July has been a good month for me.

The month started with the publication on the Pentax magazine in which my winning shot was published, disappointingly the copy I have has rather dark images but the one on my gallery is OK and bearing the proud green surround of a winner. To be short listed last quarter was a good feeling but to actually be published is a great feeling. As both the awarded shot were of flowers I do feel now is the time to expand my horizon.

Decided that if I wanted new equipment then I might just as well get on with it so I have in the last three weeks bought myself a super 60-250 lens that I am in love with already, possibly the nicest lens I have ever used.

Then I got the Pentax K7, have charged the batteries and clicked once or twice but not used it as yet. I sits really nice and comfy in my hand as usual all controls are where you want them, the larger screen is also good as a quick glance tell you what you have set unless of course you are using live view which I rarely do. Not tried taking a video yet and I expect I will only use that for location purposes.

As the K20 & K7 bodies are weather proof I invested in one of the new weather resistant lens, this time a 18-55mm. Think this will be really good in the winter with the hounds as although all Pentax lens are splash proof this goes one step further with even a seal between the body and the lens.

Now I have tried the 18-55mm I felt I wanted an even wider one and choose between the Sigma 10-20mm and the Pentax 12-24mm, I chose the Pentax because I felt the 2mm loss at the wide end was more than made up by the clarity of the Pentax particularly at the edge of the image and the distortion is also less as one would expect.

So now some good health and reasonable weather and I am raring to get out there and try some new types of photography.

Well done snaps on the published pic.

I had no idea you had entered which goes to show that we all do so much more than gets written on here.

Lovely having some new gear and hope the health and weather keeps you smiling.

I did mention it at the time but it soon slips through and is easy to miss. I was well chuffed as I have only entered twice and the first I was short listed the second published.

Well done again

Congratulations Jackie xxxx

That is great!! Well Done Snapper

Good stuff, you forgot to mention you won the lottery too to buy that lot! ...and I'm sure when I joined this forum about a year back you described yourself as a beginner!

Beginner no, learner yes, I am relatively new to digital and the ability to PP before I had only used a light room not Adobe Lightroom but the bathroom or spare room. If I did say I was a beginner it is only true of digital work.

As to my bank breaking shopping spree I decided that at my age it is best not to wait too long if you have a credit card

Congrats Snapper! Post the pic up so we can all have a look

Hope you enjoy your new kit too!

I have posted before Azz I will see if I can find it and then see if I can so a link or it may be easier to post it again.