I really like the rendering of the first set of images Gareth, especially the first two. They don't all have the sharpness of much of your recent work, but that is really neither here nor there - they certainly bear your stamp, and are beautiful as they are. That said, there may be technical reasons (as numbered above by others) for the differences in sharpness, and figuring out what those reasons might be can be part of the fun in using the lens... I would certainly love to get my hands on one myself!

Interesting and (to me) unusual lighthouse Donovan, it certainly begs to be photographed, and your photo certainly brings that out. Any other points of view to show?

#2 hits the spot for me Steve. And like Gareth, I'd love to take a walk around there, especially the Thomas Hardy path, as I've set a few of his poems to music and quite appreciate his manner of putting feelings into words. Your little set goes well with his poem 'Paying Calls';

I went by footpath and by stile
Beyond where bustle ends,
Strayed here a mile and there a mile
And called upon some friends.

On certain ones I had not seen
For years past did I call,
And then on others who had been
The oldest friends of all.

It was the time of midsummer
When they had used to roam;
But now, though tempting was the air,
I found them all at home.

I spoke to one and other of them
By path and stone and tree
Of things we had done ere days were dim,
But they spoke not to me.

(That one and others are up on my bandcamp page, if interested - sergeremy is my handle there).

Detail on one side, bokeh on the other - very nice Roger.

4 and 5 are the two that work for me Gareth, especially 4 - much to see at different levels.

Indeed.

Thanks for the kind words Kevin and Gareth, and for your very thoughtful comment, LennyB - much appreciated.

I'm liking the contrast here Gareth, you've done well to keep the clouds in the background, tonewise.

Thank you both, LennyB and Flan.

A rather thematic set here, from museum exhibits (Jean-Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler).

1



2



3



4



5



6



7 (This lady was quite negative, indeed one could say she was rather blue...




8 ...though we did end up on a more positive note, agreeing that not all was black and white)