Thanks for the welcome, folks!
JCsullivan -- you nailed it right on the head. Once a Pentax fan, always a Pentax fan! I preferred my old MX and LX to my brace of Nikon F3s (now sold off) for a variety of reasons. The only film camera I keep around anymore is an old K1000....and I shoot only B&W on it. My folks bought me that camera as my 11th birthday present, in 1978.
Initial observations:
-- the 'correct' exposure according to the meter on the K10D seems to be what I would call -1/3 or -1/4 EV. Which is fine with me, that's where I normally shoot anyway...but it's something to keep in mind. With my other digital cameras (Pentax Optio W30 waterproof, Panasonic Lumix FZ20) I always shoot -1/3EV, the K10D exposes this way by default it looks like, so I'll set it at 0.0 EV.
--the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 is noisier and slower focusing than the new and expensive Pentax SMC DA* 16-50 f2.8. I don't have any software updates for the camera yet though, not sure if they will affect the Sigma anyway. Anyone have info about that?
--I give the SIgma a "B-" or "C" at f2.8 on a macro shot, but of course how often do I shoot there? I'm on a tripod at f8 or more for most macro work.
--the bokeh on the Sigma seems pretty nice.
--I'd be happy to submit some bird shots from the new camera, JCsullivan -- one of my hobbies, and I feed the birds here and prowl the Colorado wilderness for more bird pics while I'm fishing. Still need to get the 400mm out and put it thru its paces on the new K10d....that'll be the key lens for birds here.
--I don't know much about putting shots online for 'evaluating' lenses, but I at least shot some macro photos of a cactus flower today at 3 different f-stops. The flower is about 1/2 inch around. For my job, I need to shoot macro photos a LOT, so that's what I did here. The shots are:
f/22:
http://www.otherpower.com/danf/cactus_sigma_22.JPG
f/8:
http://www.otherpower.com/danf/cactus_sigma_8.JPG
f/2.8:
http://www.otherpower.com/danf/cactus_sigma_2.8.JPG
Anyway -- CHEERS all. For me, climbing the learning curve for this new Pentax is the most fun I could ever have with my pants on! I'll be checking in regularly.
DAN