Thanks, folks. I wasn't sure what the response would be to these, but it your positive comments are an encouragement to do some more experimenting with familiar things.

Can't get better than that! Thanks, Serge.

Steve

Well, you've certainly convinced me that mono is the way to go for hypericum.

There's a monstrous bush in my front garden that flowers profusely and the flowers are the subject of a few (or more) photos every year. However, the results never quite seem to work and I've not been sure why. Having seen the difference that a mono conversion makes, the urge to experiment with some "nearly but not quite" pictures is growing...

As for the freesias - lovely pictures, but I'd never have guessed the plant without its colour!

Steve

That happens with all my batteries and all my chargers. I think the charger has to try charging the battery before it can work out whether it needs to stop. If the light goes out fairly quickly, the battery is fully charged and all is well.

However, it does seem like you need to treat your K5 to a new battery. SRS has an Ansmann clone for £19.99, so just within your budget. I've not used that brand so can't say whether it's any good - but would SRS sell it if it isn't?

Steve

Well... err... yes, of course.... essence... that was top of my mind at the time.

Thanks for the inspirational comment!

Steve

Another in the series "Macro Doesn't Have To Be Super Sharp". This time, it's an attempt to get photos of bindweed that are a bit different. The first two are an unopened bud, the third is an opening bud. They are all as seen through the viewfinder, give or take a bit of tweaking with curves to improve contrast. NASA spends $billions to get pictures like this from deep space. These were done in the garden with the K3 + Irix 150mm macro + 1.4 TC.

Thought, comments etc. welcome as usual. And I'm not expecting to get them in the Countryfile Calendar!

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Steve

I'm currently sitting in my garden and wondering why yours is so neat, tidy, well-tended and conducive to a relaxing drink (or two) whereas mine is... well, never mind.

You've captured a look and feel that wouldn't be out of place in a 'lifestyle' magazine (not that I read such things, of course :mrgreen.

Steve

A fascinating picture of an ecclesiastical interior - and one which in due course we may regard as being of historical interest.

I've spent a while wondering why it works so well. And the conclusion is it's due to the white sheets (row letters) at the near end of each row. Scroll to cut them out and the picture seems weaker - at least to me.

On a theological point, perhaps the title should be a little longer - 'Waiting For People Waiting For God'

Steve

Oooo... special! The last picture is lovely.

It's best not to put the location of a very rare plant on a public forum. Some people do not treat them with the respect they deserve even if they are protected by law.

Steve

Hmmmm... I did look at the list and concluded that it covered essentially the same ground as my basic kit so of no interest to me. So I wonder whether part of the reason for this equipment not selling on here is because what was for sale is a good, general purpose kit. That's a positive comment about the kit, it's the sort of thing that anyone can do a lot of good stuff with. But by the same reasoning, it's the sort of thing that many, if not most, of us on this forum will probably already have. And if we don't, there's probably a reason. Doesn't mean that there aren't people 'out there' who wouldn't be interested, but they aren't necessarily looking at this forum - it certainly isn't the case that every Pentax user ('Pentaxian') is a member of Pentaxuser.

Steve

Congratulations. You have taken the first step on the slippery slope... and you have explained with admirable clarity how it has started for you. And it will continue. No lens is ever long enough for wildlife. No lens is ever wide enough for architecture or landscape. No lens is ever fast enough to photograph black cats in dark rooms. No lens is ever perfectly sharp with absolutely no abberations. And every lens that takes you towards the ultimate goal weighs more than the one before, so then the quest for lighter lenses starts. Followed by a passion for primes. And nostalgia for the old classics. Good luck!!!

Steve