It marks the f5.6 setting. There isn't enough room next to 4.5 to fit all the numbers in. You find a similar thing on the SMC-A 28mm f2.8 (which I'll be putting in the "for sale" section as soon as I can be bothered taking a pic of it and working out a reasonable price). This has a white dot to represent the f4 setting.

Al

No problems. It's a rebadged version of the Pentax AF 360FGZ.

Al

They all work with Windows XP, John. The most recent models are marked "Windows 7 compliant" or something similar. These would probably be a better idea if you're thinking of changing operating systems in the near future, but I'm not convinced the older models aren't compatible with 7 as well. It's worth checking.

Al

... Having said, it looks like the model I linked to a few of posts back may not work with Windows 7. It's probably best to check with the company itself, which seems to be advertising a different (later) model: link

Al

With the Clickfree, you just tick or untick boxes to tell it what file types to back up. If you just want to back up photos, tick the "Photos" box and untick the rest, such as "Text" or "Spreadsheet".

Under photos, you can also tell it what file types to back up (including PEF). In most cases, you'd want to back up all your photos but the option is there to be more specific if you want.

The files are stored in the same folder structure as they are on the computer, so they're easy to find. If you ever have to restore the files, it will put them back in the same folders where they were found originally.

The model I have can back up from as many as 10 computers and keep the files separate. I imagine it's the same with the gizmo designed to work with your own drive.

One advantage I find with this system is that the files remain in their native format and you can view them as you would normally. Other backup systems I've used compress the data and you've no idea if will be restored properly until you actually have to do it.

As I get older, I feel less inclined to fiddle around with technical things than I have been in the past. With this device, you just plug it in and the technology (developed by Crazy Canucks like Yves) does the rest. Simple.
Al

It will back everything up the first time around and then just make incremental backups. By default, it backs up almost all file types (and you can specify any oddball, non-standard extensions that you use). You can also exclude any extensions you do not want copied.

Al

I mentioned in another post that I'm pretty impressed with the Clickfree backup system. I have one of their 500GB units, but they also manufacture a device that deploys their software with any make of hard disk. There's one here: link

I haven't dealt with this company, but the product is obviously available elsewhere and could be one solution to your problem.

Al

Irfranview (free download) is a very capable utility that others say does a good, quick job of contact sheets, although I haven't used it for this. link

Al

I have a Toshiba NB200, a couple of models earlier than the NB305, and it's just fine for its purpose. I wouldn't use it for watching high-def downloads, but then again I have a TV for that. There were early problems with the touchpad, but these seem to have been sorted out with software updates.

The NB200 is perfectly adequate for photo editing with my software, although I don't see the point of doing this in the field. The screen on the NB305 looks better on paper, but the NB200's is more than good enough to my eye, although it's difficult to see in bright sunshine. The NB305 has a slightly faster processor and more hard disc space (250GB vs 160GB), but I've never had an issue with either of these specs.

The 305's battery has more capacity than the 200's and should give you up to 11 hours' use, depending on what you're doing. I bought an additional six-cell battery to give mine more staying power. The standard 1BG of memory seems fine for most applications, but this can be upgraded if necessary.

I use a T-Mobile pay-and-go dongle (as they like to call them nowadays) for occasional internet access out and about. Reception's not bad in north-east Scotland, although O2 is better. You really need to check coverage in the area you're going. Abroad, you're better off with a locally purchased pay-and-go set-up. I have a Yoiga "dongle" and sim card for Spain. The Toshibas have a built-in SD card reader, so dumping photos from your camera is painless.

If I were buying a netbook now, the NB305 would be high my list.

Al

It arrived just before I left for work and I couldn't find a get-out clause in my contract to let me take the day off for testing purposes. Plus it's an 18-55 WR (inspired by all the forum comments on the joys of taking pictures in typhoons). Unusually, it wasn't raining up here, defeating the whole point. Incidentally, this seems like a darned fine lens. I'd me more than happy to take it out in place of my 16-45 if size/weather resistance are a factor.

Al