Flare is the enemy without a hood. It's also worth thinking about damage. If a lens gets knocked then the hood will invariably absorb the shock. A metal one won't as well as a plastic one does.

Why mess about using a screw-in hood when a slick bayonet one intended for the lens is available. A hood was with the lens when new, so if it's missing a price reduction might be worth asking for?

That really looks like a great day. We love Whitby, hopefully it won't be long before we're back there. Your pictures have inspired me to want to make that sooner rather than later.

I've just seen that Mike, and am impressed by your quick thinking!

Unfortunately my input of cash looks very feeble against the cost of that lens.....

Nothing photographic, but some cash donations might go a long way towards a new tripod or lens. Perhaps some vintage lenses to play with.

OK, so first of all we have to assume an electricity supply and hopefully a PC to process and store the images. Things look less remote than we might have started with. However, let's suppose we were placed on Ascension Island, say for a six month contract. The the scenario could be perfectly reasonable.

So the Pentax K-1, with 15-30mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses would be the thing to choose. I would like to add a 100mm macro and the 150-450mm but the scenario given doesn't allow that.

Nice shot, and we all wish you a Very Merry Christmas as well. And your canine friend!

Flickr OK from here as well.

The K20D has now been sold. The K10D is still available.

I presume you are thinking of general photography, in which case a small number of lenses should suffice to cover most things. A wide zoom, standard zoom, longer zoom plus a fast 50mm would be great.

There are plenty of places to photograph in the city centre, but perhaps an online look or buying a guide book would make sure you don't miss the things of most interest to you.

Yes, Merry Christmas to all!

We too have stocked up and now it just awaits to welcome the family to the feast. Everyone comes here on Christmas day, some for dinner but everyone else for Christmas Tea. It's busy, it's hectic, it's manic, but we wouldn't want it any other way.

And in between courses I'll be on here to see who else is around. Maybe we'll chat!