It is a known fact that I love to own NIKON cameras and lenses, well they are exceptionally high quality so why wouldn’t I be?
Today I went out to have some breakfast after our weekly too early in the morning meeting. Before I sat down to eat a reasonably healthy breakfast I decided I should call in at one of my my favourite shops London Camera Exchange.
I started to look at some of their lenses and other equipment that were for sale mentioning my desire for a camera purely to do the occasional time lapse, so I looked at the second hand cameras that were for sale.
NIKON Z50 shouting my name
About 5 minutes later I left, with a new camera under my arm, I mean how many cameras can a man use? The Z50 did look lonely and I clearly heard it calling my name so I clearly had to, yes, had to buy that camera.
I had to explain the purchase to my wife, she doesn’t care to be fair, but that question ‘how many cameras do you need’ did pass her lips but thankfully we were distracted by the breakfast that was placed before us and all was forgiven.
I have had a funny feeling for the past few weeks, not too comfortable really.
Since the break up of F7.1, I have not had any contact with the guys, which is very sad as I have grown to enjoy their company whilst out on location.
Since about the Christmas period, there has been none from some and very little from one or two others.
So before the formation of the F7.1 group I would meet up with the occasional photographer, but I would predominantly go it alone, find the chosen location, plan, and execute. I have decided that I am going to return to that, depending on no one else again.
I will of course meet up again if asked and if I have nothing already planned and I hope those ‘invitations’ come but I will no longer try and arrange those meet ups.
I have, in honesty, even considered giving it all up, selling my equipment, and starting a more home-based hobby—stamp collecting, jigsaws, or just buy another mini lol. But I can not give up on the traveling and the photography!
Some things need doing before I start to venture out again, new glasses, van needs a service and most probably a few other important things thats escape me right now.
I recently tried to sell a Lens to WEX but that lens was rejected for mold within the glass. They ‘very kindly’ offered to have the lens disposed of, I rejected that offer and asked for it to be returned to me.
Once home I sent the lens straight to NIKON to be repaired, it left the house on Monday and was inspected today.
Today I have been contacted by NIKON who advised me that they have found nothing wrong with the lens and have asked for the email from WEX so they can investigate.
I have been told today that MPB have done this to their customers also, there seems to be a pattern.
Be careful guys, if you are told these companies find mold or fungus have it inspected by the manufacturer rather than take the word from these robbing cowboys.
One of my favourite places to photograph today is Cornwall, part of the country is simply outstanding in beauty. Nightfall / Sunset and sunrise produce some of the most beautiful opportunities from behind the camera.
Below is an image I took in sunset couple of years ago Saint Michael’s Mount as a gentleman left his fishing boat on the side of the shore as the tide retreated. The gentleman ran across the sound to catch his baskets so he could put his daily catch into them presumably to take home and eat, or to take to a local shop and sell for his own daily bread?
My trip to Knowlton Church on Friday proved to be rather successful. I think some of the images captured were rather good personally and the use of the drone, my first, has made a huge difference to the content of the vlog.
I the coming weeks I will resume adding photographs taken to the website, I seem to have little time at the moment, but here is a ling so you can at least see some of the photographs taken on Friday evening.
Please remember to leave your thoughts on YouTube :)
The white canopy being cleaned to maintain the high standards of the complex.
It’s great to see the owners of the Lakeside complex in Portsmouth demonstrating a strong commitment to maintaining an attractive and inviting environment for the businesses located there.
The significant investment in maintaining the grounds reflects a dedication to creating a positive and appealing atmosphere for employees and visitors.
The installation of solar panels is indeed a significant investment, as it can lead to long-term savings and environmental benefits. It’s important to consider the potential return on investment in terms of energy cost savings and eco-friendly advantages.
The solar panels are going to cover all of the parking zones. This means a massive area will be dedicated to the collection of solar energy.
The beauty of the surrounding area is truly something to be admired, as the grounds are always meticulously maintained, a source of great pride for the establishment. Even the sections I walked through, which aren’t typically frequented, are well-maintained and provided the backdrop for the majority of my images.
This complex offers a wide range of amenities for both employees and visitors to enjoy, including a small gym, a salon, a Subway restaurant, a shop, a cafe, and the beloved Starbucks. Whether it’s a quick workout, a relaxing salon visit, a convenient meal, or a delicious cup of coffee, there’s something for everyone to indulge in.
Anyway enough of my talking, please take a look at the images below and let me know your thoughts, please leave a comment below in the comments section.
More images to be added soon.
Click to enlarge.
The solar panels being installed around the parking areas.The work on the solar panel in the parking area is taking shape.Near the main entrance, welcoming workers every day.Gorgeous woodland in small patches near the main building.The trees are clearly cared for. Beauty wherever you look.In full bloomVisiting the Cafe for a snack.Geese can be seen often wandering around Lakeside.Even the bees enjoy visiting.Able to grow with ease because of the care provided.A large array of flowers.Even the material of the building is attractive.The white canopy, recently cleaned looks amazing.Beautiful woodlands at the back of the complex.beautiful light able to enter the grounds because of the care received.Careful where you walk, don’t end up in the lake.attractive surrounding everywhere.Did you know there was a tree tunnel?A feast is too easy to just ignore.
I purchased this memory card on Amazon just over a year ago.
On Saturday I was out with the camera in Cleveleys photographing Mary’s Shell when the card failed, the camera saying ‘unreadable’.
I have over the many years of owning the NIKON Z cameras purchased many XQD cards and this is to date the only one to fail and it is the newest one I own that is or was in use.
I have contacted the seller on Amazon, I have added their reply, below, for all to see which was not very helpful though it was expected. I am publishing this to give you a more educated view on the product before you spend your hard earned cash on what is obviously a poorly designed XQD card.
Sadly since my last trip to the shell some bright spark decided to place large boulders around the shell, probably to prevent it being moved by the harsh tides. The decision has killed a photography gem and probably reduced the tourism attraction at the same time as it now looks like a right mess.
As I have said, I think, the decision to place those huge rocks around the shell the shell is in my opinion no longer an attraction or subject to photographers, why would you design a anchor place underneath it so it maintains its attraction status?
The place now look as though it has been dumped there along with the rocks, believe it or not I have removed some of the mess and rock in the image taken on Saturday 27 April 2024 surrounding it and it still looks a right mess.
I could spend even more hours removing more of the rocks and other crap from around it but I would hate to advertise it for what it no longer is and entice other photographers to the location giving false hope. Sadly those days have gone.
See the last vlog I did from that location: Click Here
To celebrate my wife’s birthday (which is actually tomorrow) we took a trip to the majestic town of Lyndhurst in Dorset and I, as I always do, took a camera along for the day out.
The NIKON 1
The camera wasn’t the normal Nikon Z8 but the much smaller though very capable NIKON 1, a small 10 Pixel (or there about’s) camera.
I took the NIKON 1 as it is lighter, could be kept in my pocket and is perfect for those recce trips out when with the family at such stunning locations.
Lens wise, I only took the 10-30mm lens, again very capable and just right for what I had in mind for this trip.
I didn’t take too many, but you get an idea of the treats available on the right day to all having a camera by their side. Below are three of the photographs taken on the trip. Please share your thoughts below.
Paul W. Baker Photography 
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