Pentaxophile - I doubt you'd regret it !

Sandinista - thank you !

Sorry - just had mine serviced and is now in perfect condition !

The Tamron 70-300 is an excellent lense and as a current owner (but non user) I can endorse that. If you come across it the F 70-210 (f4 - 5.6) is a very nice lense too though no idea of pricing (it won't be expensive). I picked one up in a package of lenses I bought and have been surprised at the quality.

OK - understood. Good hunting !

You don't actually state what type of photography you enjoy or what and how you want to shoot. We can offer far more specific advice if you give us a clue !

Snappychappy / Pentaxophile / Aliegrove / Cardiffgareth / Stuey / Thoughton / Geordie 01 / Zav / Bretti / DavidT & Blythman : Thank you very much to everyone for your comments and observations !

Zav : re. #4 - actually that isn't the moon, in this shot I used flash to fill in the foreground, that is a burst balloon in the tree with a disk that spins below it, the disk has some good luck character written on it - although no-one in my office was able to make out what it says !

#3 and #5 (beautiful light) for me. That last one if gorgeous !

I do think that most of the shots could do with a boost in contrast and in some cases dialing back the exposure (some highlights are blowing out there) - all should be easily fixed in LR3 / PS or A3

Rather sad story to the last shot.

Although I like #1 I find #2 works better - evokes a feeling for the era of these stones and there is less modern day intrusion from the roof tops of the houses in the background.

After taking my daughter to a casting in Hangzhou we took the opportunity to spend some time around the lake.

Only one of these shots has had any PP except noise reduction with Topaz Denoise.

These were the first shots with my new Tamron 17-50 f2.8. I think I like this lense

I would appreciate it if you could tell me your preferred 1,2,3 from these 6 .. thanks !

Thanks very much Bretti ! I wondered why they weren't showing up - thought it was maybe just on my computer.