I was creating a few pictures today, and i particularly liked this one. What do you think?

Not too complicated at all, I think the answer is clear - the lens has a diaphragm fault and a repair will be needed.....

It may be possible to pick up a replacement lens on eBay more cost effectively than repairing the lens. It might be worth looking in to.

The aperture is locked open when the lens is off the camera, and can be stopped down with the lever on the back of the lens. This action should be snappy and without any hesitation.

If the lens is faulty a repair will be needed.

Screw in filters by Pentax, B&W, Heliopan or, at a pinch, Hoya.

One of the problems with copying onto film is that contrast tends to increase to an undesireable level. One solution is to pre-flash the film with a very low exposure that partially fogs and reduces the contrast.

There is proper slide duplicating film though, and this may be a better prospect. No doubt it is available to special order only and probably in 30m lengths.

All copying should be done with impeccable technique and will be a slow and exacting procedure.

Copying off a monitor gives results adequate for presentations, but not really of proper pictorial quality.

Some slides are good, some not so good, and none of them have the quality of an original slide. Unfortunately, there is a definite "that's a digital slide" look.

There are more expensive services around that have very high standards, but at several pounds per slide it could be expensive indeed.

Wise advice indeed. In this case it sounds as if the seller wasn't trying to deceive as they let you back out, which probably shows that writing a proper description can be full of pitfalls as well as reading it wrongly.

The classic is, of course, "Dog for sale, eats anything, loves children...."

Glad to hear it all ended equitably.

The first 12-24mm picture went up on EPZ early this morning. It's an architectural shot of rydal Mount near Ambleside. If you want to check it out:

http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/largephoto.cfm?f=67404_1153090979.jpg&back...

How extraordinary, we were there yesterday. Were you there too?

What a fantastic day it was. Sue was trying out her new SMC Pentax-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro and I was trying out my new SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm.

A splendid time was had by all.

I always think if one wants to change perceptions, then one needs to join in.

An Elite Pentax User sounds very grand!