The K-m supports KAF3 lenses - ie those with SDM only, like the 17-70.

Unlocker which bag did you take to the US with you?

Amin the tripod you have is nearing it's maximum weight carrying capabilities with your kit on it.
You need to spend money to get a good tripod - it will be money well spent believe me, but it must be spent. Better to get a really good one now than come back in a year looking for what you should have got in the first place.If you do a search on the forum you will find lots of advice on tripods, what to look for, different makes models, heads etc.
If you can go along to a shop and try your heaviest lens (the *300 I assume) with your K20D on different tripods and see which one you like best.
Do you mount the lens or the camera on the tripod you now have?

If the date didn't say April 2nd I would have said it was something along the lines of this from Kodak:
http://homepage.1000words.kodak.com/default.asp?item=2355464.

I'm with Jackie (Thordell) on HDR - usually it leaves me cold, but this is very well done, and looks really natural. How many photos did you use for this John?

I too have a Tamrac Expedition 5, which is very comfortable. I too find a back pack more comfortable than a shoulder bag, especially when carrying a lot of kit. I can't imagine carrying the Bigma over my shoulder for any length of time.
Check the empty weight of a bag - some are so heavy empty they must be unbearable when loaded. If you can take a long your camera and your biggest lens, and laptop, and try out a few bags to see which you find most comfortable.

Congratulations Lilly!

What a great feeling that must be, and what an honour that they kept your photos. I bet you've been walking around with a huge on your face ever since.

Well done !

I too am thinking about the X70. I won't buy one until I see some reviews of it though and maybe actually try one out.
I am currently going through my annual what gear to take on holiday torment, and the X70 would stop all that. I invariably have the wrong lens on the camera for the shot I want anyway so the X70 would solve that. But I do hope it has RAW.

I shall in any case be selling some lenses soon just because they don't get the use. Even the Bigma may yet go.

I have done a few courses at my local cultural centre. Like Cabstar I learned so much from being with a group of like minded people. The technicalities are relatively easy, but learning to look at and criticise your own photos and those of others is a great part of it all. That is what helps develop the "photographer's eye".
Plus we covered quite a bit of the history of photography and various well know photographers, went to exhibitions, talked to some of the photographers exhibiting and the like. It was really interesting to hear the photographers talk about their work, and why they took that particular photo. They could rarely tell us how they took it but always why.
We also went on field trips - we all had the same subject but the range of photos that came out of it were amazing.
These courses were all on a Saturday which helped. I'm not sure I'd have the self discipline to do an online course, where as knowing you will be attending a course once a fortnight is a great incentive to actually do the assignments.

I took out special insurance for my gear as the value of it was too high for my home insurance to cover - my husband's guitars are already listed as valuables on it. Plus the conditions on my home insurance were useless.
Travel insurance also only covers a fraction of the value of my gear so I looked for a specific insurance that would also cover me when travelling.
The insurance I now have, through the Dutch TV has great terms and conditions and even covers my gear should I have to check it on a flight.
Any others in Holland looking for insurance should consider it.