I think they may just wear out not dry out, someone may correct me but I understand that the pad's coated with a unique carbon
compound and there's no moisture involved. I guess that coating can't last forever.
The Lenspen people claim 500 cleanings and that carbon molecules have the ability to absorb large quantities of oils & contaminants.

http://www.lenspen.com/home/

I'm amazed at where this thread finished up, poor old zuzanne just asked if an upgrade from Win7 to Win8 was a good idea..

Don't get it wet ! There's a specific warning from the manufacturer about using a Lenspen on anything damp as it wrecks the tip...
and don't breathe on the glass either, lenses should be seen but not huured :)

Hope you didn't test the brush on your skin ! Picks up the grease and oil and that transfers to your precious glass. I don't understand why Lenspen don't supply a cover for the bristle end.

Who organised the lighting for you Dave ? Just perfect with the dark cloud background. Looks like a painting and one of the nicest Lanc pictures I've seen. Well shot.. You done good..

A Black-shouldered Kite sitting at the top of my pine tree, quite a way off and this was as close as I could get. Old school 400mm manual focus Nikkor, no stabilizer, hand held. I think this one looks like a juvenile, just a little fluffy.. Love the early morning light.
Merry Christmas to all, especially you snow bunnies out there. Forecast temp for Christmas day where I am, 40C (104F) Oh joy..not..

Too late LRF.... Works a treat. :-D

Brickpod Mk47

Oh no, not trigonometry, my brain hurts....
I shall immediately order a small brick wall.. :)

Merry Christmas Trev.

I just Googled the GH-200, looks like a great system especially with the panning head.

Steer clear of Vinyl Dan, way too shiny and reflective and doesn't hang well, not sure that it'd be made wide enough either. Muslin is what the pros use. Nick off down to a fabric suppliers and find an off cut in a colour you like of anything that doesn't crease easily and is fairly heavyweight. Width is always a drama and you may have to sew pieces together to get enough width. The girls that work in those places know stuff and they'll help you choose. If you can leave it hanging all the better, the creases drop out. Cheap way out is hessian from a garden supply place, a bit rustic..

Now you tell me !!

Good move !! I've been asked to do a few weddings in my time and always refuse. If they are friends I'll usually offer to stand around with a long lens and pop off candid shots of guests. This way the 'happy couple' get to see things that were happening while they were otherwise engaged (pardon the pun). Plus there's really no pressure on you to perform.. Once the champagne begins flowing the camera goes back in it's bag and it's party time...

Just for something different this is one of my Slik AF-2100 pistol grip ball-heads. As you can see it's had a bit of a hard life, this one's about thirteen years old and has quite a few miles under it's belt. It still functions perfectly. I simply couldn't be without them, I have two, one on each tripod. They lock down hard and are very stable providing you remember a little physics. Long lenses should have a collar mount and they should be balanced otherwise leverage comes into play.
Average price seems to be about a hundred bucks.
I put one of the removable collars/feet on each long lens and each camera body for fast changes. Works really well for me.

SLIK AF-2100


Mounting plate/collar


Easy transition to vertical view

Thanks for looking and the comments guys, always appreciated.
Merry Christmas to all and a happy and safe 2013.
For those of you sitting in snow, here in Perth they've forecast 40C for Christmas day... Oh joy. :(

Nice pic especially with the pilot boat.
Just wondered whether you're using a polarizing filter as the sky looks a little uneven.
Personally I feel that a polarizer is never a great idea on wide lenses.
Now we need a shot with the tablecloth hanging over the mountain. Go get it... :)