What on earth are you on about Nigel? Windows 8 is the best and most stable Windows OS ever, most people who complain about it do so because they have got used to earlier versions of Windows and cannot get used to Windows 8 because it's different. It's a bit like people saying the old VW Beetle was a better car than the new Beetles are. Windows 8 has to cater for touch screen use as well as traditional PC use and this is probably why it is so different, but different does not mean 'worse'.

I work in a software environment and can tell you without any shadow of a doubt that Windows 8 outperforms all previous versions, there is no reason for anyone to avoid it.

Regards
David

I bought a K-3 because I wasn't happy with some aspects of performance on my K-5, namely AF in low light and inconsistent focussing in any light with certain lenses. The K-3 was the latest camera out and I already had a K-5iis, which I was and still am happy with, but it made no sense to me to have two K-5iis's, hence the K-3 purchase. BTW, I like to carry two DSLR bodies with me. The K-3 has lived up to expectations in terms of better AF and excellent IQ, along with all the little handling tweaks and features which make it a pleasure to use.

My main photography genres are landscape and wildlife, but I'll have a go at anything.

Regards
David

Two great images here, you've nailed it with the gull shot, it screams 'quality' to me. The pier shot is a bit more standard, but nonetheless very good, I particularly like the composition.

What lens was used for these two images?

Regards
David

Congratulations to dromfit, the winner of this month's competition with his entry 'Dry Timber'.




Well done Tim, it's a great image.

Regards
David

Really nice set Simon, I always enjoy looking at your images. The last two you posted after the thaw are my favourites!

Regards
David

Two lovely images, it's interesting to compare them side by side with and without the 10 stopper. BTW, is it the Haida Alan? The warming effect looks characteristic of that filter.

The first one shades it for me, I prefer the tones in this one and also the smoothness of the water around the rocks.

Regarding the horizon, I'm not sure if it is this that's not level, I would lean towards a bit of lens distortion creating this effect?

Regards
David

A good start with the DA300 Carl, sharpness is not an issue judging by these. I agree with the comments on colour, the WB looks a long way off, there's a lot of blue / magenta tones creeping in for some reason.

Wildlife photography is quite a difficult skill to master if the results are to look professional. For me, one of the biggest areas to be aware of is foregrounds and backgrounds; these can make or break a wildlife shot. I prefer an uncluttered look, best demonstrated in this set by the Otter images. The others have some distractions in the foreground and background; this is not a criticism as I am fully aware these are Carl's first shots with this lens and it is often very difficult to get the birds / animals in the right position!

The colours shouldn't be too much to worry about as this is easily corrected. Good luck with the lens Carl, I'm sure your camera skills will shine through once you've used it a few times.

Regards
David

What about a K-01 Maria? You cannot beat the image quality for the price and it will take all of the Pentax lenses. It doesn't have a viewfinder, but this would not be any disadvantage for food photography. Also, it has 'focus peaking' which is a brilliant tool for manual focussing and would be great for ensuring critical foucus when shooting still life subjects such as food.

I'm not sure how you could beat this camera for under £200, you should be able to pick up a mint example for about £150.

Regards
David

I much prefer this set Nigel, the colours are more natural and pleasing to my eye. I think you've made good use of the focal lengths available to you, there's some perspective compression (which I like) and a decent mix of tightly framed close-ups and longer shots.

Well done, your photography is coming on in leaps and bounds.

Regards
David

Very nice Steve, they illustrate the trick to getting good bird shots, which is get as close to the subjects as you can! A shed is a good way of doing this.

I too like the Goldfinch, they are my favourite UK birds.

I think the colour balance has a slight yellow cast on these though, maybe a WB adjustment would be beneficial?

Regards
David