It is better, but your flower portrait is crying out for more space on the right side and less on the left. Ideally I would move the position to more bottom left to balance the composition.

The second picture is IMHO ruined by the foreground blur. I don't see any way to salvage that as it's always going to look as though your fingers got in the way.

You're getting a nice feel for these. I especially like the bluebells, but to be fair I especially like quite a few of the other shots as well.

I don't think 11 works, too much splodge, which is quite distracting. It looks like you've got your fingers in the shot!

4 has wonderful texture, but I do think the flower is far too far to the right and the composition needs alteration.

Otherwise, what's not to like about a really strong set of flower portraits.

Well done Bill, great images!

Please remember that we don't make comments about competition entries until the judge has judged.

I do have to remove comments now and again, so worth repeating the rule to remind us all.

Many thanks!

Photoshop Elements will cover everything you need.

The real problem is that you are using a camera that dates back to the 1980s, so it's quite old now. I would expect any camera of that vintage to benefit from a general service and recalibration. Different models will tend to fail in different areas, so that too is probably predictable.

The LX was the professional camera in its day and if in good condition should be fine.

You could also use your lens on the DSLR range, so that's another avenue should you wish it.

It's a short and fast paced set of images based on smiles. Your picture is on for a second if its lucky, as are all the rest.

If they have used your image I hope you got paid, GM can afford it!

Of the new cameras, I think your obvious upgrade is to the splendid K-S2.

If you are buying an older camera, then the K-50 is the next step up and that includes all the features that were missing from the entry level K-500.

No politics on Pentax User please.

Lens hoods will go and long way towards protecting the front element from rain drops. Also, keep the lens pointed downwards until ready to shoot and carry a suitable microfibre cloth for removing any stray drops. Nothing is insurmountable and solid driving rain is not the only way rain falls! Intermittent showers present very few problems for example.

I don't know, but I would have thought that Pentax did some research first to see whether the lack of an onboard flash unit was something that buyers cared about. Maybe they found that people prepared to spend over a certain level (and hence by definition serious purchasers not casual ones) didn't need or want the flash.

In any event, it will please those with their eyes on the stars, so there will be specific purchasers who will want to move into the Pentax system.

Thinking about the flash, I don't actually ever use it, so I wouldn't miss it.