Liam

The istD itself doesn't have "modes" either (its also a proper camera ) only its offspring have them.

A quick question for users of the "D"s that do have the mode dial....Does it still light up like a christmas tree when you turn it on like the MZ7 does?

Nice shots Chris.

The chopper is a bit static, ie no movement in the rotors, but nicely caught.

The first plane shot is very nice but I would have prefered it the other way round (try rotating it 180) I tried it with a horizontal flip and thought it looked better, but that stuffed the numbers up.

Third one is my fave. any lower and it would have been spoiled.

I Know, but I also have to confess that I initially had a go at the wife for ruining my shot even more embarrasing because it turned out to be the best of the bunch and the only one I kept

I did make it up to her by buying her a nice lunch (with her money )

Now totally of topic;
the allied cemetary on Crete is a beautiful place, extremely well tended, well worth a visit.
Be prepared to leave there with a heavy heart though.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j168/impotentspider/WeWereSoldiers.jpg

I tried this some time ago, I used the method suggested by Mannesty, I created a second layer, desaturated the first layer then erased all but the poppy on the second layer.

And before you all applaud the image....the composition was a fluke, we were visiting the allied war cemetary on Crete, and I noticed the cross on a memorial, I was about to press the shutter when my wife intervened, she had found another cross and was about to suggest I take them together, she was in the process of placing it as I was composing the first shot, introducing the shadow just as I pressed the shutter.

I'll second Dons comments.

Simple and to the point

I must get one of my own up and running.

Have you considered night classes?

Several years ago I did three in succession, the first was a beginers course, I thought I didn't need to do it but they said I couldn't go straight onto the advanced course, It wasn't a waste of time though as I did learn something, that came from being made to study other photographers work.
The second was more to my liking with set assignments, the third was a Black and White course on developing and printing etc.

After the second course the Tutor told us we were qualified enough to skip the first year of a Degree at University, I did seriously consider doing it but finally decided that having letters behind my name would not make me a better photographer, I have later regretted the decision.

My advice is go for it.

No George, I think you didn't read between the lines.
He's selling the K10D and then going to get the new 645 in with the new mortgage, at least thats what I'd have to do to afford one

Mind you, with the price of houses nowadays I'm surprised he's not selling his soul as well (and please, no wise cracks about Pentax cameras/souls)
I honestly feel sorry for anyone buying a house these days, especially first timers.

To the OP, sorry mate I already have one, but your offer is very tempting, good luck with the nightmare, sorry, House Move.

What level of sharpness an image needs is a matter of personal choice, and will vary from image to image.

I personally start off at around 50% with the Radius set to 1 pixel and the threshold set to 0
I then usually go up in steps of 25, ie 50, 75, 100, 125 (very very rarely go over this)
Occasionally I may up the radius to 1.5. and very very rarely to 2
I tend to find images that have a lot of detail need more sharpening, of course I could be doing it all wrong and someone will come along and slap my wrists in another reply

One little snippet for you: at my camera club a few weeks ago, the judge for one of our monthly comps. said he liked the effect that had been applied to a B&W image, it had in actual fact been grossly oversharpened NO it wasn't mine.

Now should I keep you in suspense and NOT tell you

NAH! got to admit I like them, six of them anyway, the one I dont like, sorry let me re-phrase that.....the one I am not impressed with is i feel a bit amatuerish (anyone could have snapped it), but TBH it is a difficult subject for newcomers, I suspect it was a grabbed shot and you didn't specifically go out looking for it, thats just my humble opinion of course, if you dont like it you can always tell me to BUZZ off

Yeah!

Well all I can say is......."oooh these are nice, you must have a good camera"