Like doctors, every lawyer is a son of a bitch except mine!
I have the greatest admiration and respect for anyone in this world who is willing to WORK!
Unlike Linda, I have never liked this vertical distortion ( and I mean your photo no criticism). It is not what my eyes saw. I find that lying on my back shooting upward and getting the lens perfectly in the plane of the trees better captures what I saw. Check the ground for snakes and animal poop before lying down! :-)
Outstanding photo! I have never seen one.
We all use what gives us the best images, and that is how it should be. I own several Pentax cameras and a Fuji xh-1. For landscape I prefer one over the other, but for macro the other.One is best for action shots. The other for low frame. Why don't we all just quit criticizing and acknowledge that we are greatful for the variety we have?
There are things worth watching and things that are not!
I recently shipped a camera and 3 Li batteries to a friend in Iran via the US Postal service. Was asked if the sealed package contained any batteries. Sensing trouble I lied and said no. There are few camera stores there and only in larger cities.When I listed the contents of the package I deliberately left out the batteries.
Makes me wonder how outfits like B&H ship world wide. Maybe there is an excepton if the contacts are covered.
Just be aware the USPS will ask even for domestic shipments.
These are all very well done photos. Number one is my favorite of the bunch. May I suggest that you try flipping all these horizontal shots and see if that helps you in your choices.
One reason I switched to Pentax from Canon over a decade ago was the ability 2 mount any of their previous manual or auto focus lenses to their digital bodies. Especially with their prime lenses and star lenses, I was able to buy some of their best glass and avoid paying for their digital specialized lenses.
I also have the Fuji X- H1 mirrorless and love it. It's IQ is phenomenal. I still have difficulty with the evf, which does not allow me to see subtle fine focus the way I can with a glass prism. it's menu, with all the sub menus is much more difficult to navigate than that of my K-1. Comparing identical photos taken in the standard color mode, the Fuji is just very slightly better with color.
Now when I am on a shoot, I carry both cameras. My work does not require any action photos so I will stick with the middle ground and await further technology.
A bit of trivia. I lived in Thailand almost 4 years. The natives refer to that lizard as a"hia." Hia is also a vulgar term referring to a woman's genitals. I asked several Thais why are they called the lizard that term and none could give me a satisfactory answer!
An alternative to consider- the Manfrotto 322RC2 grip ball head. It supports about 12# and is lighter than most ball heads which support that weight.
It allows you to switch horizontal to vertical without having to detach a bracket.
It is SO good to have you back, Graham. The quality of humor has suffered terribly in your absence!
As Barbarosa said( played by Willie Nelson), "I do not k**l for sport or amusement!"
OK, then I apogigize for offending your delicate sensitivies.
AP, may. I suggest you read a biography of Babe Ruth. Like you I respect him as one of the greatest baseball players that ever lived. The story I quoted is mentioned in several books about him. May I also remind you that I complimented your photos.
But all angels have tarnished wings. The Babe was crude in his speech and an inveterate womanizer.