to be fair, most people would agree the main selling points on the pentax digital models is the compatabilty with older gear, the quality of the glass, the build quality of the cameras and lenses, and pricing.....but the other brand you mention gets higher reviews for image quality(debatable), sharpness, and more pixels. I'd weigh my descision (in fact I did) on how much older equipment I have....the cost of having to replace EVERYTHING, everytime a new line comes out (flashes, lenses and esp flash units) adds a tremendous amount to the camera's total cost of ownership.

the inkjet thing sucks.
used to buy the all in one color cartridge for epson, but individual tanks were purportedly cheaper and therefore in response to demand, epson switched...now I find it cheaper to buy a "carton" pack of all six colors than to but them seperately and dark blue cartridges piling up unused.

I saw a canon ip 1500 at Walmart for $59.00 that included ink and the cost of the ink cartridges on the shelf next to it cost $72.00!

What would be nice is a simple solar powered recharger for the AA's

once you get upto speed on lens choice, tripod, composition, then learn the raw stuff (jpeg will do while learning), get the hang of using the cameras exposure meter, and start shopping for a neutral grad filter, a circular polarizer, and a blue/yello vari-color polarizer.

I take alot of gear, recently even using a campertrailer as a mobile office.
If one aspires to be a pro and is trying to sell, my advice is to get a bussiness licence, make a point of contacting the chamber of commerce, and any local art galleries, as well as magazines and tourism offices in the area you intend to travel, or take a seminar. pack all your gear, and at the end of the year, WRITE THE TRIP OFF against your taxes.

My response to that "you must have areally good camera" insult is usually one (or both)of these:
" in the wrong hands, It'll take take crappy pictures too..."
and/or
"I have really nice skates,too... I guess that means I can outskate Gretsky..."

haven't tried this, but it made an interesting read...
http://www.worth1000.com/tutorial.asp?sid=161123&print=1
Id've gone one step further and inlaid a protractor on the swivel bas and a needle on the head to ease spacing the frame...or just some markings in pen...

if you didn't already have the pentax lenses, I would've given consideration to one of the evf with 400(+)mm lenses. amazing value really (camera and lens together for less than the price of an slr lens)...but if you have the lenses already....an slr is a system you can build on.

I saw a similar idea with printable sheets one could cut out and roll up paper tube for rollling coins....I'd roll up some pennies and buy a real lenshood..well actually I use my hand...so, I guess I'd roll up some pennies and buy a round at the local watering hole.
;0)

Besides I thought Anesthesia was a Russian Princes...nice girl but forgetful....

I suppose one could carry a co2 fire extinguisher and giv'em a blast or two...just don't bump'em or they'll shatter...he.he.he...