The refractor explains the higher contrast than my 130mm newtonian.

I've picked up some very cheap filters for mine (~£3 each from Scopes & Skies in their Astro-boot), but haven't got the scope out since to try them

Whilst I doubt I'll manage to match your impressive image I should be able to improve on what I've got so far! (Which are all much worse than Coker's shot)

Mike

I recently picked up a M42 mount Takumar 300 f4 for £120.
I've since found my manual focusing skills with the k100D aren't really up to using it reliably and since I've also got a AF 100-300, it's not likely to get used much.

If it's of interest I pass it on for what I paid for it. (I'll throw in the lens cap I got for it FOC)

I haven't found any problems with the lens (or I would have returned it - it had a 1 month warantee)
It does have a small dent in the M42 thread, but the adapter screws on easily enough, and it has no impact on it's use.
Mike

Great shot Ted, much better than my (overexposed & poorly polar aligned) attempts.
Great detail in Jupiter's bands - did you use a filter to enhance them?

Can I second Alun's request for details on the scope used.

Mike

For under £100 you can get a lens front fisheye adapter. Quality is a little suspect but they can work OK.
Mine was £12 from a car boot, and gives me something wide to play with till I can get a decent second hand one.
Fish-eyes in the Gallery was taken with this on the kit lens.
Mine doesn't go even to 170° FOV with a circular image, show quite a bit of the inside of the lens body (not just black vignetting), and crams a lot into the edges of the frame
Still it's fun and can be made to give ultra wide views.
Mike

No 3 for me. Beautiful!
No 4 looks a bit over sharpened to me, but still a lovely shot.
Mike

Mines from my line of work (Obvious?)
I think I'd just used it for joining a racing forum (which I've hardly been back too) so it was fresh in my mind.

I've often thought this would be a popular device. I wouldn't expect Pentax to make one (They want to sell new lenses) but a third party manufacturer could make a packet if they made them especially if they had Adaptall (or T2) style interchangeable mounts (old Nikon/Canon lenses as well as the PK/M42... on one side & various DSLR mounts at the other side)
Mike

The first one doesn't really seem to have the desired effect, but the other two work very well. I particularly like the 'sea of people'. (Reminiscent of the numerous slow speed wave shots, with the few static people looking like bathers)
Mike

If your budget is limited an older F or FA series lens could be the answer. (My F100-300 works well for the british superbikes on my K100).

If you prefocus manual lens can also get some great shots (500mm F8 mirror lenses are pretty cheap).

[quote:3496ace15f="Algernon"]To stand any chance the monopod needs to be vertical.

quote]

Not true. If properly braced a monopod can be more effective at a moderate angle (~30°). Brace positions similar to those used by historical pikemen come into their own.
Tips on bracing monopods can be found at: http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3
Mike

Too late to edit previous post.
Sorry, I got the top of the line price wrong - its ~£400 for the AF560FGZ!

Matt has a great site on P-TTL flashguns at http://pttl.mattdm.org/overview to compare the options of the current range.

If you can stretch to £100 the Currys offer Hardgravity has linked to above will take some beating!

Mike