They were a good shop, full of expertise.

The main disadvantage of AA batteries is changing them under pressure in the field. It's relatively fiddly making sure the polarity is OK, whereas a Li-Ion pack just clips straight into place.

Not in the UK. The responsibility for an item sold lies with the supplier. The supplier should sort it out. If they won't or can't then dealing direct is the second option.

Ah, you don't remember the mayhem and discord that followed when the forum was changed to what it is now! It made the end of the Universe look like a slightly rainy Monday morning by comparison....

And then there was the unfortunate colour change that lasted three days before we could find our sunglasses and the button to send an e-mail of woe to Those Who Decide

Be careful what you ask for, lest the heavens open and consume us all....

It's part of the family and includes all makes of lens. Professional reviews and tests plus user reviews as well.

I would suggest it is far more extensive and useful than anything on a forum could hope to be.

It's only a click away, just like the next page you view on PU.

In the first instance, the responsibility lies with the supplier, in the UK at least.

There are plenty of user reviews on www.photodo.com which is the sister site to this one. What you are suggesting actually already exists!

You are exaggerating of course, but most of the costs are in setting up a manufacturing process and in distribution and advertising. It would be interesting to see how close you are....

I think it would be very useful Neil if you posted a picture where you feel the foregound is very soft. This might make the solution more obvious and more helpful to you.

In general though, if the foreground is still soft bring the focus point a little closer, make the aperture smaller still and be sure to use a tripod and the 2 second delay to avoid any camera shake.

The 2 second delay will allow any camera vibration from pressing the shutter release to die down. It will also raise the mirror before the exposure, so removing any vibration from mirror slap.

You're asking the wrong forum in one way, but I can say there are some M42 Mamiya lenses I think. If so, you can use them. If they are bayonet then basically you can't, not easily anyway.