Such relief it is when a potentially expensive problem turns out to have an easy answer. Almost makes the oroblem seem worth having.

After all the publicity about photographers and the Terrorism Act, after circulars from the Home Office telling the police that people taking photographs is actually legal, yet another incident where a police officer exercises powers that don't exist. What is happening to the police that a police officer can be unleashed on the public when he doesn't know the law, and is so uncertain of his own place in society that he cannot cope with a member of the public telling him, quite correctly, 'No'.

clicky

As if to add insult to injury, in the video clip, the officer even gets the powers he was trying to (ab)use wrong!

I'm not police bashing in the sense that I am particularly criticising this officer. What sort of incompetent, stupid, obnoxious, management is letting them out on the streets like this?

I've tried several brands of hybrid batteries. In my experience, the only ones that hold their charge and live up to the advertising is Eneloop.

I think that some people are rather missing the point here. I am tempted to say that out police are still some of the best in the world, anthough they would be hard put indeed to match trhe level of professionalism I have seen for myself in some USA forces.

The problem is that well known thin end of the wedge. There are so many signs that abuses of power are increasing. Legislation is becoming more onerous and unfair, and the standard of police officers at all ranks is failing.

The unpleasant fact is, the mechanism for instituting a police state is now in place. All it needs is the right circumstances where the wrong politician feels able to pick up the reins, and we're away. In a very British manner, mind you. It won't be obvious, but it's there all the same.

Being 'awkward' with police officers who are abusing their authority is the only way we are going to guard our freedom. Showing ID to a police officer who has no grounds or authority to ask for it is kowtowing to a non existent authority. I have no porblem with assisting any genuine police enquiry, but the fact is, police powers are increasingly being abused on a daily basis. If you want to assist that abuse, then all you have to do is encourage it by complying.

FWIW, I just picked up a secondhand Samsung GX10 grip to put onto my K20D. It seems to fit fine, works OK, and at £60 including a spare battery, I'm quite pleased. There seems to be a bit of a gap at the join, but nothing that looks like it would matter.

I'd like to know what software was used to allow the panning effect.

My sister is a nut on all things Russian, and has holiday'd there many times, including well before the collapse of the communist regime. One time she was there with her husband at the May Day parade in Moscow, where half the army marches past with all the latest kit.

She attempted to discreetly point her camera at the parade and was promptly approached by an inpeccably dressed policeman who held out his hand and demanded the camera in an attitude that brooked no refusal. Dismayed, she handed it over, and he then marched out into the middle of the road, took a couple of pictures of the parade, and then returned her camera to her. To say she was stunned is an understatement.

If he doesn't, I will. Paypal is fine.

Thanks for a very informative thread.