I have a K200D with a split-prism Katzeye fitted so it's great for manual focus. I need to get around to selling it.

I use chrome for everything and don't have any problems, however I may get different ads from most as I'm not in the UK.

The comments are rather strong, as are the ridiculous accusations. Still, Pentax do need to get rid of SDM if for nothing else than the dubious reputation it's developed.

I don't remember hearing anything about mirror problems on Pentax cameras.

If the camera is unable to stop down the aperture at all (moving the lever just inside the mount) then even a lens with an aperture ring won't work as this lever still stops down the aperture to what is set on the ring.

If you like the M version you'd probably love the K version even more, the results are along the same lines but with better contrast and colour and often a nice 3D look. It is a lot bigger and heavier though (and harder to find and more expensive).

My favourite is the DA 35mm limited without a doubt. Though I love the feel of the old manual lenses, the DA 35mm wins through sheer image quality. Just amazing.

Here's mine at the head of the DA limited pack.



DA limiteds: 15mm, 21mm, 35mm, 70mm by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

I have a couple of Zeiss Ikon and a Franka Solida folding cameras I bought and use. They are very rewarding and surprisingly easy to use.

Compared to other kit lenses, the traditional Pentax 18-55 is known to be much better than average (not sure about the newer 18-50) however a kit lens is still a kit lens. When I use mine I stop it down to f/8 and leave it there and results are poorer than my Tamron 17-50/2.8 wide open. The kit lens is good for being small and light and WR but if neither of those factors is critical then better to use an alternative. Worth having though, especially when it can be bought effectively for free with a kit.

DSLRs or other large-sensor cameras (such as mirrorless APS-C) can make a huge difference to the quality of your photos and the range of conditions in which you're able to take good photos. A camera such as that will make a big difference over a bridge or other compact camera.

The difference between an "entry level", "pro" or other designation DSLR is far less important. I used a K200D (old "entry-level" Pentax) very happily for five years before upgrading. Any current entry level DSLR will likely do 98% of what a pro-level one would. As a cheap but still available new option, the KS-1 is a very fine camera indeed. The K-S2 I'm sure is better, but I doubt by much.

I know we're all biased here to some degree, but if you're convinced you want a DSLR, Pentax will give you a better-built, better-specified camera than any other DSLR maker for the same money. When I got my K200D I researched very extensively before buying and I just couldn't understand why someone would buy the Nikon or Canon equivalents instead.

One last piece of advise - leave some money for a lens other than the kit 18-55mm. I went for a 55-300mm zoom when I started out but really a fast prime is far more useful and will show what a good DSLR is really capable of. The DAL 35mm f/2.4 is the most common choice for Pentax and it is an excellent lens for the price.

Water droplets are a favourite subject of mine and the DA 35mm limited macro is perfect for capturing them.

Here are a few from yesterday morning, taken on the K3.



Untitled by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr



Untitled by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr



Untitled by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

My christmas one took two or three months earlier in the year, I think that's the norm. Pentaxx customer care seems to be pretty poor in this case, though unfortunately that also seems to be the norm.

Maybe you can get yourself to SRS for the Pentaxx demo day and ask Mark from Pentax??