You're right in that the function of language is to make ourselves understood and if this is fulfilled then language has served its purpose.

English though is an unusually rich language. It has complex rules and the largest number of words of any language. This means that, correctly used, a lot of nuances and subtelties can be conveyed. This is what tends to get lost as an "anything goes" philosophy takes over.

As another example of "anything goes" take a look at a receipt, a receipt for anything. Then look for the date to enter in your accounts. It could be anywhere, and it wastes time looking for it amongst a mass of computer printout. At one time the form of such documents was fixed. If you wanted the date, there it was, always in the same place.

More efficient to read, but these days there are no such standards applied. All I'm saying is that there is a benefit to getting thngs right.

Knowing Pentax's excellent track record on backwards compatibility, I'd expect the 645D to take exisiting 645 lenses and of course 67 lenses with the adapter.

I don't think the numbers would be big enough to make a new mount a possibility anyway.

I love those skies, although they probably mean that the moment was fleeting before the rain hit again!

The third one is a really nice shot, but I would remove that yellow base entirely as I find it a bit distracting. When that is done it also needs perhaps a bit off the left edge to balance up the composition again.

It looks like a great destination, we'll get there one day.

The 645D is still mooted to be a reality, but a lot will depend on the final price. I don't think Pentax have plans that many will sell outside Japan and the USA - I seem to recall a figure of 200 per annum being mentioned, which is a tiny market.

Rapala has been in touch and comments will be going up today.

Enquiries have been made re some comments - when I get a reply I'll let you know what's happening.

A bit too much smoke at the moment - just enter the competition marked as #108 whilst IT remove the others.

I've never seen that happen before!

The winner will get an e-mail notifying them and inviting them to set the new competition.

We will await Rapala's comments, unless none arrive, in which case we'll do something else, to be announced, so to speak!

And let's also just put the lid on it there please.

Likewise, not away but working after all.