The shapes of the wings make these, and the soft rim-lighting adds beauty to it. The first one lacks these qualities so is the weakest I think. 2 & 4 have the bird perfectly placed in the frame. I'm no birdy person, but I can really appreciate these!

David, there have been a few photo threads that has been overlooked, so you're in good company! I actually didn't notice this one at all - there have been a few with the HD converter thingy in the title, so it may be that people are confusing the threads and thinking this was a much older one.

But you've clearly demonstrated the quality of the item, clarity and colour quality clearly suffers not a bit as a result of the converter. By the way, does this new 'HD' coating give us the usual light loss (ie 2 stops for a 2x etc?). As far as the photo content goes I think 1 & 6 offer the most, and Alan has covered the other points well.

Michael you're right, No 4 has been very popular!

Going back to the original point, I think David was bemoaning a lack of activity in general, and of the more polarised debates and discussions that we've seen here over the last couple of years. Its not just about the type of or amount of photo critique. I think we may have to wait for further developments from Pentax to kick-start more debate about technologies and equipment features - for example, will the aa filter continue on future DSLRs even further down the range?

Regarding critique, a comment was made way way above about getting out what you put in, and I think thats key to it. Some of us tend to follow each other around a bit, maybe because we remember a pointed comment from someone or know enough about them to know a point will become an actual 'talking point'.

I worry that many don't post because they worry about getting some caustic brush-off ... perhaps they'll be told there's no inspiration or point to the image, its just a snapshot, or I might say the sky is covered in noise or there's a halo around something. Well, all I can say is ... don't worry about any of that! If its said that's a positive thing - in most cases there will be a suggested solution, certainly on the technical points, some idea about processing or software that could help.

I note some poeple saying they don't post much because there's nothing worth sharing ... well, there's some very stiff quality control going on then. I say better to take a range of shots in a location, try out a few different angles, try out some different versions in processing, and throw them up! Better to show what you are doing, even if improvements are needed ... then we all get to see more of whats happening with Pentax cameras and can learn from seeing the weaker images and ideas for doing better. I've had threads where the shots get a total pasting, but at the same time plenty of thanks from people saying it has been so useful and thanks for doing it.

Aren't I the lucky one that my thread is so swamped with comments that I can't tell one R from another!! Thanks for pointing that out Ralph, and thanks to ronniemac for the comment.

An amazing flower well shot ... I like the very 'white' white! Also the detail on the centre is impressive. Do you have any shot from a different angle without the others in the background?

Thanks for having a look. Seems like 4 & 7 are the pick of the bunch - maybe I should copy that car into some of the others!

Ralph, there is no offence there at all - all very valid points you made, and helpful. Thanks for taking a look and adding to the debate! I welcome all feedback, and appreciate that more detailed direct criticism takes more effort than just a quick comment. From my point of view any attention is good attention

Don't worry, as I guess some have picked up, it would be hard to really offend me - bring it on I say, I won't be deterred, more likely just encourage me more!

Thanks too Gareth for those views - I'll have opportunties to shoot there again and will try different weather and angles - plenty more experimenting to come.


Thats what its all about David, as I said above, any attention has got to be good attention! Thanks for your continued advice and interest.

Too much yellow colour noise in the egg yolks!

Thanks Smeggy, you've given a very practical solution to those of us who are struggling to find inspiring locations, and when there struggle to extract a focus and creative angle to form an image that really says something .... just stay at home and photograph our supper!!!

I'm glad to see your new K5iis earning its keep there - seems to be well up to the job. However you must have worked some real technical magic with aperture choice and angle of focal plane relative to the lemongrass soaked cashews to be able to avoid bighting the entire dish with impenetrable moire .... or maybe you did that with one click in Lightroom ?

It a colourful and detailed subject and very enticing (perhaps not the paste of the first one) - can almost smell it from here. Thanks for sharing your supper.

And always appreciated .... just remind me, was it the left or right brain I needed to work at, I keep mixing those up

However, looks like we need to find something to fight about and get this ship sailing again .... did you know I'm close to publishing my new 'Pentax DSLR Street and Musical Events Shooters Checklist', a resource I'm sure you'd find invaluable and inspiring for your next outing with that shiny K5iis - it includes all sorts of advice on the correct apertures for maximum MTF performance and how to get the best edge to edge sharp bokeh while minimising the risks of moire and all the while keeping yellow colour noise in the blacks to a minimum ...... with it in one hand and the camera in the other you can 99.9% focus on the technical

Come on, get out of the kitchen then and into the billiards room!