Two years ago I bought a K30 to replace a K10 as my back up camera to the K5 (Mk 1 version). It soon ceased to be a 'back up' and became an equal partner with the K5. I still can't notice any difference in image quality between them although I must admit I'm no pixel peeper. The K5 and K30 have superior IQ to the K10.

Yes the K30 has quite a noisy shutter compared to the K5 but the latter has an amazingly quiet shutter. No the K30 doesn't have a top screen and yes it has a 'plastic body.' But that makes it lighter.
Now I have a K3 but the K30 still gets used quite often, I wouldn't part with it.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Thingshtatihave seen is a respected member of this forum and his selection to be an ambassador a worthy choice. Are the other three guys members here by any chance?
David

PS Incidentally Bill, I believe you are Geordie-born yet you do convincing Manchester or Yorkshire accents in your TV soap appearances.

David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

I've noticed the pending times getting longer. It regularly used to be up to 3 weeks. Then it became a month, now I've got one two that have been waiting for around six weeks.
I wonder if we are to blame in some way? If a lot of people are like me and don't spend enough time voting on submissions perhaps the backlog just goes on getting longer.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

My K30 still gets used regularly although I have a K5 and K3. Its image quality is superb, way above what you would expect from an allegedly entry level model. The K5 range and the K3 have magnesium alloy bodies as David points out, giving them a more robust feel. But for a walk around lightweight combination the K30 is superb for street photography.
Incidentally the lack of a top screen on the K30 doesn't bother me in the least.

David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Well caught and focussed in action. I love 1 and 3.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Nos. 3,4 and 6 work very well for me. They are interesting and out of the ordinary for me.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

I like the close in, full frame face shots best. No.2 is the standout portrait for me. She's a beautiful girl and I like the treatment which is almost high key.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

First class. I prefer 2 and 3 and agreed with the remarks about the diagonal in No.3 but then I read your explanation and trust your judgement on that.
No.1, while excellent, doesn't seem quite as sharp as the other two.
I jumped from the Mark 1 K5 straight to the K3
so I've not experienced the K5 11 which seems to be getting a wonderful press from you guys who use one.
I rate the K5 as good as the K3 for image quality but value the K3 because it allows me to crop more tightly. This is useful as my longest lens is 200mm.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Carl sums up the difficulty in making scenes like this come to life in a photograph. I often have the same problem making landscapes work too. The most marvellous view seems to go flat in the photo.
Having said this these are very effective on the whole Nigel. The ferns work well for me because you've gone in closer to pick out detail.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

They are all very good Alan. You have very effectively created drama by filling the frame and offering a varied range of images.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout