It will come, give it a generation or two.

Don't forget the K-x is essentially a K-m but with a new sensor, processor and AF system - everything else is the same and that includes the body shell. To have given "snap-on" panels in this model would have meant re-engineering the largest single part of the camera and the costs (new moulds, etc) would have added quite a premium to the price.

The way Pentax have gone about this upgrade is a stroke of genius - it ticks all (most of?) the right boxes for marketing purposes while at the same time costing a fraction of the design/production costs of a wholly new camera. Clever Pentax!

Pentax wouldn't allow it though if it were to divert sales from the 645D unfortunately.

I once painted a TV set (before anyone says it, no not the screen) to blend in with my room decor - didn't actually look too bad.

Perhaps your dealer painted a black one because he couldn't get hold of the real thing? The ones I've seen were moulded in high-quality white plastic - no paint involved.

As the only difference between the black and white bodies is the dye added before the plastic injection process it's fair to say the quality is absolutely identical in every other respect.

There are a few holes I admit, but I'm holding out for a "budget" MF back from Kodak - they've obviously had some practice now they've produced the sensor for the Leica S2...

I think you mean un-luckily. I can't see how having our choice restricted could ever be considered a "good" thing.

Not at all. The body moulds are already there (it's only a K-m with a new sensor, AF and Prime Processor after all - the outside hasn't changed), they just inject different colour plastics into each until they have enough stock. Pinks and yellows cost no more to make than black mouldings so this gives many more options (and lots of publicity / extra sales) for no additional outlay.

The colour options are a bespoke service which are ordered through Pentax directly or through a (Japanese) dealer. The individual orders will be allocated a bar code at the factory and at the appropriate points on the production line the right colour body and grip will be fitted. There is no chance of having a mountain of unsold colour combinations as they will only be producing what people order.



But who will decide what combinations people want? I warn you now if it's me then we'll all be getting orange ones with the blue grip because it just looks awesome. Maybe a few lime green with black, some olive with yellow and maybe white with blue for the traditionalists. I'm thoroughly bored of black cameras so of course they'll be banned.

I've handled a white K-m (and seen the crystal-encrusted K200D in the flesh) and the quality of the finish is easily as good as any other DSLR that Pentax has made. Don't judge it by the shiny publicity photos.

and I thought I had luck turning up the bargains!

That's a shame Aiki. Up until the recent rises the price of the DA35 was quite reasonable too...

Never mind, polarising filters are good fun too

Booooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Out of the four then I suppose blue (actually anything but black - I am heartily sick of black cameras) but I might have to import one from Japan if I can't get the combo I really want here

Being a Hartblei though it can't be long before there's a P6 mount available - that might be worth buying if the price was right