“So why no new content” was the question asked.

I have to apologise first as I posted this on Facebook not realising that some of you guys are not on that platform.

I have been in Hospital and have had to undergo knee surgery. I am currently using this time to upload all the old content to the new channel during my recovery. I am doing 1 new video every 2 days which will mean I will run out eventually.

I am hoping to be back out in about 8 weeks, but I am being advised it could be 3 months.

Thank you for your understanding.

Paul

Unfortunately my YouTube channel had to be closed as I felt it was no longer secure for either myself or those that subscribe/view my content.

I have opened a new channel and have started to upload the old vlogs to the new channel so they can be watched should you wish to do so.

I have uploaded some new content also, they are the first to have been uploaded to the new channel so please scroll down to find them.

Thank you

Paul

I have now uploaded all the edited images to the website from my last trip out on Friday 6th January 2023. A great day out at a great location.

CLICK HERE

As you may know I purchased a SUNWAYFOTO Geared Head GH-PRO II just before Christmas 2022 and when it arrived I was very happy, it is very professionally made and very smooth when in operation.

Sadly the tripod took a tumble the other day, no great height and it landed on soaking wet and soft grass (I think it hit a stone) and the geared head was damaged.

The damage was limited to one of the gearings used to adjust the heads positioning. It is still fully functional but sadly it is bent and the handle used to rotate the gears and therefore operate the head broke off in the fall.

I wrote to the company via Amazon where I made the purchase, asking if I could return it so it could be repaired, not for free – I am more than willing to pay for any repairs, but they are saying it is too damaged, which is nonsense, clearly it can be repaired.

The problem (I think) is that it would have to be returned to China to be repaired and they are not willing to do that and maybe even carry out the repairs.

I have messaged them again asking that they reconsider and agree to do repairs, I will of course keep you up to date.

Thanks for reading

Paul

UPDATE: Monday 9th 23:00

I have tonight spoken to Amazon who tell me I am covered by their A-Z guarantee.

This means that if the 3rd Party (the seller) do not respond to Amazons request for the repairs to be carried out they (Amazon) will take full responsibility and give me a refund if they support my case.

I now have to wait up to 48 hours.

Paul

UPDATE: Thursday 12th 09:00

I have had a reply from the seller saying they will now pay for the repair I just have to post it to China, no address given to send it to as yet but hopefully that will come in the next 24 hours.

I have of course replied to them asking for that information.

So this could all end up good, i do hope so as like I said

There is nothing wrong with the Geared Head it was just the customer support. The question now is ‘how much will it cost to post to China?’ I will of course let you know

Thank for reading

Paul

Update: Monday 16th Jan 2023

I have had to go through Amazon yet again as the sellers have failed to provide a return address quoting a holiday as the reason. Amazon have contacted the seller and asked that they send the label telling me to give them 48hrs, if I do not hear from the seller by then I will get a full refund.

In that instance I have been looking at replacements, I have been tempted to just buy another but with their customer support being as bad as it is I think that would be a mistake.

The other is also made in China so I don’t know if that is another mistake I just guess I will find out.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Update: Monday 30th Jan 2023

I was told by Amazon that I should not contact the seller any further as they have failed on too many occasions to send me their address or a name of a person to address the package to.

I have to say I have tried countless times to get the required information but they have on every occasion ignored that request.

Amazon have said I will be getting a full refund from the seller, as yet that has not happened so I wait on that. But I have fount a potential replacement (right) although again it is to come from China all be it a different company – supposedly.

I am hoping this will all be over in the coming days, but I will wait to hear from Amazon and let you know.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Update: Wednesday 01st Feb 2023

I can tell you that I have received the OK to return the head today with a return label. I will be returning it in the coming days and purchasing a replacement as soon as I receive the credit.

Paul

Update: Thursday 09th Feb 2023

I don’t know if I have done the right thing but it was sort of forced upon me.

Those living in the UK will know that the Post Office is not sending international mail at the moment due to a hack on their computer systems.

When I took the head to be returned they sent us away saying they were unable to accept it currently.

I contacted SUNWAYFOTO GH-PRO II explaining the situation and they offered me a replacement for £140- which I have accepted.

This now means I will have a replacement Geared Head in my possession when I have recovered from my knee surgery in about 6 weeks time which is important.

Your thoughts? Have I mad the right call?

Update: Wednesday 22nd Feb 2023

That is it, I am pleased to report that I have recieved my replacement Geared Head and I am very pleased.

I have to admit I am not sure I would have accepted another of these had it not been for the postal strike and the issue at the post office sending packages internationally.

The whole affair was unfortunate in the endbut I have to take my hat off to SunwayFOTO they did all they could to keep me happy.

Anyway, it is now done, and I am really looking forward to getting out once again.

Thank you for reading

The New Head above

Sorry, I have just noticed that the permissions section to allow comments on the BLOG was switched off. I have changed that so please feel free to leave a friendly comment :)

All the nasty unwanted and unfriendly comments will be removed so as to protect the innocent amongst us.

Well, even if it is potentially just the one day.

It has taken a while but as I have no date for my surgery, mine operation was cancelled at the last minute yesterday, I have decided to postpone my self imposed isolation period and I am venturing out again tomorrow with my cameras.

It has been a long while since my last trip out and I am really looking forward to it, and it is an exciting location too, should get some really good photographs.

I have to now try and remember all the tools of the trade and try not to forget something silly, important and probably small. Going to be spending my day packing as I am leaving really early. Might even get to use the NIKKOR MC 105 Z wouldn’t that be nice.

So, watch this space, images will go up over the weekend at some point.

Having now purchased the NIKKOR Z MC 105MM lens I can go looking for those Micro photography subjects that have fascinated me for a long time. With this cold spell now in full flow and the frost clinging to the woodlands I can try and get some of the more intricate shots.

Well, after much discussion and persuasion I have joined Vero. I found that unless you sought sponsorship and boosts on Instagram your followers kept dropping and trying to keep them as I wanted was proving to be an impossible task. The platform is also very limited in what you can do so although I have not left Instagram I am moving over and away from it. The link to my page can be found on the header of the page to the right of the Twitter logo or you can use the following address:

https://vero.co/paulwbaker

I hope to see you there :)

I have at long last found the time to include the photographs taken during my recent visit to Munich, Bavaria. Wonderful, beautiful place.

https://www.paulwbaker.photography/munich

Yesterday I purchased the NIKKOR Z 24MM – 120MM F4 S lens to replace the 24MM – 200MM which was sold today. Although I found the lens decent i was getting frustrated with its limitations and decided to change it.

The downside of the change is obviously the loss in focal length but the gains are much more important, the quality of the lens and photographs being the most important, well I guess that remains to be seen.