Thank you Oggy.

Yes valid point but I don't expect any problems of software not running on Win7 that did run on XP, although there might be exception though.
XP 8 years old now I believe.
The biggest problem should be drivers and not the software.

oops sorry Oggy you can upgrade from XP but not directly meaning you need lose every information that was on XP.
But still look for a shop that sells the OEM version they are cheaper then the full retail upgrades.
Also get 64bit version if you can run it.

Here is a read about the upgrade link

Somehow it seems that 50mm lenses are simple to make and the further away you get from that the harder it will be. (Maybe it has to do that 50mm is around neutral magnification, or whatever it is called?)
So yes I would expect a 300mm being less sharp then a 100mm one simply because of that.

Could you please be so kind to look up the build number of the final release?

This is the way to do that.
Read Oggy's post below

I'm running 7600 and wondering if the GA version is newer then the RTM one.

Once again wonderful shots Nathan!
Great to see that a lot of photos of members got excepted lately.

No need for that since everything that works on vista should work on windows 7 as well.
Running win 7 64bit ultimate (RTM version 7600) for 60 days now without any software or drivers problems.

yes it's a bit too small, I don't have a flickr account so can't help you with that part. I'm sure someone here can explain how the best way is to link a photo from there to here, at least you've the forum part in order.

Will wait till you've a larger photo up since this quite hard to judge but it surely looks very good, I wonder what details you can see in those feathers.

For most of us the APS-C sensor is more then good enough, it's only when you make large prints where you will see the difference. That has to do with the whole format and not just the sensor I believe.

What viewfinder said about FF is true that we see most innovation in that but the sensor type is the same as in APS-C and often those innovation see there way into those camera with the new models after the introduction of the FF.

I'm sure we also had this discussion 4 years ago and I'm sure that todays APS-C are just as good as the FF sensors of that time so basicly APS-C is lacking 4 years or so behind the FF. Some here still shoot with cameras of 4 generations ago and are still more then happy with that and to be honest I don't see the difference here on the web.

Google, had it in 2 seconds.

But dunking it in a bucket or using it in the rain are two different matters of course. When you dunk it, you will have pressure on the seals and they aren't design for that but water without any pressure shouldn't be a problem if it does then you can go to Pentax since they claim it's weatherproof!

Your post reminded me about an article I read some weeks ago when looking into MF.
Here take a look link