Thanks for all the further comments/advice. I definitely need to give this some more thought after reading all the reponses above. Pleased I posted here first though rather than just making an uninformed and possibly unsuitable purchase - thanks for taking the time to respond.

Couldn't agree more - the aesthetics as well as functionality of much of my gear do matter to me, but the apppearance of my external hard drive is fairly low down on my list of priorities!

Algi - I admire your resourcefulness but I suspect your "refurbishment" skills are slightly beyond mine. Would be interested to know how you'd describe it if you ever put it on ebay (which clearly you never intend to... )

Thanks all for the helpful responses. Will research it some more but good advice about thinking about the 2 hard drive/mirrored RAID option. As Don says, all hard drives must give up the ghost in the end....

From what I've read the major brands are all fine so it's just a case of getting the spec I want at the best price from one of the obvious manufacturers, but if anyone else has any particular words of warning please let me know!

Hi - I'm looking at buying an external hard drive for storing photos on in order to free up my laptop's hard drive. Probably a 1TB portable one. Western Digital's My Passport and LiCie Rikiki models look like they would fit the bill, but I'd appreciate any thoughts. Does anyone have any experience of these brands, or have any other recommendations?

I realise there have been similar threads on this forum before but not recently as far as I can see and I obviously need up to date advice as I imagine the products on offer are quite different from a year or two ago.

Went for a walk this morning armed with my new 50-150 (and 3 children in tow!) - here are a few shots I took. Any deficiencies are no doubt due to my novice credentials rather than the lens! Any feedback/criticism welcome - just bear in mind that I haven't edited these shots at all (and I was pushing a baby buggy at the same time :wink.

I think the lens will be a useful addition, I like having the opportunity to use a wider aperture at that focal range.

I hope this works as it's the first time I've tried to post photos on this site.

[IMG]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/adamf2/IMGP4328.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/adamf2/IMGP4378.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/adamf2/IMGP4388.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/adamf2/IMGP4460.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/adamf2/IMGP4451.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/adamf2/IMGP4462.jpg[/IMG]

Jon - did you try yours out?

Hi - I don't have a favourite music video as such (probably once did but would be too embarassing to recall), but I thought this performance from Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs on Jools Holland's show this week was awesome. If you're a sucker for folk/country music like me, it's well worth watching. I'm fairly sure that if Ray was into photography he'd be a Pentaxian.

link

Perhaps just put your waterproofs on and head down to Celtic Manor for the weekend with some Pentax WRs Matt....

Hi Jon - as mentioned in my previous post also hoping for a let up in the weather this weekend to try out my 50-150. Tried out some (experimental orchid) indoor shots myself last night but as a new user yet to post any photos on this site would prefer to take some decent outdoors ones first before posting! Good first impressions of my own lens though, and your first photo above certainly looks nice and sharp.

Hi Jon

I also bought the 50-150 this week from SRS but got it in store as I live not far from Watford (dangerous) I hadn't been in for a while but for those who haven't visited recently they've extended the shop floor by taking the space next door and it's a great layout now, with far more on display. I can see why they're having an open day on Oct 9th. Always was a superb shop for Pentax users, now even better.

Weather forecast not looking good this weekend but can't wait to try out the 50-150 out properly. Hoping for a break in the rain and a wander saturday morning for some photos(then I'll settle in for the Ryder Cup)

So you're quite keen on macro then! That's some collection.

I'm sure that your Sigma 70mm will be snapped up quickly as it looks like a lovely lens.