aah! that explains why you are such a prolific poster.

George, focusing improvements aside, how would you rate the IQ of the K20 compared to the K10.

Steve

Yes, can you post the original?

Steve

Cheers Peter, it is my favourite too. This may sound corny and cliched, but to me, I see the young couple about to go on a voyage of discovery, with the swan as their guide. They have blue skies, but maybe a few storm clouds on the horizon. There I told you it was cliched, guess I am an old romantic, but don't tell the wife.

Steve

No formal Leicestershire group that I am aware of. I am just up the road from you. Jon DC is over in Castle Donington

Steve

Jack all taken with the DA 16-45.

My first time in the area, we stayed at a guest house overlooking the lake. Plan to make a return visit finances permitting in the autumn

Steve

Cheers Jack

A series of pictures taken on a recent visit to Ullswater

1. [IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/ullswater12a.jpg[/IMG]

2. [IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/ullswater4a.jpg[/IMG]

3. [IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/ullswater5a.jpg[/IMG]

4. [IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/ullswater6a.jpg[/IMG]

5. [IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/ullswater14a.jpg[/IMG]

C&C welcome - Steve

A well designed lens hood reduces flare and improves contrast. The front element protection is a bonus feature as far as I am concerned. My lenses are all fitted with hoods and never leave home without them.

It did strike me during a recent trip to the Lake District, that of none of the Canikons that I came across had hoods fitted.

I too have expressed concerns in other threads. I do not believe that Pentax are doing enough to attract new users. To say that their approach to marketing is amatuerish is being too kind. I do not accept the excuse that they don't have the resources to compete with Canon, Sony or Nikon. Succesful marketing is not all about multi million dollar budgets, it is about being creative. By way of an example just look at the exposure that the Queensland Tourist Board got out of their World's Best Job campaign. What have we had from Pentax, white and green KMs.

Of course Pentax have a huge user base from film days, I am one of them, but we are all getting older. How many of the new generation of DSLR users have heard of Pentax?

My major concern is that Pentax will become ultra niche in a Japanese Leica way. Appreciated by knowledgable photographers, but relatively unknown to the majority of the camera buying public.

Their current strategy of raising prices and heavy reliance on a Pro Dealer network is very risky. Pentax are coming from behind in terms of public awareness. Having an equivalent or even a better product does not mean that you can charge as much as your competitors. Buyers will always go for the option that they know and feel comfortable with. That is as much a part of the value proposition as the camera itself. Developing public awareness is the very essence of professional marketing.

Raising prices might increase profits in the short term, but as we have read on the forum, it will undoubtably make some current users think hard about further investment in the Pentax system. I for one could not and would not pay Leica prices.

Steve

Off to Ullswater for a couple days this coming weekend. Fingers crossed the sky will be as blue as in your picture.

Steve