I agree, I was only saying that the design was fine, which will equally well apply to all the versions. Not 40 quid, that's for sure!

Equally well, what happens if someone steals your memory device/netbook/laptop, all of which are more attractive targets than am SD card.

It's still a little weak for my taste, so I'd go for something more like this:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/3759137402_e3ea2a881f_b.jpg[/IMG]
This is quite an extensive adjustment but it pulls up more drama IMHO. But what do you think? Better or too much?

Perhaps there's some sample variation, but the Pentax one I had was fine.

As you say, no point upgrading lenses for the sake of it.

The idea of people leading groups of us on specialised subjects is a great one.

Is there any subject in particular that would lend itself to doing a meeting just for that purpose?

The SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f3.5 Macro is the same inexpensive lens as the Cosina, and it's really an excellent performer. A bit unusually clunky for a Pentax lens, but with the advantage of SMC coating and the consistent colour rendition that brings.

Any of the Pentax manual focus macros would be a good option. On digital the A series lenses are somewhat more convenient in use.

I would say all of them, but more so 2 and 3.

In a levels dialog box you will see a histogram with three sliders inderneath it. The histogram may not go from left to right the full distance, so pull the end sliders in till they touch the black histogram (not too much if it looks wrong) and then adjust the overall brightness with the centre slider.

Don't make it too severe an effect, backing off the right and left sliders if it's gone too far.

You're not a problem person at all thoramay, just someone trying to absorb a lot of new information all at once. We were all there once and sometimes it seemed impossible!

Right, now we have the focusing sorted, perhaps using manual focus by preference. The exposure will happily be sorted out by the camera using either Centre Weighted or Matrix (multi-segment) but probably not Spot metering for now.

As you are focusing very close indeed there is very limited depth of field (DOF), which you see for yourself in that the surroundings are out of focus. Therefore you need to use the smallest aperture possible - if necessary right down to f22 or f32. To do this with a reasonable shutter speed you might need to use flash or at least for the ambient light to be quite bright. Aperture priority auto exposure will enable you to select the aperture you want.

Use of a trpod will help accurate focusing on a fixed point if the subject is still.

If the subject is moving, such as perhaps Damselflies out in a meadow, then it's down to chasing them, focusing as best we can and shooting fast. High ISO will help. Or we select a popular landing spot, pre-focus on it, sit back and wait. For this we can use the tripod again. Add a stool and flask of coffee.....

It's down to practice after the basics are sorted out. Sue and I shoot things like Damselflies on the run, and her hit rate is amazingly good, getting better all the time. Just keep shooting.

Indeed so, it looks like there is a fault. It's not an expensive lens, so why not look for another one on eBay?

We use an Epson 1290s which is perfectly satisfactory. When we need to replace it we will buy whatever Epson is the current top of the range at the time.

Having said that, I'm sure that there are lots of happy users of Canon and HP printers as well.