[martin42mm]

You won't regret it. Any issue down the line with the solenoid, just ask. There's an excellent solenoid replacement repair thread re the camera, and any other questions can be answered by members who have experience of the proceedure.

[gatorguy]

Thank you for your input.

Today a second hand 40/2.8 XS arrived here.
That is a truly remarkable lens. This lens pushes and nudges and shoves me towards the K-S1 at the moment.
And I'm afraid I'm already over the tipping point...

E.

I'm not trying to muddy the water at this late stage, just curious: Why are you not considering the KS-2 rather than the `1. It's a far better camera IMO ( and according to reviews) but still the same petite size as the KS-1.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-s2-review/introduction.html
Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1 Detailed Comparison).

[Rondec]

I'm not trying to muddy the water at this late stage, just curious: Why are you not considering the KS-2 rather than the `1. It's a far better camera IMO ( and according to reviews) but still the same petite size as the KS-1.

Pentax K-S2 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews
Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1 Detailed Comparison).

They are pretty similar -- the K S-2 is heavier due to sealing and the articulating screen.

[bofh]

Why are you not considering the KS-2 rather than the `1. It's a far better camera IMO ( and according to reviews) but still the same petite size as the KS-1.

Aaahhh...!!!
Nooo!!!
Please stop!

Too late.
There goes my deliberate decision...

Seriously: my main reason was the weight of the camera.
On the other hand: when I'm on my bicycle, then there is a camera with me in the sling bag. Even the K10D with the 16-45 wasn't a big problem. But lighter is always mostly better and I don't get any younger.
But the K-S2 has two control wheels (which I'm used to), the fully articulating screen and a serious grip. These are three strong ergonomic arguments. And the price hurts only once...

Thank you for your suggestion to think about my approach once more.

E.

[martin42mm]

I'm not trying to muddy the water at this late stage, just curious: Why are you not considering the KS-2 rather than the `1. It's a far better camera IMO ( and according to reviews) but still the same petite size as the KS-1.

Pentax K-S2 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews
Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1 Detailed Comparison).

I've not tried the K-S2, but if it betters the K-S1, OK-but how much more than the K-S1 is it to buy secondhand?
I was completely satisfied with the K-S1 camera and images until the aperture issue reared its ugly head, when I bought the KP before I'd sorted the K-S1. If it hadn't been for that aperture problem, I'd still be using it exclusively now. As it is, I use both.

The K-S2 may be better, but I doubt I'll ever know, because I don't go chasing new cameras unless I'm dissastisfied with current results, or failure forces a change on me.

[Des]

But the K-S2 has two control wheels (which I'm used to), the fully articulating screen and a serious grip. These are three strong ergonomic arguments. And the price hurts only once...

And, unlike the K-S1, the K-S2 is WR and has wifi. Plus additional features including clarity enhancement, electronic level, interval shooting, multiple exposure, a selfie shutter button and the ability to save the last jpg as RAW. It's a nice little camera. I found it a significant upgrade from a K-30.

That 20mp sensor is a gem The K-S1 has the same one, so there wouldn't be any discernible difference between them in image quality.

[martin42mm]

And, unlike the K-S1, the K-S2 is WR and has wifi. Plus additional features including clarity enhancement, electronic level, interval shooting, multiple exposure, a selfie shutter button and the ability to save the last jpg as RAW. It's a nice little camera. I found it a significant upgrade from a K-30.

That 20mp sensor is a gem The K-S1 has the same one, so there wouldn't be any discernible difference between them in image quality.

So that's what I missed with the K-S2.

