snik75

<p>Here's a "macro" with the 06. It isn't much magnification, but with the tiny sensor you can capture small things.</p><div></div>

<p>I got a leather mini case for my Q7 and it has inspired me to use it a lot this week. I get results I really like at low ISO, as useful as my K5 in many situations. This is with the 01</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks Howard! To tell the truth, I had to process that one a fair bit. :-) I had exposed for the flower but not to blow out the sky, so I was able to bring it back down from white to blue. And I had to bring up the flower a bit to see the texture in the center. I used LightZone for the exposure, and Perfect Effects to give it even more "pop". Glad you liked it! Hope the peek at the making doesn't ruin the sausage.</p>

<p>There is a path that goes up into a neighboring woods. One plant is everywhere, with cool little yellow flowers. Couldn't quite capture the feel, this was the closest I got.</p><div></div>

<p>Not sure what this is called.</p><div></div>

<p>I walked through a local community garden with my *ist DS and F 50/2.8 macro:</p><div></div>

<p>Don't get it fixed. If you want to stay with film, you can buy one for way less than it will cost to fix, or even a nicer camera. I saw a Pentax PZ1p auctioned for $13. How the mighty have fallen!<br> <br />Maybe you want to make the jump to digital. This I highly recommend, it will really allow your hobby to take off. You can use those lenses on any Pentax DSLR, although angle of view will be a little narrower. I would recommend buying a "kit" with an 18-55mm lens included as well, so that you will still have a wide angle. New, a K500 would be your cheapest option from Pentax, although the K30 and K50 offer more options and features. Used, you could probably find a *ist DS or K100d that would be cheaper than repairing your MZ-50, and while older those cameras can still take lovely pictures. KEH.com is a great place to buy used equipment in the US, they have a decent warranty and check their gear over pretty good before they sell it.</p> <p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Wow, Matt, those are great! Worth the walk, I am sure. I like the second the best, but all three are spectacular.</p>

<p>I've always frond the Pentax software useful, especially for basic converting from RAW. It allows you decent latitude for tweaking exposure and white balance. It can rescue somewhat botched pics and make a decent one shine. I think the photo browser is the really slow part, and I used to use only photo lab when they were split. I also use GIMP, LightZone and Perfect Effects, and they all offer options above and beyond the basic processing.</p>

<p>Finally</p><div></div>

<p>Another display</p><div></div>

<p>Cool animals, Douglas! I was at the local Geology museum with my Q7 and 01, a great combo.</p><div></div>

<p>guus, the atmoshpere of Antwerp is very impressive; and the processing on the dance battle is great.</p>

<p>Matt, that is a fantastic shot!</p>

<p>Should have had a wider lens for fireworks shots. Kept missing. Ah well.</p><div></div>

<p>Next</p><div></div>

<p>Looks like this has fizzled but I have always enjoyed it so will start it up this week.</p> <p>4th of July pics from me:</p><div></div>

<p>+1 to the Pentax-DA 16-45 f/4 for a zoom; Pentax-FA 35 f/2 is a nice normal lens with AF, and the newer and cheaper DA 35/2.4 is supposed to be pretty much the same. Pentax FA 31/1.8 Limited is a wonderful lens, but takes a little time to learn. Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 macro gets a lot of love, although I prefer its close up output to its performance at longer distances.</p>