Tried cleaning the hot shoe?

I was in the habit until recently of taking the memory card out of the camera and slotting it into the computer to transfer images. I tried the same today but the computer wouldn't load the card and on closer inspection I saw one of the contacts was damaged. Oddly it still works in the camera but I am replacing it anyway. I can only assume the frequent removal/replacement of the card has caused this, so I will stick to just using a cable connection from now on.

It’s curious how wildlife is unperturbed by small craft, this looks fascinating. Any chance of seeing some results?

That’s impressive, and nicely photographed. Are there more options for positions, say nearer and leaning over that rail? I do like the blue lights in the background though they really add to the image.

Thanks all, I am encouraged Derek by your recommendation of the Samyang 135mm. Smudge, I thought about the DA 200 and made a point last week of seeing what setting I was using most on the 70-200 and concluded it is a bit long for landscape. Stub, you are right about the 15-30mm it is a great lens but for landscape I find myself framing more often at the 24-30mm end which is covered by the 24-70mm. Don’t get me wrong, I will be keeping these lenses and taking them if I have something specific in mind. My main concern is when I look at my manual focus efforts on the computer they are rarely as sharp as an autofocus one which I put down to my ageing eyesight, so more practise needed!

The Lee Filters lens match on their website is helpful and it appears that any lens around 15mm needs the SW 150 system; I had hoped to swop for the SW 100 which the likes of Thomas Heaton use on a 21mm prime but that is the widest the system will accommodate.

Stub, I use the Manfrotto 055 tripod, managed to get a carbon fibre one in a Black Friday deal and chose the 3 section one as it’s more rigid. It is bulky but I just carry it rather than strapping to the backpack. As I am always getting it wet when the tide comes in I have thought about the waterproof Sirui, which is more compact but I doubt it is as rigid.

My landscape kit comprises a K1 and the f2.8 FF lenses 15-30mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm, plus the Lee Filters SW150 system and assorted polarisers. And a tripod. Whilst in a backpack this lot is manageable the weight makes it not particularly enjoyable and limited to short walks. However I love using the K1 and the quality of full frame images so I am looking to reduce the weight of the lenses. The 24-70mm gets used 75% of the time so that can stay, but at around 2kg the 70-200mm is too much. There is an f4 version due next year but as I have a trip planned in November I am looking at the Samyang f2 135mm at around 800g to cover typical telephoto landscape use. Next up would be an Irix 15mm Firefly to replace the 15-30mm and a bonus would be using the screw-on Lee Filters adapter which fits the other lenses so saving the special mount. A bit more cash would buy the Blackstone which is weatherproof but at a weight penalty. Both these are manual focus which is a disadvantage but reports are that both render excellent sharp images with minimal distortion.

Sorry to ramble on a bit but I would be interested to hear your views, especially if anyone has used either of these budget primes.

Stub, is the damage because you transfer the cards to the computer to download photos? I have stopped doing this now, preferring to use a cable connection instead and avoid handling the cards.

Hang on, when Tim Bernier-Lee introduced the internet it was on the principle of free access for all and that still applies so it is understandable that people are either ignorant or confused. If you don’t want to be robbed you don’t leave your car unlocked nor leave your house with the door wide open; if you don’t want your images copied it is up to you to take the necessary precautions.

This isn’t London, it is hugely over-engineered by comparison but looks like it takes traffic as well. Nicely composed shot.

But difficult to manage in practice if the photographer’s name isn’t on the image. The case was a schoolchild using an online photo for a project - fair enough, that is still acceptable apparently. The breach arose when the school put the project on their website. In my view if you don’t visibly copyright an image in some way then you are partly responsible for its misuse; after all you cannot expect everyone with access to the internet to have knowledge of copyright laws which vary in different countries. An artist signs his/her paintings, why not digitally sign a photo?