The fabled Scottish POTN meet

[rudgej]

There has been talk on various threads and over the months about the possibility of a Scottish POTN meet, so rather than continue to hijack these threads, I thought that I would start one here.

So, the obvious questions are:
Where to meet?
When to meet?
Who would be interested?As a starter, I propose Edinburgh as a central location and sometime in June as a suitable time period. :)

[JLP9639]

I'll go with that. now that there are two, hopefully, like Topsy...

[rudgej]

Nice one John. I thought that you might, but I wonder how many people just tend to stick in the Landscape forum and will miss this post as a result?

[::John::]

You could always put a link to this thread in your signature.. ?

;)

[rudgej]

You could always put a link to this thread in your signature.. ?

;)
That's a good idea, thanks! :)

[Buggbairn]

Count me in John :)

Shift dependent ofcourse ;)

Edinburgh is fine by me although I'll have to brush up on my Urban Photography skills ;)


I've also added the link to my signature :D

[rudgej]

That's good Scottie. You're one of the core Scots, and it would be a shame not to pick a suitable date that suits you too. I'm also game for anywhere else in Scotland (within a reasonable distance), so I would be more than happy to meet elsewhere if you would care to make a suggestion. :)

[Buggbairn]

Trossachs !!! :lol:

To be honest I've never been to a Photography meet in my life so don't know what the general idea is, do we all scuttle around like tourists snapping away :lol:

This is all new to me, I've joined a Local camera club but they have broken up till September.

Edinburgh is fine with me, I'll get lots of shots from Rose street ;) :lol:

[rudgej]

I've never been to one either, so I'm not too sure myself. John (JLP9639) and I go away a lot, but we seem to be in tune to each other's pace. How this would work with several people, I've no idea. I'm also game for the Trossachs too. Perhaps if we get several suggestions, we could then have a poll to narrow it down later.

[Buggbairn]

Good idea

I'm at work right now but will check my shift pattern for June when I get home as I change shifts In June and have all the details back home.

Might be worth PM'ing a few of the regulars in the meantime to rustle up a bit of interest :)

[rudgej]

Might be worth PM'ing a few of the regulars in the meantime to rustle up a bit of interest :)
I was thinking about that, and I will to get the ball rolling.

[Mike Bell]

Definitely count me in! :)

Unfortunately I am away in France from Sat June 3rd to Friday June 16th so that's two weekends in June I cannot manage :cry: .

Here is a list of a few Scottish POTM members I have noticed who might be interested:

Paul Keating ('seaboarder') from Tain.
Adrian Bass ('adebass') from Glasgow
'Weemannie' from Highlands
Andrew ('saggy9999') from Linlithgow
Cameron ('lomond') from Ayshire
and of course Dimitri ('dv2004') from Troon

[rudgej]

Good suggestions Mike. I must admit to have forgotten a few of these people, so I'll pm them too.

[CyberDyneSystems]

You all should get us some shots of the Highland Games someday :)

[rudgej]

That's not something that I've thought about shooting before although I'm planning on taking shots at the Traquair Medieval Fayre (http://www.traquair.co.uk/medieval.html). Does that count? ;)

[Buggbairn]

I've worked out what my shifts are for June and the only weekend I'm free is Sat/Sun 17th/18th.
I guess that will suit Mikes return from holiday too, so why don't we consider that weekend for starters.

[rudgej]

I've worked out what my shifts are for June and the only weekend I'm free is Sat/Sun 17th/18th.
I guess that will suit Mikes return from holiday too, so why don't we consider that weekend for starters.
That sounds like we have a potential date then (although I need to check when I get home for definite). :)

[saggy9999]

Its Linlithgow Gala Day on the 17th June so I will be busy shooting that on the Saturday
but should be free on the Sunday

[rudgej]

That sounds good Andrew - both the gala day and for you being free for Sunday 18th. :)

[adebass]

Sorry it took me so long to join in. Im up for it yes, would love to infact. As long as i can get a couple of weeks notice i can usually find the time easy enough. And ive never actually taken my camera to Edinburgh yet so would be interested to give it a go.

