I can't comment on the Sigma 120-400 as I've never used it, but I can say that the DA*300 is superb, with or without the Pentax 1.4 TC. However, it is almost as heavy as a Sigma 150-500, albeit physically a lot smaller.

Personally I don't find the lack of zoom too much of an issue as I normally carry two cameras and use a shorter zoom lens on the second body.

Regards
David

These are all really nice Andrew, but for me the first of the mono conversions is an absolute stunner. Regarding images from the K-5, I have always found it to be a superb camera, except for some focus issues I had with my first one and certain (not all) lenses. However, I do prefer the output from the K-3, the sensor on which produces warmer results, more akin to a CCD sensor.

Regards
David

Really sorry John but this one doesn't work for me.

The tilt has already been mentioned, this is quite severe and also the dark area in the top left. The other thing that distracts my eye are the overhanging branches at the centre-right top of the image, these are highlighted very brightly and draw my gaze immediately to this area. I must confess that overhanging unattached branches are a no-no for me, in this shot they are more prominent because of the lighting.

I don't have a problem with the processing overall which is different and interesting but the other items I have mentioned spoil this one for me.

Regards
David

These look pretty good to me, the Wastwater BW is eye-catching, number 2 has great colours and number 3 is so close to being really good but for me is spoiled by the positioning of the bush on the left! I would have preferred a 'cleaner' view without this bush, or alternatively with it more in the middle distance on a third, so it didn't hide the distant mountains.

Regards
David

Magnificent shots Alan, the second in particular, but both are superb.

Regards
David

Very nice shots, the second being my favourite. I'm not sure if I agree with Nigel as I think the dark area adds a sense of perspective.

Too often shots like this end up being a mess of detail, but these aren't. I think this is due to the carefully judged use of aperture and the excellent compositions, using blocks of colour to let the eye wander over the images.

Regards
David

Congratulations Nigel, I am local too so I will also visit. Not only is it an opportunity to show support to a fellow Pentaxian, it's also a good excuse to get out and about in the City Centre!

Regards
David

Hello and welcome from me too!

You can upload 1 image per day to the Gallery I think, even if you are not a 'paid up' member.

Regarding your first image posted above, it's nice and sharp (as it should be) and the colours are well saturated but not too bright. There are a few simple things you could have done to improve it:

- The foreground is blocking the view to what is beyond, consequently there is nothing to lead the eye into the shot. Try to avoid taking landscape shots that have no 'lead-in' for the eye.

- There is too much featureless sky - if it had been filled with dramatic clouds it would be different, but for this one it doesn't warrant so much space

- I think it would have been better to go close to the fence so you could see above it and choose a view point that excluded this feature and had a vista into the distance. It's a good idea to include foreground detail, especially with a wide angle lens, but not if it is obscuring potentially more appealing things in the middle and far distance

Hope these comments are not too harsh for your first post, but you did ask!

Regards
David

Very inspiring shots, all beautifully captured. I like each and every one, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be the fourth.

Regards
David

Nice to have the Hummingbird Moth John, I think that they are steadily moving North.

Regards
David