I am a proud owner of a K100D bought 6 months ago. I think its a brilliant camera with its kit lens and a Tamron 70-300. I'm still exploring its potential, or my potential more like it, but having read a lot of comments in this forum on many subjects I'm getting the feeling that I really should have bought a K10D or even a K20D. Am I missing something that these other models have that will suddenly turn my photos into something wonderful:

Most of all the batteries most people buy in the shops today are manufactured in China or Japan. The Japanese variety are better quality controlled. The Energizer and Camlink batteries are made in the UK. Rayovac are made in Germany and Renata are Swiss. Uniross, Ansmann, GP, Inov8, Eveready etc are made in China (probably from the same factories). The OEM batteries may be subcontracted to these same factories but the Quality Control is higher. Most of the Li-ion batteries in the digital camera market come with a 2yr guarantee. Remember to keep the receipt! Remember that Li-Ion batteries really do not like being totally discharged, it buggers them up. Always recharge when nearly 'empty' but not fully empty. Store them charged and remember to recharge every 3mths if kept in storage to stop them discharging fully which as just mentioned will ruin them. The best rechargeable AA batteries to use, IMO, are the new Uniross Hybrio or Sanyo Eneloop. They keep their charge for months and do not discharge in a few weeks like the regular Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeables. Ideal for use in the K100D !! My comments are based on experience and knowledge of selling all of the above.

Amazing pics! What has the ant in the second photo been drinking?

I use 4Gb SDHC cards without problem in the K100D. The display will show 999 for jpeg because I reckon Pentax didn't foresee the higher capacity cards. And will count down as you add jpegs (Hoshisato is correct in this). I expect a 4Gb card to hold about 1200 or so high quality jpegs of about 3 to 5mb in size. I recently took 170 RAW and 200 Jpeg on a 4Gb card and still had spare for another 350 Jpeg or 160 RAW according to the display on the camera. My biggest problem with these cards is remembering where I last put the spare one.

Thanks for all comments. I agree that the macro shots will need lots of light and in making sure this is done then my shutter speed will help keep camera shake/blur to a minimum, if not eliminate it altogether. I think I will probably go for the cable release, as was indicated, these are relatively inexpensive and will allow for subtle shutter release when the moment is right. I've been taking some experimental night shots and the cable release again will help with keeping camera shake down as the shutter speed will be below 1 second. Needless to say all this is tripod mounted.
Thanks again.
Coriander.
------------------------------------------------------

Hi Guys,

I’m a newbie to the forum and a newbie to digital SLR photography, though I’ve plenty of experience of 35mm cameras and the digital point and shoot pocket cameras. I sold my entire Olympus OM2N kit on Ebay and instantly regretted it because it went for a song, someone got a real bargain….. Anyway, researched all brands of digital and found Pentax was the only choice!! It was for all the reasons that I’ve read about on this forum. The thinking man’s choice – both the camera and this forum!

I’m hoping to supplement my K100D, 55mm kit lens & 70-300 Tamron with a Macro, namely the Sigma 105mm F2.8, and would like to know others’ experiences of ensuring that camera shake does not feature in the pictures taken. I’ll be using a tripod where possible but does one rely on the camera’s delay timer, use a remote corded or remote wireless to ‘press the shutter release’? Which of these is going to be the most practical?

I’m thinking of outdoor macro work where the subjects are likely to have lots of legs….

Thanks for your time and advice.