Mostly the default settings are very reasonable, but I would suggest the following:

Set the autofocus to centre point only.This means you aim at the spot you want to focus on and the half pressure on the release locks that point so you can re-compose and keep the focus where you wanted it.

Select the best quality JPEG setting at the maximum resolution.

Select your favoured metering pattern.

Switch off the flash unit.

Set AWB and the lowest ISO setting.

Time to reach for the Pan-Galactic Gargle-Blaster?

It offers Pentax logistics and ergonomics. Pentax quality of contruction and results. Water/dust sealing of the body. A track record second to none of maintaining almost 100% backwards compatibility.

I think we should be comparing it at the Nikon D200 level, if we need to compare it at all! The price will soon fit the market in any event.

And a very warm welcome to you!

I wouldn't like to think what I was saying three years ago, but probably that the quality of digital wasn't yet where I wanted it to be. But a lot has happened in three years and digital is, in my opinion, now the only sensible way to go. With a few exceptions for specific purposes.

This current point of view only gets a little dented when the PC fails to behave properly and then things get, er, moderately annoying...

The final nail in film's coffin could well be the 10.2MP DSLR.

Although we continue to use film, this is only specifically to provide pictures for competitions and inter-club "battles". I am of course talking about slide film.

If the results from Cavendish are good (we've just sent off a CD to be written to slide film) then even this may be in doubt and digital may completely take over.

Unless, of course, there is a specific job to do that requires film for some reason.

Interesting point, I suppose it depends on your point of view!

If you phone jessops they may be able to find you one.

If you buy a copy of AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER you will find the *istDL at some attractive prices from UK dealers. Jessops however have the *istDL2 as an offer special to themselves.

The US price seems too expensive to me, and too risky if anything proves to be amiss when it arrives.

Any of the Pentax digital SLRs will be fine. The *istD was the first and it differs from the others in that it takes CompactFlash cards. All the others take SD cards, and I mention this in case you have a compact digital camera that takes the same type of card.

The*istDS, DS2, DL and DL2 will all be fine.

The new K100D adds shake reduction technology which enables you to use slower shutter speeds without getting shaky pictures.

The best deal might well be the *istDL2 with 18-55mm lens from Jessops for £349, if you can still find one in stock.

Don't forget to let us know what you end up buying and what he thinks of it!

Lots of good advice in this thread, but I think the main one is that cameras, especially modrn ones, are not really suitable for DIY repairs...