I was going to say it could use a bit more DOF to get more of the tail and feet in focus. Then I looked at the EXIF data. ISO 800, f4, and 1/30th/sec.

Looks like you had challenging light.

Great pic under the circumstances.

So called 'close-up' filters are usually of poor quality. A decent set of extension tubes would be my recommendation. If you can find a set that has all electrical contacts and preserves AF, though it's not really necessary for macro work, then go for those.

With extension tubes you get no loss of image quality like you would with most, but not all, close-up filters.

These are one of the many species of Cricket, not grasshopper. Most of your images a very underexposed. Good effort though.

Bart, fill in your location so we can make geographically sensible suggestions. Several here have mentioned Park Cameras, but I suspect you live in the USA as you referred to model K2000. That's called the K-M over here.

That's a good price Mike, well done. You'll not regret it I'm sure.

Thanks Lance, your sig shows you have the DA*50-125mm version. I prefer the longer one .

I would happily offer to sell a new K-7 for £799.00 including delivery . . . when I haven't got any to sell.

A circular polariser/polarizer is a filter, similar to your UV filter, which helps remove reflections from water, glass etc. You would also find it invaluable for landscape photo's to 'punch up' the colours, especially the blues and greens (sky and trees/grass).

A circular, rather than linear, polariser is said to be required for AF systems as linear polarisers confuses them (apparently).

You turn the polariser to achieve the best effect (but that's not why they are named circular).

I'm going to be critical in the knowledge that it will help you to get better images next time.

#1 The cat's ears are pin sharp, you can see the individual hairs. Trouble is, the eyes are not in focus, and they should be.

#2 Is OK for a test shot.

#3 Needs a circular polarizer to 'see' through the water.

#4 Beautiful shot of the dog, shame about the background.

#5 I can't see the point of this, but he's got a hell of a lot of daisies to clear up.

Hope that helps.

The SMCP-A 28mm 1:2.8 is mediocre, the SMCP-A 50mm 1:1.7 is a legend. Beware of sticking aperture rings. Unless you need to set an aperture manually on the lens (can't think why you would) leave it on the A setting.