I don't think anyones saying you shouldn't make negative points about Pentax cameras - of course they all have pros & cons. I said earlier that I felt Ricoh had taken a lot of user feedback on board in developing the K3 - I remember a number of things being talked about and included on peoples 'wishlists' that are now available. Most of these discussions included something like 'just wish the K... had .... & .... - if Pentax can't provide it I might have to go over to ......'

If the features desired were logical, practical and economic additions to the cameras, then thats positive feedback. But if the features desired are out of sync with the design or natural evolution of the current models, then its not realistic to expect it, and you should probably look elsewhere. When we start to see an incompatable desire expressed, and the alternative is painted as 'better' in those limited terms, then it is fair to say its against the ethos / purpose of this forum.

Its a nice looking guitar, rather unevenly lit by an artificial source. Not much to assess really without further details of the set-up and what you wanted to achieve. Maybe some alternatives with different lighting angles would be a good idea, to get feedback.

'Smeggys Slutwalk' .... should I have a peek at that?? hard to resist with such a title - certainly grabs the attention ahead of a few more 'Lakeside Views' / 'City of London Details' / 'Great Crested Sparrow' type of threads !

What do we have? - some very creative, up close 'n personal images recording a most unusual, and worthy, street protest.

Well done for getting right in there - it involves a pluck and forthrightness that I doubt I could carry off myself, and as said above plenty of quickfire technique in action - great focussing and eyeing up the various compos, all very effective.

The best for me are the close up portraits - favourite being the long-haired guy with the shades and amazing reflection in them. And of course that B & W of the organiser, clearly intensive and focussed on the seriousness of the day, no doubt with personal experiences to tell - it all comes through in the shot.

One thing that I find a little odd - some of the OOF backgrouds, as well as showing strong bokeh, also have some movement blur - but the subjects are sharp ... I find this additional blurring distracts a bit. Is it the result of the particular 'in motion' shooting style used? I know you probably use high ISOs and consequently very high shutter speeds in this bright light, which is how the subjects are so sharp - maybe this slight movement in the background is a small price to pay for that?

No2 is fabulous Love the rest as well, a great set to sum up your photographic year.

Well I would be reluctant to claim I possess any special perception & insight into 'what John means' - but I do understand that the reality for most of us who have made significant investment in the Pentax brand, buying new items and collecting older compatible ones, is that it remains a commitment - something we need to nurture and develop on, due to financial realities, familiarity, and because we recognize the unique & special qualities the equipment has. On this level, for those people, the alternatives are irrelevant.

For myself this means I am content to look with interest at how Pentax develop & what they introduce to us - that's why I was so involved in the aa filter issue, and continue to be interested in the new 'similator' system - because the knowledge will be relevant to my choices specifically. I'm not going to carry out tests between alternative systems on other makes because they are 'irrelevant'.

But Pentax doesn't exist in a bubble, thats true - there are always going to be features that are available on the other brands that some will feel they need. If they are not constrained by those 'commitment realities', then they can pick and choose to have it all - and spend a lot more money.

For the rest of us we can only look and offer feedback for future Pentax development .... there's positive signs that this is effective in the K3 I think, which includes many new things that have been on the wishlists for a long time ... so they are listening it seems.

As far as the forum goes, perhaps we should agree on a better way to voice these things. It should be possible to discuss things that are currently available elsewhere without directly pitching competing products against our own - just focus on the technology or ideas and how it might integrate with current Pentax technologies, rather than constant reference to other makes and models.

And I do agree that there should be emphasis here on the current capabilities of our cameras, and encouragement to get the best out of them and appreciate what is unique about them. Let me try and come up with some more shooting checklists with loads of complex settings and fine control adjustments for everyone to get excited about again

Ahhh, somethings just clicked about one of the guys flying that plane .... duh! hope you were PNF

There you go again, up in the sky at night, amazing! The cockpit image is brilliant. You clearly have some friends in high places Did they slide their seats back a few notches - hope they could still reach the pedals!

The buildings are fabulous, like something from a sci-fi film, and all beautifully shot. No 2 perhaps needs a longer exposure?

Who cares about missing the nature shots when you're out there getting all this ????

You're clearly the master of making the most of a single location! There cannot be a more intensly expertly photographed beach on the planet. It is testimony to your endless creativity and perserverance that you continue to explore new angles, new foreground and framing possibilities.

Its the fabulous light you always mange to capture that makes it though, incredible in a location that for many others would prove to be rather bland.

So crack on, give us some more so I can keep finding noise, banding and other technical defects ... surely your K3 can dish me up some moire as well ...

Well that bit is not normal, I don't think so? I'm not aware of the LCD display flickering in any mode, certainly not in unison with the remote indicator. I'm a K7 user, but the K5 is identical is these respects AFAIK.

What an atmospheric collection! Bigsweir Bridge 2, Tree with Crow & A466 are the stand outs for me

A466 is one of those shots where I normally say straight away you need to brighten the shadows - but not here. The deep dark rocks really make it, and the shaft of light around the corner is so beautifully placed.

All the elements in Tree With Crow come together, what an amazingly gloomy image, but with spot-on exposure.

Muddy track doesn't work IMO - its got the light and atmosphere, but the central placing of the trees doesn't work here as there's not really any symmetry anywhere else.

Beautiful set, thanks for letting us see them.