Pentax K-m for dslr newbie?

Hello
I'm a lucky man, my gf has offered to buy me an SLR for my 30th!

I have played around with a few in the shops, want something small as my other hobby has lots of equipment which is why I got rid of my EOS620. Not totally new to SLR's, just been away for a few years playing around on small digis. Its not the same, I still scan my film images if I am looking for images to print!

The K-m (K2000) seems by far the nicest to hold and just feels so much more compact than canon or sony offerings and as small as the Olympus E420. I like the simple menu screens, reminds me of my first Optio s30 so hopefully will get the GF use to using it too!

The only slight hesitation is the missing focus indicator. Is this really a big issue? Never had on my film SLR's, just select spot focus and recompose.

Is there anything else I should be aware of against the competition such as Nikon d60 etc? The reviews seem so mixed, mags seem to like them, online reviews slate it a bit so a little confused!

Thanks for any advice!
Greg

---

My Flickr
Plymouth Kite Club

I think you've done the right thing and actually handled some cameras. You've made a decision already really as you like it, so I would suggest go for it. You could get lots of alternative suggestions, but you'd be back to square one!

Focus indicator is that the image in the viewfinder snaps into focus, and that's a lot more positive than most compact cameras. OK, it would be nice, but it's not essential.

Just enjoy the photography.

---

Best regards,

John Riley

Doesn't matter which camera you decide on. Just make sure you hold on to the girlfriend

Martin.

---

Best regards,

Martin.


Curious about my photography?? Just Follow the Light.

Sorry to go off-topic now but someone is selling a relative new K200D for £200 on the Classified Adverts section of this forum.
It's a camera with a bit more features then the K-M, weather sealing 9 points focusing and indicator but it's a bit bigger and has another menu structure I believe then the K-M but better match against the Nikon D60.

Someone else is also selling a lot of his lenses so if you're quick you can get a nice kit for minimum amount of money.

Maybe not your intention to buy secondhand but it is something to consider.

---

Stefan

K10D
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

Cheers for the info.

Cause she will be buying it, new and probably from a physical shop (Dixons etc, but read from here its with the plastic lens mount, no hood, any issues getting hold of hoods?). Figure I can upgrade if I get into it more, but would be nice just to get some nice snaps with a touch of control over a compact.

@Malo: Gotta keep hold of here, she's actually my Fiancee and the camera would be cool for our time away in Mauritius!

---

My Flickr
Plymouth Kite Club

Don't use Dixons ...

The lens mount on the camera is, as far as I know, metal, but teh kit lens has a plastic mount for lightness.

Why not call SRS in Watford or Rayners Lane and see what they can offer you as regards to a different/better lens &c. And you would also get a 2 year guarantee.

---

.
K20D, *istD, MZ-S, Super-A, ME Super, MX
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300,
DA 50-200, FA 24-90, FA 20-35,
M 400-600, A 50 f1.4, A 28 f2.8, A 70-210, M 35-80, M 50 f1.7
A x2S teleconverter and a few others ...

This is as good as a comparison as it can get between the D60 and K-M I believe link
SRS also has new lens hood £27.99 link
Although you can try to make a deal with the normal DA 18-55 II lens instead of the L version

---

Stefan

K10D
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

Hmm, plastic mounts not a huge issue but the lens hood a pain. SRS advertise the II lens kite for £545 which although she says dont worry about the price, I feel thats too much to spend at this early stage. Think I would prefer to get a travel lens such as the Tamron 28-200 and the pentax body for that sort of cash.

Will have to see local Mifsuds to see what they can do!

Nijkon still not off the cards, the lenses seem a little larger and for VR it can get expensive! But non AA's can sometimes be a benefit for ease.

Cheers for all the advice, great resource you have here!

---

My Flickr
Plymouth Kite Club

I just bought the K-m for my husband. I am very impressed with it. It offers an awful lot for the price.
He is using my Tamron 28-300 on it, though we did buy the kit lens with it as well.

whoops, meant 18-200 tamron, although see they do a 18-250 too

---

My Flickr
Plymouth Kite Club

Quick question, then I will disappear till I'm in the pentax club!

See its probably worth going for the DA kit lenses, and the mk2 18-55 if I can, however the places I have found with this lens still sell without a hood. Is this usual and is it an issue with the shorter lens or is the flare only a real issue with longer zooms in this range?

Also, not sure whether people bother with UV/protector filters for digital.

Thanks again
Greg

---

My Flickr
Plymouth Kite Club

The DA II normally comes with a hood. I would expect it to be a DA L if a hood is not included.

Flare will sometimes be a problem with this lens as well as longer lenses, and a hood will help a little bit with that. It's also good as physical protection against accidental knocks and fingermarking - in fact so much so that you won't need a UV/protector filter then.

---

~Pete

We recently bought a K-m body and the std DA II 18-55 & DA 50-200 (metal mounts) for our daughter's 21st.

It a great little DSLR, really solid build and the flexibility of easy scene modes to fully manual. I wouldn't worry too much about the focus indicator it has caused my daughter any problems and she's come from a Fuji F31d point and shoot.

We did opt for the metal mount lenses though, purchased through SRS, great service

---

It's the image that matters

When the girl friend said "don't worry about the price" you have really do have to hang onto her.

---

The older I get the faster I was.
Dave
K10D, DA*50-135, DA12-24, DA18-55, Sigma EX DG 70mm Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma DG 120-400mm APO HSM.
Metz 58 AF-1.

My Flickr link

Just don't get trapped in to a marriage.......Because than it's all going to change for the worse.

Says he (after 16 years of marriage), who suddenly remembers there is some laundry ironing to be done, before his better half returns home from work

Martin.

---

Best regards,

Martin.


Curious about my photography?? Just Follow the Light.