I qualified my comment by saying it requires some skill and a lot of vision to get the best out of it - ie you have to be selective - and I think you have made the point for me - the foot bridge location and the angle of view works very well indeed. The woodland scene is less obvious but it has added to the atmosphere - gives it a slightly spooky feel.

Lens choise is always a tough call. However, with the Beacons not far away and the Gower an hour or so down the M4, I'd have though you'd have plenty of inspiration for the 12-24 to work with.

Steve

The DA 10-17 is not a standard lens - it produces unique images which can be either brilliant or total pants. It takes some skill and a lot of vision to get the best out of it and whilst a good few of us have it, it's not used that much (see how many competion entries it's featured in). The DA 12-24 is a lovely bit of glass and it's part of my non work walk about kit. You'll get more use and more out of this lens than the 10-17 IMHO.

The DA 16-45 is very well liked by forum members - not a bad word said but it does duplicate much of your 18-55's range and only gives you the equivalent of 24mm in old 35mm terms - a 4mm improvement on the 18-55's equivalent full frame focal length. So it you want the extra width for landscape photography then the DA 12-24 is your best option. With cash back ending soon and 15-25% price increases forcast, the price will be hard to match again.


Steve

I've put battery grips on both my K10 and K20, as well as my 2 *ist Ds and MZ-Ss. Wouldn't be without them. Adds easy access controls for shooting with the camera held vertically and balance for the heavier lens. Not quite the same as the old ME Winder II which could be used as a carrying handle but worth it.


Steve

My slide archive doesn't go quite that far back - but my Fuji Chrome 50 & 100 is pretty good - my bad slides are ones where I had a case of "short arms/deep pockets" and didn't sling out out of date film - then it's got a green cast.

I have found some 1980 or 81 slides which came from a home/self processing pack - can't remember the brand - started with a 'B' IIRC. Still damn good


Steve

I've found the Darkroom in Cheltenham to be OK - £5.50 a roll process and mount - still use the plastic boxes but don't mark the exposure number on the mount. Otherwise, there is always Fuji Labs. They have changed licencee in the year just gone, and were "off line" for some time as a result (hence used The Darkroom). Probably back up now but haven't checked recently as haven't shot a roll of slide film since the summer.


Steve

Richard beat me to it I see!

Graham - I've got one and haven't found it anything but a top notch lens. I've not used in wide open as most of my usage is landscape where a long DoF is prefered.

I bought mine from SRS mid July. The treads about some forward/back focusing issues had more or less come to a halt by then IIRC because it didn't put me off.


Steve

Velbon do some light weight and pretty compact tripods - I've got a CX 444 which I've found is OK for most situations but I'd not trust it with a long lens (prime or zoom). Also, the max weight rating is fairly modest - circa 4kg if I remember correctly, so a K20 with grip and a DA* 50-135 is getting towards the top end.

Steve

Spencer - if your girlfiend has access to a college IT shop, then you'll be able to pick up copies of Lightroom v2 at quite a substantial discount versus the web retail cost. If she hasn't, she may still be able to get it at the Education price, but probably more involved.


Steve

I suspect the 2 lens you had with the *ist would have been the FAJ 28-80 and the FAJ 75-300. As John says, both will work with the current range of digi bodies. Don't recall anyone saying anything much about either lens in the time I've been looking on. I think the 75-300 is poorist at the long end - certainly not as good as the FA 80-320 - but you'll be aware of any limitations from you film results. I've got both lenses in my (extensive) collection but hardly ever used the FAJ 75-300.

You'll need the basic kit lens as what you have will leave you lacking a traditional wide angle option. It's a good one - a lot better than either Nikon or Canon's offering.


Steve

I've been scanning some of my old slides recently. The film was shot in 97, UK sourced, probably process paid and has the marker Fuji FD printed on the top edge. I think is was Fuji Chrome 100 ASA.

Anybody got any data on old Fuji film labels who might be able to confirm what it was? (and also what designation was used for 50 and 400 ASA versions!)

Thanks

Steve