[rudgej]

Sorry it took me so long to join in. Im up for it yes, would love to infact. As long as i can get a couple of weeks notice i can usually find the time easy enough. And ive never actually taken my camera to Edinburgh yet so would be interested to give it a go.
I'm glad to hear that you're interested. If we were to choose the Edinburgh solution, then going walkabout is an option with places like Greyfriars Kirk, the castle, Princes Gardens, Calton Hill, the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, Arthur's seat etc to name a few options. We could potentially have a Glasgow meet too at some point as I'm sure that there are numerous things (like the conference centre) that would be photogenic. I think that when we have several people that are interested in a meet, then we can try and find a suitable venue for all of us.

[Mike Bell]

Sunday 18th June would be great - I'll have a day to empty all my memory cards of shots of Provence! :)

I'm happy to go anywhere, do anything. Never been to a POTN meet so have no preconceptions! :)

[rudgej]

Another vote for me for Sunday 18th too. Now all we need to do is finalise the location...

[scr7b]

I might be able to make the 18th as well... There's plenty to photograph around Edinburgh, but pretty much any location suits me.

[Buggbairn]

Sunday 18th is fine by me too, I should have two new lenses to play around with :D

[rudgej]

Nice one scr7b. :)

Sunday 18th is fine by me too, I should have two new lenses to play around with :DThat's providing that you can prise them back from me. ;)

[Buggbairn]

That's providing that you can prise them back from me. ;)

:lol: Kerso's great deals and boring nightshifts are having an effect on my bank balance, should get the 10-22mm next weekend and the 24-105 as soon as Canon ship more out to Park Cameras.

Oh and I never took you as one who'd snatch the candy out of a babies hands ;) :lol:

[bachscuttler]

Picked this up in another thread from Scottie.

Count me in as long as it's a weekend day!

I'm actually a Sasenach living in Montrose but have the utmost respect for the the country, it's history and it's people which is why I moved here.

If no-one objects to me coming along, count me in!

Edinburgh or anywhere for that matter would be great! :)

[rudgej]

You're most welcome to come along - the more the merrier. At the moment, sunday 18th June looks to be the date, and so far Edinburgh is the only proposed location. :)

[ScottMAcD]

I would love to have come along but unfortunatley it's my first wedding anniversary in June and my wife wants to somthing special (not sure what :o ) and my wifes brother is also getting married in June aswell so thats me scuppered. But if there are to be more of these meets i would luv to come along. So good luck and enjoy the first scottish meet, look forward to seeing those pictures....

[rudgej]

Thanks Scott, providing there is not a mass-murder due to differing artistic viewpoints, I'm sure that there will be another one. ;)

[Mike Bell]

Thanks Scott, providing there is not a mass-murder due to differing artistic viewpoints, I'm sure that there will be another one. ;)

Shame you can't come, Scott. I was looking forward to meeting the only other Perth POTN member. :)

A 'mass-murrrder' - now THAT would be a glorious photo-opportunity! :lol: (... but only for the survivors! .. :cry: :o :cry: )

[Buggbairn]

Providing we can avoid trees in isolation I'm sure we'll all get a long just fine :lol:

Probably best that we get to know each other before we head to the hills other wise a cull may be on the cards :lol: ;)

[bachscuttler]

A 'mass-murrrder' - now THAT would be a glorious photo-opportunity! :lol: (... but only for the survivors! .. :cry: :o :cry: )

Well I'll be the token Sasenach so it's only right I volunteer.
Just make it quick! :D

[rudgej]

Providing we can avoid trees in isolation I'm sure we'll all get a long just fine :lol:

It's ok, I thought that I would get in there before Dimitri returned, and have little "Property of JR" tags over all the lone trees in the Edinburgh area. :shock:

[JLP9639]

Looking good, John. I'm fine for that weekend. However, I won't be photographing the Linlithgow Gala Day on the Saturday. Good luck with it, though, Saggy9999.

