Thanks Rob, you can see the similarity to your recent posted shot ... Its become a sort of 'thing' for me now to go out with just 1 or two lenses and work them (or it) really hard. This applies mainly in locations that I know I'll get back to repeatedly. A different lens gives a new perspective each time.

Thanks Algi! I remember another of my threads where the term 'postcard blues' was used - another was 'chocolate boxes' - now calendars ! - hey, maybe I will be able to jack in the day job after all ... I'll need a full frame then though ... oh no, then I'd have to jump ship ... and then I'd need to find another forum (anyone know any?) - (better stop all this backchat now)

Thanks also Will, very pleased they appeal , and if you saw the unprocessed RAW with the near pitch black under the veranda, I think we might all have to reassess our ideas on the K7s shadow recovery abilities ...

Thanks also Russ, frob, MrB, cameraboy and Andrew for your replies. Andrew, I'll check out that 35-70 - I'm still tempted by a new Tammy at the current prices

Thanks Rob. I think the biggest challenge I have with this lens is the fact that there a really 2 extra manual processes going on to tax the brain ... focussing of course, which can be quite delicate on this zoom (and of course can slip a bit), then you've got to set the aperture ring (which you can't see with the camera at your face), and of course the green button to meter (and remembering to keep doing it when you've moved around .... have I summed it all up near enough ? ) Makes going back to an autofocus DA lens really quite boring!

Also I find I keep forgetting what aperture it is set on, so have to keep moving the camera down to check. It all makes for a fun action packed photography session. Looking forward to seeing more of your efforts.

If this is the 'M' 75-150 f4.0 then don't worry at all about opening up. It performs very consistently right through to maximum aperture. I'm not going to post pictures here (its about your picture) but I've recently shot some fairly similar images with the same lens, and they were shot at f4.5. Have a look on the Your Photos thread .... HEATHFIELD - Colour in the Countryside link - photos 2 & 3 were taken with this lovely old zoom.

Steve, thanks for that clarification on the video codecs and formats - I was aware that the .avi files were less compressed, but I don't know of any way to determine the specific ratio. K7 video bitrates run at around 39,000 - 43,000 mbps from what I've seen in the file properties box, which is great, giving plenty of leeway for re-encoding and more compression - eg I output my MPEG4s to around 8000 for internet (HD) use, (like Vimeo). K7 framerate is 30fps and my stereo audio is at 32,000 hz 16bit, uncompressed. All in all its quite an impressive spec list really.

Obviously the file sizes are big - but I use a couple of 32Gb cards which is plenty for a few outings I find. Storage longer term is not such an issue now - I've stopped backing up my original cmaera files on hard drives, I just leave them on the computer until finsihed with them and make DL DVD backups. I then backup the output files I create on hard drives.

I'll check out that video link when I can get to a broadband signal. In the meantime I have started to edit some K7 video footage into a demo clip for everyone to see, and I'll I post it soon when ready.

Well Philip, no euphemisms from me, I like to say it as it is. Nothing boring about the shots, just was wondering if you had caught some that would give more variety in viewpoint to the set as a whole ... The trousers there certainly do that! I love the up close and personal floor as well in that one .

Sorry Russ, I didn't mean to imply that life only started with the K7 (well only mine anyway! ) - but what I meant was it introduced the new body style and physical controls that are still current on the K5II - the K3 is the first change in flagship body since 2009.

Thanks very much Andrew, I appreciate that - yes, these two lenses pack a lot of punch. As you are aware from my other thread I'm looking to 'upgrade' at least part of the range covered by the kit - maybe the Tamron 28-75? But I feel I should keep the 18-55, especially for the wider end where this sort of landscape / garden stuff at f8.0 it does a great job.

The 75-150mm is hard to beat as well - PF is an issue (you need to look very closely at those purple flowers around the edges :wink but easily reduced if needed. I still want something else though for portraits, both autofocus and wider aperture ...

The Samyang is hard to beat (although judging from my previous photo thread where it seems to be too sharp!!! - no, I just needed to adjust my sharpening regime :wink . I've talked about the 14mm Samyang plenty of times before and can only recommend it.

Its a bit difficult to agree with that really Richard. You're only dealing with the key photographic parameters, and yes, those are all easily adjustable on each model. But the Pentax 'flagship' models (starting with the K7 body, then K5 / K5II / K3) are designed with extra 'direct access' controls for the most convenient physical application in the field - eg levers for autofocus points, MF/AF.S/Af.C, metering modes, the control panel via the info button (OK, does the K30 have that? - not sure...)

Also the more extensive custom settings allow more precise control over how the camera responds - and these sort of detailed options are more the things your further advanced photographer might consider. Also the Battery grips are an important extra accessory - again an element of customisation, personal choice - for me it gives much needed grip and stability, the portrait shooting controls and the extra power for those extended shoots - again, all the sort of stuff that appeals to the more demanding photographer.

These are all aspects to consider when assessing your own photographic aims, skills, and equipment needs ... oh, and then your bank balance! (Or do I really mean credit card limit? )

This is an excellent set, full of interesting detail with nice natural colours and exposures. The 'high' iso (thats now a relative term I think!) interiors don't look like 'high' iso at all (I'd better visit with my K7 for that :wink. The Jpegs have all reproduced the scenes beautifully.

For JPEGs it seems to me relavent to know some of the key custom image settings used - do you mind listing a few of these for us, such as the main preset, WB, saturation, contrast etc.

Only minor critisisms I can make would be to say the shooting angles are all fairly conventional - did you get any close up details or creative low virepoints? Also I would raise the darkest shadows of Nos 2 & 5 just a little ... and really - the last one SHOULD HAVE BEEN HDR