Great link and tutorial - thanks

Certainly haven't noticed it with my K-r. Sometimes I dial in exposure compensation if the situation demands it, but not often. The K-r is a superb camera - there will always be something negative on any review.

I'm sure you are right Charlotte. I've seen too many good reviews of the lens to doubt it - that's why I bought it. We simply didn't get on so it's found a new friend

And here we are in rural Norfolk with a mind-numbing 750kbps, when it works......Can drop to 22kbps on a bad day

I'd say the 2nd ones are the 2.8 macro?

Personally I didn't get on at all with the Vivitar version of the 'plastic fantastic'. The build quality is appalling, but I could have overlooked that if the results had been o.k.

After fairly extensive testing I couldn't get anywhere near the results with the 100mm Vivitar that I can get with the M 50mm and tubes or macro tele-converter. The image quality definitely suffered when the 1:1 adaptor was added.

It might have been my copy or more likely just me, but I sold it on and don't regret it.

Hi Peter

There are a couple of things that need to be checked with a K-r to shoot with manual lenses. Forgive me if you have already done any of these.

Firstly you need you need to set 'use aperture ring' to 'permitted' in order to use manual lenses.

Press the menu button.
Press the left button on the four-way controller once to get to the Custom Settings menu
Press the down button on the four-way controller and select Using Aperture Ring
Press the down button on the four-way controller, select Permitted and press the OK button.
Press the Menu button to exit the Custom Settings menu

You need to set the focal length of the lens when you turn the camera on, though this isn't vital if not accurate though the EXIF will be wrong.

With M lenses (no A on the aperture ring) you simply set the aperture ring to the desired setting. Select manual (M) on the dial on the camera.

When you have composed the shot press the green button once. This will take a reading for you and set the shutter speed to match your chosen aperture. I tend to find that this underexposes a little so usually reduce the selected shutter speed by a couple of steps.

A lenses can be set to A on the aperture ring and then you should be able to use AV mode to select both aperture and shutter speed.

Hope this helps

Chris

Adding some cheap extension tubes will increase magnification with the M 100mm macro and you shouldn't see any loss of quality. It will increase the length of the lens, but no more so than a teleconverter would have.

I have a Macro teleconverter I use with manual lenses and I would be hard pushed to see any loss of quality when I use it. That said if I used it as a 'proper' teleconverter to double focal length it's useless. Perhaps the same is true of a normal teleconverter, but in reverse ie. o.k. for distance, hopeless for macro?

I've managed to have a sit down for an hour and have a good look at the entries.

I know judges are always supposed to say this, but it has been extremely hard this time. Not a huge amount of entries, but of a very high standard. Not sure why the fortnightly always attracts far fewer entries than the weekly, but it might be something the mods want to look at. Probably because the photo has to be taken for the competition (which is a good thing), rather than be able to use a photo from the back catalogue, but I suspect that having to provide a link to the picture rather than simply upload it has an impact as well.

JudithAnn - Two Royals

I love this and it was a super start to the entries. Beautifully posed, but looks totally natural. Great sharpness, beautifully lit and charming subjects. Certainly made me smile and that's been rare this week A great portrait.

bforbes - Lean Two

With a quick glance this might not appear to be anything special, but I think this is great. Super composition with the leaning doors and the angle to the outbuilding. You almost feel that you could reach out and feel the textures it's that well shot. A super interpretation of the theme too. Reminded me of our granite outbuildings when we lived in Scotland as a bonus.

JAK - Two Tone

Another good interpretation of the theme. It's a well composed picture and the granite stones contrast well with the flowers. For me just a greater contrast between the two flower colours would be better, but a good entry as well.

geordie01 - Just Two

An original take on the theme and a good interpretation. A very sharp, well lit photo which shows off the abilities of the lens in an unusual way. I almost feel like I could reach out and dial it.

Sphere - 2 Prancing Horses

A good interpretation of the 'Two' theme. Nicely focused and well lit. For me it's been cropped a little too tightly around the cars. Ideally they need a little more room to breathe. It might have been worth experimenting with aperture and depth of field rather than have everything crisply focused, but a good entry.

dougf8 - a piece of 2 by 2

It took me a while to see this which makes me a bit thick. My daughter saw it immediately. I can see it now and it's a witty interpretation of the theme. Difficult to comment on the photo qualities as it's a picture of a computer screen, but it's all about the interpretation.

darkskies - It Takes two to Tango

A really nice picture and I have a bit of thing for macros, though none of mine are anywhere near as good as this. Great subject and interpretation. A lovely sharp, well lit macro and a nice blurred background which makes the subject stand out. A super entry.

dannyh - Two Blues Guitarists

Another very good entry. Good interpretation, nicely framed subjects and good bokeh. Some people aren't keen on blurred foregrounds, but I think it works very well. It's sharp and shows good use of natural lighting. I like it a lot.

GlynM - 2X2 Trail

Another unusual interpretation which works really well on several levels. Nice and sharp, good depth of field and well lit. This made me smile so extra kudos for this one, too.

tyronet2000 - two mouths to feed

This is nice. Another good interpretation and a great subject. Possibly a little over exposed if I am being really critical and I'd have preferred a greater DOF so that all the three starlings were in focus, but a lovely shot all the same. Another bonus point for a smile

TOZZA27 - We two - growing old together

This a tender shot, even if it is of an ornament! It's beautifully focused and very well lit. Great composition too. Very nice indeed. Another one that raised a smile.

Blythman - Double Trouble

I thought I had a vague idea of the winner, then this came along late on to mess things up. It's a stunning photo, but then all of Alan's are. I can't really think of anything to say that hasn't been said before about Alan's photos. It's just stunning and whilst I would have been proud to take most of the pictures on here, this is the one that I would have liked to have taken the most.

So there we are. I find it hard to be critical of anyone else's photo's whilst still a relative novice myself, but have tried to be honest and objective. If there are any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, apologies, but it's been a hell of a week and my brain is dead. A month's sleep should do it.

So the winner. It really has been very hard and any one of four could have won. I think the squirrels by blythman is technically the best photo and it's hard not to give it first place, but, personally, I have just given the edge to bforbes's Lean Two. It might not be everyone's choice, but I think it was the best combination of interpretation and technique. it could just as easily have been JudithAnn's or blythman.

First - bforbes - Lean Two
Second equal - JudithAnn's - Two Queens and blythman's Double Trouble (cop out, sorry)

A special mention to dannyh, darkskies and TOZZA27 and well done to everyone else. It's been fun, if exhausting.

Chris

Thanks for all the entries.

A quick apology in advance as it's been a horrible week and I haven't been on here much at all. I've only just realised it ends today (and has just ended!) I will do my very best to get a result up tonight, but please bear with me if it's not until the morning.

Chris

The fortnightly competition is 'Two'. I was going to mention it, but didn't think the judge ought to be saying 'that's nice - enter it'!