Most sensible DSLR option?

Greetings, O learned oracles.
I am a newbie to this site, although I have been the very proud owner of a K100D for the last 5 years and 14,000 shots. I have been asked to do some wedding pictures for my cousin, and as payment, he is offering me a new camera up to about 400 quid..
I am considering the Kx, but My K100D is suffering badly from dust ingress so would I be better off going for the better dust-proofing on the K7 and paying the difference?
What are your collective thoughts?

Hi Sam, I have the K-x and it's a fabulous camera but as you've pointed out does not have weather-sealing. I'm not sure how your K100d has suffered so badly from dust ingress - do you mean via the body or when you change lenses? If this is from changing lenses a weather-sealed body will make no difference.

The K-x was superseded by the K-r which you can pick up for less than £400. If you must have weather-sealing I would strongly recommend you go for a K-5 and pay the difference between £400 and the asking price. It is superb and far better than any of the previous weather-sealed cameras, including the K-7. If you can't stretch to this, K-7 is probably next best.

Regards
David

Blimey David, that was a super-rapid response! The dust ingress is partly my fault - I changed lenses outside a couple of times, but I did purchase a sensor cleaning kit which I have used once. The results were excellent.
However, my K100D definitely lets dust into the body without removing the lens - would this happen through the lens itself? I don't mind cleaning the sensor, but I am aware it should be done rarely and extremely gently, hence my enquiry into dustproofing. Thank you for the advice - I will most probably try to find the extra dosh for the K5 - and then have an argument with myself to justify it!

Hi Sam, others more knowlegeable than me can advise whether or not it's possible to get dust inside the camera through the lens, but I would think it very unlikey. Dust can get inside lenses, but I think it would be difficult to get in via the lens, unless you don't clean the rear of the lens with a blower before you attach it, in which case the rear element and surrounding area could be covered in dust.

It sounds like weather-sealing is not your problem and that you just need to be careful about changing lenses and keeping your equipment free of dust. Get a Rocket Blower for balsting your lenses before you attach them.

Regards
David

The K-x is a fantastic little camera. I love it to bits. Though I would now choose a Kr, If only for the extended battery life. The K-7 is a great workhorse, weather sealed, run over it with a tank. Though now I would choose the K5 for the better low light versatlity. You pays your money you takes your choice.

It doesn't sound like lens changing should be the issue and the camera shouldn't be allowing dust in via the mount despite not being weather sealed. Strange one.

In your case I'd go for the Kr over the Kx or K7, and the K5 if you wanted to add a little cash yourself (I would - the K5 really is that good). For the wedding any of the Kx, Kr or K5 would be preferred over the K7 unless you are permitted the use of flash in all areas then the K7 is just as good indoors and wonderful outdoors. Having the right lenses will just as, if not more, important though.

Hi,

I have a KR.

I have the sensor shake at power up turned on and regularly use the test facility to check for sensor dust which I remove with a hurricne blower with the camera body pointing downwards (full charge on battery important for this and of course DO NOT touch the sensor itself) I find the manual sensor shake more vigorous as well. Many makes of course have no such facilities. I've never used fluids and swabs on my old KX or current KR

If windy I try to change lenses in my Lowepro bag. I also wipe down K mount flange and lenses from time to time.

I think my DA 55 - 300 draws dust due to its construction when zooming. I had to carefully drop the focus screen last week to get dust that had got on the inside. Dust in the pentamirror and on the focus screen just annoying as they don't affect image to sensor.

I think any SLR is prone to dust when in field use. A good camera bag helps. Love your Pentax and it'll reward you eh?