I'm not sure how much you have blown up these images, but one difference that strikes me is the colour balance. The top one is very green and the bottom one slightly magenta. The colour fringing in the second one is there, albeit it on a fairly demanding image detail, but I'd like to see how much that affected the image at normal sizes.

I would also suggest taking a good supply of SD cards. If the chance arose to take a laptop, they could be backed up to this. Otherwise, just keep the cards secure. It's more convenient than taking hundreds of exposed films home used to be, and safer.

The K-5 is an obvious choice. There are plenty about and it was a sea-change in noise levels and overall image quality. Prices are so low now that it must be a strong contender if you can find a good clean copy.

The K50 is fine, so are the New K-S1 and K-S2. You're not going to go far wrong with any of these cameras.

Actually Horst, the quote you've made is quite correct. Some current Pentax lenses also have more, and sometimes curved as well, aperture blades to make a more circular aperture and hence smoother bokeh.

Don't confuse this with the number of elements. Triplets can also have very high contrast and high centre sharpness as there are few air/glass surfaces to reflect light inside the lens.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so no, I don't personally think it's too dark. It's a matter of choice though, so I can see that some might want to see more detail in a lighter image.

That's a lovely shot Alan, spot on.

Lens testing and lens reviewing is a complex thing, and very time consuming. Of course, it might seem obvious to us that three element lenses are not corrected as well as 6 element ones, but not everybody knows that. Not everybody knows that a lens hood helps a lot and why.

The Domiplan is a modest lens that works well stopped down. If we started to use a Takumar instead, then the difference would be obvious immediately in many ways, including colour vibrance, sharpness and build quality.

The Domiplan may be soft wide open, but not all lenses are, so again probably good information for those who are looking for guidance.

No 4 is rather splendid - very subtle.

It's a fine image Gareth, and well deserving its success. Every year I think I should enter APOY and every year I miss the start.

A close call.....perhaps you could offer us an itinerary for your next trips. We might follow you around, just in case.....