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GRD III, f5.6, 1/760, ISO 64, RAW, 40mm

Today, I decided to try out the 40mm lens with my new step up ring, which I recieved yesterday. I can fully understand why Ricoh did not want this lens to be used with the GRD III, it has vignetting, is very soft on the edges and suffers a lot more of flare than usual. Overall it is just barely usable in 1:1 format but not in full format.
One thing I noticed is that the step-up ring seems to move the adapter lens too far away from the internal lens, it actually works better if you hold the 40mm adapter lens in front. I will need to experiment more with this.

While taking pictures in Canary Wharf, I also had a run in with the local security idiots who were not quite sure if I am or I am not allowed to take pictures there and needed 6 people to ask me if I took pictures of one of them.
I had a few small run-ins with them but today, I must have found the biggest idiot on duty to acuse me of lying and trying to bully me with 6 colleagues to show them the pictures I took. After telling them that there is no chance without a court order and they better not accuse me of anything or there will be repercusions they finally got back to do what they usualy do, which is stand around and look 'important' in their uniforms.
Overall, some security guys are funny as they really want to make themselves more important than they are and if you, like me, just laugh at that they can get a bit irritated. It is all nice and helps pass the time, I am sure I will get to know them a lot better soon. ;)

Welcome to the Matrix

While on my way to meet friends for drinks I saw the Canary Wharf security running towards the main square. Since I was heading in the same direction I decided to have a look what all the fuss was about.
There were two people with megaphones and another three people with signs. At first I thought they were demonstrating against something but they basicaly had a laugh and made jokes about where our society is these days and the security in general. It was very entertaining and a really funny scene so I decided to stay around and started taking pictures.

While taking pictures around I got told off a few times by the security guys and been told that I should be lucky we are in Britain to be able to take pictures of them. He was right, only in Britain do you get hassled that much for taking pictures so I consider myself very lucky.

All pictures are right out of the camera and some are only cropped to 3:2 format. The GRD III performed very well and the new snap focus mode was really helpful since the normal AF is not overly fast or reliable enough for these kind of shots. For this the phase detection AF from the GRD I is much better or at least the faster AF from the CX1.

Black Droplets

GRD II, f2.4, 1/125, ISO 200, RAW

Typing this post from the airport on my UMPC, flight to Germany will leave soon. Saw this just after the security check and found it hilarious. If you ever wondered if there are enough CCTV cameras in the UK, the answer is "No" ;). At least we all feel warm and fuzzy inside with all this "security".
Anyway, tomorrow will be my first day at Photokina :). Can't wait to try out some of the new cameras and have a chat with Ricoh and others. The report and pictures will follow.