If any one wants the Pentax AF180FG flash I just purchased one (2 days ago, 16/09/2026) from Amazon.co.uk for £90.03. Unsure how long this will last. It is at this price as of Friday 18/09/2026.
I got this one as it is easier to carry around to use as an every day item, than either of the Af540 and 360fgz_IIs in my Billingham bag.

I have been with my Camera insurer for decades, but when this years renewal came around there were changes that were not flagged up as a major change. I had to read them in the usual small print. I even checked last years to see if I had missed it from last year, but, no it was new this year. It seems it’s not the insurers bu the underwriters that have made the change.


----------------------------
Copied from the insurance documentation

Photographic Equipment Protection Insurance

Minimum Security Requirements

It is a condition precedent to our liability for loss or damage resulting from theft or attempted theft that you have in place the following minimum levels of security or such level as specified in the schedule and all such devices are put into full and effective operation whenever the premises are closed for business or left unattended:
(a) all external doors of the buildings occupied by you and internal doors which give access to any part of the buildings not occupied by you must be fitted and secured with one of the following:

(i) a mortice deadlock with matching boxed striking plate or rim lock conforming to BS3621

(ii) a five lever close shackle padlock and locking bar

(iii) in the case of aluminium or UPVC framed doors cylinder operated mortice deadlock

(iv) an alternative form of locking system of similar quality and strength to BS3621 which has been agreed by us all outward opening external doors of the buildings occupied by you must be fitted and secured with hinge bolts

(b) aluminium or UPVC framed doors are to be fitted with integral cylinder key operated mortice deadlocks

(c) all accessible opening windows, fanlights and skylights including those accessible from roofs, decks, balconies, fire escapes, canopies or down pipes must be fitted and secured with key operated window locks. This requirement does not apply to windows, fanlights or skylights which are protected by solid steel bars, grilles, gates, expanded metal or weld-mesh securely fixed to the brickwork surrounding the window
----------------------------

I had to photograph each side of the house and each lock of each door and send them in for appraisal. As I knew, my house does not comply so my excess has been increased to £500.00

A friend of mine reports similar for their house insurance and I have since heard that others insurers are asking for the same criteria.

From the PC Advisor co uk website downloads, Windows, you can get Adobe CS2 and Acrobat 8 download for FREE!!!!!!!! I checked it was there just before I wrote this. Very large downloads though.

I have CS2 but I downloaded it to try it and it installed and ran. Its been up for a few months now.

----------------------------
Pentax MX, MEF, 2 x LX, K5.
28mm F2M, 50mm F1.4M 100mm F2.8M.
20mm F2.8A, 24mm F2.8A, 28mm F2.8A, 35mm F2.8A, 50mm F1.7A. (Plus a few others and digital)