Yes, no problem, I'm just waiting to see if the others respond first.

We stray from the point here, but don't forget it was almost impossible to import a higher priced German or Japanese made camera until the late 1950s or early 1960s.

When I had some made, admittedly a ouple of years or more back now, MicroQuiz did a special bulk rate of £1 per slide and Cavendish £2 per slide.

We think the latter was worth the extra.

There were ID cards in WWII, but they were dropped quite soon afterwards I think.

The real reason the government wants to introduce them is probably more to do with benefit fraud that any other stated reason.

The technique for candids as you describe is to get in close, set the lens manually to the hyperfocal distance and leave it there. Don't even try to focus under the conditions you describe.

I would suggest starting with a fairly wide angle lens (the 21mm or even better the 15mm) set the aperture to f8 or f11 and just make sure the shutter speed will be reasonable. Then just focus on about 10 feet away and leave it there.

This sort of thing on film used be done with a 28mm or even a 24mm lens.

You do need to get in close for these sort of candids though, so a bit of confidence helps that. Looking nervous makes the photographer look as though he or she is up to no good, and that's not a good idea these days.

Hi and welcome!

Just keep shooting, ask lots of questions and before you know it things may even start to make sense!

They are top notch lenses and well worth using. Some are the same design even today, albeit it with new coats on, such as the FA 50mm f1.4, which is the same formulation as the previous F version.

Can we take all this honesty? Of course we can, keep 'em coming folks!

The F series are the first of the autofocus lenses. If you subscribe to PU magazine I was telling you about them this current issue.

It's not as easy as that.

The 16-50mm will focus using the camera's motor if you don't have an SDM body. It is slightly wider if you like wide angle shooting. It is a pro level lens if you make huge enlargements.

The 17-70mm is SDM only. It has a longer reach. It may be more suitable for portraits. It costs less.

So it really depends on what you need from the lens. Personally I would buy the 16-45mm f4 instead and leave some cash left over for another lens as well, or at least towards one.