Think Tank provide D rings on their rucksack shoulder straps and purpose designed clip on camera suspension straps. Its a unfortunate that you have already bought the Lowepro sack.

D rings, webbing and all the nylon buckles and clips can easily be obtained on Ebay and in the past I have managed to sew through padded rucksack straps but it's hard going. Driving the eye of the needle into your finger or hand is one hazard.

Ideally you also need restraining straps going down to the harness attachment points at the base of the rucksack otherwise when walking uphill the camera continually swings and bumps against your chest which can be wearisome on a long hike.

Richard

Hi Adrian, I've bought a copy of this lens prompted into action by the discount offered by SRS. My interest in the lens was due to reasons similar to yours. I'm not competent enough to comment on it's resolution and all I will say on that subject is I'm pleased with the results it produces (so far). The beautifully crafted lens hood and cap I've put aside and substituted a 55-62 stepping ring, 62mm wide angle rubber lens hood and snap on cap. That way the extending front part is protected to some degree against bumps and rain drops are less likely to land on the front element.

The issue I have with it on my K5 is auto focusing. It's one of those zooms without an infinity stop. At room length distances focusing is accurate given reasonable light levels and contrast. By experiment I've found that the way to get consistent infinity (and close to infinity settings) at various focal lengths is to point at a distant object, manually defocus towards the short end, allow the motor to drive the lens into focus, then recompose and take the image. There's no hunting just straight there and stop. It appears that at telephoto focal lengths infinity is short of the centre of the infinity mark and at wide angle focal lengths infinity is beyond the mark.

When recomposing I often relax finger pressure and have to start the process again. Although then of course I could just switch to manual focus. Sometimes I twitch and trigger the shutter before I'm ready. I tried disabling focus on first press and using the AF button but I'm a left eye user and therefore my nose and right thumb clash. It's a pity the RAW/Fx button cannot be reassigned to AF. Cupping the lens with my left hand I could press the button with my thumb.

If you get one and take it on a trip anticipating doing sunset or sunrise shots you will also need a prime with fixed infinity stop.

Richard

I have not brought one yet Gravelrash. I am considering replacing my Velbon Geo with the CT-3442 thereby saving weight and increasing stability by not needing an elevating centre column.

Initially what I may do is purchase one of the monopods for long walks keeping the Velbon for a while for use locally.

Mike, I think we may have been bidding on the same item. I caused the seller to re list it because he had described it as the CT-3342 in the title. It went higher than I was prepared to go too as I was factoring in the possible cost of a repair. I noticed what looked like a small impact mark on one of the legs which made me cautious.

Richard

Thought I would mention this manufacturer which I discovered purely by chance on the Internet in case other members are unaware of them. Originally they were a manufacturer of carbon fibre tubes. By machining metal components from solid aircraft grade alloy they appear to have made significant weight savings. UK distributer www.globaltechcommerce.co.uk/feisoluk.

Richard

I am on a learning curve with this lens and have noticed the varying effect of a polariser across the frame. I'm embarrassed, the reason seems so obvious now that Steve and John have commented on it.

A Skylight may be more useful than a CPL. I have an image with a massive blue colour cast taken with the lens at several hundred feet altitude on a bright summers day in deep shade. Also blue light from the reflective underside of leaves blown back by the wind.

Best Wishes, Richard

Good on you Jules. I have a love of the Lake District myself particularly the western side served by the Barrow in Furnace to Carlisle railway. I used to back pack across the fells from one valley to the next returning home from a different place from where I started. I found that more rewarding than staying at one place and doing circular walks. A couple of times I went to Scotland on the West Cost Line and returned on the East Coast Line.

That's a very amusing story of yours. He must have had terrible constipation that Mountaineer. I envy you that climb of Mont Blanc. I confess I did drill out the handle of my hair brush. I'm sure he would have approved.

I once went on a winter mountaineering course in the Western Highlands. The instructor was an ex Royal Marine Commando Arctic Warfare Specialist who trained the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. Every person on the course was bigger, stronger and more experienced than me. I was really a passenger. After I returned home I had to buy a pair of trousers 2 inches smaller wait size.

Since moving here in March from Surrey I have been going out for walks to build up my fitness, hoping to undertake the sort of walks I did in my 30's and 40's (now 67).

By the way how do you attach funny faces they don't appear to work for me.

Richard

I don't see the point in a review comparing the lenses. Each will appeal to people with different priorities. I don't drive. Size and weight matter a lot to me. From the moment I leave home I am carrying my equipment on my back sometimes for many miles over difficult terrain. If I could only take one lens on a backpacking trip it would be the Pentax 20-40 (assuming I buy it). Besides I just love those Ltd lenses.

A more detailed review is definitely needed before I will part with the asking price so regrettably I will have to let the 10% discount offer from SRS pass by.

Wasn't sure of my original identity, forgot my password and changed my Email address, therefore no way back from there so far as I can tell. I only posted a couple of times anyway. Trying to improve my landscape photography having relocated from Surrey. There are certainly plenty of opportunities for that here but I am still rubbish at it.
Regards to all, Richard.