Call me cynical, but did it occur that the dealer may have been exaggerating the issue to knock you down on price?

I think we would all probably be surprised if we made a habit of shining torches into our supposedly 'dust free' lenses. I bought one (s/h) from the US forum - the seller had posted a picture using torch light through the lens, and it looked like you could grow potatoes in there. In reality, I can't see anything at all when I look through it at a bright light such as the sky, and if it's having an effect on IQ I can't see it.

It seems much improved now!

I do think the plastic brackets are adequate (and cost nothing) but if you do find one that actually lets you line up the brolly with the flash - please report back, I'd be interested.

OTOH I'm not sure that it makes much difference to the quality of light with the shoot through umbrellas.

Test shot:

Just get the cheap ones from ebay Chris. You can always get bigger ones in the future if you feel you need it. I've been using the white shoot through types, but opinion is split as to whether the silver 'reflector types' are best.

The umbrellas I ordered came with brackets for attaching to a light stand. The flashes aren't really central to the umbrella, especially with the radio triggers attached via the shoe. But it works OK. I jerry rigged my own umbrella attachment which velcros directly to the flash, which works, but it doesn't make a vast difference.

They say buy cheap, buy twice - but I'd be wary of spending too much on equipment initially until you get an idea of what works best for you. Especially since a lot of the stuff on ebay is so cheap.

I've never heard of this 'OGWT'... are they a Welsh band?

I think we get too hung up on 'technical' IQ... fact is, primes are often faster than zooms (e.g. the FA50/1.4) or cheaper than the equivalent high quality zoom would be, and almost always a lot smaller. None of this matters much if you shoot mainly landscapes... and the lack of framing flexibility of a prime is a major PITA for landscape work. For closer subjects, where you can 'zoom with your feet', primes are very nice though.

Sorted, apparently -

Thanks, IT team!

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my Dad passing away, in Trondheim Hospital. He had suffered a brain haemorrhage while fly fishing in Norway. We had a little barbecue near the stone bench we placed for him at one of his all time favourite fishing spots.

Straight out of camera jpegs from the K30. Some of them could do with a little bit of curves but, in light of some recent discussions, to my eyes the camera delivers punchy images straight off the bat.

My dad's friend Steve 'inherited' these painstakingly crafted flies from my Dad.




Casting a line 'in memoriam':

Very nice, Alan. The first shot's my fave!

PM sent.