Very interesting thread. I have two that I use that look like Chinese copies of the BR double harness (K7 & 50-150 plus K5 & DA*300) and single sling (any camera /lense combination). They are superb and I use them all the time now.

However as far as security goes, although I am constantly attempting to tighten the screw adapter throughout the day - it's never actually needed tightening ! Even so I have a very cheap (if rather inelegant) redundancy solution .... I tie one end of shortened shoelaces to the camera strap D rings then tie a slip knot on the other end and loop it onto the harness / sling clip. If for any reason the screw adapter should work loose and come out my camera and lense will not fall to the ground and it will enable me to secure it before anything dramatic happens.

I would add that I can add my monopod to the screw adapter (and actually walk around with it attached to the *300) but unfortunately although I've tried a QR plate it doesn't work.

If I hear of anything rather more elegant I'll let you know ... I'm sure you can all think of something that would also work.

The problem with using both the extended shadow and highlight protection settings is they dramatically slow down rendering of images on your screen and clearing of the buffer. Bear this in mind if you need to check the screen often or shoot in bursts. I leave them off permanently and can only imagine I'd switch them on for high DR landscape scenes.

Mark Shehan is one of my favourite macro shooters and produces amazing work, others work checking out are M.Plonsky, Mark Berkery and Grzegorz Cywicki.

Both have absolutely stellar reviews and feedback so I don't think IQ is an issue. And both are f2.8. Do you need the flexibility of the zoom or the weight saving of the *200 - that's the decision to make in a nutshell right there.

Yep - that's the bloke. Lovely guy he is too, very helpful and kind with all the guests. Good laugh and no airs or graces about him either ... the same can't be said about the Irish 'comedian' who came on before him.

Thanks Thoughton !

Just to be clear - these shots above are only for the sponsors / organisers. The selling shots are the ones of the party-goers that were taken in the mobile studio and in the ballroom !

The stage shots were a great opportunity for me to try something I've never tried before - it was great fun trying to work out what works and what doesn't.

For those shots above (me not having a PTTL hot-shoe flash) they were all taken without flash in ambient light (which under disco stage lights changing every second was a challenge) ! These were all taken at f2.0 so with that small DoF, and with the performers dancing around, it was a real hit and miss affair - those were the best 4 of only 15 shots taken on the 3rd SD card. The Pro sent my other cards back to me today and I did nail focus on some - a guy I think the Brits on here may know - Stavros ? I'll try and get those up tomorrow !

It was a great experience and hopefully I learnt a lot and can make a better job of it next time ! Bit of a change from Birds, Macro & Landscapes !

He's actually a good friend as well so no I didn't sign any forms .... and he told me I can use the shots I took as I like (though not to sell any for at least a month so the current clients can make their orders first - though I also get 50/50 of any re-order prints anyway).

Thanks Smeggy !

I've literally just spent a couple of minutes on each of these to give you all a flavour of the evening - I'm sure the Pro will PP them if he decides to use any of them. I often get people mentioning that my shots seem a little dark - either it's the way I see things or the Mac screen is really bright (it is, but that may not be the reason) !

Here's a few shots from the 15 on the only SD card I have here - the other few hundred will be returned to me by the end of this week.

Thank you for all your comments guys n gals !

I really don't know how I could have missed the scrolling wheel for reviewing shots - maybe I knew about it but got into the habit of using the directional arrows. Thanks though - this is going to make life easier again !