I think the concept of "designer" is all about having a product either designed by a "well-known" designer, or "brand-endorsed" by that designer. It is then seemingly the task of the media/fashion industry to determine who that "designer" should be. It's difficult to know where the term crept in, since in the mid-70's, Vivienne Westwood (along with Malcolm McLaren - he of the Sex pistols notoriety) was "merely" a designer of punk fashion, which was basically old clothes and bondage chains! Nowadays, Westwood is deemed to be a "designer" brand. In conclusion, I think something only becomes "designer" when a product is "endorsed" by the latest Hollywood celebrity, or a member of our Royal Family. Up until a couple of years ago, Jenny Packham was a designer - now, since Princess Katie has worn her stuff, Jenny Packham is a "designer" (the quotation marks seem to give the term an elevated status). Marc Newson may have been a name I seen on passing by, but perhaps this pouch is the launchpad to him receiving the same elevated status...

Me??.. I'll stick to my 3 for £10 ASDA polo Shirts!!.. You can keep your £100 Ralph Lauren Polo shirts, thanks!!

I found this on the following website - link

Although it refers to a different Pentax model, the error code is the same. It suggests a professional repair, as it's not something you can fix yourself.

I was always of the understanding that a flashgun was at its most effective at distances of between 5-15 feet. That being the case, do you think that you will get within that distance to photograph your subjects, and if so, will your flash cause a "distraction" to the athletes?

I think a better option would be to shoot at a higher ISO than normal, in action mode.

I won't bother asking for a translation, Rab... Ah'm a Weegie in exile!!

Nicola Benedetti, I believe!!??...

Aye - Jim Kerr's got a fine pair of moobs right enough!!

Great shots, Gary! Years ago, you could buy posters of your fave band (I don't know if you still can - it seems to me images of the NYC skyline and the likes). I reckon most of these images would make great posters!

Nah!!.. The jammy git will win the lottery before me if he does that!!

Gareth - as you may (or may not) recall, I work for a courier company that specialises in the import and export on behalf of the garment industry. One such company in Hong Kong that manufactures underwear and lingerie (for example) is called CERIE INTERNATIONAL. They manufacture for George @ ASDA, Ann Summers/Knickerbox, and an exclusive label for Sheridan Ferdenzi. Now, can somebody explain to me how George can sell these garments for a fiver, when virtually the same thing costs at least 10-20 times that amount for the Ferdenzi stuff?? Surely the quality of the material is similar, as the QC department will have certain tolerances they must work from, including the quality of the raw cloth?

As you rightly point out, "designer" in this sense is a flagrant abuse of the english language!!

Steve - maybe your luck will change if you change your nickname from SNAPPYCHAPPY to something else. I think a "higher power" has mistaken the "snappy" bit to mean that you are forever breaking things!!

Seriously, on a brighter note - maybe your insurers will consider your damaged K5 as "beyond reasonable economic repair", and send you out a nice, shiny new one!!

Horst - I can send you a bag with an "exclusive" label... My missus has loads of Harrods carrier bags lying around at home!!