Imagefield Variable with no images still has an entry

Hi Folks,

1. CCK - 6.x-2.1
2. Imagfield - 6.x-3.0-beta1
3. Permissions files directory - 774
4. Download Method - public
5. Imagefield Config - Multiple Images
6. Expected Result: I expect that when no picture is uploaded, that the $field_pictures Array is empty
7. Unexpected Result: Though no picture is uploaded to a particular node, the $field_pictures Array has an entry.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:

After upgrading from 6.x-3.0-alpha4 to 6.x-3.0-beta1 my custom template did not work as expected. I had included an if statement in my template, which basically checks, if the node has pictures, if not it would show some text, if it did include pictures, it would show an imagecache-processed thumbnail.

Before it worked like this:

<?php if($field_pictures): ?>
      
     Show Images 

<?php else: ?>
    
    Show Text

<?php endif; ?>

Now (after the upgrade) I need this statement for a workaround:

		<?php if (!empty($field_pictures[0]['status'])): ?>

The print_r for the supposedly empty $field_pictures shows this:

Array ( [0] => Array ( [view] => ) )

I really don't know if this is a result of my poor php knowledge or a bug report or simply a logical mistake by me. It just doesn't feel right to check the variable like this <?php if (!empty($field_pictures[0]['status'])): ?> instead of this <?php if($field_pictures): ?> after upgrading.

Any hints and help are really appreciated.