Since I have no need for any of those features, and the sensor is the same as my K-S1, I'll stick. Even the enhanced grip is not a requirement for me since I have small hands, and the K-S1 as-is feels just fine. My KP similarly is only fitted with the smallest supplied grip
.If anyone finds those features essential, and they will swing the decision, then that's for them to decide.
It's funny the various things that can be a reason to buy any camera. When I bought my first SLR, a Zenit E, back in the 60's, I had two questions-does it take decent photos, and can I afford it! Seems nowadays we have so many choices that half the time we should be spending on photography is spent agonising over whether we can do without this or that on another camera. So cut the decisions making down to those same two questions-does it take decent photos, and can I afford it . Then buy it.....

[Fogel70]

So cut the decisions making down to those same two questions-does it take decent photos, and can I afford it . Then buy it.....

That is probably why most people end up with smartphones today. They are good enough for most people.

[martin42mm]

That is probably why most people end up with smartphones today. They are good enough for most people.

smartphone-I have a mobile, but it does nothing but make & receive calls, and at a pinch receives FM radio. For anything else, I use a dedicated tool. Which is why i would never swap my camera for a smartphone. For starters, I have a number of non-DSLRs/SLRs, but if it doesn't have a viewfinder, I'm not interested.
This is, after all , the Pentax forum, and don't suppose there are too many smartphone users on here who use their 'phone more than they do a camera, although I agree they can produce excellent photos within their limitations. I've only just managed to persuade my wife to use a camera , and she agrees they do give her better photos under a wider range of circumstances than her smartphone she has used until now. But if she needs a grab-shot, out comes the 'phone. And let's face it, if you haven't got a camera to hand, that can be a shot missed, so they have their place. Just not on here!

[Fogel70]

smartphone-I have a mobile, but it does nothing but make & receive calls, and at a pinch receives FM radio. For anything else, I use a dedicated tool. Which is why i would never swap my camera for a smartphone. For starters, I have a number of non-DSLRs/SLRs, but if it doesn't have a viewfinder, I'm not interested.
This is, after all , the Pentax forum, and don't suppose there are too many smartphone users on here who use their 'phone more than they do a camera, although I agree they can produce excellent photos within their limitations. I've only just managed to persuade my wife to use a camera , and she agrees they do give her better photos under a wider range of circumstances than her smartphone she has used until now. But if she needs a grab-shot, out comes the 'phone. And let's face it, if you haven't got a camera to hand, that can be a shot missed, so they have their place. Just not on here!

Yep, but we here are certainly not "most people". We are more of a endangered species.

smartphone-I have a mobile, but it does nothing but make & receive calls, and at a pinch receives FM radio. For anything else, I use a dedicated tool. Which is why i would never swap my camera for a smartphone. For starters, I have a number of non-DSLRs/SLRs, but if it doesn't have a viewfinder, I'm not interested.
This is, after all , the Pentax forum, and don't suppose there are too many smartphone users on here who use their 'phone more than they do a camera, although I agree they can produce excellent photos within their limitations. I've only just managed to persuade my wife to use a camera , and she agrees they do give her better photos under a wider range of circumstances than her smartphone she has used until now. But if she needs a grab-shot, out comes the 'phone. And let's face it, if you haven't got a camera to hand, that can be a shot missed, so they have their place. Just not on here!

I used to use my iPhone for those kind of photos until I got the GRIII - now that goes everywhere with me.

[bofh]

Seems nowadays we have so many choices that half the time we should be spending on photography is spent agonising over whether we can do without this or that on another camera. So cut the decisions making down to those same two questions-does it take decent photos, and can I afford it . Then buy it...

A photographer from Helsinki (Peter Forsgard) not only once said: "A new camera doesn't make you a better photographer. But it might facilitate to take your images."

Basically I'm with you: any camera is just a housing to hold the film or sensor and the lens and let light for a defined time through the lens. Let's call it a tool.
Fortunately nowadays we have the choice of tools and that's a good thing. My approach is to choose my tools carefully considered and to purchase a tool when I'm sure that it fits good enough for my needs and wants. To make a reasonable decision here I must have a weighted list of features which are more or less important for me. The discussion state at the moment shows me that I didn't do my homework good enough in that matter yet. I'm grateful for that.

