I didn't have the heart, being an uplifting story and all.... although I'd be telling porkies if I didn't admit that it had occurred to me (just for a split second mind you)

I guess I'll just wait and let you step in next time Mike

Actually I think although the K-x probably has taken sales from the K-7 it may not be as much as we think.
The K-x is at a lower price point and is a more entry level product. Something would be wrong if it wasn't selling in higher volumes at a lower price point. D-SLR for the masses so to speak.

Pentax marketing works in mysterious ways

It's about a keen photographer who was losing his sight. He was a user of film and began to get very depressed because he could no longer see what he was photographing.

A friend of his suggested trying a digital camera, so he did and although he found it challenging he could make out the shapes he was photographing on rear screen.

With his new found enthusiasm he photographed all aspects of his shed in different lighting conditions an weathers, some 1300 shots I think were mentioned.

When loaded onto his computer if he gets close to the screen within about 10” / 250mm or so he can make out the detail of his images.

This is new found release with a digital camera has changed his live to the positive and lifted him out of depression.
A moving and topical story.

What an uplifting story.
We could do with more of this rather than the normal doom and gloom pasted everywhere.

Thanks for sharing the link.

Yes that's gist of what I was trying to say, moving the K-x down and sliding the K-m2 between it and the K-7.

Certainly would make the K-m2 tempting if it was weather sealed

In which case my earlier theory is rubbish. If the speculation is true it will be a step up from K-x rather than entry level.

Yes f/2.8 would have been nice but I can live with f/4 providing it's pretty sharp from centre to boarder.

Sort of but perhaps but not exactly, maybe they feel that they need to brush up on the bottom draw entry level to compete with other manufacturers offerings. Currently two D-SLR cameras looks a bit underwhelming for a product range.

This is all rumour anyhow isn't it?

The DA* 10-16 looks interesting.

I tend to use either Av or TAv modes. When using aperture priority I generally set ISO to 100-200 unless the shutter drops to unmanageable levels.

Pete, have you tried Highlight Protection and discovered the increase shadow noise or is this something you have seen reported by others?
Just interested as I have never bothered to use this setting and might give it a go as I do get the occasional clipped highlight.