I'm still vacillating about what camera to get; whether to wait for the mythical FF....or even whether to get a Sony A7R. Experiments I have done since getting the GR have really surprised me. I am not sure why, but the difference in resolution in images taken with the K5 and GR on the ground, and those taken with both cameras through thick glass on an aircraft, show that the glass windows somehow greatly exaggerate the effect of the AA filter.

Basically, I have realised that I need an interchangeable lens camera, preferably with internal image stabilisation as I have loads of un-stabilised lenses, that does not have an AA filter. However, I also want as little high ISO noise as possible, which leads me to comparisons of the K3 and K5iis. I know it's been done to death here, and I'm not looking for opinions or links to tests; I'd like to process some RAW files myself. None of the RAW files I have found on-line have been suitable for the sort of processing I want to try. Once processed, I'd print them at 24 inches wide or so and compare them. This obviously would entail up-scaling the K5iis image.

Anyway, to get to the point of this post....I was wondering if any owner of both the K3 and K5iis would be willing to shoot a hand-held low-light scene, slightly under-exposed (1-2 stops), at ISO 3200 and 6400, with both cameras, and let me have a play with the unprocessed RAW files to do my own comparison, using DXO Optics Pro and various other processing techniques I use. Preferably I'd like night scenes with high contrast, ie bright lights (without blown highlights) and dark areas in the same image. Something like a city centre at night. That's assuming also that you live somewhere it's safe to do this! If necessary I can provide on-line storage to upload the files to.

I realise it's probably highly unlikely that anyone will actually take up my request, but, hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained! I can't promise any reward except a mention on my under-subscribed blog and my eternal thanks! Though I'd happily donate a very good condition (almost mint) smc-M 1:2 50mm (that I originally bought for IR experiments) as a token of my gratitude.

Thanks, but you didn't put the link......

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I have both the Sigma 10-20 and 8-16mm. The 8-16mm is the better lens imo, it's sharper, especially at the corners. At 15mm it's as sharp if not sharper than the 15mm Ltd. It can't take filters but the lens coating is unusual in that it makes blue skies look like you were using a polariser. Lens corrections also don't work below 10mm in Lightroom, and it has complex moustache-type distortion at 8mm. However, unless you're shooting architecture this is not a problem; saying that, I did a commercial architecture shoot last year with the 8-16mm and it worked brilliantly. If I had to sell one of my wide-angle zooms, the 8-16mm is the one I'd keep.

I'm really enjoying these retrospectives, and this is another really good one! 3, 7 and 10 are my favourites. No 2 looks to me like the WB is a bit off?

A great set, Gary! I really like that Simple Minds shot, too. A great shot of that obnoxious Bieber character too. The wedding shot looks like it was shot on film, it works really well.

Really enjoyable set, Smeggy!

A great retrospective of your year, Ralf!

Thanks for the comments!

I was actually doing a check on the two guys flying, so was sitting in the jumpseat.

Since getting a Ricoh GR the biggest surprise is that I have hardly used the K5 since getting it. The GR is so portable, and works great with a Gorillapod. I also seem to be taking most of my pictures at night. Also, I'm not seeing much except cities at the moment, and all the fantastic shots of nature I have seen on here recently are making me miss the wild outdoors dreadfully. I'm just making do with the subjects available.

The first 4 shots are from Doha.

West Bay






Doha Tower






Museum of Islamic Art






West Bay from the Corniche






Dubai






Kuwait City






Al Jubail





Kolkatta





The mobile studio

A lovely and varied set!