Opinion on the K2000/K-m and the Pentax experience

[TFord.LTTP]

Unfortunately through "recent life circumstances" my Nikon body and lens were wrecked so now I'm trying to come up with something for now so I can continue building my portfolio and website. More importantly are the maternity photos now and my little girl in the near future so the budget is "limited" to say the least. I will likely have an opportunity to get a pretty close to new K2000 for around $200, comes with the 18-55 and 55-200 as well, and that seems a lot more appealing than double that for a D3000 or XS body or something well used.

Obviously I'm making some compromises when I was planning to pick up a D700 before life got in the way, and would much rather have a K-x but does anyone who's had this feel it's a solid buy still? The price is good obviously, 3.5 burst is better than most stuff on the lower price end but I'm stuck on a couple things never having any experience with Pentax. With 5 non-selectable focus points how's the speed and accuracy? How's the viewfinder if you wear glasses? Any automatic bracketing? How's the RAW noise at 800 and 1600 iso? Oh and the battery life?

The one thing that might end up sticking in my craw too much, and correct me if I'm wrong here, is the lack of a cable shutter release though most of the entry level stuff now doesn't have that. Would be nice if they kept a product archive like Nikon and Canon do. Anything else I should know about this model or Pentax in general?

[i speak in math]

I was never a fan of the K2000 (k-m). It seemed like a half assed camera to me. I know they wanted a cheap entry level camera like canon and nikon, but pentax shouldn't have stooped as low as the other guys.

I think the K200d would be a better option IMO if the price is the biggest issue. They should be really cheap now. Selectable point AF, weather-sealed, cable release input... Prosumer feature camera in a entry level body/price. My only complaint would be that the ISO only gets to 1600 and continuous shooting mode, while 3.5 fps, only takes like 4 shots before running out of buffer.

If you can spend a little more, check out the new K-X. With the 18-55 kit, you can get it for around $500 on amazon. The high ISO bests most APS-C cameras and rivals the full frames. It has selectable af points, but you have to choose them on the LCD screen. Great little camera. Check out PENTAX Photo Gallery for samples from any of the pentax cameras. I have a few up from my K200d but most are from my K20d.

[Mr Guy]

The K-x has a better than expected low light performance, and it's good enough that many Pentax shooters like them as secondary bodies, but I wouldn't be inclined personally to buy one as a main camera once you've moved passed it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of the Pentax digital cameras used if the price was right, but the K-x doesn't appeal to me. I am, however, seriously considering getting one used for my girlfriend. The biggest feature it's missing is having the autofocus point displayed on screen, which she won't really care about.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by Mr Guy

The K-x has a better than expected low light performance, and it's good enough that many Pentax shooters like them as secondary bodies, but I wouldn't be inclined personally to buy one as a main camera once you've moved passed it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of the Pentax digital cameras used if the price was right, but the K-x doesn't appeal to me. I am, however, seriously considering getting one used for my girlfriend. The biggest feature it's missing is having the autofocus point displayed on screen, which she won't really care about.

Anyone moving from a point and shoot or bridge to dSLR won't miss them anyway. They are displayed on the rear LCD, like they are used to.

[Mr Guy]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Anyone moving from a point and shoot or bridge to dSLR won't miss them anyway. They are displayed on the rear LCD, like they are used to.

True, but he said Nikon body and lens, so I assumed he'd be surprised at their absence.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by Mr Guy

True, but he said Nikon body and lens, so I assumed he'd be surprised at their absence.

re: "I am, however, seriously considering getting one used for my girlfriend. The biggest feature it's missing is having the autofocus point displayed on screen, which she won't really care about."

[Mr Guy]

Aaah, I was really confused. I meant, she won't care, but I will, and the original poster likely will.