From the hundreds of serial numbers logged on the other forum this is the last number to show stains : 3965255, there was one in the 395xxxx range and also just one in the 394xxxx range.

Just had a quick scan through the samples posted and your 'dots' don't show the typical 'string of pearls' which are roughly the same size but yours do have the halo effect though this has also been seen on dust. Virtually all sensors are going to come out of the factory with dust on the sensors, they are not produced in a dust free environment unlike other critical parts. There was a lot of paranoia with people reporting single or multiple dust bunnies as stains.

That said you've tried cleaning it and if it hasn't moved it really would be worth seeing what your supplier has to say (which you've done). Good luck and hope you get the issue resolved ASAP.

Woah Cedric ...... you have a DA*300 ?!

I think you'll get better results (and AF) cropping from the 300 than you will from the T500. The T500 beats out my 55-300 (after cropping) but surely never the 300 ... and the 300 works very well from all accounts with the AFA x1.7 (which also gives you faux AF) which = 510mm.

IMO - you should put that T500 and adaptor on the market and get the AFA x1.7 (after you've had a bit of fun with it first but definitely before your week on Mull) !

#2 is superb - great set !

You won't see the stains at f5.6. You will need to be shooting at at least f11 or more. To test for it set for a 1 sec exposure at f16 and point the camera at a white wall ... the stain should be obvious if it's there. I'd guess that is dust you see on yours - blow your sensor !

Really nice shot by the way !

Think you are going to enjoy that lense after you've gotten used to it - BTW I always shoot it on a monopod.

You do have the adapter for Pentax don't you (or does it come with it) ?

It is an inexpensive way to go long and well worth the money - even if you don't like it you will probably only lose the cost of the postage when you re-sell. And the Tamron BB 500 is one of the best out there.

There is a another up / down side of course to Mirror (Reflex) lenses - you need to polish up your MF skills as there is no AF.

Two (not perfect - too far away in most cases - read the comments) threads I posted last week, all take with the T500.

link

link

Personally I love #3 best. #4 works too.

That is such a wonderful portrait - just perfect !

#1 doesn't do anything for me but I love #2. I think if you crop it any more then the fence will look too crowded against the edge of the shot. What I would do is clone the grey to remove the black. You have some really nice grey gradiants !

Thank you Simon ! Yes, I feel privileged to have seen them like this.

I actually remember when growing up as a boy I often used to see them at various ponds that I went fishing to in Cheshire. One time one even came and perched on the rod !