As an alternative, instead go to Gallery and post an image there. This directly uploads the image into the gallery section. Then you can tell us in the forum that it's there and we'll go and have a look.

You might find that more straightforward.

Some nice shots there.

If you make the file sizes smaller they will load much quicker - these are huge files for just showing in a forum and probably something is lost by us reducing them to 800 pixels wide.

800 pixels wide and around 200K file size is ideal.

If you think about it, if I set f8 on my lens and the shutter speed the camer selects is 1/250 sec (for example) then the person next to me sets Tv and uses 1/250 sec their camera will selct f8 as the aperture.

These are the same result, so in that sense what mode you use doesn't matter.

The purpose of all these modes is for us to choose how we like to operate so that the camera can be customised to all sorts of personal preferences.

The worst option is the thinking that looks at the scene and then decides what mode to set.

Hi thoramay

Try using Av but dialling in some exposure compensation (say -2 stops) and see what happens. The shutter speed should vary with the light level.

It will be easier to use this on a tripod and focusing may take some getting used to. It's not an easy lens to use, so you may just need to practice a bit. It will focus quite close, so why not try some flowers in the garden or some birds on a bird table. Just set up the tripod and wait for the birds to arrive at the feeding spot, don't try to track them in flight at first!

A sample photo in the Your Photos section would be nice when you're "up and running"

Av to control the DOF in the image.

M for special purposes such as studio flash.

Apart from enhanced communication between lens and camera body, the lenses are the same formulation.

It's probably academic really - either will do very nicely.

I don't think it would be fair of me to discuss any warnings or bans that may have happened in public, but you should respect any member's privacy in this respect.

Welcome aboard, if you need to know anything I'm sure someone will be here to help out!

Enjoy the forum!

No problem.

Well, none of that was really necessary because we already knew all that. There's no need to be over-sensitive.

I was inviting you to reply to the post made as you would normally have picked it up immediately.

Basically it didn't work out as planned, so that's fine. As you realised yourself, it was a bit of a risky business, so I'm glad you didn't end up seriously out of pocket.