Having used a Canon Rebel and a Nikon D70, and played with an istD for a day or so, making the choice to go with a DS was a no brainer for me. While a D would have been nice for a few of the features, those features weren't worth doubling the price of the camera. I definitely wanted an entry-level DSLR with which I could learn digital photography. I liked the build quality of the DS - it felt more solid than the Rebel, and I liked the way it fit my hand better than the Nikon. The Pentax viewfinder was a big plus - I could use it both with and without my glasses, and it was bright enough to allow manual focusing fairly easily. That I had a bunch of Pentax K-mount lenses was a big plus, but, if I were starting from scratch, I'd probably have gone with the Pentax anyway.
I'd recommend a Pentax in a heartbeat - in fact, I have on several occasions. It's a good, solid camera to start with, and the range of lenses available run from the downright cheap to very expensive, from old screw mounts to the latest digital lenses. It just took a few days of experimenting and asking a few questions to set the camera up properly (for my needs) and begin photographing in earnest. It's not the only entry level choice out there, but it sure is a good one, imo. Shel > [Original Message] > From: Godfrey DiGiorgi > I recommend Pentax to people quite often. Even to professionals whose > work, like mine, doesn't necessarily require the fastest, biggest > camera on the block. The lenses are excellent, the prices are > reasonable, the viewfinder is very very good, and the camera is > easily learned and very handy in use. For those more concerned with > making photographs than allowing equipment to make a statement for > them, Pentax does a very good job. > > The major advantage of using Nikon and Canon is that you have more > lens choices at your disposal. This is important for those who need > more lenses, but if what Pentax offers fits your needs, there are > few downsides. > > Godfrey
