I was curious as to whether or not cameras/lenses are expensive or not compared to when I started in photography.

We can find the details for specific items ourselves as there are plenty of inflation calculators on the web. But here are two examples.

Using the Eric Fishwick 1984/1985 catalogue as the price source, an LX with FA-1 finder would have cost £371.50. A K-3 body even at release price costs £1099.00. Adjusting the LX for inflation, it is equivalent to £1012.95.

A lens cap cost £3.00, adjusted the price today would be £8.18. The SRS price for a similar cap today is £6.99.

My first SLR was the SP1000 with 55mm f/2 lens. £99.95 then, around 1978, that would be £526.86 now. I could still comfortably get into the Pentax system with that amount of cash.

Interesting.

Possibly so. Having said that I don't think lenses or cameras are expensive. Not when we think of the huge investment behind them and the level of technology and complexity involved.

Absolutely.

SRS are also offering a £100 part exchange bonus, so there's your £999.00 right at launch.

I've answered your question as best I can and no more do I know.

Not sure what point you're making here Shaun.

I think there are more pressing things to fret about than speculating on the unknown future. It really doesn't matter what the range is called, but clearly Ricoh have decided Pentax will apply to DSLRs and RIcoh to compacts.

Which is what they said right from the beginning.

Yes, I'm sure. Have a look at the front of the camera.

The 55-300mm was crying out to be a WR lens, so it's good that it now is. I guess the price will settle given a little time. It usually does.

It isn't called the Ricoh K-3, it's called the Pentax K-3. Ricoh Imaging is the company that makes Pentax cameras and lenses.

Pentax User remains Pentax User.

Hope that clears it up for you!

Nonetheless, let's keep a semblance of being on topic. It's all looking good, so as and when I come to upgrade again it will be the K-3. Unfortunately there isn't endless cash to continually upgrade for the sake of it so I'll be concentrating on making images with the K-5 bodies that we already have.

Of course, "there isn't endless cash" could be slightly flexible.....