Hi Guys

Just got my first Pentax DSLR.

I've shot in RAW on mu Fuji bridge for a long time and never really questioned the format but within the KS-2 I can use either DNG or PEF - both are recognised by my usual software. I run Adobe Creative Suite 5 - so I use Bridge and Photoshop for my processing (though I am thinking about buying Lightroom as everyone seems to love it and it's quite cheap) before I digress in to 'should I get lightroom' I'll ask my question.

Are there any pros and cons of DNG or PEF?

All I can see from fiddling is PEF has better compression, but maybe I am missing something.

Who do you buy them from Phil I'm always worried about low grade fakes when it comes to batteries especially bought online.

Just bought my first Pentax KS-2 the above is the battery, whenever I buy a new camera I usually imeadiately buy a spare battery but at £70 each they ain't exactly cheap.

Can anyone recommend a quality compatible?

Just an update.

In the end I decided to buy the Twin Lens pack so UK prices were only pennys out as perhaps it is not as popular a pack? Seems to me an 18-50mm and a 50-200mm is a great starter combination and at £70 more than the 18-50mm pack only a good deal.

So I bought from Wex in the UK mainly for speed of delivery, I could have saved about £20 buying from abroad taking duties and VAT into account but would be waiting 28 days for delivery. I think I would have exploded with excitement if I had had to wait that long so I ordered from WEX on next day delivery. It arrived 10 minutes ago and the battery is charging now!

For those following this thread or finding it in the future though I thought it would be useful to note the warranty in the box is marked as a EUROPEAN warranty not WORLDWIDE as some people here and elsewhere had suggested it would be,

That was my logic too

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

After everything you said I decided not to go for the K3 but instead for the KS-2 with the money saved not getting the K3 I opted for the Ks-2 Twin lens kit 18-50mm WR and 50-200mm WR. It was an extra £70 for the pack with the 50-200mm lens too and this seemed like a good deal to me? And I thought the extra lens would offer me a lot more versatility and options as I learn the Camera.

I ordered from Wex (never bought from them before hope they're OK) last night so I should have it Tuesday - Feel like a kid at Xmas

I ended up paying more than I would have over Christmas as all the great deals disappeared, I don't think I appreciated they were genuine discounts as I hadn't paid that much attention the prices in the past

There is no import duty on digital cameras. There is VAT but I can make it a business purchase quite legitimately and claim the VAT back,

I suppose I would need to see the terms of the Pentax warranty that would be supplied with the Camera to verify any geographic restrictions.

Hi Guys

I'm in the UK and have been pricing up a Pentax KS-2 recently with Kit lens I have realised that even with shipping if I buy from a US vendor and pay in USD$ that I can get what I want for about £100 less than buying from a UK retailer.

Is there any downside to this is the gear any different? Obviously I'll need to use a converter on Battery charger but any other reason not to do this?

It is £120 cheaper at John Lewis at the moment is you take the white one.

Hi All

I'm new to Pentax planning on buying my first body this month either a K3 or a DS-2 there is obviously a huge array of lenses available all with varying names - how can I tell from the name which camera a lens will be compatible with?

Also is there a guide to what all the sets of initials mean on a lens?