I tried RAW Therapee a while back & preferred the Pentax software or gimp. However, the list of additions & improvements in v3 looks extensive & impressive, so I think I´ll download it & give it another shot.

Each time I use a free processing program I take a step further back from purchasing Lightroom 3.

I set my K200D to also produce a 2MP jpeg so that I have it as a reference until I´ve processed a full 10MP jpeg from the RAW. However, I believe there are programs that can show a preview from RAW files, but I don´t know which RAW formats.

The Tamron is a good lens. My copy has no focus problems and is sharp from f/2.8, the focus ring is fine and smooth and the build quality is good, certainly better than the Pentax kit lens & equal to the older (non-OS) Sigma 18-50.

The biggest problems with it are the exposure inaccuracies. Mine requires a minimum of +0.7 exposure compensation but often needs up to +2, depending on conditions & aperture.

I would recommend it as long as you shoot RAW, because exposure adjustments will be needed on many shots.

BTW, I´ll post this in the leads to deals section, Jacobs seem to have it now for 240 quid, which is a real bargain: http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/p-38321-jacobs-digital-tamron-17-50mm-f28-xr-di-l...

I read a blog review (search for Shutterfinger) of the 160 version & he was very impressed, particularly by the dynamic range.

Payment sent!

PM sent re 50mm f/1.7

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronic-Speedlight-Speedlite-flashgun-Olympus/dp/B003...=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1310984601&sr=8-3

I have the above flash, which is well within your budget. You can tilt it sideways so that it fires upward when the camera is in portrait position. It´s easy to use, has many power settings and is very well built. The downside is that it´s manual only, so you will need to manually adjust your exposure (ISO, aperture). This is not usually a problem in indoor parties because the light levels are constant and once you have it set there´s very little need to change it.

As you´ll be taking portraits you´re most likely to be at the longer end of the kit lens, where it´s soft wide open (at least my two copies are) and you´ll most likely want to stop down to f/8. Without a flash that would leave you with very high ISOs indeed.

Some very good photos there, I especially like the boy with the mask in Barcelona. Thanks for the link.

There´s very, very little in the way, technology-wise, of getting rid of DSLRs and replacing them with mirrorless cameras. The biggest problem is that C & N have far too much invested in their current systems to want to change to a new one. The lens line-ups are massive, and all designed for DSLRs.

So far, only Samsung are taking lenses and cameras seriously in the EVIL market, but they´re held back by lack of promotion & not being taken seriously by photographers (rightly or wrongly). Sony are only interested in getting people with P&S cameras to buy them. Oly & Pana are only just beginning to come out with serious lenses, but most of them cost double what they should, and the small size of 4/3 will never be overcome.

The way is wide open for a mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, good lenses and a photographer-oriented design (buttons, ergonomics, advanced features). There´s no need for a mirrorless camera to be smaller, if that means is less comfortable to use. Pentax are ideally placed to bring it to the market, but instead seem determined to be left behind, wasting money on this Q nonsense. Development costs would rapidly be paid off by savings in exactly-manufactured & expensive mirror-boxes & penta-mirrors / -prisms. AF problems would be a thing of the past.

The Sigma arrived a few days ago, but I won´t be home for another 4 weeks to take a look at it - can´t wait!