Focus 2012

Tis the time of year when the photographic world heads to the NEC for Focus on Imaging 2012.

It started off quite grim…..

Rain

The big draw today was the Eos 5D MkIII, which drew a fairly large crowd, in the words of Charlie Hamilton James it was like the Pope had come to town.

As the 5D MkIII not available to buy just yet I didn’t spend any money. There was plenty of temptation. I’m leaning towards getting an old Eos 1D (would like a 1D MkIII, but may settle for a 1D MkII N). However I still have my old 5D’s to shift.

So on to purchases for the day. Actually I didn’t.

Bits

That’s all I grabbed today.

Another week, another bike

In what may seem like a weekly regular feature (it’s not) another Sunday comes along so another trip out on a bike. This time it’s a new (ish) bike. Time to present the 2008 G.T. Avalanche 3.0…….

GT Avalanche 3.0 - 2008 model

After riding my Marin Bear Valley SE for a number of years it’s quite odd getting on a different bike. Being a bike fitted with front suspension forks the ride was immediately different. In fact it almost felt like peddling a bus, the tyres are heavy and steering felt odd. On the road the bike felt odd probably due to large tyres and I wasn’t overly comfortable without the toe clips that the Marin has.

The bike was a cheap acquisition at £75, however it’ll need a few quid spent on accessories.

I planned to use my existing lights so would need some Cateye spares. I say planned, because I noticed a Cateye gift pack which included a front and back light – but also with a computer. All for £31, the brackets on their own would come to around £10 so it made sense (with the added computer included).

So bits:

Peddles – £13
Clips – £7
Crud catcher (mud guards) – £14
Bottle cage – £5

So it’s probably another £40. Still not convinced I’ll keep the bike yet, but as the parts I’m buying are interchangeable I can use them on any future bike I get.

It was a bit cold, so……

….I thought it best to go out on my bike and take some pictures (of my bike and aircraft).

With the lack of any decent snow this winter I couldn’t wait to get out and test the winter tyres I bought 2 months ago. The did offer grip so happy with the purchase. Anyway, pictures….

cold bike

As you can see, there’s a fair bit of snow building up around the brakes – which makes them unusable. However a short trip on a slushy road soon sorted that out.

So time for a few winter aircraft shots…..

baby Air France A318)

Thomas Cook 757 - reverse thrust

So there you go, winter and some images what more could you want?