I did start having a bit of a play with the various levels and so on, but I'm not that practised with the techniques and wasn't really sure I was improving things - in the end it was a dull day so I thought I'd leave them alone and show it was dull.

Peter, I was stood next to the public bowling green. I left it a little late to set off, and was stuck behind people doing 35mph all the way to Chester so I ended up arriving after the train had already arrived in Llandudno Junction and didn't want to risk missing it. While wandering around the town afterwards I found a few better locations for next time, also I did walk up that hill and, once I'd recovered from the climb, saw that it offers a better viewpoint even if the sheep didn't seem impressed. Took this (well, these) while I was up there:

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/montage1a.jpg[/IMG]

(I know I can do magic with PS to get the levels to balance, but I actually prefer montages like this, to be obviously montages, hence I left the different borders and levels. I saw a photo in a car book many years ago that I liked so much I try to do them when I can).

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

A quick trip to Conwy last weekend to see the steam-hauled special train, quite disappointing really as it was dull and overcast.

So, first a few in front of the castle, the real reason for going. Unfortunately I'd left the camera in basic auto mode, so most of them had some camera shake and were no good. These two aren't bad, but in all the excitement I cut the top off the castle.

1.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/IMGP3720-web.jpg[/IMG]

2.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/IMGP3723-web.jpg[/IMG]

As I'd managed to find some free parking I thought I'd have a look around the town. Although I've been many times before (have/had relations in Llandudno Junction and Colwyn Bay) it hasn't been for a long time. Because of the dull conditions, some of these worked better in monochrome.

3.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/Imgp3768a.jpg[/IMG]

4.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/Imgp3762a.jpg[/IMG]

5.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/Imgp3731a.jpg[/IMG]

6.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/Imgp3747a.jpg[/IMG]

On the way I noticed this out in the Irish Sea, but hadn't left enough time to be stopping for a closer look, so I stopped on the way back instead. This is with the 500mm mirror lens.

7.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/IMGP3853-web.jpg[/IMG]

And finally, a little closer to home, the same steam special on the way back just near Beeston Castle.

8.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/hpfirenza/Conwy%20May%2019th%202012/Imgp3862a.jpg[/IMG]

Any comments appreciated. Disappointed about the weather, and surprised that "Duchess of Sutherland" is now in green.

Can you give me more description on the Cokin filters, I've tried searching the numbers but it doesn't give me much. Presumably I can just get another adapter so they fit my 52mm lens, I notice they're quite cheap for a clone one.

They do have photography features quite often on the One Show, sometimes more interesting than others, one recently was about photographing birds in flight. They're not that in depth, though, because it's such a short show and a short piece within it.

Yes, I'd agree optics rather than photography, though I must admit that it doesn't really bother me so much (other than it's something I thought I "knew"). What matters to me about a lens is how good it is, and how close it gets me to the subject. The numbers aren't really all that relevant for what I am doing.

I have that nagging thought that I *should* care more...

So I've misunderstood that, then, and thought I was right because of the piece in the front of the manual that compares angle of view between film SLR and Kx. You learn something new every day.

Maybe the "D" designation means that the focal length specified is based on a digital sensor size (which is what makes the difference). I've always wondered whether my DAL18-55 is actually equivalent to a film 18-55, or a film 27-83 lens.

There's a difference in effective focal length between 35mm and DSLR cameras, so if your M100 and M135 lens are originally intended for a film SLR, you need to multiple the focal length by 1.5 to get the figure as your K5 will see it, so they'll be 150mm and 202mm respectively. It's explained in the front of the Kx manual, probably has something in the K5 manual too.

I guess that would make you appreciate the skill of Red Arrows pilots and the like - same kind of thing but very fast.

I am kind of jealous - every time it's a nice day and I see a lot of light aircraft around I wish I was in one for the views and photo opportunities, then I remember how terrified I'd be, up there, in something the size of a Reliant Robin.

I wondered about that, but I wanted to leave as much of the steam plume as I could.