[rudgej]

Looking good, John. I'm fine for that weekend. However, I won't be photographing the Linlithgow Gala Day on the Saturday. Good luck with it, though, Saggy9999.
That's good to hear John, with two of us holding onto Scottie's new lenses, he's got no chance. :twisted:

[JLP9639]

Well I'll hold them and you can fight him off. Oh, and I'll hold your 17-40 too, just in case

[Dimitri_V]

It's ok, I thought that I would get in there before Dimitri returned, and have little "Property of JR" tags over all the lone trees in the Edinburgh area. :shock:

I`ve only been away for a few days and already Cameron claimed a tree from me,:rolleyes:,what next?:lol::lol::lol:

[Dimitri_V]

That's good to hear John, with two of us holding onto Scottie's new lenses, he's got no chance. :twisted:

Make this 3 lenses,i should have my 70-300 IS by then.:lol::lol:

[Dimitri_V]

There has been talk on various threads and over the months about the possibility of a Scottish POTN meet, so rather than continue to hijack these threads, I thought that I would start one here.

So, the obvious questions are:
Where to meet?
When to meet?
Who would be interested?As a starter, I propose Edinburgh as a central location and sometime in June as a suitable time period. :)


Any time any place is fine by me,i haven`t taken any pictures around the Capital,that`ll be a good chance.

And sorry i didn`t reply earlyer,i was enjoying my holidays you see.:p:lol::lol:

[rudgej]

Nice to "see" you back Dimitri. Another vote for Edinburgh then, but are you okay for sunday 18th June?

[Dimitri_V]

Nice to "see" you back Dimitri. Another vote for Edinburgh then, but are you okay for sunday 18th June?

I didn`t mention it,did i?
Doh...

Of cours i am John.

[rudgej]

Just to summarise (between the murders, lens pinching and tree claims ;) ) we have the following people able to make Edinburgh for Sunday 18th June:

rudgej - John
JLP9639 - john
Buggbairn - Scottie
Mike Bell - Mike Bell ;)
saggy9999 - Andrew
scr7b - ?
dv2004 - Dimitri


adebass (Adrian) and bachscuttler (?) have still to confirm.

Does anyone have any Edinburgh place in particular that they would like to see?

[Buggbairn]

Good to see Dimitri on board :)
I dare say he'll be keen to make sure I'm looking after those ND grads :lol:

Back a day and we're squwabling over trees already :lol:

Oh and just ignore the new Avator ;)

John

In terms of where to go I'm open to suggestions too, I'd be interested to know if the "Regeneration" down Leith way is in any way photogenic but I wouldn't want to drag everyone else down only to dissapoint.

I guess we can visit a few locations on the day.

I say we throw up a few ideas anyway, we've got plenty of time to work out which pub we go to :lol:

[lakiluno]

well...unfortunately I won't be there for the simple reason that a 15 year old meeting up with a load of sweaty, smelly, fat, middle aged pervy photographers he met on the internet isn't a very good idea... :D

I might run past you with some bait while my friend steals your lenses though...where are you meeting :D

Hope you guys have lots of fun - I might even have my 350D by then :D

Leo

edit: Buggbairn - you got that CD yet? (well...thats a stupid question to ask, its been a holday - you should get it tomorrow)
edit more: Anyone else in scotland want some *cough*OS Maps*cough*

[Dimitri_V]

Good to see Dimitri on board :)
I dare say he'll be keen to make sure I'm looking after those ND grads :lol: You`re damn right...
Back a day and we're squwabling over trees already :lol: Hey,thats what makes the world go round mate.;):lol:
John

In terms of where to go I'm open to suggestions too, I'd be interested to know if the "Regeneration" down Leith way is in any way photogenic but I wouldn't want to drag everyone else down only to dissapoint.

