I understood the Pentax trademark name was bought by Asahi from VEB Zeiss Ikon where it was derived from PENTaprism and contAX. This was around 1954 and some time after Asahi produced the Asahiflex SLR.

I like this.

Can't say I noticed the con trail on first look but now I keep noticing. Faststone image viewer is free and allows cloning.

Water ones are nice but the mountain shots are spot on.

Proper lake district weather but still beautiful images! They have the authentic 'feel' of the fells.

The 40mm is great, small(definitely a pocket-able lens even with the lens hood), very fast focusing, slightly telephoto on APSc.
The 35mm is light but larger, does not come with a lens hood.
I have not used the DA50 but I like the Pentax 50's, nice portrait focal length on digital.

I'm sure you will not have a problem with the image quality from any of these lenses. If you don't mind manual focus you could always find an old A or M 50mm lens. Plenty around for not much money and small, fairly light.

I'm sure you'll get some other opinions though.

You were spot on mate! Just had to agree.

Here are a few explanations on polarizing filters.

Here is a good explanation, link

And another link

I used to hold a polaroid sunglass lens over my Kodak Instamatic. Worked well but the arms of the glasses used to poke me in the face!

Lovely picture.

Congratulations.

Nice shot.
McGregNi is right. I don't think the exposure is wrong.
There is plenty of detail in the shadow and if the shadows were brighter the highlights would be washed out.

When your wild animal is in the shade, it's a bit difficult to not take a picture that way. Especially in the rutting season! Did you try asking him to move?

Try a crop. If there is less bright grass, the shade will seem less of a contrast.

Get a CPL filter first. When it's sunny you can use it for adding colour, drama and controlling reflections. It also doubles up as an ND filter as well!

Also, use your lens hood!

Don't forget landscape is not all wide angle. The longer lenses are very useful too.

Well my K5 has no recess for the video pin to locate into. The base of the camera is completely flat around the tripod socket. Nor has my K10 or any other of my still cameras,including the Micro Technical 5x4 given me any trouble. I have a mix of manufactures heads and plates.

I just do up the screw on the plate and it works! Have you got a rubber or cork surface on the plate, where it is in contact with the camera? I think all mine have and I wondered if yours has got this missing.