There's an ugly rumour that this camera is about to be superseded. If you're a gear freak this might put you off buying it, however there's been another more interesting effect. You can now get a grey import for just over 600 quid for the body which will leave you a bit of cash to buy some decent glass to put in front of it. I bought the camera and a Tamron f 2.8 17-50mm standard zoom (v.c version) and I'm very pleased with both my purchases. I've taken photos on and off for most of my life. My first DSLR was a Canon eos 300d which took great photographs, however it was a bit slow to start up, there was a noticeable shutter delay and the supplied kit zoom gave up the ghost after a… Read more
Another 12 years on since publication Gribbin and Cherfas' thesis that chimpanzees and gorillas may be descended from a man like ancestor still doesn't seem to have gained much hold amongst either scientists or the public. That's a shame because as argued here their case seems to me to be very convincing. On the other hand they do point out that scientific theories are more likely to be believed by people who are already prejudiced in their favour and nobody is telling me that physicists and chemists (who can do sums) aren't cleverer than palaeontologists (who for the most part wear silly hats, at least when they appear on television) To be serious though this is good accessible pop… Read more
A bit of a strange one this. It's a series of three linked novellas each one focussing on a different character associated with a London pub. Though written in the late 20's and early 30's the style seems older than that, almost Victorian. The mainly working class cast are portrayed with sympathy and understanding but the Author's use of a lofty viewpoint and rather ponderous humour sometimes make the tone seem patronising. The more I read the more intrusive this seemed and it significantly affected my enjoyment of the book. I much preferred MacLaren Ross' "Of Love and Hunger" which manages to be funny on a similar subject without appearing quite so misanthropic. The stories themselves… Read more
