Excellent judging and some great pictures this week, congratulations to Lilly on a deserved win.

K10D / FA77 / various exposure settings

A good choice; f2.8 isn't blisteringly fast but it's still quite a bit quicker than your two zooms, the focal length is quite handy for portraits and - best of all - you'll have a proper 1:1 macro lens which will open up a whole new world of photography. I think you'll be pleased with it.

I concur.

No amount of looking at pictures and reading specs on the 'net can be as useful as actually handling the kit "in the flesh". My tripods (and bags) over the years have all come from Morris Photo - they have a vast range on display and actively encourage you to try stuff out before making your choice.

For the last 6/7 years I've exclusively used a Manfrotto 055PRO (older model) and I've never found it lacking for my purposes, your own requirements may differ though so go and have a look...

It's certainly beetle shaped but I can't recall ever seeing a beetle with hairs on its shell before - excellent capture of a very unusual subject!

Regardless of the whole full-frame thing, I'd really like to see Samsung / Schneider developing different bodies and lenses in the future rather than just mirroring the Pentax line. Greater choice for K-mount users can only be a good thing!

Excellent record shots and no doubt the 18-250 is the right lens for the job in situations like these. How do you get on when it's wet though? The lens isn't weather sealed so I was wondering if you carry some sort of rain sleeve for it - obviously accidents like this can happen at any time so there's a good chance you'd get called out regardless of the conditions.

I agree about the switches being fiddly, and I don't like the way the rear lens cap has to be aligned in just one place to go back on. Minor details but ones that detract from the user experience nonetheless.

Having said that, for the money the Tamron's tough to beat!

It doesn't matter what the rig looks like, it's the results that count and that hoverfly is outstanding! Excellent work Clarky.

Excellent judging George (impressively quick too!) and congratulations to Dr Mhuni - I look forward to next week's topic.

And yes, mine would certainly have worked better with some nice antique furniture but I have to work with what I've got...