I loved my K10D but it broke beyond economical repair, my next camera was a K20D and I loved this but not as much as my K10D, I spent weeks contemplating getting rid of the K20D and buying a K-r but the smaller size (big hands) lack of weather proofing and the fact it was supposed to be "entry level" kept putting me off. However I took the plunge (John's review helped immensely) and I have had the camera less than a week and I'm hooked.

It has so many features but such a good menu and well placed buttons I love it and I don't even miss the second wheel!
I struggled with image quality for the first couple of days but after getting a bit of advice and lots of fiddling my photos look much better and as for taking indoor photos without using the flash its a revelation!

This is in my opinion a mid range camera with an entry level price. I'm also very impressed with both the DAL kit lenses that came with it.

That lens is top of my "realistic" purchase list

Thanks for the comments so far. Always interesting to see the variations between different users of the same camera.

Hi, been playing around with the jpeg settings on the K-r and I am struggling to find something I am totally happy with so far. So I was wondering which settings other people are using and are happy with? On my K20D I used Vibrant or Bright with +2 sharpness and +1 or +2 contrast after a lot of researching and experimenting, this produced images that I was happy with but obviously others would differ.. I also had the monotone set just how I wanted it but cannot remember this setting.

If people respond it will help not just me but all of us K-r owners.

I know its best to keep experimenting but I would still like to see other people ideas as I do not always have time to mess around especially if I am taking photos of my children.

I also know a lot of people shoot in RAW but this is not convenient to me most of the time and I like to try and get the result as right as possible straight out of the camera.


Thanks in advance for your ideas

Lee

I'm loving the K-r, it feels great, images are good quality, loads of features and feels fine in my big hands, easier to cart around (a bonus when out with the kids) and both kits lenses are pretty good too. Loved my k20D too and maybe I will another semi-pro model in a year or so but for now after one day with the K-r I am more than happy. Selling my Sigma 70-300 APO now as well because I want to keep my kit as compact as possible and will hopefully get a Pentax 55-300 after Xmas.

Finally sold my K20D and a couple of other things to pay off my credit card and tried so hard to be patient about getting a new camera but two days later I have purchased the K-r on a 6 month interest free deal Was worried the body would be too small for my big hands but seems fine and hopefully getting used to one control wheel won't be too much of a problem. Still find it hard to beleive its possible to get a quality DSLR with two lenses for £450.

Just wish the battery would hurry up and charge!!


ImpatientLee

Shame its not worth 8 times more or I would sell it and buy your 55-300!

Thanks, I definitely like the lens (been messing around with it taking shots of various items around the house) and will be definitely be keeping it . I'll have to get out and see how it does on landscapes.

Lee

Hi, I recently purchased what was supposed to be a Sigma mini wide 28mm lens off ebay for around £30 plus postage, the lens came and apart from a couple of strange marks on the lens (that do not affect the images) I was happy with it. As it was a bit of a rush buy something escaped my mind until I checked the lens just now. It is actually a Sigma superwide 11 24mm lens. I have just checked the ebay listing and the photo is actually of the lens I was sent it's just the title and description were wrong.
My question is this, is the 24mm a better lens that I should keep or is the 28mm the better lens and should I send the 24mm back?

Thanks for your time

Lee

I stay with pentax because where else would get built in shake reduction and sensor cleaning, weather sealing and the ability to buy a (pentax-A) 50mm 1.7 lens or a (sigma) 28mm 2.8 lens for less than £40 pounds each? They may not be autofocuse but they take very sharp photos. I'm far from rich but consider myself lucky to have some good quality lenses which in total have cost peanuts compared to other brands.


Lee