E.

[martin42mm]

A photographer from Helsinki (Peter Forsgard) not only once said: "A new camera doesn't make you a better photographer. But it might facilitate to take your images."

Basically I'm with you: any camera is just a housing to hold the film or sensor and the lens and let light for a defined time through the lens. Let's call it a tool.
Fortunately nowadays we have the choice of tools and that's a good thing. My approach is to choose my tools carefully considered and to purchase a tool when I'm sure that it fits good enough for my needs and wants. To make a reasonable decision here I must have a weighted list of features which are more or less important for me. The discussion state at the moment shows me that I didn't do my homework good enough in that matter yet. I'm grateful for that.

E.

But your own homework is by far the most important avenue when chosing anything. It's why I may look at reviews, but I'm not often swayed by them-they are just another piece in the jigsaw.

Back in the 60s when I first got interested in hi-fi, I used to read the various reviews in the hi-fi mags regarding amps, speakers, turntables etc.. But I didn't make any final decisions until I listened in a specialist shop to what they sounded like, and often ended up with the sales guy remarking that my choice was different to what most people would have bought. My ears, my decision, and zero regrets since the first speakers I bought ( early Mordaunt-Short) lasted me for decades before being replaced by Rogers, which I still have.
So if you can, try before you buy-they're your eyes looking at the resultant images, no-one else's.

[Des]

.If anyone finds those features essential, and they will swing the decision, then that's for them to decide.

Features that might seem minor to one person might be a deal-breaker for another. Of the listed differences between the K-S1 and K-S2, the deal-breakers for me would be lack of two control wheels, WR, articulating screen and electronic level, because each would affect my shooting most times or (in the case of the articulating screen) is indispensable for particular common uses. Wifi is useful for remote control when the camera is on a tripod, but I rarely use it because it's a PITA to connect. The jpg-related features (clarity enhancement, save last jpg as RAW) are irrelevant to me now as I always shoot RAW. I have used interval shooting, but only rarely.

Even the enhanced grip is not a requirement for me since I have small hands, and the K-S1 as-is feels just fine.

I've never held a K-S1 so I can't compare. But I actually don't like the grip on the K-S2 because my fingers are too squashed (even though I don't have fat finger or large hands). I much preferred the K-30 or (particularly) the K-3. I found the small grip on the KP even worse, but the large grip is good and I use it all the time. These things are very much personal preferences.

[martin42mm]

Features that might seem minor to one person might be a deal-breaker for another. Of the listed differences between the K-S1 and K-S2, the deal-breakers for me would be lack of two control wheels, WR, articulating screen and electronic level, because each would affect my shooting most times or (in the case of the articulating screen) is indispensable for particular common uses. Wifi is useful for remote control when the camera is on a tripod, but I rarely use it because it's a PITA to connect. The jpg-related features (clarity enhancement, save last jpg as RAW) are irrelevant to me now as I always shoot RAW. I have used interval shooting, but only rarely.

I've never held a K-S1 so I can't compare. But I actually don't like the grip on the K-S2 because my fingers are too squashed (even though I don't have fat finger or large hands). I much preferred the K-30 or (particularly) the K-3. I found the small grip on the KP even worse, but the large grip is good and I use it all the time. These things are very much personal preferences.

.
I'm lucky-small hands, and the K-S1 and KP with small handgrip are just prefect. But as I've said before, I started out with a Zenit, then the Spotmatics,and neither of those had handgrips, just solid lumps of metal with ribbed covering ( Zenit E), and leathercloth ( Spotmatic). I could hand hold down to at least a 1/4 second without camera shake, and I still do. Screens, apart from focus screens, didn't exist. I NEVER use the rear screen to compose or focus, so if it tilts or not has zero influence on what I buy. If I need a low angle, I use an r/f finder as I have always done.

Yes, it is all down to personal choice. Like everything else in life