I guess we can visit a few locations on the day. I have faith in John,he knows the area much better than us i believe.
And at the end of the day,it will be more of a get to know each other than taking pictures meetting anyway.
I say we throw up a few ideas anyway, we've got plenty of time to work out which pub we go to :lol:
hahahaha...but of cours.:lol::lol::lol:

[Buggbairn]

well...unfortunately I won't be there for the simple reason that a 15 year old meeting up with a load of sweaty, smelly, fat, middle aged pervy photographers he met on the internet isn't a very good idea... :D


Youngins should be seen and not heard !!! :lol:

I'm 31 and certainly not any of your other desciptions either ;)

Besides......Is this not a School night anyway :lol: :lol:

Run along now ;)

[lakiluno]

the regeneration in leith is a few building sites and a shiny ship right now...(of course, ocean terminal as well...) In a few years there will be 100's of flats, but right now its all 3D models and wasteland :D

of course, you could just wander leith walk and take pictures of the local youths (http://www.glasgowsurvival.co.uk/pictures/nedGal47.jpg)

(don't blame me when you have half a beer bottle lodged in your inner ear)

[lakiluno]

Youngins should be seen and not heard !!! :lol:

I'm 31 and certainly not any of your other desciptions either ;)

Besides......Is this not a School night anyway :lol: :lol:

Run along now ;)

Its the wonders of exam leave...go to bed at 12 (+) and get up at 10 (+)


:D

Leo

[scr7b]

rudgej - John
JLP9639 - john
Buggbairn - Scottie
Mike Bell - Mike Bell ;)
saggy9999 - Andrew
scr7b - ?
dv2004 - Dimitri

Call me Stuart! :cool:

[rudgej]

In terms of where to go I'm open to suggestions too, I'd be interested to know if the "Regeneration" down Leith way is in any way photogenic but I wouldn't want to drag everyone else down only to dissapoint.

I guess we can visit a few locations on the day.

I say we throw up a few ideas anyway, we've got plenty of time to work out which pub we go to :lol: I've passed through Leith on the way to Ocean Terminal, and have seen the odd nice section, but I'm not really sure that there is enough photographically yet to make the detour worthwhile. Depending on how much walking (as opposed to socialising) that we do, then we could comfortably pass the day in places like the Grassmarket, the castle (although not necessarily going in unless you want to pay £10.50), the gardens, new buildings near the EICC, the parliament, Calton Hill etc.

I'm not a pub expert, so I couldn't recommend any one in particular. I did find it funny when I stayed in Birmingham though that when asking for directions they went along the lines of:

"Turn left at the Dog and Duck, continue onwards until you reach the Hamster and Vicar, then turn right. When you reach The Ukranian Unicyclist's Jock-strap, turn right..." and so on. :)

well...unfortunately I won't be there for the simple reason that a 15 year old meeting up with a load of sweaty, smelly, fat, middle aged pervy photographers he met on the internet isn't a very good idea... :D
Sorry to hear that you can't make it - even if only to cuff you with the back of my zimmer frame. ;)

I have faith in John,he knows the area much better than us i believe.
And at the end of the day,it will be more of a get to know each other than taking pictures meetting anyway. You would be correct there Dimitri - as long as you mean JLP9639. I can get around Edinburgh ok, but John is the true native.

Call me Stuart! :cool:
Thanks Stuart! :D

[strachg]

Sign me up guys I should be able to make it as well. Will no better nearer the time. As long as you dont all mind a novice asking loads of questions like a 5 year old.

Graham

[rudgej]

Sign me up guys I should be able to make it as well. Will no better nearer the time. As long as you dont all mind a novice asking loads of questions like a 5 year old.

Graham
Woo hoo! That makes John (me), John, Scottie, Mike, Andrew, Stuart, Dimitri and Graham as definites, and leaves Adrian and bachscuttler to confirm. :D

Would everyone be driving into Edinburgh and be okay finding a parking spot, or would parking suggestions be useful? A good central starting point could be on the esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile.

[strachg]

oh and make that 4 lenses as I will have my Bigma by then, though dont know how much use that will be in Edinburgh.

Graham

[Buggbairn]

Sign me up guys I should be able to make it as well. Will no better nearer the time. As long as you dont all mind a novice asking loads of questions like a 5 year old.

Graham

That'll make two of us Graham :lol:

Would everyone be driving into Edinburgh and be okay finding a parking spot, or would parking suggestions be useful? A good central starting point could be on the esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile

Most likely John that I'll just hop on a train :)

[rudgej]

oh and make that 4 lenses as I will have my Bigma by then, though dont know how much use that will be in Edinburgh.
That'll be good. I wanted to see one of these too. :twisted:

Most likely John that I'll just hop on a train :)
You're just as well with the station being just a few minutes from the castle, and no parking to worry about.

