I finally got hold of a copy of a book I’d been after the other day, and after only a brief read through came to the conclusion that what I’d started working on as the next writing project is pretty much a waste of time. Although there’s no single book covering the subject, there’s enough out there already for those interested in what’s a rather niche subject. Such a focussed topic doesn’t really help sales either, whilst a dearth of source material, short of a few months in the national archives, leaves me limited in where I can cross-reference to and I’m not just going to regurgitate other people’s work. The other issue is there’s virtually no chance of images of any of the subject matter that haven’t been seen before, I’m definitely not getting into paying for image rights again after last time! So after amassing a shelf of reference material, which to me will still be worth reading, I’ve downed tools; though I might finish the few chapters I’d started and put them on here.
It would have been nice to write something else, but certainly when it comes to old aeroplanes, someone else got there first. As for writing fiction, forget it! My English vocabulary is simply not broad enough and the last time I had to write any sort of story, aside from my CV….., I was still at school! So unless I discover something else that inspires me, I’ve got to find something else to occupy my time/mind.
There’s still no update on Vol.2, let alone any reply to my emails asking to buy more author copies! But Vol.1 is still on their website at the launch price, so at least I’ve not been discounted, YET!
Meanwhile on the equipment front, in the year or so since I decided to swap the last Micro Four Thirds camera I had, a Lumix GX9, for the Nikon Z fc, it’s become glaringly obvious that Nikon is primarily dedicated to its full frame camera series. Yes, we’ve just had the Z50 II released (the Z fc is essentially the original Z50 in a different body), but it’s not a huge spec boost , there’s still no IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation) that my old Olympus and Lumix had and all the full frame Nikons have, whilst much of what has been added is more benefit to the “creators” and videographers. But after using the Z fc for most of the year, a camera with dial controls and the classic SLR style, much like my Olympus OM-D, then having hold of its Zf big brother, and reading the specs, the seeds were sewn. Consequently, all the Z fc and associated kit has gone, a few other bits have also departed and surprise, surprise, a Zf has appeared.
Now either there’s some sort of anti-gravity field in Harrisons Cameras, or I’d had my Weetabix the day I was handling the Zf in there, with the same lens I have for my Z5 fitted I hasten to add, but it’s a LOT heavier than I recall! It’s not massively bigger body wise than the Z5, though it is a smidge wider. Add the SmallRig grip that’s basically essential for easy use, but doesn’t add a deal weight wise, so why the extra mass? It’s a combined effect of the Zf and the Nikon S line 24-70 f4 lens. The Zf on its own is 710g, without the add-on grip, whilst the Z5’s is only 30g lighter, but you seem to notice every gram. It’s just a very odd feel handling wise, even with the added grip attached. So for now and until I’ve used the Zf in anger shall we say, I’m honestly less than 100% convinced it’s staying……
However, the first photo out of it certainly pops! Quick grab from the garden outside my office window.
