Thanks. Do you mind saying which scanner you used?

"In good working order. Bought it last week on eBay only to find it is not ideal for my 645D"

What did you scan (negs or prints?) and what with?

Yes, I absolutely agree, which is why I was initially concerned that the K-5 wouldn't feel as nice. Unnecessarily though, as it turns out - 4 days and I already prefer the K-5.

FWIW, this is what I've emailed her:

[quote="I"]I don’t think it’s entirely obvious that Canon is inevitably the best just because you have a few old Canon lenses, though I wouldn’t rule it out. Nor would I dream of suggesting Pentax just because I have one.

I think you should go into Jessops and handle a few – see how they strike you for weight, size, comfort. Spend some time in the menu system, discover how easy it is to switch modes and options. But don’t in any circumstances believe anything the Jessops sales reps say – most of them know nothing, and just push what they're told to sell at the punters, who usually also know nothing.

As far as spec is concerned, I think you should go beyond the one the girls have, but not necessarily up to the very top end. I don’t think you should go for one with a 35mm sensor unless you're prepared to spend a fortune, and then another on lenses, lots of time on weight training, and can clearly articulate your reasons for going that way.

In your position, I’d consider the Canon 60D, the Nikon D7000, and the Pentax K-5. I also wouldn’t buy from anywhere else except SRS Microsystems, where I got my K-5, and a number of lenses over the last few years. The slight inconvenience of a trip to Watford is far outweighed by their exceptional service (and in any case you can buy from them online too).
[/quote]

Yes, good point. I think they do, since the daughters are forever hassling their mum to borrow her lenses, but it's worth checking.

Well ironically, I really didn't

I bought the K10D largely because of its much-vaunted compatibility with old lenses, of which I had quite a few at the time.

We all know now that the K/M exposure problems are a real pain in the rear end, so that was completely the wrong reason for getting it (not that there weren't plenty of others I know about now), and I've now got rid of all those lenses I was originally planning to use with the K10.

Getting the K-5 was more rational, given the truckload (well, small mini-van, anyway) of lenses and flashguns that I now have.

I don't regret the decision, but getting into Pentax digital originally was entirely serendipitous, really.

My advice will indeed be genuine, for all that

All her film camera lenses fit the 40Ds, I've already checked that.

One of them is a 35-105, which is a reasonable range for film but a bit daft for APS-C, so IMO she should get rid of that anyway.

That leaves three 18-55s between them, and a Canon IS 70-300 (don't know which one).

It's a motley selection, which is why I think starting with a blank sheet of paper wouldn't be a bad idea - apart from the fact that there are already two 40Ds in the house.

Ah, ok. I thought I was going a bit mad there.

Well of course - I'll be making all those points. But she doesn't know Pentax and already knows Canon to a point (she didn't choose the 40Ds for her daughters).

It's no good, me owning a Pentax and then saying to her, ooh, of course Pentax is the best - even if I think it is. Sounding like a fanboy when in reality, both Canon and Nikon make very good cameras too, would simply lack credibility.

The only way of influencing sensibly is to act impartially, even if I do think she should get rid of her rather mediocre set of Canon lenses and start again

Cheers Mike

linkWell obviously I'm suggesting she looks at the K-5 as well!

The trouble with Canon and Nikon forums is that by the same token they're just as likely not to know much about Pentax, and since I know nothing about Canon or Nikon, I wouldn't be in a position to evaluate what they told me.

I thought that specifically asking Pentax users, given that many have cameras from other brands as well, would be the quickest route to information I could trust.

Surely that's not inappropriate?

Well yes - the same argument would equally apply to other brands of course. Lower down the body range, gets you an extra lens. But she's a very capable individual, so I suspect she'll want not to sacrifice body features.


Edit: oops - I meant to put this into 'General Digital photography chat', which is for 'For any digital matters not concerning Pentax Digital SLRs or Optios'.

I now note that I put it in the Pentax DSLRs by mistake - apologies. Could a mod move it for me, please?