Really superb Alan, I've seen a couple of Little Owls on When we stayed in the countryside of the South Downs a couple of years ago, but never close enough to photograph.

Regards
David

The 16-45 image you have posted is sharper than the 18-55 one (marginally), but is not as sharp as I would expect. I recently sold my 16-45 when I bought a DA17-70 and my copy was definitely a lot sharper than my 18-55, particularly at the edges of the frame. My 18-55 didn't really get a look in once I had a 16-45, although I still have a good opinion of the 18-55, considering its 'only' a kit lens.

Regards
David

Lovely set Shaun, all very sharp, great colours and compostion.

Regards
David

But I've got three cameras (at the moment), umpteen lenses and I've already told her I need another K-5IIs Bob!

It is a slippery slope! My excuse is that I need the best gear if I'm going to do weddings. I blame Puma - it was him that asked me to help him with the wedding shoots and now I'm considering spending nearly £1600

Best wishes
David

I think we are maybe agreeing in a way Mike? I was really meaning that the lenses are not the cause of any lack of quality in Charlotte's images, but that it is more her own self critical approach that maybe leads to a desire to keep striving for better results via different lenses?

I like to dabble with macro, but I am by no means obsessed with greater magnification, more detailed hairs on insects legs etc, etc. I'm happy with my Sigma 105; I use it with tubes and TC's and I aim more for composition and colour than I so for extreme magnification.

As always with our passion it is 'each to their own'.

Regards
David

But I have no secrets from my wife

I've been using my Sigma 105mm DG EX macro for weddings and it has performed brilliantly, very sharp, great colours, great bokeh, all in all a bit of a star lens for me. BUT, I'm hankering after a DA*50-135 - what should I do?

Cheers
David

There's a little bit of blur in a couple of these Charlotte, but I tend to agree with the others that the lighting is probably the single biggest thing that is holding these back. That is, apart from your own self-criticism and self-confidence! You really are hard on yourself, needlessly so IMHO.

Your macros are great, if they were lit a little more strongly lit this would mean less processing would be required, especially in the sharpening department.

I don't think lenses are your problem, apart from the fact that maybe you should choose one that suits you and stick with it. I have noticed that you've changed a few times, but you seem always to rate your Vivitar 55mmm so why not just stick with that and get the best from it? I bought a Sigma 105mm DG EX macro a year or so back and find it really suits me down to the ground, so I've taken the decision to not buy any other macro lens and to learn this one intimately to try and extract the most I can from it. I doubt I'll find a sharper / better one.

I wish I could give you something to lift your self-confidence in a photography sense, but I fear that only you can do this. All I can say is that you are head and shoulders above most and you should not beat yourself up if some of your images are not blindingly brilliant.

Best wishes
David

PS: My own personal opinion (for what it's worth) is that some of your finest work was with the Sigma 50mm F2.8 macro - maybe you should buy another one of these?

It's a selfish attitude, but it's often best to go out alone, or at least with someone very like minded. Photography seems to be one of those pursuits where a solitary existence often suits best.

Regards
David

Non-genuine batteries are usually as good as the originals. I wouldn't mind betting that some are made in the same factory as the originals! Anyway, the important aspect is the capacity and output - is it the same as the originals? The Hama batteries for the K-5 have a lower capacity - same voltage but a lower capacity, therefore they don't last for as many shots.

You can buy non-gen batteries that are higher capacity than the originals. I have two for the K-5 that are higher capacity and they cost £5 each brand new!! Pentax originals are £60+ so I could buy 12 of these for the price of one original. Guess what? They perform as well as a genuine battery, so I don't need 12 of them.

Regards
David