I'm not sure it would make that much difference in "stolen sales".

The thing is there are more entry level people out there than advanced amateur level. A person looking at Kx at the moment is unlikely to be tempted by K7 because it's too expensive.

If you put a K-m2 in the middle with weather sealing, better AF, a top LCD and the viewfinder off the K10D (for example), yes a few more potential K7 buyers will drop down but I suspect a ballancing number of Kx buyers will jump up.

If the salesman can say "yes sir, the Kx is very nice, but the K-m2 is only £150 more and you get these extras" he is more likely to get the up-sale than the guy who has to say "look at the K7, sure it's an extra £500 but feel that magnesium body". It's going to be about where they put the K-m2 in that currently gaping hole between entry level and semi pro.

not necessarilly, they could be planning to nudge down the price of the K-X and any possible successor and bring in a K200D level camera in the middle.

Honestly, I think Pentax (or Hoya) need to get the product lineup straight in their heads. Decide which leagues they wish to/can play in and put a camera body in each.

That K-m2 is K-200D shaped. It's obvious, but it only just hit me.

Admittedly it's just a schematic of what is apparently a relatively unlikely camera if Tim is right about the %ages, but it has a top LCD and the main dial on the "right" side.

well now's your chance!

BTW you're not a professor at Nottingham Trent are you?

excuse me being stupid but isn't the K-X the K-M's replacement?

I'm sure I'm not the only one with a driven camera mounting, is anyone else planning to have a bash at Orion this weekend?

It's high in the sky with no moon, and it's a photographers playground. The great nebula around Orions sword is a relatively easy target with several orders of magnitude of detail for the more adventurous/well equipped, then there's the flame nebula and the famous horsehead, both of which are a little harder to get.

I don't know if I'll be able to get out under the stars, but I'm planning to try if it's clear! who's with me?

At that strength it's not really beer in the sense of the experience of drinking it though. It's going to be more like a black whisky.

deppends where I am, but generally

K10D + 80-320 with 16-45, 90 Macro and 50 1.4 in the bag, AF-S on half press, generally on SEL but with centre point picked (so I can change it fast if I want to). Av mode on f/8, ISO ~200 deppending on weather, time of day and anticipated subjects.

SR only ever gets turned off if I'm on a tripod.

metering on 16 segment for the most part although I'm starting to use spot and M mode for trickier landscapes and other subjects which wont move where the lighting plays a critical role in the shot.

For those who may be confused by my lens choice, the 80-320 stays on the camera because it's the one I'm most likely to want in a hurry. If I see a landscape or building I like I'll have time to swap to the 16-45.

beer is far more interesting, and makes a better photographic subject too!

excelent, now, who can read Japanese?