I've got one from their A-series range which distorts half of the frame thanks to an extra lens. I have been tempted by the set of masks they offered which produce odd bokeh shapes, A series Cokin stuff is now very cheap as it won't fit the monster front elements on most brands.

I also have a screw-in 49mm filter which softens everything apart from the centre spot, a somewhat distressing effect in the viewfinder!

I saw someone trying this earlier, at least I hope that's why they were poking one of those camo-finish lenses from the window of a Peugeot in the middle of nowhere! I hadn't the heart to tell them that I've seen kites come close enough for a 50mm lens, but never have a camera in hand at the time!

Providing the ME works and the metering seems about right then it should be fine. Light seals will need replacing if they've gone gooey, but there are pre-cut kits for sale on ebay for around £7 including postage which will solve this.

It's supposedly better. From what I understand it's optically identical to the Pentax-A 28mm f2.8. I think you did very well to get it for a tenner, they're not rare so much as "uncommon". Hopefully the ME works, too?

That'd be carrying Airbus components, it's the modern version of the old Guppy and Super Guppy transports. I think the proper spelling is Beluga, like the caviar?

The galleried shopping streets are very unusual - there are normal shops on the street, but at first floor level there are galleries with more shop fronts (set back from the street by the width of the gallery).

There are assorted ornate architectural bits, just watch you don't get trampled on while trying to shoot them. I think the absolute worst I've seen was the family who decided the perfect place for their group wedding shot was directly outside the hotel...and right in the middle of an absolutely packed shopping street forcing everyone else to squeeze past!

Go on then, has anyone else bought one after seeing the price?

Mine has apparently been dispatched, unfortunately there won't be anyone in tomorrow so I'll have to pick it up from the depot. Do Parcelforce 24 packages get returned to your local post office for pickup or will I need to arrange redelivery?

Hmm, I should probably complete my set of Auto 110 lenses just in case. If they use the same mount (not beyond the bounds of possibility, given this is Pentax!) I could see Auto 110 gear becoming even more expensive...

Seriously, I'm slightly amazed by A110 prices. I paid £20 for a tidy camera with 24mm lens and the smaller of the two flashguns (which came with its original case). I frequently see lenses alone priced higher than that. AFAIK you can't still buy or process 110 film, so why are prices high?

Ahh, something I do know about!

I've been invigilating most GCSE and A or A/S level exams for a school since last month, and inevitably you have a quick flick through the paper in between making sure nobody's trying to pass notes and delivering tissues/pens/extra paper. My opinion is that they haven't necessarily got easier, but schools are now a lot better at teaching to the test.

There are exceptions - one paper known as "Living in a Digital World" would probably have netted anyone with some common sense and ability to read the questions a respectable grade. Despite masquerading as an IT exam it seemed more intended to mould the students into good little consumer drones who buy what they're told to on the internet and never do any of that naughty downloading stuff. There was no serious IT or computer science content, it was more like a copy of "Which?" magazine with a mark scheme!

Looking at similar for my next car. I built one for the Discovery but it was a bit cumbersome and took up boot space. I'm considering a Motorola Xoom tablet with a windscreen mount instead, given I really just want a big GPS with a moving map display.

Just get an old UV filter and smear it with vaseline. That way you can get the horrible effect and, when you get bored with strange arty farty types swooning over the results, you can take the filter off and return your lens to its original quality!

The weird part is that I find a DSLR a lot easier to use than any compact I've ever handled. It's bigger, the buttons are better placed, and it's easier to hold. I imagine that reviewer couldn't quite understand the concept of looking into the viewfinder to frame a shot rather than using Live View...

As for Apple, there isn't much they can do about my old 35mm kit...