The split image section blacks out when the eye is not totally central to it and also with slow telephoto lenses. This has always been the case and is inevitable. AF cameras don't need a split image screen to work accurately and fortunately for me my eyes don't need one either to manually focus. I've always used the general area even with all my film cameras.

These are all precision areas of a camera's function and it might have a negative effect on accurate focus.

There does seem to be some confusion over what a teenager is - that is, a person whose age is in the 'teens. Thirteen, fourteen, etc.

As for a definition of children, that might mean up to 15 in some areas of life (such as the NHS) and up to 17 in all the rest. I guess it's a moot point. Some people are still children at 50....Might as well add a quote from Tom Baker's Doctor Who, "There's no point being grown up if you can't be childish once in a while."

Anyway, there have been some excellent shots entered. Good idea for the subject.

This one could tempt me....

One thing is for sure, there is no harm in turning off SR if the camera is firmly tripod mounted. As those are the instructions, that's what I do in the absence of any down-side to the procedure!

As mentioned elsewhere, there is always the possibility that good though SR clearly is for hand held use, it may be that for the ultimate sharpness when tripod mounted a stationary, fixed CCD gives a potentially better result.

AS for testing that, as our perception of quality can be variable, then we should really all test for ourselves.

I would go back to basics and test the sharpness with and wothout AF on a detailed test target. A newspaper pinned to a wall is a good choice. On a tripod of course, camera back parallel to the newspaper and using the 2 second delay to ensure no camera shake.

To answer one question, there is no reason why images from a film camera cannot be scanned and used. This competition is very "rules light" and if it's not forbidden, then it's allowed! Within reason, of course...

The best answer is the card reader.

Using a manual focus lens may seem a bit tricky if you're not used to it. First thought do make sure that the dioptre setting on your viewfinder is correct.

This should be set looking through the viewfinder at a blank surface or perhaps blue sky. The lens does not have to be focused. Just adjust the dioptre until the grid lines in the viewfinder are as sharp as possible.

This will ensure the optimum setting which will aid manual focus accuracy. After that, juts practice manually focusing and it will soon become second nature.

Billingham also make a Photographer's Jacket - not inexpensive, but beautifully made.

Barbour is tough and waterproof.