Siz

I go by reputation, both as seller and buyer. It has to be faultless, and there has to be enough of it. I don't care too much whether it is a 'professional' seller with a shop or a private individual. The pros may be safer in theory, as have more to lose if their reputation is knocked. But this needs to be balanced against the fact that their prices will be set to make a profit (after eBay's cut). So it comes down to whether or not you think it is worth paying the implied premium. Never really had any bad problems. I did once buy quite and expensive lens that was not as described (Oly 75 described as immaculate but turned out to have quite bad scuff marks on the casing edge). But I can't complain too much, because I made the decision to keep it rather than send it back for a refund. And if you go through the Italian postal system, you need a stout heart. But other than that, I have bought and sold quite a lot through eBay quite happily.

Scary story! Do you know what this seller's feedback figures look like?

I am currently in the middle of an experiment that might give a solution. I bought an inexpensive grip but found the front grip not substantial enough and the anodised aluminium finish too slippery. What I am doing is building up the front grip using a type of modelling clay that air dries. To provide something for the clay to adhere to, I first put some anti-slip tape on the front grip (course sandpaper type surface on one side, strong adhesive on the other). So far so good. Once the clay has dried, I will need to finish with something. I am not sure what I will use. Maybe grip tape designed for bicycle handlebars, or for racquet sports. Or even carbon fibre vinyl decal for cars / autos. But the leather idea also sounds good.

Keep out of the reach of grandchildren. I keep my kit in a camera bag most of the time if for no other reason than it is convenient to do so. I also have little packets of descant in with my cameras and in the lens pouches. As Milandro suggests, depending on where you live, this might not be necessary; but it is zero effort and minimal cost to do, so why not? Keep out of the reach of grandchildren.

I think that you are going a step too far with the body cap thing. Just don't hang about (and don't try it in the rain, on a boat or drunk). What I have found to be pretty quick is this: Have somewhere to rest your lenses unscrew the cap from New lens, but do not remove it completely (just rest it on the top of the lens) Pick up camera and remove Old lens and put it down somewhere, camera body pointing down transfer the lens cap from New lens to Old lens - don't bother screwing it on attach New lens to camera put down camera and screw on cap to Old lens. What I would like to get better at is doing it one-handed. This will enable me to keep one hand on the bike's handlebars if I am going round a really tight corner* Siz *not really.

This does not seem a bad decision to me. As a general rule I never take more than 2 lenses with me, and have found that outdoors the 10-24 and 18-135 are an excellent combination. Both get a lot of use, and throughout their ranges. Indoors / low light I tend to choose 2 from the 23, 35, 56, and 90. But if I was forced to reduce the number of lenses I could lose the 35 and, if someone held a gun to my head, the 90 (which is a fantastic lens but for me a bit of an indulgence). So my cut down lens collection that my experience shows I would be very happy with is the 10-24, 18-135, 23 and 56 (although I would cry at night thinking about the 90). Swap the 23 for the x100s and we have arrived at pretty much the same place.