The best similar experience?

You're 20 and your parents go on holiday for three weeks leaving you with the keys to Dad's brand new company car which is insured for all drivers. Renault Laguna TD shortly after release when they were cool, it's just about run in and you've got the whole road network of Mid Wales (which the likes of Evo magazine come to play with regularly) to explore...

That was me in 2002!

Depends on the tree! Welsh forests generally have shallow-rooted fir trees which are quite likely to fall over if hit by a car (you shouldn't camp under them as the wind can bring them down).

I always think that we're the only species which actively supports the clueless and suicidally daft. We're negating natural selection by helping stupid people survive their own idiocy!

I think you can have a professional Facebook presence, the trick is keeping a firm eye on it and weeding out the inevitable spammers and trolls who'll try to post comments. I know a volunteer group I'm now working with has set one up as it gives us a lot of free exposure - rather than our members needing to remember a web address and pass that to people they think may be interested they just need to invite them to the FB group.

I am impressed with Lowepro's page on there - I've asked a few questions and always had an answer so they obviously pay attention rather than just trying to advertise with it.

He is standing in a really silly place though...

Basic rules for rallying - do not stand:

On the outside of bends
Below the level of the road
Either side of the road after a hump (which is likely to see the faster or just crazier drivers leave the ground!)

Keep your escape route in mind even when standing in a sensible place, and stay behind the barriers if there are any. Marshals are generally a friendly bunch who just want to make sure everyone goes home intact, so if you're not sure about a location ask them.

I tend to have a long memory where ebay sellers are concerned. My pet hate is ones who turn the "best offer" option on but won't use it properly, either ignoring offers or rejecting them out of hand without making a counter offer. Either will see me walk away and avoid their auctions in future.

I don't make insultingly low offers, for example I'll try £40 on a £50 item and regard that as an opening offer in what should turn into a brief haggle over the price.

A good experience with one today. Attempting to source an original lens case for one of my Takumars I asked the seller what colour the interior was last night. This morning when I check the listing the information has been added, as a result of which I've placed a bid. Doubt I'll win as in my experience bidding early just bumps the price up and ensures that you won't get it!

I was a bit bemused by the "AF chip" business until I read (while looking for advice on how this 55mm can be expected to behave) that Canons won't give focus confirmation without it. Talk about what happens when you let the marketing department specify the product rather than the engineers...

You don't actually need to remove the filter threaded part or indeed the bayonet mount - the element groups will unscrew anyway.

Be careful using washing up liquid as some of them include additives designed to make glasses shine - great for impressing the mother in law at xmas dinner but not such a good idea with optical glass!

I just used computer screen cleaning spray and a cotton bud to polish the mould off last time, then a quick going over with a lens pen to remove any remaining marks. If you're finding it hard to handle the elements without getting fingerprints on them then try putting a blob of blutack on what will be the outer side, use that as a handle while cleaning the inside and to install the part, then remove the blutack and polish the outer side.

I just rescued an Auto Takumar 55mm f2 from being used on a Canon!

Anyone want a Canon-M42 adapter and AF chip? They're apparently included in the lot and obviously I have no use for them...

I've managed to get hold of an SV and the later type of clip-on meter to suit it, so now I'm wondering if anyone knows which of the ever-ready cases would suit? I've seen some listed with a high top to accommodate the meter but they mentioned the earlier rounded meter rather than the square one I have. Did these use the same ERC or did it change? I realise there are separate cases for the meter and also cases for the camera without a meter, but if one exists to handle both I'd rather have one of those.

I'm guessing the strap should be a leather one identical to that on my Spotmatic (if you know different, please say!) and I know the kit lens would have been a Super Takumar 55/1.8. Just like to get hold of a matching case too!

I'll only be interested in 3D when you don't need to wear special glasses or sit at precisely the right distance/angle from the screen.