Now there's a sensible contribution! Who knows, might even take a picture so good I can convince people its 'Art' and make a fortune selling prints of it (I can dream)...

I think Kris is right. Compositionally these are tighter than [most of] the Boys Village shots. Very satisfying images. I particularly like the balance of elements in #2

Excellent shots, or should I just say... 'Nice!'

I prefer the IQ to what I got from the kit lens. This lens wins higher praise than the 28-80mm (link), but neither really covers the same focal range as the kit lens...

More observations on this lens-
It's a great fit on my k200d. It autofocuses well. The range is very usable, but you miss out on wide shots of course. It's more geared towards 35mm film slrs- nice if you swap between film and digital and use it to supplement the kit lens. Mine's a bit hazy at f3.5 but sharpens up a lot by f5.6. Edges are nice and sharp- that'll be the crop factor on digital. The macro function is very useful. For the price, it's a very nice lens to have, especially if you shoot candids and urban details.

I have started a thread on this lens which might be a more appropriate place to discuss it.

It might not fit well with the chinese tradition of art, which parallels western art but is presumably quite different. Maybe some chinese artifacts of great cultural value would not be seen in the same way by us.

In other instances we may view artifacts from other cultures in a way we have become accustomed to in our own culture, which may mislead us as to the actual meaning of the objects. Aboriginal art for example. Is this abstract art for our viewing pleasure, or is it something with meaning we can never really comprehend, never having experienced the role it has in that culture.

We can call aboriginal paintings art, but this is applying our own cultural 'badge of significance' rather than reflecting anything native to their culture. (I know no one even mentioned aboriginal art- its just an example of how 'art' is not a universal concept and we are highly biased by our own culture!)

This just proves that art - or 'Art' - is culturally defined. What individuals think of this or that piece does not matter (except to them). The status of art with a capital A is bestowed by culture as a whole.

I think the parameters have a long way to go before an Ipad is considered 'art'

Me, I am not bothered whether something is or isn't art, time and reputation see to that. If something pleases my aesthetic and intellectual senses, that's good enough for me. In other words, I don't know much about art, but I know what I like!

(And that certainly includes Mondrian)!

Thank Darlene

Yes, it's very unobtrusive Andrew. That is it's main selling point for me (as well as its cheapness!) When zoomed in, it looks a bit like the FA 50mm 1.4... but the lens barrel extends as you go towards 35mm.

I am not mad about this lens on my film body to be honest - but the AF and focal length communication on my K200d makes up for it!

Some more shots taken during my commute / lunchtimes (funny how a new lens makes you want to take pictures of everything):