I did consider putting this in the sticky but as far as I am aware intro are only importers and not retailers.

I would just like to sing the praises of Intro2020, as you may be aware they are the UK importer of Pentax and amongst other things Velbon Tripods.

I damaged my Tripod Head last Sunday, knocking it over and breaking the locking lever for the quick release plate , I contacted Intro on Monday to enquire over spare parts, I recieved an email back the same day offering to send me the replacement part free of charge, I also recieved a further mail confirming the part had been dispatched. I got it through the post today (thursday).

All I can say is top marks to Velbon and Intro2020.

Yes, the "rule of thirds" is an imaginary grid (like a noughts and crosses grid) it is one of the primary rules for composition, placing the focal point or point of interest on a "third" (ie; where the grid lines intersect) is said to improve composition, of course rules are meant to be broken and it doesn't always work well but in this case I think it does, others have disagreed and they are probably quite right too, eye of the beholder etc etc.
Try using the thirds rule whenever you compose images but also try it otherways too. Just bear in mind you dont have to be exactly on a third, anywhere roundabout works just as well.

Nice shot Belinda, I'm for cropping it further too, take the right hand side off and put the boat roughly on the third.

What? and have them popping round univited for coffee

.......and what about the poor little spider who will now have to go hungry

Nice shot though Clarky, this has got to be one of your best yet despite the fact that you cheated by photographing a "Captive Species"

I shot his cousin a while ago, not anywhere near as good as yours though, but in my defence he was crawling around

Macig Lantern Guides K10D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-K10D-Magic-Lantern-Guides/dp/160059185X


Goes further than the K10D manual and explains more about why the different modes are available and when to use them.

Well Clarky you allready have the same macro lens as myself so why not take Gwyns advice and go for the Velbon CF630.......I've got one too

I use it with the PH-157Q head which isn't quite 100% with the Bigma but then again I usually use the Bigma on a monopod anyway.

And here I am thinking "I" was the only one with luck like that

Got up today, bit of blue in the sky, methinks I'll get down to the local RSPB reserve before the rain starts, getting out of the car I knocked my tripod over breaking the quick release plate mechanism , by the time I got to my favourite haunt it had started blowing a gale and the sky had turned murky grey , I hung around for a while but realised that ISO800 and 1/40th at f6.7 at 500mm WASN'T going to get me anything worth freezing for. I did have one stroke of luck though, I managed to get back to the car just before the heavens opened up.

......And that was a good day

Does anyone want to make me an offer for this extremely rare bit of suberb kit

Seriously though, its sits in my kit bag doing nothing, if your willing to pay the postage and make a small donation to a good cause then its yours.

EDIT, EDTT, EDIT!!!
Sorry, should have put a bit more info down;

TTL flash
Guide 30m/100ISO (at 50mm)
AF assist (can be switched off)
Zoom Head (manual)
ISO and Focal length selected by switch
Bounce Head

Just seen the exact same model in a camera shop window for £25 so dont get excited about the spec this is a cheap flashgun that will simply put someone on till they can afford something better. I reckon its worth at least a £10 donation to the British Heart Foundation plus a few extra quid for the postage.

PS; its boxed and includes instruction sheet.

PM me for further details