Impressed

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/153, ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)

After a rainy start it turned out to be a nice and sunny later afternoon/evening so I went out for a walk and to take some pictures around Greenwich.

Waddesdon Manor

 

After visiting Stowe yesterday, I went to see Waddesdon Manor and spent most of the day there, the manor is huge and the property is also quite big so it takes time to see everything.

The RD1 did again a good job and it felt nice at times to go back in time but I am glad I have the GXR to go back to as it can be frustrating at times not to have the ability to preview exposure, DOF or be able to focus or frame accurately.

This is a larger series than yesterday as I have taken quite alot more pictures. I have used again mostly the Pentax Limited 43mm lens, the Heliar 12mm and 15mm and the Jupiter-12 although most pictures in this post are with the Pentax.

Stowe Visit

Hoping for the great weather to continue, I decided to go for a trip to see some National Trust places near Aylesbury.

Took the Epson RD1 along rather than the GXR for a challenge and to give it another outing. For lenses I used the Jupiter-12, Pentax Special 42mm and Heliar 12mm and 15mm.

While it's fun to use and the RD1 has a very film like rendering and unique character, it does not really stand up to the GXR and it feels quite strange to use a rangefinder without being able to accurately compose a picture or see the exposure before taking a picture.

Day in London

Another beautiful day in London and with the benefit of not having to work, it meant I could go around London to take some pictures and see some things I usually don't get round to.

Took the Heliar 12mm and the GR lens with me but the Heliar stayed on all the time, I like the wideangle it offers and shooting at f8.0 meant I only needed to worry about the framing.

This is a series of some pictures I took today from different parts of London, starting near Liverpool Street, passing by the Barbican, Regent Street, the Saatchi gallery, Battersea park, Chelsea Bridge with a view of my favourite building in London and finally a slightly abstract picture of the Southwark Cathedral. I have a lot more pictures and locations but these show best my day and the photography I have been doing.

One Canada Square

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/1070, ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)

Canary Wharf is pretty boring and artificial, I try to avoid it as much as possible but since I had to go to the bank there I took the opportunity to take some photos.

The good thing about Canary Wharf is that when the weather is nice you get a lot of opportunities to take 'no flash corner' photographs thanks to al the metal and glass buildings around. While this is not necessary a great example you can read more about it here and in issue 9 of the JPG Magazine.
While I took some better pictures showing this effect, I liked this the best out of my pictures from today. The composition could have been better but due to the scratched screen protector on my GXR it is sometimes almost impossible to see the screen, thankfully you don't need to see much or focus at all with a 12mm lens ;).

Pier

GXR A12-M, f8.0, 1/1320, ISO 200, RAW, 18mm (Voigtlander Heliar f5.6 12mm L)

Another nice and sunny day, aside from a walk around Greenwich and Greenwich Park, I spent it chilling on my terrace.

Took the Heliar 12mm and the Leica 90mm lenses with me but mostly used the 12mm, I like wideangle lenses and the way they capture the world. I wish I would have a full frame camera to make ful use of the 12mm Heliar lens.

Devil's Dyke Walk

Met with Tom in Brighton and drove to Devil's Dyke to do some hiking after lunch. The weather was mixed and we had some rain but it was a good day out nonetheless.
I decided to take my GR1 with me and shoot some film but film is not reliable enough so I needed a proper digital camera along so took the GRD IV with me.

This is a series from the walk, since it will be months till I get to see the film pictures these are the picture I took with the GRD IV and some with Tom's GXR and Leica Sumicron 50mm and my own Heliar 12mm.

The Rock

Today, I went to the Rock. Alcatraz is probably the most famous and well known prison in the world.

I have seen lots of movies featuring it, so it was great to step on the island and see what is left of it with my own eyes and step through the cell blocks. The only problem is that I did not have enough time, you need to plan at least half a day for it but better more to really see and take in everything, despite a lot of it being in ruins.

I have enjoyed my time there and unlike the prisoners there, felt I needed more time on the island and would like to return.

There is a lot of history and myth behind the walls so it should be on anyone's list of things to see while in San Francisco.

Streets of San Francisco

Took it easy today, just been walking around the Haight and Mission areas. It was not the best day photographically but I got some good street photographs.