Thank you K10D

Still very early days with the lens.
Compared to my Sigma 10-20mm it produces much less flare
It does produce some fine purple fringing even in the centre of the image when taking a partially clouded sun through tree branches at the 11mm end, still makes an incredibly clean image compared to the Sigma, I mean chalk and cheese, incredible even wide open.
I've only had another quick lunch time play indoors at the 18mm end. It displays much less distortion at this focal length than the Sigma (pincushon), the Pentax HD 16-85mm (barrel) and the Pentax DA* 16-50mm.(Barrel)
Interestingly when compared to the Sigma 10-20 at 18mm the Sigma is sharper across the frame to f7.1 due to lack of time I then skipped to f18 where the Pentax came out on top. In a way the Pentax being so great at 11mm. 18mm seems a little disappointing but, I got to get out and about.
Paul, I do have some cheap 100mm filters, I have hardly ever used them as I tend to bracket shots, it might be a little while but I'll look my filter system out and give it a go.

Cheers Womble, there were only three weekends this year when I was 100% committed to working and the SRS 100th Anniversary bash was one of them. If I'd have been free I would have joined you for the day.
Cheers HarisF1, I'll do my best. For better or worse I do take a lot of photographs!

Looks like I'll have a Sigma 10-20mm for sale soon

Very excited I can tell you! Never have I spent sooooo much on a piece of photography kit, lens or body. I just couldn't resist the SRS Microsystems weekend special offer.
First impressions, a very nicely made bit of metal, glass and plastic.

It's a beast!



I had a quick play at lunchtime directly pitted against my trusty Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX
On initial few snaps WOW! It blows the sigma out of the water. With the Pentax at f2.8 and the Sigma at f8, in the centre of the image you could argue either way, personally I think the Pentax is sharper. You don't have to move too far from the centre and even at this aperture difference the Pentax is way sharper, I can hardly believe my eyes, I will be taking more shots to make sure I'm not exaggerating the difference.
In my v quick head to head two things were noticable.
The Sigma gives a slightly warmer image, which surprised me ( could be the changing light due to cloud forming)
10mm is quite a lot wider(and taller) than 11mm quite a difference.
The 3rd difference the Pentax seems to be sharper and resolve a lot more detail, I mean a lot sharper but, it needs to at about three times the cost!
Sorry I'm so excited I had to share.

Thank you for all your comments and feedback. It is reassuring when others see something of worth in what one has done. I do my photography for my own selfish enjoyment, when you do that you have to accept that what I do will not be for all and I am aware that these are more perhaps of interest rather than being amazing or great finished photographs, playing and capturing them was a big part of the enjoyment. It is interesting peoples preferred shots, I'm too close to have a favourite, for me they all have points of interest, hence the post.
The fly shot, I was lining up my composition adjusting my point of focus/out of focus and this dozy cluster fly wandered up the pane and into shot "Why not" I thought. To create an image that people or someone has not seen the like of before, that is music to my ears.

Cheers

Nigel

It's interesting to me that in No 3 the droplets of condensation whilst random they have the appearance of forming concentric circles around the sun. Also Nos.3 and 4 are basically the same shot one in focus the other not.That's one of the beauties of digital Karlo it cost nothing to keep on experimenting. I love that freedom.

Getting some quite heavy frosts now which usually means some sunshine, a great time to do some more condensation based abstract photography. Once more my trusty 35mm Pentax macro turning out my favourite shots.
Just love the change in effect I get form using different angles and apertures
Critic and comment welcome.
1



2



3



4



5

He talks a lot but, quite interesting. His views on art and photography were the most interesting for me, probably because I have a similar view. Thank you for the link

Now that has piqued my interest!

What was the deal on the 11-18mm? I was too late clicking on the link today, it's all gone.