I am a pentax K-m owner or K2000 as it is called here in Canada.

The wonderful beauty of the K-m is that is a fantistic camera to get a true feel of the Dslr. It holds the balance between the point and shoot compacts and the high professional end cameras.
It is within a price range of comfort, especially if one is uncertian about how serious and or professional they want to be or really need time to learn.
Even though the lens that comes with the camera is more lighter and more plastic, that also has an advantage for someone new in the dslr field. It is much earier to hold steady a lighter weight camera, easier to cart around with you as around your neck. All these points really matter as a beginner. It shoots some nice... click ,click, click...it is a great feel in your hands!
I want to carry mine all the time...so I invested in a soft cover made from SCUBA diving material...then away I go.
This camera offers some really fun filters. The actual effects that are available are modes such as Toy Camera, Retro, Soft, Starburst and black & white and many more,also custom, where you can combine any and all filters. Probably the most fun out of all of them is the Toy Camera which isn't at all as the name suggests, it has special tones. If your daughter likes creativity, this feature will please her all to pieces!!!All the other effects have adjustable levels and you can also take a test shot while in the menu by pressing the exposure compensation button. It then allows you to see the changes, make amendments and retake it before shooting the final shot. There is lots to this little compact Dslr.

Oh ya,,,do not forget the help button...man that is like having the manual in your reach no matter where you are! This button is interfaced with evey button on the camera and will explain what each is for. I believe that the K-m for any newcomer could be about the easiest Dslr camera on the market to use. It rated top notch in the colour test chart image..it has both RAW and Jpeg...and can turn the RAW into Jpeg right on your camera saving both to your card.

I am amazed...really amazed at the battery life I get using rechargables...it beats anything I have ever owned. This camera will keep me very busy and learning for a while to come. It seems to be producing some nice shots...why just last night, one of pentax own master photographer ask premission to own one of my pictures and hang it in his gallery....Aww gee I was sooo flattered!

If I was forces to say something negitive about this camera, it would be the flash....You really need a better flash...I am looking into buying something myself. It cast an odd shadow...I wish I knew how to load pictures on the forum blog...cause I'd show you....having said that, I do not like using flashes much...I LOVE natural light!

If you are already a true professional photographer, I am sure you would want more then this little Dsrl can do...but you know what....I do not believe it is the camera that makes a great photographer, I believe it is the photographer that makes it a great camera!

If I can be of further help to you or to your daughter (if she get one) just let me know.

As Ever, Judith Ann

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cFG8I6Bjo5Q/SffFS2Va-OI/AAAAAAAAAy0/PLvt-F8lxnM/s400/I...[img] How do I upload here???
Can I upload my pictures I share in the gallery?

Help...and Thanks, Judith ann

I am right here "Donut"!!!

Okay, I know what you mean. I am in Canada, on the Miramichi I have looked into something local. The Community College here offers a starter course in Digital Photography, but it was just a point and shoot sort of thing...

I thought I ask and see if any of you had taken an On-line one....seems not. I think I might go Stefan root of a good book. I saw a nice Readers Digest hand book on digital Photography????

Yes I can always ask questions...but I fear I have far too many, far too often, I need to educated...try...and then seek advice.

I do know that being 'out in the field' is the best teacher of all...and I must admit the best classroom ever!

Can I use a manual converter on a Auto lens?

I need a good flash, neither my built in one or my 'old attached' are very good. Any recommandations at what is best for the K-M?

as Ever JudithAnn

Hey fellows, I love my K-M pentax, I believe it is a great learning camera. I really think I would like to take some kind of On-line photo course. I am hoping that you might suggest one that has proven to be benificial. I need pratice and understanding with my over and under exposures...what type of lens I need for, potraits, macro,ect.

I have the itch to expand, learn and shoot!!

As Ever, JudithAnn

Thank a million fellows...I will try this and oh by the way Anvh (Mr Potter) I will join the thread suggested.....
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/k200-under-exposure-11543

as Ever; JudithAnn Ohhh I have so very much to learn!

Once again, Welcome Lynton

Hi Lynton: This is the third time I have written this note...not sure how I keep lossing my post?

Anyhow...welcome indeed. I too am knew to the K-M, and I do so love the camera. I have been trying to use the "old" with the "new". I have been incoperating my "old" flash and "old"telescopic lens with my new K-M. All my equiptment is from my trusty old K-1000 bought in 1978.

So for you and I to build up our new found knowledge base, from all the masters..and pro's on this forum, let me present a problem I am having..of course I am neither a master or pro.......


I am trying to take pictures with my pentax K-M using my old lens from my K1000.....I have put the setting on 'permit' for lens and set my camera to manual...however all my telescopic photos are very dark...is this my ISO setting??

If I lighten them by photoshopping;it becomes very washed out.

Hey Lynton....maybe you can help me???

As Ever; JudithAnn

Thanks Jack.....as soon as the Easter holidays are done I will find one

Meanwhile...I am click click, clicking away

Hi Jack...yes I did use a blower...I am not familiar with ANY of this.

I might see if a local camera shop vcan help me? Is that good idea? I mean should it only be a pentax place to care for a pentax?

I can indeed live with it....just not perfectly live with it!: haha.

as Ever, JudithAnn

Well...You really are a friendly bunch...NICE

I already have a wee problem...I have a spot in my view finder..small but dark. I can ignore it of course...but it bothers me, to have it at all, where the Cam is brand-new.

It is not on the mirror..nor underneath...It is inside the view finder. I hate the thought of the cost of shipping it away to fix this...It has NO effect on the pictures at all. The pictures...are so neat...we had freezing rain yesterday, (not so neat) and I found so much to photograph... This spot never ever shows up on a pictures.

Thanks for the welcome...When I figure out this forum, I will upload a few pics from a newbee..

as Ever, JudithAnn

Pentax camera....My one and only pentax camera I ever owned was a Pentax k1000. It was 1976 and until 1998, when I FOUND a pentax 738 an auto focus. I love my old trusty K1000. I raised five children, took sooo many fantistic pictures of them over the years with the K1000. Along came the Grandchildren...4 to date and counting.....I took wonderful pictures of them. The pentax K1000 was a 'no fail' camera; it had a lighting meter in its manual body that was so perfect..bang on!

Today...Yes today I bought a Pentax K-M 2000...digital!!! I am learning everything I can. I have taken pictures with it...they are wonderful. I LOVE it. I have even taken a picture of my self using the TV mode...turning my image into a ghost. Don't raeally know what I need that image for???but it was interesting to do.

I am new to blogging on a forum...but I am sure I really need a friend or two while I live and learn my way around my new Pentax.

Over the years I have entered many exhibitions with my photos...and a few contest; but all photos were from K1000. Let seee what I can do now.

As Ever JudithAnn