Hi!
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.
I recommended Pentax to several people. Two of them (one being my brother) bought Pentax digicams and are happy. Another might buy a DSLR from Pentax.
Pentax, I think, brings to the market the best (*photographic*) value for money.
Boris
