I don't know your particular camera but I am familiar with the type of cable that I think you refer to and it is not likely that it is damaged.

If it is a flat flexible 'cable' with what looks like gold or silver coloured plated connectors on the end, it is a push fit into the socket to which it connects. Often though, the socket has a mechanism for securing/freeing the 'cable', usually a piece of plastic surrounding the socket which you ease up and away from the socket.

This has the effect of opening the socket so that you can insert/remove the cable with little or no force required. Then you close the locking mechanism again to secure the cable.

No glue is usually ever needed, nor is it recommended.

Mac,

save your money and buy a card reader instead. It'll be much cheaper and you never know, when you've caught the bug as well, you can use it too

Just attach card reader to PC and leave it connected. WHen you want to import images from camera (card) to PC simply remove it from camera and place in reader.

You'll end up buying one anyway so why not do it now?

Have you tried the Open University?

Good stuff Brian A small criticism of pic one, a strap is showing under her left arm.

Use a circular polariser when shooting through glass to eliminate (as much as you can) any reflections from the glass, and/or stand very close to the glass (but keep the glass between you and your subject )

Nice record but not great images, sorry. The lion pose is the best of the bunch but needs more processing to improve contrast etc.

I went to Chester Zoo many years ago. Turned a corner to confront a Jaguar (big black cat, not a car). I obviously startled it because it leapt at the glass/plexiglass and hit it with all 4 feet and about a yard from my face.

Good job I was staying in a hotel and had plenty of spare underwear. I needed it.

In for a pasting? Surely not . . . unless you're PeteKD in disguise

Nice swan, good detail in most of the feathers except the back, which is a little washed out (over-exposed).

Feels good, doesn't it?

Excellent pics. I have to say your 'eye' for a good image is improving in leaps and bounds.

If I had to be critical, the horizon on pic 3 is not horizontal. I like the pic with the boat and red can the most.

Well done.

It's not listed at either of the two lens reference sites that most of us here use. This suggests to me that it is not a 35mm Film or DSLR lens having a K mount. It is probably for medium format cameras.

Pete,

The balance of numbers between images from Pentax v Other makes appearing in mags will only come as more people use Pentax gear and send in their efforts. That's not going to happen overnight . . .

For heaven's sake don't turn into a techno-geek. Just keep improving your photography skills by learning and adding more images to your portfolio.

When you're done, you'll eventually realise that it doesn't matter what the heck equipment you use, it's the way you use it.

If you were handed a honed chisel, could you carve an intricate moulding for instance . . . no, you couldn't, not without learning the required skills first and getting lots and lots of practice, any more than you would instantly take better pictures if you had a multi-thousand pound Hasselblad with Phase-One digital back (costing even more thousands). At the level you seem to be aiming at, photography is a craft requiring skill, and practice.

What's more important to you, the name on your camera . . . or your results?

It should be your results that are important and if so, are you happy with them?

Stop worrying about trivia, just keep improving.