Theoneadeem, I am sorry but I cannot agree, the market is packed with these, no point trying to break in from scratch unless with something very different and anyway that would be the Ricoh brand territory. Pentax territory is enthusiast cameras and were first into relatively affordable medium format. Other brands are bringing out more high end models; small budget cameras are losing out to camera phones so other brands are following in that direction and Pentax is in danger of losing its foothold there. Pentax has a reputation for being different to the rest and still has much to offer, but the momentum doesn’t seem to be there which is very frustrating. The K1 is favourably compared to the Canon 5D iv and Nikon 850 especially on price but is marked down for the limited lens choice at FF. A few new lenses were introduced in the run-up to the K1 which was two years ago now, but nothing since. APS-C is well served but hopes of K3ii or K5 updates have not materialised, and now the FF and MF ranges have stalled. Are being naive in hoping a rabbit will be pulled out of the hat?

The last new Pentax camera was the KP launched a year ago, a silver K1 and a couple of Ricoh upgrades have been launched this year, and just two of the long-promised FF lenses are another couple of months away. And that’s it. Still no sign of Ricoh/Pentax showing at The Photography Show despite that being an ideal venue to launch the lenses. With such a dearth of new products and the only recent promotions being discounted camera prices should we be worried? I confess to a creeping sense of unease.

Having pulled out my Gitzo monopod for the first time since visiting a windy beach I found the twist joints full of sand, stupidly I had collapsed it before making sure it was properly cleaned. So spent the afternoon laboriously dismantling each joint to get rid of that nasty grinding noise; easy to get complacent when used to WR Pentax kit.

Sounds like it is gradually getting better, perhaps drying out in the parts you cannot see. If possible take out the battery and card and leave all ports open, wrap in a microfibre cloth and keep somewhere warm and dry for a while. The earlier issue sounds like a sticking aperture mechanism, try flicking the lever on the mount a few times, it should snap back to full aperture immediately.

Ps, worst case scenario, if it doesn’t recover have you any insurance that would cover it? If not camera insurance then maybe you household insurance.

An Italian liqueur set alight and poured over a vanilla and chocolate pud. I thought everyone knew that!

Thanks all, and best wishes to pschlute as well. TBH Gwyn I just wanted to stay under the bed covers all day but got dragged out, and tonight went to an Italian restaurant which was fabulous - sambuca flambé dessert was spectacular!

Hardgravity, that’s an impressive shed, envy! So in summer she can sit with the doors open, G&T in hand and supervise your gardening!

Today is my 70th birthday so plenty of cards reminding me how long I have been on the planet. Started off with my annual bath, which became a sort of symbolic washing away of 2017 and which has not been kind, but we are all still here and things could be worse so a resolution to find more time to do things together and hopefully a bit less working. And more photography trips!

That sounds like a real marathon, but a day you will always remember so well done. It looks extremely cold so how is it for driving up there in winter? Beautiful images, I especially like no. 2.

If I had seen this earlier I would have suggested an L-bracket, which apparently makes portrait mode easier and more stable.

I managed to grab a few minutes during a family outing at Lytham st. Annes between showers and calls of "we are getting soaked and you have the car keys!"

Anyhow, I took these as a taster as I saw some opportunities for returning when I have more time, maybe a panorama with dramatic sky and details such as the last one which is a very tight crop and would benefit from some further exploration.