The exposures were seven images one stop apart, detail enhancer was used. I don't think anything is "right" or "wrong" if it ends up how we want the image to look. There are so many variables possible.

I check the presets first and if there's one that gives me a head start I use that and then finish the process with further adjustments and then Photoshop. There's no point doing more work than necessary.

Sometimes nothing suits "off the peg" and then I'll start from scratch.

I do sometimes cover Photomatix in camera club talks, and I think it's the sort of thing that does need to be live in person. Then the audience can ask questions and there's some two way communication.

If you have any questions I'm happy to try to answer them.

It was Photomatix, followed by final touches in Photoshop CS5.

This is a seven image HDR of Arley Chapel at Arley Hall. The range of lighting varies far more than any camera could possibly hope to record, so HDR is one way to being all that under control.

I'm wondering what you think and whether or not you would have known it was HDR for sure, perhaps had suspicions or perhaps would not have guessed?

Hello Nick, I'll have a look at it.

We are running PS CS5 with PCs that are far, far less than what you are proposing.

When we replace we will buy off the shelf and perhaps specify a few changes if we want to. For example, we specified the video card last time, but everything else was as supplied.

The 18-55mm kit lens is a good start, equivalent to a 35mm camera 28-80mm. Or the 18-135mm, equivalent to film 28-200mm.

Pentax make such lenses and very good they are as well.

This seems to be the current bag, and avaiable new within your budget:
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/950/Pentax-Black-SLR-Camera-Bag.html

Hopefully Sony and Pentax mounts will follow in due course.

Is there any recent precedent as to how long it takes for a Pentax version to follow from Sigma?

If anyone doesn't see anything Pentax on the web, perhaps it's because they use Adblocker or similar.

My computer is always full of Pentax ads and suggestions. Google Ads do actually target the things we are interested in much of the time.

The purpose of an ad is to bring things to our attention that we might find useful. Seems fair enough to me.