Don't know where it came from as I found it in a pile of "junk" cleared out of my brother-in-law's old room in a rented house (along with loads of other peoples's clothes and so on!), and I don't know if it's still working properly but it's not of any use to me anyway.

However, if anyone wants it to try out then I'll post it (UK only) for a couple of quid or so to cover the cost.

I would suggest any of the four generations of the Sigma 17-70 as they are all very versatile, quick to focus and SHARP - take a look here on the US site.

The only downside I've found with mine is that the lens hood is very loose and comes off too easily.

You should be able to pick up an early one (the one I have) for £100 or less - mine cost around £70 from a member of this forum 4-5 years ago but it ain't going anywhere anytime soon!

Anything but a "phone camera" expert here and can't give any real recommendations as to which phone would be best (FWIW, I bought a dual-SIM Motorola G30 earlier this year and I quite like it, but I'll virtually never use it to take photos!), nor which Apps to use for your purpose.

Nevertheless, I can recommend using a GiffGaff SIM because I/ you can choose pretty much any combo of minutes/ data/ texts to suit individual requirements - and then change that combo on a monthly basis. FWIW, WHICH magazine regularly gives GiffGaff "top marks" for value & general service levels in their mobile services reviews.

Possibly because, sometimes, you can't actually get the one (or at least a good version) you need. e.g, when I bought the K-3 in 2014 I was able to get a (Ex-Pro brand) set of protectors for the rear & top screens, but when I then bought the K-3 II a couple of years later, I could only find a protector for the rear screen and not one for the top screen.

OK, I could have "cut and shut" a larger one from somewhere, but never got around to that.

That's possible but the camera will have an Arcaswiss-compatible adapter, and that should hopefully raise the camera enough for a triangular knob to work OK- but "time will tell".

John R

Many thanks and it looks like I'll need to get one of those - but I'll probably replace the round knurled knobs by "winged" versions, such as one of those here because they should allow me to tighten them more securely than the round versions.

KR

John A

Afternoon all

Many years ago, I bought a Red Snapper tripod from another member. That came with a pan & tilt head but which I then found to be a bit "awkward" to use, even though I only use the tripod very occasionally.

Therefore I now thinking (just "thinking"!) about getting a ball head to replace the existing one - so, can anyone suggest a relatively cheapish ball head that will support something like a K-3 and medium sized (possibly a short zoom?) lens, AND with very positive locks that can be easily (I have largish hands but my finger tips don't grip that well!) adjusted and locked?

TIA

+2!

That'll be a good catch for someone because, IMHO, it's an excellent, but underated lens. OTOH, I needed the lens very quickly and SRS are 20 miles/35 mins from here - whereas MPB are (I think) in Brighton and that's a lot further away!

PS: when I said that the lens was in "v.g.c" I was probably understating the condition as many people would consider it to be in "excellent" condition.