What a Numpty

Sitting in the Premier Inn Heathrow after flying down from Glasgow on the first leg of a trip to Kyoto. Left my camera bag at home by mistake due to a last minute hassle. Luckily my daughter is meeting me here so I'm borrowing her husbands K200.

---

Jamie

Well - at least you have managed to get a substitute

Would have been worse if it had been me - no-one to lend me owt

---

let the education continue

proud owner of a couple of cameras and a few bits and bobs

I work for British Airways and had booked staff tickets for my daughter and me. She has landed a research post at Kyoto University and she needs to be there for a welcoming ceremony - 5 months in advance of starting. Due to yesterdays NATS phone system failure I was bumped off the Glasow to London flight - so a bit of panic ensued. I was meeting her at Heathrow so the loan seemed the most sensible option. Other than that I was seriously considering purchasing a camera at the duty free - no Pentax there however.

---

Jamie

Kyoto at this time of year might be a litttle late for the Maples, however there are some wonderful temples to visit along with "TeaPot Lane".

Have a good trip and you will be able to pick up some Pentax bargains out there. Provided you have your ticket or electronic booking and passport with you, good camera shops will NOT charge you any sales tax.

Well Glasgow-Kyoto and back in 6 days was different - it's about a 20,000km round trip with a 9 hour time difference. I borrowed a K200 and 18-55mm lens from my son in law. To be honest the cost of camera equipment there is not much less even including the 5% tax back. That is unless you're buying a discontinued item when prices really tumble. I saw a new Lenovo T430s laptop for 30,000 Yen - less than £200. The K-3 with 18-135mm lens was 200,000 Yen - that's about £1300 (approx £1235 after purchase tax deduction) whereas with Jessops it's £1449 but you get the £85 cashback if you trade in any old camera. I think I'd pay the extra £100 here for peace of mind.

---

Jamie