As Taz so elliquently puts it

So I bought myself a new bag, Lowepro Slingshot 202AW & a tripod Manfrotto 756B with a Manfrotto 701RC2 head, it's a video tripod, but I have read its good for photos too

Still pondering on a new 35mm lens

55mm fixed lens Nick. Great for portraits  2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

Not totally sure yet, but think I prefer 35mm look when comparing 35 or 55 shot using my kits lens

Not rushing into it, going to do some test photos with the zoom lock at either distance

What body are you using? cropped or full frame sensor? 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

Has someone been talking

I am intrigued why a video tripod, was it cheaper? Manfrotto are excellent, I have a 190PROB, can't remember which head, it's a ball head type.
Don't take it on a beach, they are a pain to strip and clean, any sand on the legs and they will stick, very close tolerances on the tubes.

Take time with the lens, looking forward to October, looking at some good spots, tripod will be very useful

Saw it on the bay, did a bit of home work, got good enough reviews, sounds like video are ok for photography, but have a fluid start stop for panning if you was filming etc

Using a Nikon D3100, so not full frame yet, never know a photo might get me the full frame in a compo I've entered

 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE

the sweet shop just been bought out

just placed my order for the new camera body, got a Nikon D7100 Body coming my way, with a excellent saving on high street prices as my sister in law friend works for Nikon

Hopefully the order won't take too long now, then its decide to sell the D3100 Body and batteries etc or keep them as a back up

MPB offered me what i thought was a reasonable sum, based on Exc++ condition and less than 20k shots

I've found Peter Walnes to give very fair prices on used camera gear. He took my Canon EOS1DS Mk3 and a whole load lenses etc for a very good price. His second hand gear is also exactly as described. No involvement, just a happy customer. https://secure.peterwalnes.com/

When I bought my D90, I kept my old D40 as a spare. Mainly because I'd get so little for it, it wasn't worth parting with it. Of course it's been used so often, and has been carried around in my bag so much, I'm really pleased I didn't sell it...

I could always loan it to my youngest daughter, who's doing a GCSE in photography. But I'd only end up with an insurance claim to arrange....