I have joined you

[hector49]

Yes, its true - after many questions, and I still have more, I have chosen a camera and I am proud to say that it is the Pentax K200D. I got it with the 18-55 kit lens, but have already started looking at other lenses - well, in fairness, I was looking at them before.
I have mixed emotions at this point - I'm happy, nervous, intimidated, a little scared (mostly about parting with the cash, which I had, but still - it is an investment), but mostly excited.
I look forward to learning about the camera, and have almost gotten through the book (I got it Saturday). I plan on spending some time in the how I took it forum to learn some more, but hopefully I can start taking some good pics.
Again, thanks to everyone for their advice over the past few weeks.
I have to fend off the buyers remorse and just enjoy the camera now.
Thanks
hector

btw - I ended up choosing this camera for alot of reasons - too many to list, but needless to say it did have many things to do with the questions I asked.

[GEli]

Congrats. That's a nice little camera. Now stay out of my pawn shops and keep your dirty paws off the nice, used local glass.

The kit lense really shines when it's stopped down to around f/5.6 at the wide end and f/8 at the longer end. A good tripod would be my first investment if I wanted to make the most of it. Wide open, like all kit lenses, it's pretty soft.

[redthedunns]

Oh congratulations!! I can't wait to "join" everyone with a DSLR next month. How do you like the camera? I hope you find many great lenses and are able to take tons of wonderful photos!!! Congratulations again!!!

[hector49]

thanks for the well wishes - I have only had it couple of days and am still reading the manual trying to figure some of it out.
I have taken a few test shots though, but I am going to try to get out later this week and weekend to see if I can find something cool to look at.
I will test the lens out some more and take your advice Geli - hopefully I can get some good shots.
I'll try to stay out of the pawn shops and I'll find my glass elsewhere.
hector

[mattdm]

Cool, welcome to the club.

[hector49]

thanks again.
posted this question in another forum, but who better to ask than Pentaxians (that is what we call ourselves, right - in the most nerdy sense ofcourse - not to offend).
But, wondering if any of you have any knowledge of something I could put on the lcd screen at the back to help protect it. Either a skin/film/something harder plastic.
trying to protect.
thanks
hector

[Mr Guy]

I don't know what the official answer is to that, but I was seriously considering getting some of that film they put on Palm Pilots to see if that could be use for that purpose.

[MikeM]

Originally Posted by hector49

thanks again.
posted this question in another forum, but who better to ask than Pentaxians (that is what we call ourselves, right - in the most nerdy sense ofcourse - not to offend).
But, wondering if any of you have any knowledge of something I could put on the lcd screen at the back to help protect it. Either a skin/film/something harder plastic.
trying to protect.
thanks
hector

The store I bought my K10D from included a complementary screen protector! I'm sure you could pick them up at any camera or electronics store. I just had to cut it to size and slap it on. I've got one on the top status screen as well.

As for you itch to buy more lenses, I'd have to recommend a 50mm. You can find a 50mm A 1.7 for less than $100. It is manual focus, though. The autofocus 1.4 is $200. It will give you 3.5 more stops of light than your kit lens at 50mm! It's certainly not very wide, but you'd be surprised what you can do if you move your feet a bit.

[tattoodjay]

I just bough the K200D last week also and loving it so far, got it with the kit lens, and also added the 50-200mm and the 50mm f/1.4 both pentax when I bought it, and so far am loving it although still on the learning curve how to use all the features

[hector49]

yeah, there is so much to learn - I have had it a couple of weeks now but still, only have so many hours in the day to learn.
I have been feeling that I have to get some additional glass as well - wish I kind of bought it all at once - but I will get some soon.
what do you thin of the 50? and is the tele good enough on the 50-200?
I have been looking at both of those as well.
like to hear your thoughts.
anyway - welcome to the 200 - and enjoy it.
there is a digital photography show this weekend that I am going to and hope to see some stuff from Pentax - and learn some stuff at the seminars.
so much fun.