Hi Nimitz,

Sorry for any confusion, I admit I hadn't really considered those who don't have English as their native language

A tool is an object that is used to help people do work, to do their job (their trade), hence the phrase.

EpithetMan has chosen a view of musical instruments, these are the 'tools' the band members will use to perform, they are the tools of their trade. Prieni has shown a submersible (I think) sinking under the water. This is something undersea workers would use to do their job.

I'm looking for pictures of things that people use to get a task done, in whatever context you like.

If I was allowed to enter the competition this week, I would have perhaps picked this picture:

"The Sommelier"



Naturally I would pick this as the winner But then, perhaps not because then I'd have to do the judging again.

Hope this helps.

Duncan

Thank you to Jonh for passing me the cup (or is that a poison chalice?). The theme I've selected for this week is

Tools Of The Trade.

It can be whatever interpretation you want to make of this.

Good luck to all.

I don't hope you guys expect me to be up at midnight on Sunday announcing the closing of the comp, I'm not a night owl.

Duncan

I've found this utility that appears to be free.
http://www.pcinspector.de/Sites/smart_recovery/download.htm?language=1
Never used it, but thought someone may find it useful.

Duncan

George,

The 'premium' SD cards from Sandisk and Lexar both come bundled with image recovery software. I've never had to use either in anger, but I've experimented with reformatting the cards several times and then running the Sandisk Rescue Pro v3 to see what it can find on the card. It's quite scary what it managed to find - pictures going back over a year earlier.

As it looks like you'll be needing a new card anyway, you could get a replacement Sandisk Extreme III or Lexar Professional card and get the image recovery software on it. I know that the information on the Sandisk web site implies that you have to buy the Deluxe v4.0 to get Pentax PEF file support, but I've had the plain vanilla v3.0 pull K10D PEF images off my card, it sees them as TIF files.

I've had no experience of the Lexar software so cannot comment on how good it is.

I'm sure there's people that have bought several cards, each with a copy of the software, that could let you have a spare licence.

Hope this helps.

Duncan

2. editing software (RAW conversion and good plugs for B&W conversion especially)

As Nimitz has said, Photoshop Elements offers almost all the features of the full blown Photoshop, it certainly has enough to keep you occupied to begin with. It also allows the use of Adobe Camera Raw which, though it's not the best raw convertor, it does have a user friendly interface that will get you used to the adjustments that are possible with raw files.

For B&W conversion, I find the Photoshop Actions (macros for want of a better word) here:
http://www.thelightsright.com/TLRB&WConversion.htm
and here:
http://www.thelightsright.com/TLRB&WToning.htm
to be useful.

Though, it has to be said, since I've been using the JFI labs profiles for Capture One, referenced here:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1765&start=15
I haven't been using the TLR Actions as much. Capture One is my raw convertor of choice, but that's more expense unless you can find someone to offer you a spare licence code (they were free with Sandisk Extreme III cards until recently).

Duncan

K10D is a worthwhile upgrade from DS. I did this and passed my DS on to my wife. She's just started using a K10D of her own. At the price they are right now, it was a no-brainer to get one. She noticed the improvement immediately and is surprised by the change.

I have no experience of K20D so cannot comment.

Duncan

Not good timing huh? You can have any interpretation you like. It doesn't have to be your tools of your trade.

Duncan

Errrrmm, gosh, thanks. That was a bit of a surprise. Well done to all, especially John for the work that's gone into judging; I have all this to come myself now, don't I?

Having looked through previous comp themes to try and pick something not already covered, I've come up with the theme for this week as

Tools Of The Trade.

I'll start a new thread in the appropriate place.

Thank you for all your comments and feedback.

Duncan

BTW, if you've seen the current TV ad for Debenhams on ITV, it's the same beach huts. I saw it the other day and thought "Ooh, it's the huts at Mersea".

West Mersea, Essex, UK.

As others have said, it's a great time to buy into Pentax, the K10D is a complete steal of a bargain if you're quick and get one whilst they are still available; I bought one for my wife purely because it was too much of a bargain to resist. This particular model has now stopped being made, but the brand/system is still very much alive, kicking, and appears to be going from strength to strength.

As for resale value, yes, you are very much getting ahead of yourself. By the time you've exhausted all the capabilities of this camera, you will be a very good photographer indeed.

Duncan.