I think a PM to the seller is sensible if the price seems too high. I might have a view on price but if I'm wrong I wouldn't want to put other potential buyers off by posting in the thread.

I can see an argument for protecting potential buyers by pointing out prices that are too high but it's a subjective area and could be open to abuse.

Can I keep adapters etc?

If so I think it would be the FA43 which could be combined with extension tubes/a Raynox adapter for macro.

I would cry when I went on a wildlife holiday though...

Thanks guys.

My budget is fairly small - I was originally looking at just a cable but after I saw the cost of those I started thinking that I might as well buy a radio trigger.

I would only use it infrequently and don't have plans for significant studio lights or multiple flashes.

I'll have a look at the strobist website and the products you guys have suggested.

Cheers

WG

Just wondering what people's recommendations were for off camera flash. I'm using a gx20/k20d with a Metz 48 at the moment and have been toying with getting a flash extension cable or a wireless system of some kind to fire the Metz. Does anyone have any thoughts on which approach is best, or can anyone recommend particular products? Cheers. wg

I think John's point was that, although you can use the rules to operate this way, it's not a particularly honest way to behave.

There is a risk for the retailer that an individual will take advantage of the laws by behaving dishonestly but that doesn't mean you should do it.

Put another way - would you be happy to receive your new "unused" (your words) K5 only to discover it has actually been used by someone? If you return your K5 the way you have suggested someone will get your partially used K5.

How to use close-up macro filters?

Remove from lens. Place in bin...

Sorry, I'm being facetious

But I have never had any luck with them. I have always found that they distorted the image, reduced contrast, and increased flare/ghosting. I found better results from cropping.

Having said that, I have heard good things about the Raynox close-up filters.

Alterntive macro methods (that don't involve buying a specific lens) are to use extension tubes or reverse mounting a lens.

Just so people aren't put off making Kingfisher an offer because I expressed an interest, I've withdrawn. Been reviewing some of my 43 photos and I don't think I can part with it.

The 31 will have to wait for the lottery win...

I'm a big advocate of GIMP - for a free open-source program it's great value

I have PSE9 and rarely use that in preference to GIMP (only for context aware fill, really). GIMP is aimed at the full Photoshop program rather than Elements (with more fine cotrol over adjustments such as curves).

You do need to put a bit of work in and add your own plug-ins for things like unsharp mask though.

WG

Hmm, it is tempting. I have a black MIJ 43 and I absolutely love it. I've heard great things of the 31 though so I am tempted.

What sort of price difference are you after and do you have any more details of your 31 (MIJ? When bought? Boxed? Any pictures taken with the lens?)

Cheers

WG

I know I shouldn't be surprised but I was a bit dissapointed to see this on the Guardian website:

link

Headlined as "Best buys for wildlife photographers" but really just listing the latest Canon and Nikon cameras and their pro wildlife lenses. No attempt at any comparisons or alternatives - just the opinion of Chris Gomersall.

If they're going to recommend the Nikon D7000, 300mm f4 and teleconverter for £2,041 they may as well recommend the Pentax K5, DA* 300mm f4, and Kenko converter for £1,752.

(ok, so maybe the Kenko converter isn't quite up to the quality of the Nikon one. I don't know.)