Thanks for the explanation.
So I guess it only has two positions - flat or at 90 degrees - as opposed to the angle being totally adjustable, is that right?
Can a flash be attached directly at the end of the arm, or does it need some sort of adapter (the flash I have in mind will be a wireless slave, so no need for triggers or cords)?

Clarky,
What is the purpose of the pivoting (at least it looks like that's what it does) plate where I assume the camera gets screwed?
I'm looking for a similar design dual flash bracket, but I think I would have prefered something simpler (this Manfrotto looks heavy too).

I'd want it if it was a FA* 300mm f/2.8

You're not selling the 55-300mm for £75, are you?!

Thanks, I don't remember that one, but it's useful to know.

Thanks for the suggestion John, but ordering one new would be waaaaaay over my budget

I've placed a request in the "wanted" section at Ffordes, we'll see what comes up.

Thanks for the link Tim, and Thoramay.

Someone posted a link on a french forum to a place in Japan where you can buy one new, but it's over a 1.000.000 Yen, if I managed to decifer correctly.

That said, I am specifically interested in the market price of that lens in the UK - which admittedly might be difficult to pinpoint as I don't remember having ever seen one for sale on this forum nor on eBay.
The reason being, the price might be very different from the US or French one, beacuse it is very problematic to buy such a lens used from abroad (you might really want to have a close look at it before parting with 4.000£, not to mention import duties), and therefore price discrepancies might develop.
Basically, I'd like to know if I can find them here cheaper than what they go for in France

Thanks.
Is that the price for a lens located in the UK, or to be imported from abroad - sounds a little on the high side to me?

Does anyone know how much these ones go for "usually" in the UK, or can give me some prices fetched recently?

I realise prices might vary significantly between copies depending on condition, etc... for such expensive glass, but I was curious to know if it was closer to 2000£ or 5000£.

TIA

Converter arrived yesterday, in perfect condition - thanks Neil!
Now, that's a strange beast, though. Contrary to what I believed this one is marked both SHQ and DG on the barrel. So far I had seen SHQ only - those work well with (some) supersonic lenses - and DG only, which in my own experience do not.
This is the first time I've seen or heard about such a converter.
I haven't got any SDM or HSM at hand right now to try it out with, but it'll be interesting to find out...

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/support/faq/condaitr.htm