Responding in context regards the *ist DS model rather than D;
Does the camera have mirror lock-up or some other anti-vibration feature?
Mirror pre-fire on the 2 second self-timer setting.
Is the cable release an expensive addition?
Pentax charges $35 for its Cable Switch CS-205 remote release. The Canon Remote Switch RS-60E3 is identical and $10 less. (Same switch is used for all the *ist D/DS/DS2/DL models.)
Will it work with the Vivitar 730AFPK Autofocus Zoom Flash I have for the MZ50?
It should work fine, providing TTL flash.
Are there any weaknesses that have emerged over the few years the camera has been on the market?
None of any significance. Complaints of JPEG softness are over-hyped and incorrect.
I'll be looking for a secondhand body and if anyone has such a thing I'd be interested.
You might still be able to find a new DS body for under $600. The DS2 bodies are now available; small updates and about $800.
Godfrey
