The next club monthly competition prints are ready now, in fact I was mounting them on 50x40 cm boards at 1.30am this morning.

The difference this time for me is that all three of my prints are from the Q-S1. I've printed them without any interpolation, 4000 x 3000 pixels at 300ppi as native to the camera output. This gives a print 33.87 x 25.4 cm, which fits with room to spare on an A3 sheet of paper.

OK, the images are slightly smaller than from the K-5, but still a decent size and the quality is very impressive. I've used images from the MX-1 before, and they have done very well. The fact is that they look no different when displayed to any other entries, be it from APS-C, FF or even smartphones. There have been a few smartphone images entered that have just been accepted alongside everything else.

I'll let you know how the images do, but actual image quality won't be a problem. The content is something else of course.

Yes, it does make a difference. I usually use Natural as well, but I also use all the other options as and when needed. There are also lots of digital filters to play with.

The K-S1 is an upcoming deal as well.

Lots of spray, fantastic!

Some really impressive shots, outstanding as you say. Some others are more ordinary, but the best are superb.

Or new from SRS: http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/lenses/pentax-lenses/pentax-k-mount-lenses/pent...

The Pentax 55-300mm is an excellent lens and should be within your budget. There's one in the Classified Ads at the moment.

That looks cost effective for starters. We usually use white, but the gold will add a nice glow to portraits. Silver is also useful, so why not?

Lastolite and others make a range of reflectors. Even a small one can be useful to throw a bit of light into the subject. We carry small reflectors in our kit.

It's all part of watching and manipulating the light on a subject. A reflector can also be used to shield, say a waving plant in the wind, or perhaps to hold back other foliage as well as reflecting light.

I'm sure there must be some on eBay at low prices that you could try out before buying one from a dealer?

I think that would be a good price if they were in mint condition.