The first review simply wasn't done properly: it was clearly a faulty copy of the lens (happens to every brand) but instead of getting a replacement they decided to award a score based on the faulty lens.

They aren't quite as bad as sister company Royal Fail though. Two parcels in a row from Amazon held up for so long that they sent a second one, only for the original to turn up.

My TRI-283 is excellent, if a little heavy. The head doesn't seem to lock in position (particularly rotation-wise) very securely but that's likely because I'm not doing it properly

There are persistent rumours of a WR version of the DA 55-300mm. Not that that's much use to you right now of course

I don't use PSE myself, but a brief google suggests that the Export for the Web option will allow you to remove EXIF data (or might even do it automatically). PhotoMe (http://www.photome.de/) - which is freeware by the way - would be a good way for you to confirm that the EXIF is actually gone.

All three (Sigma 30, and Pentax's two 35s) are great lenses.

I can personally vouch for the DA35 Limited: it might be expensive (though markedly less so now than it was this time last year), but the rendering is gorgeous. Plenty of sharpness if that's your thing (stop down to f5.6 and it's astonishing), nice bokeh, plus as a "go anywhere, do anything" lens it fits the bill: normalish in angle (similar to the 50mm prime that used to come with all film cameras), and the macro capability means you're never too close to take the shot you want.

As far as torches go, I can wholeheartedly recommend the LED Lenser (though I've not actually used a torch for photography): despite its small stature, it puts out a very useful amount of light.

Even on those models without the electronic level (e.g. my K20D) I don't see the point of a bubble level: you have to take your eye away from the viewfinder to look at it, meaning the composition goes wonky.

Nope they cover that - they suggest that the emergency blankets are suitable for use as a ground sheet.

Bin bag? For those of us who don't own the Sigmonster, a freezer bag with the sealed end cut (and a couple of elastic bands if necessary) should do the trick

What image processing software are you using? Most of them will have an option to this effect in their Export dialog.

+1 for Photomatix - I got it awhile ago and the results are great on the odd occasion the subject I go for actually suits HDR It is, however, pricey unless you either a) Are a university student or b) Have one in the family.

Alternatively Picturenaut is free (http://www.hdrlabs.com/picturenaut/index.html). I haven't used it myself, but it looks pretty good.

Never mind AF, I just wish that I could turn off the stupid diopter adjustment on the viewfinders. I wear contact lenses and getting it back to the 'middle' setting after knocking it accidentally is a real pain.