Thursday, 15 December 2011
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Friday, 25 November 2011
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Cheltenham Power Cuts 09.11.11
Cheltenham High Voltage Power Lines 25.10.11
Central Networks Power Cuts
Cheltenham’s power cuts this morning. Don’t be caught out, don’t have an electric shower, instead go for a mixer tap connection ! Lucky the kettle finished boiling, just. The UPS back up reminded me of the 23 hours spent restoring and rebuilding the PC on a previous occasion.
According to Central networks at 11.0am, power supply to a approx 1000 Cheltenham homes that are supplied via High Voltage cables was lost, switched and restored while they are still investigating the possible cause.
09.11.11
Power loss 7.38am
Power restored 7.44am
Power lost 8.57am
Power restored 8.58am
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4D Lens Used Equipment
Dale Photographic New & Used Equipment Specialists
Its never been a better time to take pictures. Choice in camera equipment seems unlimited but after several natural disasters this year hampering production and with demand still high it seems the inevitable is now a reality, “short supply. So who do you trust for a reliable service when buying on the internet or over the phone? A quick look on the web reveals some very odd prices but as the old saying goes, if it looks too good to be true then it probably is.”
A few years ago i came across Dale Photographic, by accident actually after trying to find a lens that many said they had but could not supply. They are a family run business that was formed in 1984, recognized by Nikon, Canon, Leica & Zeiss as a main dealer supplying both professional and amateur photographers from a real shop to visit and a virtual shop on the internet, selling worldwide. They offer a most comprehensive service for all your needs. In 1998 a website was launched selling only the best products available along with a second hand equipment section also proving very popular.
I always keep an eye on the used equipment page at Dale Photographic, they have some real bargains and then sure enough just as I was buying another product I noticed this one, a Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4D, used but perfect condition, it was, i grabbed it quick, it came the next day as usual, perfect. Popped it on an old Nikon D40 body I still cherish and set off through this autumn taking some landscape pictures. These lenses were produced as far back as 1986 and have lost none of that great Nikon quality we continue to see in new offerings. Of course the Nikon D40 has no motor built in like other bodies so you don’t get your auto focus, instead its manual focus all the way, did I miss it ? well, actually no I didn’t really. Part of taking a picture is actually what you see through the view finder ! With manual focus it’s a delight seeing how something comes into view. A connection lost with auto focus.
Nikon AF 50mm F/1.4D will auto focus on Nikon bodies D50 and above
So, if you have some equipment you have looked after and fancy a trade in, why not give Dale Photographic a call, I’m sure they will be only to pleased to give you a valuation.
One persons past is another persons future
Keep taking pictures
Andy Sharpe
Friday, 4 November 2011
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
Graham Hill 1974 BRDC International Trophy
Formula One Champion Graham Hill Remembered
1974 was special for several reasons, I was leaving school and about to go to College. In April I had the rare chance to see some of the great formula one drivers of the day at Silverstone in a meeting organised by the British Racing Drivers Club called the 1974 BRDC International Trophy and run alongside another formula called 5000. It represented a sort of Who’s who of Formula one racing. I went with my uncle and cousin who were both involved with cars and motor sport. I also took along my faithful camera I had been taking pictures with since childhood, Kodak Vecta 127. It resembled a plastic money box without the slot. It had a small peep hole in the corner called a view finder, no, joking aside I loved it as it was so light and simple. It used a paper film that you wound on carefully trying not to expose to any light on a sunny day and only took 8 pictures, although I seem to remember a 12 frame version along the way. The pictures were processed using a textured plastic coated paper which was quite new at the time, all the rage as holiday snaps were getting really popular with so many people going off on holiday to Pontins and Butlins. Flying off on package holidays abroad was just round the corner. The prints were also cheap to have processed and of dubious quality.
I remember the day out as it was sunny and not too windy as Silverstone usually is. We spent some time in the paddock and caught site of several famous drivers. It was a relaxed atmosphere allowing people to get close to the stars and their cars, then just as we got to the end of the pit straight inside Copse corner where a crowd had gathered, that famous, unmistakable helmet of Graham Hill appeared. I instantly crouched down to get my one picture, it was so special as Graham Hill was that larger than life character, charismatic, more like a film star than a racing driver and now nearing the end of his career. I took another picture of the team working on the cars in the paddock which I have just about salvaged. It has retained some of that bleached out discoloured look and almost impossible to lose that plastic textured finish the original print had but I think it shows a view on the day.
I have changed the picture of Graham Hill from colour to sepia as I have lost some sharpness in the copy of the aged print. It’s a shame I didn’t keep the negatives !
Car: Lola T370 V8 Cosworth
Team: Team Embassy
You may like to see a short film about one of our greatest racing drivers in action on You Tube
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Friday, 7 October 2011
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Monday, 3 October 2011
Stuart Walker 30.09.11 Britcar 24Hours, Porsche Club Championship / Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Race 1
30th September 2011
Britcar 24 Hours
Porsche Club Championship / Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Race 1
It was a pleasure meeting Stuart Walker in the paddock today just after his baptism at Silverstone. Better known for his rally exploits. Sat in his camper trying to cool down, adrenalin still high, with a full sweat on after once again England bathed in glorious sunshine this autumn. In between giving his young son hydration instructions for the next event, saying I need a bottle of water right up to the start and firing mental notes at his mechanic, i was instantly reminded of my days as a racing cyclist just after finishing a hard race, still buzzing, trying to come down but all the time the experience still live in the mind as it re-winds the tape and quickly makes decisions for the next event.
“This was my first time in a proper racing car” Knock Hill considered a more restricted circuit where you never get out of 3rd gear he quipped. Seeing his video on You Tube, nerves of steel come to mind on an altogether different day on a rain drenched circuit. “Some of these guys have been doing it for 5 years or so but this is my first time”. I also sensed that Porsche effect taking hold though, the passion, that special connection with man, machine and a great race circuit. Silverstone, still the true home of motor racing for my money anyway. Memories take me back to 1972 at a young age seeing the Interseries sports car event. Porsche teams most prominent, catching site of Leo Kinnunen coming into view, going through Woodcote after catching back markers at a staggering pace, 4 laps I think it was.
Day’s of thunder they were. Porsche 917 never forgotten.
Day’s of thunder they were. Porsche 917 never forgotten.
What was it like going though Abbey ? I said “it looks so fast when taking pictures at that spot, ” He smiled and said in that lovely Scottish borders accent “I only know the main straight, turn 90 right, then the wiggly wobbly bit, long straight, turn in, then fast 90 right, opens, keep in 3rd, 4th may lose the rear end”
We both smiled, rally days still firm in his mind.
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