Another vote for Photomatix Pro. I have to admit that I have not used anything else but I do find it easy to use without going over the top.

I also have to admit my early efforts with PM Pro were ghastly, but that was down to me, not the software.

I am firmly in the "less is more" camp with HDR.

Dave

I used Vistaprint earlier this year. Very easy to upload photos and add text, decent quality and not expensive.

Dave

I bought PSE 11 recently because it was a good deal. I've used it a bit and I find it reasonably easy to use. However, I haven't yet move over from my usual free editors -

GIMP, if I want to do a lot or complicated stuff, and

Photoscape, when very little is needed. This is basic but really easy to use.

Although I've not used the editor in PSE11 that much, the organiser in Elements 11 is excellent.

Dave

Sometimes I want a lens wider than my kit lens because I cannot get the shot I want. This happens, at the most, a few times a year so I can't justify the cost for very occasional use.

As Sussexwolf has mentioned the DoF of the kit lens at 18mm is big.

Dave

Another vote for Red Snapper.

Dave

Just checked my 30 year old 55mm SMC Pentax lens. With the front element of the lens pointing downwards the lever is to the right at f22 and to the left when fully open. Turning the aperture ring moves the lever and vice versa. The best estimate I can make for the lever length is a little short of 7mm.

The repairer that Algernon mentions may be this guy -

http://www.alan49.x10.mx/index.htm

Dave

I have a few old K mount lenses. They date from about 1980 and have no electrical contacts. From what I can see about your lens on line, it looks as if your lens is similar.

The only ones that stop down on my K5 are 'A' lenses, ie they have an 'A' on the aperture ring after the largest f number. Lenses that are not A lenses will normally work in the way you have described for the lens you have just bought, ie wide open, but there is a workaround,

I found this link useful about the use of old K mount lenses -

http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=1181

Dave

I use this one for short trips -

http://www.7dayshop.com/hama-track-pack-190-camera-bag-backpack-rucksack-ref-103...

It has enough room to hold
camera + kit lens,
70-210mm zoom lens,
50mm lens,
spare battery and charger,
air blower and cloths,
a few filters,
camera manual,
a pair of 10x50 binoculars, and
has a bit of room for a drink too.

It is not the greatest of bags but has done the job for me for a couple of years.

I don't know any of the bags from Red Snapper -

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/

but if they are of a similar quality to their tripods, they should be good.

Dave

Another vote for Red Snapper.

Dave

I'm definitely in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp. My PC is about 7 years old and runs XP.

At some point I'll have to change, at least, the operating system but until them I'll stick with XP, which IMO is one of the best. It is rock solid and isn't burdened with a flashy front end or annoying interruptions asking me if I really want to do something!

The problem I see with Windows 8 is that it was designed for tablets and therefore touch screens and while it will work on PC that is a secondary feature.

Dave

BTW the January 2013 edition of Custom PC has a review of Windows 8 Pro. It concludes that if you have a PC with Windows 7 then the upgrade to 8, even for the modest price of £24.99,is not worth it.