If you click on the company logo on ebay, it takes you to their shop page. As they seem to offer a wide variety of products, I'd guess that they are genuine, however CAVEAT EMPTOR!!

If they had a postal address listed on the site, I could've got one of our agents in Manchester to have a look at the location, to establish if they are indeed bona fide - hoever, there is nothing to indicate this.

Perhaps the fact that you appear to have cropped close when taking the initial shot? Did you zoom in on-camera, or did you crop from a wider shot? If you'd taken a shot incorporating some "intrusive" darker background, the meter would have read an average for the light available. I know that from past experience, if I use a zoom lens, and "home-in" on a lighter colour, the meter adjusted the shutter/aperture accordingly.

Try looking at (for example) a white object with a darker background with a zoom lens, and note any meter readings in your viewfinder/lcd screen. Now, zoom in on the white object and note what happens.

I noticed in your Flickr image that you are fairly close to the bird, and that the background (and I think a white towel is also present in the image) is light/white. I wonder if your camera is suffering from "snow-blindness", affecting the metering? Try taking a similar shot with this type of scene (dunno if your camera has a "snow scene" setting)programmed into the camera. It's just something I think may be the cause. I could be wrong, of course, but it's something I'd explore if it happened to me.

Hi Susan!! Simply click on the SHOP tab above, then scroll down to MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES. The magazines are all there, and below the description of contents of each e-magazine is a link to the PDF download... ENJOY!!

Good to hear something positive for a change, John.

If only other security people (and the general public too) were as courteous and helpful.

I recall in 2008, my wife and I were in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park - we were taking a few shots of the foliage, etc when a couple of teachers with some smartly-dressed pupils (I'd guess 5-6 year-olds) headed our way. I politely asked the teachers if they'd mind if my wife took some shots (it was her first time in the UK from Thailand), but the teachers refused. I can fully understand the teachers' concerns, but given that it is not an offence to photograph anything in a public place, it was somewhat annoying that it is now the general public's perception that anybody wanting to photograph children is labelled as some kind of pervert. I just wish somebody, somewhere would set the record straight on this, as it can only be a matter of time before we witness the "death" of the school photograph.

BTW: will we be getting to see any of the images from inside the library?

I hope the Northumberland Tourist Board aren't going to use this image to advertise their WHITE, SANDY BEACHES... That's snow!!

Good use of the colour spectrum though!!

The new IATA/ICAO Dangerous Goods By Air regulations have deemed it perfectly acceptable to cover the + and - terminals with a non-conductive material, so why not get a cheap roll of sellotape from one of the many high street £Pound shops?

Also note that if you are flying, I'd recommend taking your batteries (except lead/acid car batteries, of course!!) into the cabin with you, rather than packing them in your suitcase that's going into the hold of the plane.

Were you using the Duracells in cold weather? This may account for poor performance. As OBIONE says though, get yourself a set of Eneloops.

Welcome, and enjoy!! BTW: can you please post some photos of these dancing pixies and the side-stepping hedgehogs??

It's more likely that insurance companies will offer "new-for-old" cover, but in any case, log your lenses by brand, focal length, and most importantly, serial number. If they were to get nicked, not only will your insurance be more likely to believe you owned them in the first place, Old Bill will be able to reconcile them when they catch the little sh.. - you know what's!

It's most likely that it's been junkies that broke into your home, as the goods nicked are highly sellable for a quick profit, so ask around your local boozers to see if your stuff's been offered there. Next port of call will be the local Cash Converters shops. Take any receipts (bearing equipment serial numbers) with you as proof of ownership. Most likely if CC has any of your stuff, you will have to call the police in, as they will no doubt argue that they took the goods in good faith (although they should ask to see evidence of purchase from these thieving little oiks!)

Finally, get in touch with Glover & Howe (there should be a banner ad for them on this site) and ask how they are likely to handle any claim for classic gear, but it's most likely they would replace any 35mm stuff with digital equipment, as the digital is easier to get hold of in today's market.