Has it been inadvertently switched to manual focus? If that's the case, the shutter would only release when the camera thinks it is focused, so if it was slightly off it could give the impression that the shutter wasn't operating properly.

Here's a go in Channel Mixer, with a bit of use of burning and dodging. The sky has been processed separately, but the low resolution file has meant some artifacts have started to show.
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/041-Lillys-Photo.jpg[/IMG]
I wondered if you thought there was an advantage to a ready made program as opposed to just using the features available in Photoshop, as here?

That's been fantastic, many thanks to the brave souls who have revealed themselves!

Now we know what a good looking bunch we are.......

The purpose of all these options is as Stefan says to customise the camera to your own requirements. So if you want to shoot only in Av then that's fine, you ignore the other options in normal use.

I use the Fn menu quite a bit, usually for selecting the 2 second self timer for macro shots, or maybe altering White balance, or maybe for changing the ISO.

The full menu is only really used to format an SD card, everything else having been set up with my own preferences.

But it wouldn't happen, as most of the cost is in development and in the actual mechanical stuff - all the old fashioned buts that we still need.

I'll bet it would be more like £350.00!

What about those who use some other mode all the time?

We here may use Av mostly, but we aren't necessarily a representative sample.

What the enthusuasts want is there, but if that was all that was there then it might cut out the majority of the purchasers.

I vote for A, but it still needs tweaking as the sea is a little dark. The sky is much better though, showing none of the striation that's visible in the other two. There is also more contrast where the detail gives the image its impact.

12-24mm is the only one that really fits the bill, at least if you want straight lines to remain so.

Maybe a second hand one?

Depending on the price I might well be,

A soft slightly damp cloth (not wet!) is usually recommended for this.