I prefer that one though I think I know what makes it not quite sit for me. It's all about the Rule of Thirds. Specifically, the line from foreground to mid is a bit high in the image. If this was brought lower the crest of the snow-covered mountains would also be lower and completely conform with ROT. Likewise if the frame was adjusted leftwards, so the primary focal point mountain was a tad to the left in the image, the composition would have a more comfortable aesthetic appeal.

The Rule of Thirds is not a Rule for nothing.

I like the mix of textures and the cloud-dappled landscape. Have you tried this in monochrome?

I agree with the majority of the advice you are getting:

1. See what shortcomings your current lenses have and then fill those gaps.

2. Get a fast normal lens so you can see how that is different from the relatively slow lenses you have now.

I realise that 2 contradicts 1, but if you do not have a point of comparison you really aren't going to appreciate the difference more light in the camera makes. The kit lens is f/3.5 at its widest, and more likely f/4 and slower. The FA 50mm is a f/1.4. That is three stops faster which means eight times more light. That is an enormous advantage when you cannot (or do not wish to) use a tripod or flash. You will be able to take photos in a dance recital without distracting flashes going off and without lugging around heavy gear.

Also you can play around with creative use of Depth Of Field.

Together with the focal lengths you have covered this should give you a wide range of photographic parameters to experiment with.

First shot is my fave... such a geometric insect. But good work all around!

And here I was thinking it was some sort of radioactive mutation.

Am I the only one to note the giant fake dragonfly off the point in the middle left? What's with that?

I agree with the curiously named impotentspider... the first image is nice! Creative use of space, perspective and contrast.

Well, I think the donuts are overexposed but the filo pastry is nice and sharp at the focal plane.

That Curlew is one strange and cute critter. Try to get more shots of it!

I love owls!

Yes, I think Photozone had difficulty finding a good DA* 16-50mm, same as other folk. The info is buried in their forums, which I don't read that often.

The info on the 17-70mm was repeated from at least one other source. I guess removing the screw drive saves manufacturing costs and only affects compatibility with older bodies. All of a sudden the K100D Super makes a lot more sense. I always wondered why it was worth releasing an entire new model with what would appear to be very modest upgrades.

But yes, I'm still hoping that it is not true!