I actually spotted that in the local store at the weekend. That may end up being the best option. Shame I didn't get it last week.....hindsight!

Just a note to also comment on how very very helpful and patient Mifsuds have been.
That just needed saying as 'people' tend to only comment when there is a problem!

ah yes thanks, a few more options again

Having made the decision, I went on the Mifsuds website this evening to buy the lens even though it was £30 more expensive and it now seems to be £299

Decision definitely made!

The decision has been made!
Thanks everyone for your input.
I picked up the K200 today. I'm not sure who is going to end up owning it but we will leave that for a discussion at Christmas!

Thanks again.

That all sounds like the k200 is the main opinion then!
If I'm honest, that was not what I was expecting but that's not a bad surprise.
The 'new' camera will be for a recently-retired relative and so does not take to technology massively quickly; and has never had an SLR. Although the k200 seems like the slightly better camera, would he be better with the k-m or will he take to them both equally as badly
My k-m is so new that I could get away with giving that to him and keeping the k200 for myself....if that will be the most suitable for the both of us.
Thanks for all the thoughts!

I know this has been discussed in the past but it is now Christmas 2009 and I have a slightly different situation - i think!
Due to a strange stock situation at my local store, I can have either the K200d or the k-m for the same price. Both come with their respective standard pentax lens.
This all started when I was looking to buy myself a DA 55-300 for my k-m and I was asked to also buy a k-m for a relative. He is an absolute DSLR beginner so I personally think he will be better off with the k-m ??
However, i am no longer a beginner so could perhaps buy the k200 and do a trade so i have 'room for expansion'??
Is there an easy answer to this one?
I read something about different lenses available for these cameras, is this due to different attachments and is one therefore better than the other for this reason??
I would really appreciate some thoughts on this one
Thanks

That's pretty good. Only £70 more than I was originally intending.
I will let you all know what happens and thanks for all the advice. I think this will become a christmas present

Thanks for all the great information!
Unfortunately, it looks like I should really (somehow) get hold of the DA 55-300 as I think I will use the extra 100mm over the 50-200.
Both the Sigma and the tamron are very tempting alternatives for over £100 saving but I don't want to get something that I might regret after 6 months of use. Is the k-m a good enough camera to make use of the difference between all these lenses? ....not that I can possibly justify getting a new one

hefty1 - Unfortunately, my Zenit lenses are at the other end of the scale, I have never had a tele. They were, clearly, built to last tho and I might try getting an adaptor so I can play with wide angle and macro as well.

Thanks for the rapid reply.
I have been taking photos of aircraft (helicopters mainly) so a telephoto would certainly be useful. Also lots of landscape/scenery shots. Having never had a tele lens I'm not really sure what they are able to do but there have been many time where I have wanted to 'get a bit closer'. Maybe also to play with some effects of a shorter focal depth on objects not tremendously close.
Do you think the DA lenses would be a better choice than the Sigma I mentioned?
Iv'e also wondered if its worth getting a tele that goes up to 300mm when on a tight budget, is it perhaps better to just get a better quality lens that only goes up to 200mm?

Hello,

I have a K-m (also called a K2000 in some places apparently) and have 'grown out' of the stock 18-55mm lens that came with it. I need some suggestions for a suitable replacement/addition.
I am on a budget but one that is a little flexible if the cheaper options prove to be a false economy. This will be by 2nd ever lens on my first SLR although I have been using cameras (an old film Zenith and compact digitals) for a long time and am coming along fairly well with their use.
I think this new lens should be a telephoto covering a decent range but will probably be the only one I buy for a while. I have had the k-m for nearly a year now with just the standard lens.

I have read many reviews on individual products but reviews are very subjective when compared to what other people have in their camera bag.
So far, my thoughts are to get a fairly decent range, something like the Sigma 70 - 300mm telephoto zoom f-4-5,6 APO DG for £165. This would probably end up being the lens that I leave on the camera most of the time. Is 70mm wide enough most of the time? Is 300mm too much of a zoom for this quality of lens/camera combo? Can anyone suggest anything that will be more suitable for me?

I'm a bit of a newbie with all this, I hope someone has some ideas/experiences to pass on....
Thanks.