Go along, see what you think, maybe your suppositions will be wrong.

I'm not a Freemason, btw, but I do believe on finding out the facts for myself before jumping to conclusions.

If you need to ask, you must have a lot of money in the bank, or very low living expenses.

Based on my personal observations of UNITE, I'd steer clear.

Let us know what happens, and best of luck.

We like the Azad Manzil, on Barlow Moor Road, but that's not in Rusholme.

I'd say stick with the Canon or Nikon, not because I'm a snob, but because if like me you will look to buy extra lenses etc second hand you will probably find more of a choice with the big two brands. Alternatively you could buy a very good second hand body for your budget, but I'd stick to buying from a shop or talkphotography rather than Ebay if you go this route. Something like a D40 body would probably cost a couple of hundred quid, leaving you a bit of a budget for a decent flash and maybe a couple of lenses. If you want to upgrade in a year or two you'll easily sell the body.

I've just bought a tripod from here – I went for the ball head option, and I'm very happy with it. If you are a TP member you get a 10% rebate apparently, too.

Too many to list really, it's my 30th year of gig-going this year. Highlights that spring to mind are Radiohead (can't pick a best gig from the 18 times I've seen them so far) Tom Waits in Dublin, Flaming Lips in Manchester, Prince @ Earl's Court, Bjork @ Brixton (1991 ?), Happy Mondays (Brixton), Grandaddy (Oxford Zodiac), Felice Brothers (Mcr), Primal Scream (best was on the Xtrminator tour, Zodiac) etc etc

I fart badly if I drink instant coffee, so I try and steer clear of it. Decent espresso is so much nicer anyway.

1. The Strokes – Is This It – Great, but not the best, surely ?
2. The Libertines – Up The Bracket – can't comment, haven't heard it
3. Primal Scream – XTRMNTR – Fantastic, the best Primal Scream album by miles
4. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever (can't be arsed with them / it)
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever To Tell – don't own this, but I'm prepared to accept it as a contender
6. PJ Harvey – Stories From The City,- deffo in my top 10 of the decade
7. Arcade Fire – Funeral – overblown pap with moments of genuius
8. Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights – not heard it, will give it a go
9. The Streets – Original Pirate Material – a "landmark" album, but one of the best ? Really ? With three Flaming Lips albums to go at this decade ?
10. Radiohead – In Rainbows – By some distance the most remarkable album I've heard this decade. Should be number 1 IMHO.

As the previous poster says, try and buy a UV or Daylight filter to protect the lens. However, the 10 – 20 will see the rim of the filter at 10mm, so try and buy the thinnest rimmed filter you can – Hoya Pro UV or similar. A CP (or circular polariser) will add detail to skies etc and take way a lot of glare, but at 10mm your lens will show a dark corner, and also some "vignetting" (Google it) – again try to buy a thin rimmed filter. ND filters will reduce the amount of light allowed through the lens, which lets you use a longer shutter speed (if you want to give the impression of movement etc, eg waterfalls with flowing water). Start with a UV, then buy a CP, and go from there.

I tried to walk out of AI, but I was on an aeroplane at the time.

Actually most of that was after 4pm, so my day has been rather weighted towards the back end.

Ridden 21 miles, set up a photographic business with a mate, drunk most of a bottle of Pinot Noir and accepted an invite to a NAIM demo tomorrow evening.

Apocalypse now, Godfather 1 or 2, or Fargo probaly

Why don't you just post it on the classifieds on here instead of the chat forum ?

Last time I saw The Last Waltz I thought it was amazing. Lots of time for Stop Making Sense though.

Forum name is a bit odd

Real name is dull Facebook image

Don't bin it, give it to someone for a charity donation.

I like George Lamb, but he's a one trick pony that could only last for so long. I look forward to Lauren though ;-)

Glad you're happy with your bike, but my company told me exactly the same thing, and I ended up with a Cannondale through Leisure Lakes. Every time I spoke to someone on the Bikescheme I got a different answer, so I carried on until I got the answer I wanted, then ordered the bike I wanted !

Halfords were absolutely useless at every point.

I use them in the summer, they are crap in the winter as the prescription insert fogs up. Yellow lens is good in low light.

I have some race blades, but the angle of the rear triangle means they don't sit in the right place. Are the SKS different ?

I'd take a wide angle (I use a Sigma 10 – 20 but the Tokina you mention is well regarded) and your 18 – 200. Just don't forget the CP filters !

lol at NickC, my thoughts exactly

aye, top band…

Looking at what you've recently sampled I heartily suggest The Felice Brothers.

si_progressivebikes – Member

anyone listen to george lamb?

Yes, me for one. Excellent radio, only problem is that this week the show has been followed by Richard Bacon, filling in for the excellent Cerys Matthews.

Those of you complaining about Moyles should give Richard Bacon a try – you'd soon realise how bad things can really get !

Have a lovely day on Saturday, and thanks for posting

Commuting by bike, 21 miles a day

Very few drivers actually get paid by the teams to drive. Most of them bring sponsorship to the teams and take a cut of this as their wage. Last time I heard (a couple of years ago, admittedly) only three drivers in the WRC were being paid to drive.

Another shout for Pistonheads, particularly if it's a sporty or prestige car. Free too.

Must be just me that hates "Stairway to Heaven" then ? Absolute tosh (admittedly nicely played). Can't abide it. And I'm a Zeppelin fan.

Ian Brown album gets better after a couple of listens but is by no means a classic.

Killers album is poor, agreed

All best wishes from me too.

Wayne Coyne or Joe Perry for me….

Guess you've been Halif****d

2.3 engines suffer from strainer blockage too. I speak from personal experience.

Going to Manchester, third time I've seen them, I couldn't be more excited. Silver Trembling Hands is a belter, it's going to be a great night…

I've done a bit of trawling, and I was a bit under. On the Bay of E,

Mission 782's sell for about £150
DAD3 without the upgrade £200
Cyrus pre amp (couldn't find 7.5) £150 ?
Power amp £150 ?

Cables & old headphones thrown in, I wouldn't reckon on 8 year old headphones being worth a lot, irrespective of the new price now. £500 for the lot would seem fair to me. It's nice to know my Cyrus gear is worth something… Have you listened to the setup ? I love mine (DAB8, CD8X, PreVS2 & 8 Power with Dynaudio audience 52's) but some people can't get along with Cyrus.

Unless I misread the thread the op isn't the seller, he's looking at what to offer to buy the items listed.

FWIW I wouldn't pay any extra for the cables.