[jwmster]

Folks: Passed along the recommendations here. So far, one bought a used Nikon D7100, coming with a 18-140mm lens from B&H. Threw in more money than I'd figured. He's headed to Cambodia and Vietnam a wanted weather sealing, and was put off by finding "discontinued" on Pentax stuff... which confused and worried him as to where the brand's headed. Felt as well there were more new lenses from Nikon, and the price points were better. Dunno myself, but it seems a good camera pick. Pentax does run a little thin in the used market... and our third party lens mfg's seem to have thinned. Anyway... he made his choice. The other's trying to figure out her car situation first... so that'll be a longer run event. Thanks! Guess it does confirm much of what folks suggest here in terms of impressions in the marketplace... and what Ricoh faces in restoring it's image... or something like that. Also looks to me as though Sony and Fuji and perhaps even Samsung look to compete more closely with Canon and Nikon ... leaving folks like Pentax, Olympus, Leica and others to fill in the gaps perhaps.... or just to serve their loyal markets.