You certainly captured that beautifully Alan.

And there was me in Durham sitting watching TV at that time Gwyn. I didn't read your post till this morning.
David

Top of the range Canons and Nikons with appropriate lenses and battery grips are surely much heavier than the average Pentax equipment. Also the Pentax K7 onwards models are lighter than the K10 and K20 models. I'm no spring chicken but I don't find the K3 or K5 too heavy and my K30, which I love for 'street photography', is positively lightweight.
But I never use grips and have never owned one. Isn't it because they use these that some photographers find camera equipment too heavy. Some of my camera club friends say they use them because they balance the camera. I've never had a balance problem with any of my Pentaxes, neither have I ever run out of battery power during as day's shoot.
Is the K1 really significantly heavier than a K3?
David

I can confirm David Trout was there at York along with thousands of others. I've already posted a photo in the Gallery, thanks DOIK for the link, here's a couple more
The first one was panned it as it came past the platform ends.
The second shot was at the new turntable next to the freight relief lines which by pass York Station. Not many crowds there, just a few hardy photographers who know the area. It was a local who recently explained to me how to find it

It seems this was a very good meet up of Pentaxians. I almost came to join you but other engagements got in the way regrettably. I do have some Sheffield qualifications, my dad was born and brought up there and as a child I used visit grandparents and an aunt and uncle and cousin in Fulwood.
David.

They're super images.
David

There has never been a problem for visitors wishing to take photos at Beamish Museum.
David

I'd love a shiny new K1......and a new set of fully compatible lenses. And if I win the Lottery or Premium Bonds I'll get one along with a posher car and whatever my wife would like too. A world cruise perhaps?
But do I need one? Will my photography grind to halt without one? Will my pictures decline if I go on using the boring old K3, K5 and K30?
Nope.
It will no doubt have better image quality but then I'm happy with the IQ that my three regularly used cameras also give.
I can do A3 sized exhibition prints with the equipment I already own. Some have actually had the occasional award in international salons. My first digital camera was a Pentax IstDS, only 6mp, and I could manage acceptable A3 prints from that too.
So will I ever have a K1 or its updated successor. Not in the foreseeable future . But never say never.
David

Simon, the answer's simple. Join a camera club. Not any old camera club, some of them are terrible, but Durham Photographic Society. We are the biggest photo club in the North East with around 100 members and we've recently had quite a few new members joining. At least four Pentax User Forum regulars are members at DPS.
Reasons to join us:
* No one gives a damn what camera make you use, your choice will be respected and your photos are what people want to see. There's plenty of experienced members who are happy to give photo advice.
* Unlike most other camera clubs we don't pack up for the summer but meet every week except over Christmas and New Year.
* We have visiting speakers, some of them inspiring nationally respected photographers, competitions, members own nights.
* We have activities other than club nights such as a monthly assignment day, on a Saturday, when we visit a North East location followed by a review night on a Tuesday when we discuss some of the prints. This gets the creative juices working
* Individual groups of members organise trips to the Scottish highlands, The Edinburgh Fringe, Whitby Goths, star trails and aurora hunting etc, any one is welcome to join them.
* We've been involved over the past two years in major photographic projects, including photographing 100 of the region's most influential people and World War11 veterans. The print exhibitions of these have been shown at some prestigious venues including Alnwick Castle, hosted by the Duchess of Northumberland and at Bowes Museum.
* Our main annual print exhibition is always held in Durham Cathedral and we have other shows at the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham University's Botanic Gardens, this year during March, and sometimes in Durham Town Hall.
Why not drop in one Thursday night to see if would suit you. 7.30pm, but get there early, in the Church Institute opposite St Oswald's Church, just down from the New Inn.
Or check out our website and see some of the members' photos.
Just Google Durham Photographic Society

Thanks Glyn as I've commented earlier this helps competition winners chose future subjects and gives camera club officials ideas for set subject competitions.
David

For a first go at this type of photography they're pretty good Ted. What they might lack in total image quality they make it up with bags of atmosphere.
The more you shoot any category of photography the easier it gets and the better you get, so keep going to these gigs.
David