I think that might be slightly stiffer material. This stuff is plenty robust enough though and if the smell wears off you just go and buy some more

Received in good order with extra goodies, thank you. It's a bit of a sod to handle and set up (you need three hands) but it works a treat and I didn't have to squint - that's got to be good. Picture quality on it is first class.

And I thought I was the only cheapskate round here !

A lovely dandelion flowered amongst my many plant pots but it wasn't very well lit.




I realised a little while ago that smoked salmon trimmings were being sold by a well known supermarket and the stuff
was layered upon a card that was silvered on one side and gold on the other. It is a robust card that I was able to clean.







It reflects sunshine as if a searchlight had been turned on, making for quite dramatic dandelion images













The salmon was quite tasty but it is very pleasing that recycling the packaging should work so well.

Thank you for flogging your brain on my behalf. I'll try it on myself in the garden with a wireless release using a bog standard DA 18 - 55. At least I know to keep my eyes shut!

I would not use manual lenses for exactly the reason you suggest. The last time I used direct flash was likely ISO200 with a Pentax F 35-105mm and range of 15feet with the thing allegedly on PTTL. My missus went absolutely potty at the power of the discharge and I was terrified that I had caused her some damage. If I am doing anything with flash now I use an even more powerful Cobra D650 that does as I ask it to when set to manual but I still won't point it at anyone.

I presume the flash head is pointing directly at the subjects for these? I hate doing this as people expect (and I've usually found it to be so) that they will be blinded by the thing. And this is the very unit you mention above which I dare not use in any way except pointed at the ceiling. I've tried telling it to reduce the intensity. It just ignores that. I've tried dialling a reduction into the camera and it ignores that too. Anything that has TTL on it seems to have a mind of its own.
OK rant over
It has to me, so what the heck am I doing wrong with it?

Dunno what it looks like by day but it's very nice by night !

Having learned the hard way about lens changing hygene (dust spots everywhere) I am now paranoid about blowing everything with a rocket blower. Unscrew lens cap, blow it and the lens, place lens cap loosely over it. Blow inside the current lens' rear cap, blow all round the camera mount, remove lens and put the clean cap on at once. Invert the camera, blow from side to side and up and down in the mirror box (but don't shove the nozzle in there !!). remove cap from new lens and put it straight on.
Touch wood. It has worked so far. I got rid of the original dust infestation simply by blowing with the rocket blower, having set the camera to 'mirror up for cleaning' beforehand. I didn't have to touch it at all.
As for the focussing screen, remember that it is designed to come out (look it up on the internet or U tube). You only handle it with tweezers and you can give it a good blow too if you have dust or bits on it.

You have a PM