On the verge of a new camera purchase but...

[HayTay]

Thanks for the tip Sylvan, but it's too late. I just received my new Pentax K-x camera outfit two days ago. Now all I have to do is figure out how to use it effectively and to my advantage. So far I've taken a few dozen photos and they all could benefit by a vast improvement in the skills of the guy controlling the shutter release! I must work on getting better at focusing manually and setting the exposure correctly (or at least better). Once I manage to get a picture that doesn't have to be heavily post-processed I'll post it.

I can't get much worse,
Harry

[steve.ledger]

Good to hear Harry,

Yes no point in setting the camera to Auto everything - a P'n'S can do that.
Make LOT'S of mistakes and study the EXIF.
If the K-x is anything like the PENTAX dslr's I own, you can use the on/of switch pushed 'one step clockwise' to see a TTL view of the closed aperture. That way you will get a bit of an idea if it's going to be under or over exposed (not entirely, but it's a small measure of help at first)