2011:

Considering whether to put money aside for a K-x as it has video and better high ISO performance than my K-m, but I'm not sure how the batteries will hold up if I use it for video (or even whether I want to spend £350 or so on a second camera just to get that capability). The alternative is that I'd still like to get hold of an LX and 50mm f1.4 (K series for preference but M would do). Or should I avoid buying any more film bodies and go after a K-x as an upgrade...

Want to do more interesting shallow depth of field shots with my new Samyang 85mm, it's a bit good where bokeh is concerned so I plan to have a go at flower shots come spring.

To be honest I'd be more inclined to get hold of a decent Polarising filter and a set of ND or Neutral Density filters. The former will allow you to control reflections while the latter allow you to use longer shutter speeds in bright light - this is how to get those milky water effects or flatten waves in large bodies of water.

I've got another one handy for 2011. They also do a larger size (takes roughly postcard-sized photos) which I've bought but I'm considering what to do with - it will probably become my next "best shots" album.

The Polaroid printers are now cheap as chips brand new from ebay or Amazon. The batteries are rubbish (it will self-discharge in six hours or so even when not fitted to the printer) and print quality is novelty rather than quality, but providing you don't mind plugging it into the mains it's a good toy. They will work with Pictbridge which my K-m supports, so I can print directly.

I am looking for two good photos to complete my 2010 album project. I started it in January using a Moleskine Japanese Album book which opens up rather like a set of macro bellows. It can hold ten business card-sized photos per month which I print using a Polaroid "PoGo" printer and stick in with their own self-adhesive backing.

There are three spaces left, but I want the final one to be on New Year's Eve as close to midnight as possible. The first one is a duck which was present in the early hours of New Year's Day at a party (the duck was a great guest, it spent most of the evening asleep on one leg next to its owner's wood burner!)

Remember that the DA-L doesn't come with the lens hood, although you can find cheap 3rd party copies on ebay for under £10 which fit and work perfectly. Assuming your MK1 kit lens came with the hood then it should fit.

It can be done but as you say it depends on the tripod make. The Red Snapper one I have came with a reversible screw-in stud to mount the head which offers two diameters for different heads, the little Slik tabletop one I have does have a removable head but probably isn't big enough to make it worthwhile (if I put a ball head on it would probably tip over!)

I almost wonder if the low prices are due to it having picked up a few unfavourable reviews (which mostly seem to be on sites where the colour of the camera is considered as important as its ability to take pictures...)? Nobody here seems to have any trouble with their I-10, I've seriously considered buying one as a pocket-cam but tend to use an ME Super and 40mm f2.8 for that.

Samyang 85mm f1.4 (which I'll post a thread about when I have a chance to get some decent images, early tests are very promising) and a "photo to stretched canvas kit". This appears to be a stretched canvas and an adhesive sheet which you print the image on, then apply to the canvas. Currently finding an image worth using it for!

I went for a £55 ebay one which has a ding in the prism housing and numerous rub marks, but works perfectly - it was sold as "film tested" so I didn't think I was buying a paperweight. If it ever jams or malfunctions I'll have it professionally CLA'd but until then I'll just keep using it.

Bear in mind that you don't know what level of servicing and expertise ebay sellers will have when they list a camera as "serviced" and double the price. I'd be inclined to buy cheap and let a well-regarded professional do the work.

It's worth having the motor winder too - makes the camera easier to handle if you have larger hands.

I have work tomorrow and Tuesday. A local company are playing "Hamlet: The Pantomime" for two nights and need a techie/stage manager type to look after the venue as the normal one has gone on holiday. It should be fun, but I wish it was happening next week!