On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 15:22:08 -0500, you wrote: >In some cases when the price drops, the maker is clearing the way for a >replacement. >Kenneth Waller
Most likely Pentax got wind of the Nikon D70, coming in at sub$1000 price, and the new DA Nikon zoom 18-70/3.5-4.5. The D70 is a true competitor to the *istD, unlike the Digital Rebel which smells of toy but is not totally without merit. I'm tempted by D70's 1/8000 shutter and 1/500 flash sync (the sensor acts as second curtain to give the fast sync) and RGB metering, in a nicely featured body very like the D100 and *istD. I'd say there's tough times ahead for any Pentax DSLR still sitting in the old D100 price range, or anywhere much above a thousand bucks street price. I think Pentax missed a beat by not installing an AF system the equal of the Nikon F5 in the *istD, which would have given it value heads above any price-point competition. -- John Mustarde www.photolin.com