Photo Friday Weeks 13 & 14

I know.  You're thinking "surely it's Monday", and you're right.  But the last few weeks haven't panned out well as far as spending time working is concerned, and any spare time on the computer has been taken up with workshop planning and sorting photos, so I've missed two 'Photo Fridays' now.

Here then are two pics to make amends, and I'll get back on track for this Friday.


Pentax K10D, Pentax DA*300mm f/4 lens @ f/8, 1/10s, -0.5EV, ISO200, tripod, fill flash.

This was taken on Friday after a private tuition session at Hanningfield Reservoir - as I returned to the visitor centre the rain came down, and a pair of ducks by the side of the path were obliging subjects.  I'll probably use a different, more abstract composition on the TV at Cameraworld once I've (finally) sorted all those.


Pentax K10D, Sigma EX 105mm f/2.8 Macro lens @ f/3.5, 1/60s, +1.5EV, ISO400, handheld.

Part of a lovely bunch of flowers we received recently, this rose has received fairly typical photographic treatment but I like its delicate tones, so I'm not fussed that it's a bit of a cliché.

Eagle-eyed readers might notice that I'm using my K10D again, and that's because my K-5 is currently on holiday in Staffordshire, having its pop-up flash looked at.  Although it's a pain when a camera develops a fault, it does at least show the value of buying from a proper camera shop, and in this case a Pentax Pro Dealer, as the camera's one and a half years old, but still covered by a full warranty.  As expected, Dave at London Camera Exchange in Colchester was very helpful, and I'm looking forward to the imminent return of the K-5.

Excellent though the K10D is, it has highlighted to me just how much better the K-5 is; the K10D now feels a bit lumpy and slow, even if the image quality is still superb.