[idb]

I started out nearly 40 years ago with an Olympus 35mm rangefinder which served me very well for a few years and allowed me to learn all the basics.
I upgraded to a Minolta SRT-102 which came with 3 lenses, 50/1.7, 35/2.5 and 135/2.8. I gradually added more lenses and eventually a second and third body (X-70 and X-700).
I was very disappointed when Minolta changed their lens mount when the went to auto-focus but did not really see the appeal of auto-focus anyway.
Then digital photography came along and it was only the AF lenses that were compatible with the digital cameras. That was a huge disappointment.
Then Minolta went out of the camera business altogether.

I persisted with 35mm for quite a while after digital swept the market but eventually got my first digital - a Sony DSC H-1 P&S.
When I finally made the leap to a DSLR I wanted something affordable (therefore not Nikon or Canon) and something not likely to change lens mounts or quit making cameras.
That's when I discovered that Pentax was still using the same lens mount they have used for years. This gives me lots more options when I ever get a chance to add any lenses.

So far I am very pleased with my K200D and four lenses.

Ian