Congratulations Clarky I knew you couldn't refuse that offer.

I still haven't taken the plunge Trying to decide what, if any, lens I can afford to get with it. And with the K10D is still widely available here I'm still trying to justify the extra dosh for the K20D
Looks like I'll be taking just the Ds to Arizona next month.

I have no personal experience of Crumpler bags, i don't like the look of them personally, but I know people who have them - some swear by them, others at them.
As for them not screaming camera bag - don't you think any self respecting thief knows the entire Crumpler range by heart by now and recognises a camera bag just as easily as if it had Pentax emblazoned on the side? When you take your camera out it will become obvious any way.

But then I admit to happily putting my Ds into a tote bag for a day out, or even carrying it in a bumbag (horror of horrors ) when walking the dogs.
Only when I am travelling do I tend to take a camera bag, then it tends to be the full Tamrac rucksack, or maybe the smaller older Lowepro Nova, both of which are obviously camera bags.

I would suggest you take yourself and your kit down to a camera shop and look at bags before committing yourself. And remember that when LBA strikes you need room for those too! Also consider whether you likely to want to carry a laptop with you in the same bag for instance.

I too was going to suggest a trip through the Chilterns to Watford. Make a change from the Cotswolds

Didn't notice the post subject. I never look at them either

Which new mag?

No doubt most will say shoot RAW but I would say stick to JPEG until you know your camera better then start experimenting with RAW.

I too love the dog picture, and the dog! As for the others you are just trying to make us Northern European residents jealous aren't you?

I use CR-V3s in my Ds. They are always expensive but they last and last. I order them online as they are cheaper. Any make will do, but the better known makes do last longer.

Yes I saw that documentary too. It brought home to me how lucky I am compared to so many people, women in countries like Afghanistan in particular.

I can't comment on the processing but I agree with one of the comments on the site - very National Geographic. Clearly based on the classic photo of the girl with the green eyes in Afghanistan.

There are some stunning photos on the site. I particularly like the Death valley photo.

Does that make monopods musty?