Wow, thanks for that, I didn't even know Park Cameras existed until you said that!

See, I'd hoped that the K-X would carry over the heavy build and weatherproofing from the K200D, but it seems like the opposite

I think I'll go to Park Cameras next week and try the K-X out.

Short of one shop doing student discount and the other not, the prices are pretty much the same. Park Cameras will include a free 'gadget bag', but SRS will do the free next-day shipping.

Thanks for the advice all!

Ben.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the welcome, and the advice.

Looks like I'll be going for the K-X. I'll be contacting SRS in January and sorting things out.

Free shipping, you say...?



Ben.

Hi all! I'm new here *^-^*

So, long story short, did Photography in college, but never made the jump to digital. Haven't properly held an SLR for about 8 years.

Looking to get back into photography now I'm at university, and as my manual SLR was a Pentax, I figured I'd stick with the tried and true formula

DP Reviews hasn't got an in-depth of the Pentax K-X up yet

I was originally looking at the K200D with the kit lens, but it seems like that camera has been discontinued? Nowhere has it, anyway...

So the new entry level DSLR is the Pentax K-X. It's right on the edge of my budget with the kit lens (looking at getting it from SRS Microsystems - read that they are very reputable? I see that they are affiliated with this forum.).

Questions;

1./ What is the build quality of the K-X like compared to that of the K200D - does the K-X include the weather-proofing like the K200D?

2./ I have heard that the K-X (and some other Pentax DSLR's) have some issues with AA batteries, and draining them too fast?

I've read that this is fixed with a firmware update, but how necessary is this? Are 100% of the cameras affected?

It's just that I am on a Mac Book, so most software isn't compatible with my computer. My post-processing is done through GIMP, a great freeware program.

3./ Where's the cheapest place to acquire one?

After all, I am a student It's pretty much the money I saved throughout the year, plus a little from Santa Claus, and the rest from my student loan in January - anywhere having a big January sale?

Cheers!

Ben.