Hmmm... the M35 f2 is around the same price as the new DA35 f2.4. I know which I'd prefer!
The 28mm I have seen go for a bit less than that.... I picked one up for £45 from LCE.
The M 135mm price is spot on and it's a worthwhile lens. However you can pick one up from Ebay for around the same price and save the bus fare!

The only reason I prefer the BW version (apart from the nice tones!) is that the red thing in the BG distracts slightly, in the BW shot the chap's face has less visual competition. Knock that red back or turn it blue and the colour shot will edge into the lead.

I echo the above views that the DA35 is a very good starting point, especially re family portrait type photography. It's a little wide for 'classic portraiture' type photography but for chasing kids around it's great, and it's fast enough to blur the background (yet remains sharp). There will be more distortion than a longer lens such as the ones John suggested but not grossly so, especially not for full body / upper body shots. It will also do for group shots if you back up a bit, so it's very flexible. It will also come in handy in low light situations.

Have a look at the stunning candid shots on this thread: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/pentax/781683-da-35-2-4-plastic-wonder-dal35-vs-f...

Nice picture!

Actually that's not correct. You can use FA-J and DA lenses in Tv mode. We're used to using Av mode really, but of course Tv is just the 'mirror image' of Av mode.

However perhaps a cheaper 'flagship' film SLR with AF would be the Z-1 (or PZ-1) which does support DA lenses in Av mode, as well as M and K lenses without the A-setting. In short, it's fully functional with any Pentax K lens. http://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-z-1-pz-1.html

Yep version 3 for me too, the colour one's good too though. Thumbs down for fancy, digitally added frames though!

LOL!!!

I took viagra a couple of times out of curiosity, and to help me out with a little 'performance anxiety' issue I had (TMI?) and I did notice the heightened colours thing, I also got the impression it was mildly psychoactive? Anyway yes that was pleasant for a few times, wouldn't want to be on it daily though

The first one is really sad... poor parrot

At 17 years old, if this lad was particularly swayed by peer pressure, I doubt he'd be spending his money on a DSLR

Hopefully if he has mates who share his hobby, they will think the same way. But I agree - let him make his own mind up, so long as he knows what a sweet deal the K5 is!