Have to say I do wish it had been on the market when I bought my Nikon P80, I would much have preferred this X70 but there you are you buy things when you need them and then along comes something you would have prefered, can only hope the P80 falls apart and gives me an excuse.

Thank you all for your help and opinions, in the end I choose to get the Seculine one and it arrived this morning, have not used it as yet buy can certainly manage the controls so I am delighted and once again proved that asking for help is more than worth the time it takes to read the opinion and experience of others. Purchased from SRS and the service was as usual excellent.

[quote:3496ace15f="bforbes
Those Canon user people desperate are they[/quote]Perhaps just used to digging deep into the pocket, or may be in need of a brain transplant

You may be correct and I may have seen shots I like that are HDR and I am unaware of the fact but of those I have seen and been aware I am not keen on the result it always looks grainy to me and, particularly when used on landscape, to defeat the object of taking a shot of a beautiful or otherwise interesting view only to change it, but perhaps that is your point it perhaps should not be noticeable.

Would be happy with this particular shot if the aim was to produce a surrealist feel to it but if that was not the intention I think the HDR spoils a shot that is so well composed and would, one would think, stand on it's own merit.

I really like the shot and the composition but I don't like HDR and feel in this case it detaches the building from the rest of the shot, I almost wish that area were just sky. But as I am always saying it is just my opinion I am not qualified really to comment on anything else.

Have a 400gb Freecom, never had a problem with it but if I forget to switch it off it slows down the virus scan no end so I only scan it about once a week as I find it is a pain waiting for AVG to chew through all the files stored on there.

Welcome, I joined last year but have only just collected together enough courage to ask questions and make comment, so far everyone have been very helpful and I am sure you will find the same.

Both cracking shots, I prefer the second I think because of the riders body attitude the whole thing seems fluid and full of movement, a shot to be proud of, the first is not to me so appealing but it is still a very good piece of work.

Love the warm colour of the second shot; it is a shame that they stick those huge black speakers on those beautiful columns. Composition is not as I would have chosen but that is really for the photographer to decide.

The first is spoiled by the sky, and, my hobby horse, it does not look quite straight, if you are into PS you could improve the sky but best way would be to replace it altogether, think the large dull window do little to attract the viewer either, one could also improve them in editing but may be you feel that would be too much work, sorry, 'tis only my opinion and if you think different then ignore me. The shots taken should be taken to please the photographer first and foremost so it my opinion is just that my opinion.

A good job you can count the pollen grains on the bee, if that is your first attempt I can't wait to see your second. I love my macro lens if nothing else it teaches you to really look at things.