Don't be too hasty!! Whilst it needs careful use it's definitely worthwhile having - certainly in the 16mm-20mm focal range you shouldn't have too many problems, when I go wider with my DA12-24 to be on the safe side though I normally take the shot both with & without polariser.


Just to answer the original query by the OP I think UWA lenses need just as careful use as polarisers on UWA lenses - they are often lauded as the "must have" landscape lens and whilst I wouldn't be without the 12-24 I actually find the DA17-70 produces a greater percentage of decent landscape shots, mainly due to the perspective/foreground issues mentioned already.

Where I did find it invaluable though was on a recent city holiday - an UWA lens is terrific for closed-in cities/architecture, especially the DA12-24!!

Simon

Just looking around the web as K5 prices have crept up again at SRS etc and came across the K5 here for £929 with 5yrs warranty (provided by company not manufacturer though).

I've no idea if the company are reputable etc?

http://www.ukdigital.co.uk/penatx-k5-slr-body-only-black.html

Simon

Thanks again for the feedback...back to the PC!! Although the viewpoint of the castle/rocks has gone into my little notebook for a few revisits during better lighting. It's the reason I much prefer to take most of my photos in the best lighting possible - no messing around with processing, it's not exactly my favourite part of digital photography.

Simon

Thanks for the feedback...as always it takes me about half a dozen attempts to get the processing right - I'd agree that these are a bit overdone, the ground is pretty much "as was", perhaps slightly too much saturation (although I did use a polariser) but I've made a mess of the sky!!

Simon

For one reason and another it's been a while since me and the wife have been for a decent walk so yesterday at long last we managed to get out. We climbed onto Llantysilio mountain from Rhewl in the Vale of Clywd (2 miles from Llangollen). It was the first time we had walked along here and despite the breezy conditions the views were stunning - sometimes you forget how nice the scenery is on your doorstep!!

Anyway - to the photographs

View from Moel Y Gaer



Llantysilio mountain




Castell Dinas Bran & Eglwyseg rocks

I owned a 40mm pancake for a short while and whilst I liked the IQ I didn't quite get on with the lens - it's probably just me but I found it a bit cumbersome to use because of its small size, I do agree too that the focal length wasn't as useful as I initially expected - I've now gone with an FA 50mm 1.4, mainly for the additional speed and I prefer the size/feel of the lens in use

Simon

I find that I mainly prefer a "lustre" finish for landscapes - (pretty much the same as satin finish I guess?) it doesn't have the reflective finish of gloss but I find it adds a bit more depth and "pop" to some scenes than Matt.

If printing at home I use the Ilford Galerie smooth pearl which is excellent, if using a lab I use DSCL mainly who offer lustre at no additional cost.

Simon

As an alternative to the DA 55mm it's well worth considering a used FA 50mm 1.4 - at least one review I read suggests there is little difference IQ wise, I'm very happy with the one I've just picked up too.

Simon

I wonder how much Samsung helped in the development of this model - a bit late to the game but a bit more competition is always beneficial for buyers.

Having moved from a Prosumer (KM A200) to the K10D & now K20D I can certainly see the appeal of the technology, I think it needs a little longer to develop though until it fully rivals DSLRs though, when it does I may well be tempted though

Simon

I'm happy with my current lens line-up now after a bit of recent spending...the K5 is definitely my next purchase but I'm delaying it a while longer as prices seem to be rising - it would give me added confidence if the FF issue was definitely sorted too.

Simon