameras should have view-finders!

I get fed-up trying to avoid photographers holding their cameras out in front of them at arms length.