It's already in there Doug.

Why not just buy the right battery? It may cost more, but it's the right tool for the job.

Pentax cameras can be set to focus priority or release priority, don't know if that would help?

Battery life is not the strong point of the MX-1, so a spare might be a good idea.

Ideally you would visit a dealer and try the cameras you are interested in, to see which ones handle best in your hands. The larger Jessops should make this possible, certainly you'd be OK at the Manchester store.

It sounds like you're trying to re-invent the Zone System Nigel, in which case you'd probably be better looking it up as is to avoid confusion. Once you have the gist of that system, it can be applied in a simple way to everyday situations. These days I do it automatically without thinking too much, adjusting the centre weighted reading accordingly.

There are few things as wonderful as the DSLR viewfinder, a crystal clear view bounded by the deepest black.

Launch Pad is the one that hits the spot. Focus is right where it should be and the composition is spot on as well.

Unfortunately the rest fall short on sharpness and depth of field. The first shot, for example, has very little sharp in it and the major feature that catches our eye, the brightest bit, is an out of focus band of green.

However, you're getting in close and this is a difficult area to master. Like many areas of photography, it's not easy to master. The key issue is that I always ask myself if an image would stack up against others in, say, a book on nature. Sometimes, and only sometimes, I feel it does, but often it doesn't, so you're not alone in the quest for improvement.

The 55-300mm is much smaller and lighter than the Bigma, so perhaps there will be some circumstances where carrying the big lens won't be appropriate?

It's always difficult to sell lenses, and I've sold than then bought again more than one. Sometimes our needs just change over time.

The lens is now sold, many thanks for all the interest.