I like the picture. Compositionally it works for me; rape fields often add something different to a scene, and there is also enough detail in the sky to keep an interest in it with the amount in the scene - even if it is, as others say, basically a bit too dark for me.

I have used Asahi Photo - don't know whether they can get lens elements. On the repair my lens needed, they cost less than JPS even after the PU member discount! link. Again - took time getting spare part from Pentax in Germany I think

You've done well considering the extreme of light and dark. If a tripod was present then HDR might help a bit. However the way the shaft of light comes through is captured well.

My orderly brain (when it is ordered :lol would have also tried to compose a symmetrical shot around the light at top left and the light pattern bottom right and in portrait format.

Fascinating - followed the link; thanks!
The images are lovely and crisp!

I had a problem with the cable release where the tip got stuck in the old *istD. Its no good to you now, but I managed to remove it and posted how here;
link

Excellent set and on the whole the 3oomm worked well for you, except Top Bend which others have picked up on. The B&W - Last Lap and Joy of Coming Second work well too. Nice and sharp where they need to be!

Congrats from me as well!
I like them. That area is very photogenic. I like 4,6,7 best. 4 doesn't look too dark to me!

Don't apologise for the long reply Naim - very informative - thank you! Enjoyed the link to Rabab music

There are two forms of NR that can be applied; high ISO and long shutter time. The long shutter time one removes the effect of pixels getting hot and bothered by a long exposure; ie some get 'hot' and this can happen at relatively low ISO as well. the K-7 doesn't allow you to turn it completely off and it always comes on at anything over 30seconds.
OTOH, High ISO nr is there to help reduce the random noise signal that a sensor has when you are applying a high level of amplification to it to get the high ISO performance. Hope that makes sense!

I think in auto it kicks in at exposures above 30sec