US: try Adorama Cameras in New York or B and H, also in New York.

K.

If he is happy with second hand stuff:
Horseman LE for about 300
Three lenses with lensboards and shutters 1000 (I was lucky and got mine for less)
Bag bellows and bellows 100
tripod/cable release 150
spotmeter 150
darkslides 100
dark cloth 40
BTZS developing tubes 100
other darkroom essentials 100
5x4 capable flatbed scanner 350

Total 2,200 which leaves 2,800 for film.

Actually, there is a serious point to this. How can you buy stuff until you know what you want to achieve, and what you like? I would tell him to buy a K7 two lens kit (with the 55-300mm), a tripod, some polarizers and a remote release and then go away and take photos. After a few months he'll be saying "I wish I could get closer", "the lens isn't wide/long enough", "I wish it was lighter", "I wish the IQ was better..." and then we can start feeding his LBA. To start off with a monster lens like the Bigma will just cause grief.

K.

I'm pretty close too although between the archaeological society and an American girlfriend I tend to be away/busy a fair bit.

K.

As my collection of cameras has grown I find myself deliberately using a specific camera because I haven't used it for a while, or deliberately using a specific lens for the same reason. I must admit that I rarely use older zooms any more but I try to give all the primes a bit of a work out.

Logic and sense dictates that you should sell them. I, personally, would find it difficult as I am a bit of a hoarder mainly of books, CDs and Pentax camera equipment.

That little lot would fetch a good price, the FA 135mm is not a common beast!

Best wishes, Kris.

Since I got my K20D I haven't even turned the K10D on...

K.

It'll be an interesting project and a challenge Paul, I look forward to seeing the results. I have a fascination with War Memorials and was contemplating a similar project. I find bronze statues/monuments quite a challenge as they are so dark that getting good lighting and exposure is difficult and then people get in the way. It is the sort of thing that works well at dawn but I am not really a dawn sort of person...

One monument that fascinates me is the Edith Clavell one just off Trafalgar Square, partly for the back story, and partly for the design of the monument. I have yet to get a shot that is anything better than a tourist snapshot although it isn't something tourists photograph.

Good light and we look forward to the results.

K.

Lovely series especially the tractor one. Not so keen on the two sheds in colour, probably because of the blank featureless sky.

Best wishes, Kris.

I especially like the first and last shots, very nice.

Forget-me-nots are rather poignant for me. I have a painting of them done by a very good friend of mine who died at the age of 40. She was an extremely talented and lovely lady and every time I see those flowers I think of her. Forget-me-nots indeed.

K.

The way you keep plugging that M 28 f/3.5 the price is likely to go through the roof! Even I am thinking of getting one and I have already got an S-M-C 28mm f/3.5 and a SMC-A 28mm f/2.8 let alone various zooms that cover that range including the 28-50mm.

K.