If you are one of the regular visitors to the website you may have noticed on the equipment page that the amount of camera equipment has been reduced of late.

As I have said in the past, I have started to struggled somewhat with my legs and I am unfortunately unable to carry these large weights in my bag on my back any longer.

My recent visit to the Yorkshire Dales was the final nail in the coffin for such exploits, and as I am no longer a ‘spring chicken’ and my legs are well and truly done, I decided it was time to sell some of it on.

The equipment sold included the following:

• NIKON Z 50MM F1.2

• NIKON Z 35MM F1.8

• NIKON Z6 CAMERA

It was clear that carrying 3 cameras was simply no longer possible and the weight of the 50mm was as much as the two other items put together.

I sold them to MPB and got less than I had hoped if I am honest, but isn’t that always the case. I could have sold them on eBay and got more but to be honest I am fed up with people messing me about and eBay holding onto the funds until they feel fit to release them, even though the buyer states he / she is happy with the received product I sold on that platform.

Anyway, it was a very sad day when I boxed them back up and posted them out on Friday, I will now wait and see how long it takes for MPB to pay the agreed sum into my bank.

Thank you for reading

It’s a great shame that it’s come to this, but as I get older and my legs seem to get worse by the day and I am finding it harder to carry equipment around with me especially on my back.

The past weekend, whilst in the Yorkshire Dales, I struggled to walk with my back pack on and found myself leaving lenses behind in the van to make it easier for my legs which is not ideal. 

So, reluctantly, I’ve made the decision to reduce the amount of camera equipment that I own and carry around with me when I am out and about.

The Nikon Z6 (used for time lapses) as well as the NIKON Z 50mm F1.2 S lens, NIKON Z 30mm F1.8 lens are now surplus to requirement and I unfortunately feel the need to have to sell them all.

This means I would only be carrying two cameras instead of the three which I currently carry, I might even consider selling my vlogging camera the Nikon Z30 if I can find an alternative method of vlogging.

I would therefore also only have four lenses on most occasions to carry those being the NIKON Z 14-24mm F2.8, NIKON Z 24-70mm F2.8 and the NIKON Z 70-200mm F2.8 lenses with the x2 adapter and the NIKON Z 24-120mm F4 lens, probably still too many and too much weight, I guess I’ll find that out on my next trip out

I also have the NIKON Z 105 Macro which would only come out with me as and when required.

Well the conversion of the van got underway early last week and it has been a struggle if I am honest. My legs do like the positions I am forcing them in and I am unable to kneel so I am having to find ways around it and so far so good.

I am still not finished and I doubt I will be for a couple more weeks yet but I only have to lay a little more of the thermal underlay (there wasn’t enough in one box) and lay the ALTRO VINYL SAFETY FLOORING when it gets here in the next few days.

The hardship has been removing and replacing the cabinet (I collected that from Cardiff on Friday) and the read chairs/bed (I collected that from Bradford on Thursday). I can see that being more of a problem when it comes to putting them in once the Altro Flooring has been laid as it could easily tear.

Anyway, here are a few images of the progress so far, hopefully in sequence.

I can tell you that the rest of the thermal flooring and the Altro Flooring arrived this morning so I hope to have this all done in the coming days!

During the conversion I tried to make a Vlog showing the progress, unfortunately that let to an accident which you can watch on my YouTube channel by clicking on this link:

https://youtu.be/ctJHvBYrHjM

Monday 24th April 2023

The plan was to get the floor of the van finished over the weekend. Sadly the weather interfered with those plans and it will be done over the coming Bank Holiday weekend.

Once completed I intend to do a couple of local trips ensuring I have all I need in the van before I start to venture further afield.

I will continue to update you as the build progresses.

I have had a new Logo made professionally and would love your thoughts. It will be making it’s way into the new Vlogs as and when I am able to get out again.

I am hoping to also have it made /printed so it can be stuck to the van once I am on the road . . . . so keep an eye out and wave ;)

Well, I have done it. I have agreed to buy a van and I collect it this Saturday. This will enable me to travel further afield, sleep over in the van at locations with my camera and all the equipment I need to take those photographs I have been wanting to take for a very long time.

Time wise? Well I hope to have the van mostly ready by the end of April, although I intend to get out on the road within 10 day.

Yes, I am still having trouble with my legs, yes I am still in great pain in my knees but walking slowly with plenty of breaks will help, I am certainly not going to stop living . . . . . yet anyway!!

Some photographs of the Van taken today. 09/04/2023

I have today updated the links at the top of the page. The YouTube link will now take you to the new channel.

“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