This is simple optics. The size of the 35mm film gate is 24 x 36mm, and that's the size of the focusing screen. The APS-C format and screen are smaller, so is the image we see.

To see this, just look through a DSLR and then through an SLR and it's very clear.

Viewfinder magnification is of course a factor, so, say on a film camera, a viewfinder with 0.86x magnification will look smaller than one with 1x magnification.

Another factor is viewfinder coverage. It costs more to show 100% of the image recorded as this requires higher accuracy in assembly.

No politics please.

The theory is that the system looks for shake to correct and finding none causes a feedback that actually creates shake.

I think you doing the right thing. There's some movement with a monopod, not up and down, bur certainly to and fro and side to side.

There's no problem with quality from the original Q - as said above, not quite DSLR quality but not far off. The Q7 and later should be better again, on a par with the MX-1 hopefully.

The huge advantages in relation to its size are not to be underestimated. Not only is it no problem to carry a kit, a whole kit being lighter than some DSLR lenses, but it looks unobtrusive and unthreatening. Superb for street photography and travel.

You will find it down Brewery Street in Leigh, Lancashire. You certainly won't miss it when you get there!

The option always exists to clone out the telegraph pole, but I've been steadily moving away from doing so. I just feel we can see a place as it really is, minimising distractions by viewpoint maybe, but not actually altering reality.

On the other hand, if the pole intrudes some may well prefer to remove it, and if so fair enough, it's their interpretation.

I thought some of us might appreciate this establishment, which grabs my attention because that freshly painted red is just amazing. There's certainly no chance of missing it as we pass by.....



It was shot on my MX-1, which sits permanently in my jacket pocket, just waiting for everyday scenes and events to grab my attention.

Compacts can be a bit slow for wildlife. We go to Martin Mere quite often, and for general use the 55-300mm lens covers just about everything. The 17-70mm and 120mm-400mm should be ideal. I don't think you'll need the ultra-wide, probably.

But take the compact anyway, as you just might find some interesting fungi and its macro capability could be very useful. It will cover the gap in your DSLR lenses.

There's no point in going on a specifically photographic day and leaving stuff behind that you might need.

You may well get colour casts with the cheaper filters, you do get what you pay for.

Maybe eBay would be an alternative. You might pick up better filters for less money, albeit they will be used.