Hi All Wow!!! I started something, didn't I!! My initial shots were taken in very bright artificial light; exposure about 1/15 up to 1/125. Then I tried one at minimum aperture, about 1/4 sec. But I wasn't using a strong enough tripod. Things are different now - I hope - with my recent purchases. Just for the record, I too am a professional engineer. I have been working on the design and development of motor vehicles for the last 33 years, and previously worked in other industries back to 1962. I'm well versed in the principles of vibration, mass and stiffness. I have a slab of 1/2 inch thick steel plate; maybe I'll drill a hole and thread it 3/8 inch Whit for my ball head, and also mount the target on it. We'll see when I have time for another shoot, using the new kit. Again, for information, I have both a 60 and 100 Macro Elmarit lens, and the extension tube; but these didn't give the magnification I wanted. And the 100 with extension tube was even heavier than the bellows, and not so well balanced! The tripod bent under its weight. For those who suggested flash - how many Gigabytes do you suggest? ;-) Seriously, originally the kit that I have included two Gossen macro lighting sets, but I had to bring the kit back home from abroad, and I just couldn't bring them because of the weight and bulk. David - your problem with Leica: have you thought about threatening them with Germany's consumer protection laws? Or getting a German lawyer to send the letter to them, with his own added comments? At least they would be convinced that you mean business! Thanks all for an entertaining debate! Keith Longmore ------ Unsubscribe or change to/from Digest Mode at: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm Archives are at: //www.freelists.org/archives/leicareflex/