andrew_fedon

<p>Went to Wales last weekend, steam gala special weekend. Here's some of the lovely locos that were running.<br> Early morning steaming up, getting ready for a busy day running between Welshpool and Llanfair.<br> D700, 85mm, iso800, 1/400, f/7.1<br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_7256.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="480" /></p> <p>Joan, being watered and oiled<br> D700 , iso800, 56mm, f/5.6, 1/160<br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_7300.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p> <p>The locos were illuminated in the evening allowing for some unusual photo opportunities.<br> D700, iso6400, 45mm, 1/30, f/5.6<br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_7214.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p>

<p><em><strong>Matt</strong></em>, love the shot with people at the end of the runway, but where is the boundary security fence between the people and the runway ?<br /> <em><strong>Chip,</strong> </em>nice sky shot, what exposure ?<br /> <br />At Shorham airshow previous weekend, the guy enjoying the show from the wing of the Spitfire caught my eye and this is the result. The day started great, but ended in tragedy though in front of my eyes. 11 people lost their lives when the Hawker Hunter crashed onto the crowded motorway with the sad loss of all those lives. A truely terrible experience.<br /> D700, iso 1250, 170mm, f/18, 1/250<br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_6926.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p> <p>The previous weekend at Duxford airfield during a non-airshow, normal museum day, this was some of the activity going on.<br /> D700, iso 200, 85mm, f/11, 1/80<br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_6672.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="474" /><br /> D700, iso200, 85mm, f/16, 1/60<br /><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_6645.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p>

<p>Last Sunday went to a wonderful airfield called Old Warden where the Shuttleworth Collection of vintage aircraft are housed. It was an evening display and by the time the aircraft had finished flying it was well into the night. The light coming from the hangers as the aircraft were being put away fascinated me and these are three of the resulting shots.</p> <p>The Comet racer, won the 1934 England - Australia air race, and here is she is today fully restored and flying, now being gently put away for the night.<br> <strong>D700, iso6400, 1/30, f/11, 56mm nikkor 24-85mm</strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_6572x.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /><br> <strong>1/30, f/9, iso6400, 42mm </strong>The Hurricane being put away<br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_6578.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="459" /><br> <strong>1/30, f/8, 6400, 42mm </strong>Final check being closing the doors<br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_6587.jpg" alt="" width="453" height="700" /></p>

<p>Dieter, love the smiley face on that boat lil'toot. Not quite nocturnal, but end of day near sunset, trying to get a few landings into the near sunset at London's busy Heathrow on Sunday evening, with all the obstacles that that entails. Enjoying the freedom of mobilty that the older mirror lenses allow. The slight vignetting is not the lens, but due to the tight opening of the fences and gate which I have to poke the lenses through, not always giving a totally clear view. Here's a sample of my efforts.</p> <p><strong>D700, 1000mm Nikkor mirror, iso2500, 1/8000, f/11</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4868.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="450" /></p> <p><strong>D700, Tamron 500mm mirror, iso1600, 1/8000, f/8</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4917.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="463" /></p> <p><strong>D700, Tamron 500mm mirror, iso3200, 1/500 f/8</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_5122.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p>

<p>So many wonderful photos here today I hardly know where to begin. I travelled to faraway Wales last weekend to seek out this delightful steam railway that ran through the Welsh countryside. And it was worth the effort.<br> <strong>D700, iso 800, 1/60, f/20, 38mm on the 24-85 nikkor</strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4520.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p> <p>Some water, and a little bit of oil..........<br> <strong>iso 800, 1/250, f/14, at 60mm</strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4465.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p> <p>the beautiful Welsh countryside whilst chugging along in a steam train<br> <strong>iso 800, 1/320, f/9, at 24mm</strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4409.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p>

<p>Lovely shots Dieter. Ok, so flying things it is. Coventry airport last weekend. Classic air force open day. An old non flying Avro Shackleton was to be run up for the crowds. Was worth going just to see, and hear, that.<br /> Running in full harmony, three out of four, one would not cooperate unfortunately. <br> <strong>D700, iso160, f/13, 1/160, 38mm</strong><br> <strong> </strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4310.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <br /> Six blades to each engine, swinging the props prior to start up to circulate the oil</p> <p><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4293.jpg" alt="" /><br /> Another crew member outside watching over the engines in direct contact with the cockpit.</p> <p><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4322_1.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><strong>@ Ilkka Nissila</strong>, thanks for the comment, its not called 'steam weekend', I just meant a weekend of steam. Its actually called the 'Epping and Ongar Railway', very easily accesible from London and you can get there by public transport easily. They run every weekend, check them on their website, and you can just go and watch, or go for a ride for a small fee. Well worth a visit if you are in London. My previous ones were from the 'Leighton Buzzard narrow gauge railway', about an hour from London, just north of Luton. Again they run every weekend. Feel free to ask me anything you want know about them.</p> <p><strong>@ Lex Jenkins,</strong> nice photos, but check your photos from last week, I think you've double posted.</p>

