Hi Sammy. I can't tell from the EXIF what your SS was but it looks to be a touch too slow. Also no flash fired so you do need to get diffused flash into play with macro to get the best results. I also noticed f2.8 to f4 in the EXIF - definitely need to stop down to at least f8 or f11 for the extra DoF. Decent start though !

Not wishing to sound like a Pentax fanboy but for the current price for which you can buy a K5 (US$850) it seems a far better camera than the D7000 if you need or wish to have, the WR and importantly in-camera NR. Pentax also wrung more out of the sensor than Nikon, though I'm being a little pedantic there.

Agree with Mike. There are more pros than cons to buying the K7 over the K20D. It is an excellent camera if you don't go over ISO 800 though there are workarounds in PP that make 1,600 and 3,200 usable.

Sold the K7 for the K5 but still have lots of great images to remember the K7 by.

I prefer this set. Some excellent shots in there !

Very sorry to hear this. Just imagining the loss of my gear sends me scurrying to check my insurance (not worth the paper it's written on in value terms).

If you live in the UK you can buy dedicated camera insurance, though it's not cheap, when I last checked it'd cost me £500 p.a. to cover my gear, and of course unless someone broke into my house it's unlikely I'd lose it all (still never happen as I always carry a camera and lenses with me) but you still have to list the lenses/cameras.

Sounds very much like your car insurance should cover a break-in into a locked car boot - though the maximum payout may exceed the value of your equipment.

Lovely family you have too !

I have maybe 5 monopods and 4 tripods (or vice versa - can't remember !) so my only words of advice would be : buy the very best you can afford now (this goes for tripods, heads, monos whatever) as otherwise you will find weaknesses and need to upgrade sooner rather than later !

Well if the specs for this K-30 turn out to be accurate .... I can't wait to see what is in store for the K5 MkII !

Wonderful ! I love it when they start to fledge. Hope this one got up and away without any problems.

I had a totally confused young Light Vented Bul Bul tapping and fluttering away at our kitchen and conservatory windows for hours today. Eventually the parents persuaded it to accompany them to a safer locale.

I'm really really surprised no-one has yet mentioned the Raynox 150 and 250 macro clip-on attachments (fit on virtually any lens you already have, to turn them into a macro lens).

I have both and they are phenomenal. Superb IQ and just amazing value for money and IQ. Google them or go to the Raynox website. Either will cost you around £50. The 150 is better for flowers etc. and the 250 for insects and the like. Or both together for 'super-macro'

If you shoot wildlife / birds and are using tele lenses (not in a hide or one place where you can use a tripod) then they are an absolutely invaluable piece of kit. I do not go trekking/birding anywhere without my large (as in large circumference and extendable to ca. 6 feet high so I can point the camera and lens skywards) carbon fibre monopod with a gimbal head fitted to it. Whilst this rig in itself weighs in the region of 1.5kgs that is about half (and much much easier to carry) my equivalent tripod rig.

I attach a Black Rapid to the camera and the monopod is attached to the lens' tripod mount - so I can easily carry it around (hardly notice the weight like this) and have complete safety in the event one or the other fails (Black Rapid or base plate from the Gimbal).

If you have ever tried to hand-hold a long tele whilst waiting for a bird to settle or come into view you'll know it's totally unfeasible as your arms start trembling after a minute or two !