Only just - they were all stood about 20yds to the right of me!!


.

Thanks David, I'm very pleased with them to be honest as I didn't really have high expectations of getting anything decent on my first attempt - not 100% sure how fast it was going, probably somewhere around 50mph at a guess. I only live 30 minutes from the line at Llangollen and I'm now tempted to spend a bit more time there trying a few more shots, especially as Tornado is spending a week there next April - I'm also planning to catch a glimpse of the Flying Scotsman once it's finally back in service

Maybe get an 18-135 on loan to give it a try? I'd be suprised if the Pentax DA18-135 is any worse then the 18-200 offerings which from what I've read are ok lenses but nothing special, and certainly don't seem to compare well to the 18-250.

The reason I mention trying a lens is that I bought a used Tamron 18-250 having read the many glowing user reports about the lens but having tried it I just couldn't live with it, probably because I've been spoilt by the high quality of my Pentax DA 17-70 which is certainly the one I'd recommend although it obviously doesn't have the range you mention

Simon

Thanks Chris, here's another one, one of the first shots...

I used AFC, F13 and Hi continous shooting so rattled off a few whilst panning with the camera on a monopod - it seemed to work ok for the diesel train beforehand so I just gave it a try.

Out of 9/10 shots there's only 1 (last one) that's OOF - the AFC on the K5 takes the credit for that I think, worked perfectly

I don't think this was advertised locally much either TBH - I have a quick look on this website from time to time, some excellent info including timings

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/index.htm




[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1963.jpg[/IMG]

Been a struggle for landscape photos this year so having heard that the new Tornado Steam Train was coming to Chester today thought I'd go out and give the camera a bit of use - it's the first time I've shot a train too so had a few practice shots on a couple of diesels going through just before. This is one of about 10 shots I managed to get away, others still need processing as I shot them in Raw.


Simon

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1968.jpg[/IMG]

Maybe we have the same bias - I teach in FE too

Seriously though I did a distance learning course with the Open University several years ago (engineering not photography) and to be fair couldn't fault the course, I had access to my tutor via email/telephone probably more often than I will during this one.

What did make it difficult though was not having regular contact with other students and the benefits that brings, I think that will be even more significant in a more practical subject like photography so I'm pretty sure I've made the right choice - I'll certainly let everyone know if I haven't

Simon

Well I've just paid my course fees - start in a couple of weeks, can't make the first week.

I'm hoping that the course will broaden my horizons a little looking at genres I haven't really bothered with until now, hopefully it should be interesting

Simon

To be honest I'm so pleased with the K5 I'm not remotely interested in future models for at least 2/3 years - just can't see what I need from a newer model now

Simon

I spoke to Pentax UK - answer was that there's no fix available and none for the foreseeable future so it looks like we'll have to live with it

Simon

I think this is directed at me, I'm responding just in case

To be honest I already have a degree/PGCE and teach in an FE college but not photography related - I'm thinking of future possibilities as to teach a specific subject you need to have an equivalent qualification.

The LRPS is something I've thought of too but I'm not too sure it's accepted to teach in a college etc - I need to look into that as it might be a better route

thanks

Simon