software like aperture allows you to clone/heal out the dust spots on one image then "lift" the corrections off that image and "stamp" all the rest...meaning a clone/healing brush adjustment to a thousand+ images in a few simple clicks!

As a photographer, I see a stronger composition in the cropped version.
can't fault that really. As a parent, I think the first one holds it's own, as the feet look more delicate and tiny, in the folds of blanket, adding a sense of scale to the image that adds to the emotional impact of the shot.
I like the first version better.
I suppose you could, (while we're experimenting here) ...try using a slight soft focus vignette on the first one and see how that would look?

I think it's really good!

hard to beat the viv 285.
no ttl or p-ttl.
but the range of auto and manual modes, combined with a peantu slave, and or wireless radio slave, makes for a very versitile unit.

works on my ds2 as well.
not much more to say.....

china! my newer vivatars are made in china!

where was your viv 283 made?
in japan? (danger) oldest highest voltage model
tiawan, or korea or vietnam? (safe) newer lower (may still be high enough to kill a canon). don't know about the k20, but my vivs work fine on the k10 and ds2.

correct me if I'm wrong....but I believe that the focal length actually changes depending on the focussing distance..... it's the mechanics of the lenses that cause this... lots of parts moving inside the lens....so closer focus actaully does change the focal length....

good explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom_lens

I was shooting a wedding last summer.
Nightmarish lighting situation, wealthy clientelle.
Had one guest there who was kind enough to tell everyone within earshot, about how much better his pro (Canon) camera and (red banded) pro lenses were than my amature pentax ds2 and canon g5.

I smiled and went about my work. He went around showing off the images in the lcd screen on the back of his camera.

Later in the evening, when I started running a slideshow of my images on a digital projector, I noticed Mr. "I'm Better than the pro" put his camera back in it's bag, remained quiet, while people praised the images I was showing.

There are two factors here.

The proof is in the photos. Period.
The money goes to the person with the better business skills.

It's business skills that seperate the pro's from the amatures.
You can be a great photographer with no business skills. You just can't call yourself a pro, unless you're getting paid.

I'd like to think Mom and Dad......
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Seriously why waste energy arguing with a snob?