Many years ago I was riding to the "Bulldog Bash", a motorcycle rally near Stratford Upon Avon. One of our flying friends managed to get me smack on the glass of my motorcycle goggles, a perfect shot. The next year, same journey, same road, almost the same spot... SPLAT. Right on the goggles again. I swear that bird was lying in wait!

Cheers, Kris.

My laptop monitor isn't calibrated so I shouldn't comment, but I will. I think the second shot is a little nicer although I would not have complained at having the first one!

Best wishes, Kris.

Checking my database, A3/A3000 averages about £20 on ebay (4 sales), the M series 50mm f/1.7 averages £28 (12 sales) or the A series averages £40 (again 12 sales).

HTH.

Cheers, Kris.

Which issue?

Thanks, Kris.

I believe so. Isn't that why compacts with tiny sensors have enormous DOF? And conversely APS-C 300mm telephotos may cover the same angle of view as full frame 450mm but they still have the same DOF as a FF 300mm.

Cheers, Kris.

Yes.

Only have two dark slides at the moment, i.e. enough for four shots! Mind you, by the time I have got my head round tilts and shifts and worked out the exposure using the zone system, four will be enough. I am sure I will get faster in time. I am planning to spend a few weekends in the spring touring the county photographing medieval churches. Should be fun!

Best wishes, Kris.

Welcome to the fora. I, too, will leave the techie stuff to those who know as I haven't used those RAW converters. Meantime, could you use DNG format instead?

Best wishes, Kris.

This portrait lens business interests me. As I understood it, 85mm on 35mm cameras was considered the "ideal" portrait lens because (a) it gave you a little bit of working room between you and the subject and (b) the slight flattening effect of a short telephoto was often flattering to the subject. Now, a 55mm lens on an APS-C digital camera may help with (a) but its impact on perspective will still be a 55mm lens, not an 85mm lens, won't it? Incidentally, it will also have the same depth-of-field characteristics as a full-frame 55mm if I have understood correctly?

As I very rarely take portraits, I'll probably spend my money elsewhere but if it turns out to be as stellar as G thinks, I am sure it will gain a following as the Ltds have before it.

Cheers, Kris.

I especially like the last gull one, a more unusual viewpoint and quite threatening! All excellent, however.

I was hoping to take my Tamron 70-300mm out today but had an urgent appointment with a motorcycle tyre shop. Owch. At least the bike grips the road now!