Thanks for the pointers Gareth, really helpful, I've uploaded the images again, how are these?

With the first one, I think it looks like the sky is just blown out now, and some of the steam is lost in that.

I'm still learning about post processing, and I really enjoy B&W so any help is greatly appreciated!

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/clifford111/_IGP7367-2-2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/clifford111/_IGP7362-2.jpg[/IMG]

I also found and removed the dust spot, I really need to start looking harder for dust marks.

I have that 55-300 hood and the 18-55 version, can vouch for both, feel sturdy and don't rattle or move when on the bayonet fitting.

They can be reverse mounted too which is useful for space saving.

Took this at the Sea Life in Birmingham, is probably my favourite of the bunch.

Could be sharper, but I was leant against a wall.

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/clifford111/_IGP6596.jpg[/IMG]

A couple from Dungeness in Kent, plan to go back to spend a couple of hours there, unfortunately the weather was pretty grim so I didn't stick around long this time

1.
[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/clifford111/_IGP7367.jpg[/IMG]

2.
[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/clifford111/_IGP7362.jpg[/IMG]

So what exactly are you trying to do? are you pulling photos from your camera and shrinking them down? or are you enlarging photos to put on ebay?

if enlarging you will of course get some pixelation, but shrinking you shouldn't really. Are you making sure that you are keeping the aspect ratio the same? for example, if you shoot in 6x4 you cant resize an image to 6x5 or it will be stretched and distorted.

Essex, but I'm in Kent for the time being!

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

Bought the Pentax DAL 55-300mm and a cheap hood from ebay, the reveiws and comparison shots swayed me after I did some digging.

yeah the DA is defo out of budget atm, the DAL, not so much. I'm just looking to replace my 50-200 DAL... decisions, decisions.

p.s. sorry, looks like I'm hijacking, might make a new thread about this...

just joined, posted a bit over on pentaxforums just found this for some reason!

had my K-x for about a month or so now, loving it.

anyway, hi.

Paul.

ta.

How does it compare to the DAL 55-300, worth the extra £60-80? (for the DAL)

I'm looking for something a bit longer than 200mm