<p>Greetings to all. Well, reflection no , but iron plenty of. Steam weekend again, with lots of steaming moments. Here's a few samples to enjoy.<br /> About to leave the station<br /> <strong>D700, iso800, 75mm on the 24-85mm, f/10, 1/400</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4116.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="469" /></p> <p>out in the woods, chugging away past me,<br /> <strong>iso 3200, 52mm, f/7.1, 1/800</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4163.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="490" /></p> <p>its dirty work, but someone's gotta do it'<br /> <strong>D700, iso 3200, 85mm on the 24-85, 1/250, f/5</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_4248.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="472" /></p>

Thank you Peter, and you are absolutely spot on with all your observations. This one is visible only because the guys in the signal box invited me up, and its behind the main platform and not very visible normally. There is another one, in not so bad state, which I may post if you like. Have you been there ? May go this weekend again as i see on their website there will be some more visiting locomotives.

<p>Recently visited another steam railway near London. This rusted hulk was sitting in the nearby back ground rusting away, never to blow steam again. Pity, she was very big and once very proud.<br> D700, iso800, 1/160, f/13, 75mm on the 24-85</p> <p><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3857x.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="471" />D</p>

<p>Shun, lovely photo of the hummingbird. So here's my bird photography this week. In London's Hyde Park last weekend, feeding the squirrels from my left hand whilst trying to get a photo of them on my hand with camera in the right hand. This bold Robin took a fancy to the brazil nuts and decide to get in on the act. An unexpected bonus for me !<br /> <strong>The unexpected visitor, D700, 85mm on the 24-85mm at macro setting, 6400iso, 1/640, f/5</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3993s.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="491" /></p> <p><br /><strong>The intended guest of honour making a sneak attack from overhanging branch, D700, 85mm macro, iso2500, 1/250, f/7.1</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3986s.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="482" /></p>

<p>Steam trains, aka choo-choo trains, hold a special fascination for me. This is a narrow gauge vintage 1917 loco that runs in Leighton Buzzard, north of London that I popped up to admire last weekend.<br> <strong>D700, iso 3200, 35mm Nikkor 24-85mm</strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3809_1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /><br> <strong>D700, iso 4000, 60mm, f/10, 1/500</strong><br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3779.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p>

<p>Happy new year to everyone. Some nice photos from everyone. Did a bit of spotting at London City few days ago, and these are couple of shots of that day. Enjoying a new lease of life with some old mirror lenses, and this is the result.<br /> <strong>D700, 1000mm Nikkor Mirror, iso6400, 1/500th</strong><br /> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3232.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="460" /></p> <p><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3241.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="469" /></p>

<p>Hi Guys. Been a few years since I last posted, so he we are again. Always found foxes to be fascinating and beautiful animals, and probably one of the most elusive to photograph. Here's an attempt from a couple of weeks ago here in the UK. D700, iso 3200, 1/640sec, Tamron 500mm mirror lens.<br> <img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_3088.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Ok Rodeo, I figured it out. You must have done it a long time ago (in a galaxy far far away). You remove the 3 grub screws, but this only separates the scale from the focusing ring, and the scale ring is pulled to the rear and away from the focusing ring. If you look <strong><em>under </em></strong>the focusing ring, in the gap that is now created by the withdrawn scale ring, you will see 2 screws protruding , (these are the locking screws) , at the location where you see the screws,<em><strong> lift the rubber grip</strong></em> away from the focusing ring to access the head of the screws which lies concealed underneath. Removing these screws will allow the focus ring to be completely removed. Because the rubber is old and become brittle, it may split somewhat, as mine did, but that is a small price to pay for the end result. I found that mine had no grease whatsoever, so I greased it plus a few drops of oil. Too much grease and it gets squeezed out of the helix anyway. One goof up I did, put marker lines at the point of separation, but I cleaned the barrel with spirit, and completely forgot and wiped off the markers lines ! Now, even if the marker lines were still present, its impossible to engage exactly at the same spot because the helix is so fine, so its going to be a little bit one way or the other. It took me a couple of hours of trial and error to get it right again. I then focused on the camera to infinity, and set the infinity mark focus ring there (the focus ring is adjustable either way before screwing down to take this adjustment into account. Lesson learnt. The lens now rotates freely and stops at the correct points of its rotation limits. I expected it to be a little bit free-er, and thought maybe the grease wasn't the 'right type' or something, but I suppose that lens is meant to be on the stiffish side to prevent loss of focus. Its certainly not as free and smooth as my Tamron, so not the speedist of lenses to focus, maybe thats why they added the 'spokes' to assist, but its a definate improvement. I suppose all this also applies the 500mm versions of the Nikon mirror lenses. Cheers.</p>

