to quote another often maligned but in some ways (IMO) quite clever artist

"I am whatever you say I am, if I wasn't then why would I say I am?"

might it perhaps be quicker to list the lenses you dont have?

on the other hand, if money is tight an M series 50mm F2 or F1.7 will cost peanuts and the optics are good. For a little more an A series lens would work with the cameras metering system in a more helpful fashion.

True, my post is rather more critical of Galoot than I really meant. TBH HDR isn't generally my thing because it almost inevitably ends up obviously post processed, so possibly I'm not the best commentator on the merits of an HDR shot.

When it comes to post processing, I am a great believer that when you do it right, people wont know you've done anything at all.

For me therefore Spiders original is far and away better than Galoots version.

LOL good one George,

I am always deeply suspicious of people selling camera gear who cannot take a correctly exposed and focussed photograph

I also have a Zeiss 35 Flek, it makes a fantastic standard lens on crop sensor digital when I'm not too lazy to work around the metering.

I just saw an add on Facebook (yes, I know, the adds on Facebook are dire and I shouldn't let them get to me, but this one did).

"Frustrated with the results from your DSLR? discover secret tips and techniques used by the pros."

Secret tips and techniques? I'm sorry but if you're not getting the goods out of a DSLR (of any make), what you need are basic techniques and an eye for a good picture.

The person who placed that add must know full well what novice 'togs actually need to learn to become better but he/she's playing to the idea that theres some magic secret that will allow you to be an award winning photographer overnight. That sort of thing really winds me up.

sorry, rant over.

the official difference between K and M lenses is the latter tend to be smaller to suit the (then) new M series bodies.

In reality several M series lenses were just K lenses with an M painted on, while others were genuinely re-designed to make them smaller.

The 200mm F4 is a good example, the K version is sometimes said to be sharper but the M is smaller and lighter.

Wow, now I'm jealous!! you got some great shots there, but I'm more jealous that you were there at all!

I met the great man once while he was still with Deep Purple, fantastic organ/keyboard/piano player and so modest, almost shy in person.