You could call it a complete rip-off, as indeed you have, but it's not just any old lens cap. It is very finely engineered aluminium with high quality felt insert, made in a very old fashioned way to complement the lens. It fits the lens very precisely. In other words, a precision bit of manufacture.

I'd price it against similar lens caps from Leica and Zeiss before calling it a complete rip-off.

The moral is, of course, don't lose your lens cap. (I had a fleeting idea for a new Carry On film then, Carry On, Don't Lose Your Lens Cap. Could be a winner.)

Don't worry, the price of the front lens cap might be about the same. Rear lens caps are more resonable though....

I'd be more cautious than that because the Q on the back of some telephoto lenses is surprisingly good. It will be interesting to see what the results are like when someobody gets around to trying it out.

As the weather gets better we're hoping for Martin Mere soon. Sadly not with the 560mm.

My mum-in-law filmed crossing the prairies in Canada. After two hours of a four hour tape, mostly of things flashing past on the road, we said we'd watch the other two hours later.

"Oh, there's more than that, it was taped at half speed."

We've not watched one more minute of it yet.

When we had a Super 8 film camera for a while I soon decided that casual filming was pointless. Unless we properly plan and shoot a film then it's of little interest to anyone.

Modern compact cameras are actually very good for impromtu filming, be it a concert performance, the annual karaoke party or the school nativity play. That can go straight onto Facebook or YouTube for the family and that's OK.

If I wanted to make films I'd buy a video camera, although I'd probably prefer to shoot with three cameras. As soon as I'd decided I wanted to do this though I'd be asking Ken for advice.

Well last year I planted dozens of crocus bulbs in the lawn, the hope being that one spring morning Sue would look out and see a carpet of colour. So far, Valentine's Day has seen two rather weedy crocus flowers, but hopefully if spring is now here the others might soon follow.

I live in hope!

There's no reluctance to establish anything that's technically possible and will be useful.

However, forums that have too many sections are just overwhelming to the visitor and do lead to lots of misplaced topics.

Optios have video too and it might be appropriate to start discussions about video for an Optio user in that section. If the problem is with a K-5 and video, then the DSLR section. But the point is it never happens, or very rarely anyway.

Make it happen and the forum will respond. Then we'll get video chat in all three sections...

Rather than spend a whole lot of money, why not give a K-5 II/IIs and the 560mm a whirl to see what they are like?

It might even be worth renting as it could save the OP guessing what might suit themselves from other people's experiences.

That's interestin Ken because that was a combination that I was looking at as well.

Can I remind everyone that images for the monthly competitions must be taken in the month of the competition. I have had to remove three images so far.