<p>Rodeo, hi. Yesterday I removed the three small grub scews, but, it still stops same place. There has to be something else. What about the silver base for the 'focusing spokes' , maybe they have to come, if they come off ? or any screws under the rubberised collar ? Any help appreciated. Thanks.</p>

<p>Rodeo, even though I haven't yet got around to fixing the focusing ring, I solved the front missing front cap problem. Those car filler tubs that have the rubberised cap on top. One of those caps fits just like it was made for that lens ! This is the specific one I got, but I'm sure other brands should be the same. You may have one lying about in your garage.<br /> <a href="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/AC555-AutoCare-600ML-Easy-Sand-Sanding-Car-Metal-Steel-Body-Dents-Scratch-Filler-/00/s/MTYwMFgxNTc2/$T2eC16ZHJHwE9n8ii0q8BQn+hJBMVw~~60_35.JPG">http://i.ebayimg.com/t/AC555-AutoCare-600ML-Easy-Sand-Sanding-Car-Metal-Steel-Body-Dents-Scratch-Filler-/00/s/MTYwMFgxNTc2/$T2eC16ZHJHwE9n8ii0q8BQn+hJBMVw~~60_35.JPG</a></p> <p>alternative, to buy, I suppose would be one of these<br> <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125307-REG/Kaiser_206992_120mm_Push_On_Lens_Cap.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125307-REG/Kaiser_206992_120mm_Push_On_Lens_Cap.html</a></p>

<p>I have to agree with the sentiments that say, what will a new camera do that your current one doesn't ? I'm more than happy with my D700. It does everything I could possibly hope for, and more. I don't want video, and 12mp is just fine. Some people maybe have money burning holes in their pockets and just want to spend it.<br> I have though only just recently gotten into mirror lenses, yes I know the things that have been discussed about them before, and people either love them or hate them, and the difficulty in obtaining good focus, but I believe an updated nikon 500mm mirror with autofocus will find a niche in the market. Why should Sony be the only ones with an autofocus version. I'm sure Nikon can produce a decent autofocus version if they wanted to.</p>

<p><strong><em>It came minus the focusing "spokes" and front screw-in cap and also without any rear filter fitted. All-in-all I didn't have much to lose by dismantling it.</em></strong><br /> <strong><em><br /></em></strong>Rodeo, you described exactly how mine came ! Thanks for the advise, will let you know how I get on, just waiting for my tools and stuff to arrive first. I also could not figure out what the rear filter actually does. It just seems to prevent dust from entering that rear cavity, but with the rear lens cap on it seems unnessesary. Did you manage to replace the front screw in cap ? I think its a 108mm snap-on , of which I haven't seen any available, or 120mm push-on type (correct me if I'm wrong), which are asking silly prices. I'm looking at finding some jar top of that size to adapt ! As for the screw in spokes, they should be easy to replace with something that has that same thread, you found something ?</p>

<p>JDM, I've only just become a fan of mirror lenses. I'm a believer in the rejuvenation of the mirror lens in the DSLR age. The DSLR has breathed new life into the reflex lens as far as I'm concerned. I recently bought the Tamron 500mm and I absolutely love it for what it is, and the picture quality with my D700 is beyond my expectations. When I showed it to my friend who owns and likes the sigma 50-500 and is not a fan of mirror lenses (I heard you either love them or hate them), he said I've got this old mirror lens, its yours . But, the focus is too solid, practically immovable, it needs fixing properly. Yes, he is a good friend. I'm back in London these days, and the only couple of places I've seen that repair Nikon lenses quote about £65 upwards for a Nikon lens re-grease on their websites.</p> <p>Rodeo, thanks for the heads-up, have you actually done this on your lens ? Are you referring to the tiny screws around the circumference of the focus ring ? </p> <p>Professor, I do want to give it a shot myself, I've just emigrated and have to watch the pennies at the moment, besides I am an engineer and technically minded person. With good instructions I think I can manage it. </p>

<p>Hi guys, its been a while. Got given a Nikkor 1000mm f/11 mirror lens as a present from a friend. Great lens, but, the focus ring is almost unbudgable and I need to recify this, remove, clean old grease, re-grease. Does anyone know the procedure or where I can find some instructions. I search the web and haven't found anything. Thanks.</p>