[strachg]

That'll be good. I wanted to see one of these too. :twisted:

Well you will be welcome to have a go with it, i just checked and it left miami last night so shouldnt be too long he he, currently doing weightlifting to help me carry it around :)

[rudgej]

Well you will be welcome to have a go with it, i just checked and it left miami last night so shouldnt be too long he he, currently doing weightlifting to help me carry it around :)
Ta very much. :cool: As you can tell from my sig, my reach currently stops at 200mm (crop factor aside), and I want some more. The Bigma is a possibility, although I would be duplicating some of my existing focal range. I also wondered about the Tamron 200-500 too. In any case, it will be a long while before I can afford another lens. :(

[Mike Bell]

I saw a Bigma in a camera shop in Perth on Saturday - just had to try it, didn't I? The shots were dreadful (my fault, not the lens I'm sure) and my arm still hurts! What a michty beast! :D

[Stop it, Mike! Repeat after me: 'I have all the lenses I need!' ..... 'I have all the lenses I need!'..... 'I have all the lenses I need!'.....]

........It's not working! :cry:

[JLP9639]

I see that I've been volunteered as the local "expert", Cheers John. Have to agree though, The Royal mile from the castle to Holyrood is almost a whole days worth of piccies if you visit every close and dark alley.
The Guildford pub near the station is one I quite like - and I don't drink!(I don't go to pubs much either)
John

[lakiluno]

at least now theres a smoking ban (unless all of you engage in that disgusting and antisocial habit :D)

[rudgej]

I saw a Bigma in a camera shop in Perth on Saturday - just had to try it, didn't I? The shots were dreadful (my fault, not the lens I'm sure) and my arm still hurts! What a michty beast! :grin:

[Stop it, Mike! Repeat after me: 'I have all the lenses I need!' ..... 'I have all the lenses I need!'..... 'I have all the lenses I need!'.....]

........It's not working! :cry: You're going to be in serious trouble when you see all the new lenses that are coming. Perhaps you could get the Lee Filter dribble attachment to eliminate the risk of drowning your camera. :lol:
I see that I've been volunteered as the local "expert", Cheers John. Have to agree though, The Royal mile from the castle to Holyrood is almost a whole days worth of piccies if you visit every close and dark alley.
The Guildford pub near the station is one I quite like - and I don't drink!(I don't go to pubs much either)
John See - your local knowledge is already useful. ;)
at least now theres a smoking ban (unless all of you engage in that disgusting and antisocial habit :D) I'm not exactly much of a drinker either, but it will be nice going into a pub and not smelling like an ashtray when I come back out. :D

[bachscuttler]

I'll be walking behing you all then with my 350d and Tamron.

I might let you borrow the 580EX though :)

[strachg]

I saw a Bigma in a camera shop in Perth on Saturday - just had to try it, didn't I? The shots were dreadful (my fault, not the lens I'm sure) and my arm still hurts! What a michty beast!


he he that fills me with confidence, were you shooting hand held.

[rudgej]

I'll be walking behing you all then with my 350d and Tamron.

I might let you borrow the 580EX though :)
Are you coming then bachscuttler, and what is your real name? ;)

[Buggbairn]

I'm not exactly much of a drinker either, but it will be nice going into a pub and not smelling like an ashtray when I come back out. :D

Although I am a smoker I have no objection with the ban as some pubs are even too smokey for me. :lol:

What I cannot stand though is the B.O and fart reek that is now prominant in the bars of Scotland :evil:

[rudgej]

Although I am a smoker I have no objection with the ban as some pubs are even too smokey for me. :lol:
Well that explains your golden landscape photography. I had assumed that it was a tobacco graduated filter, but it is just nicotine-stained lenses. ;) :lol:

What I cannot stand though is the B.O and fart reek that is now prominant in the bars of Scotland :evil:
:shock:

[bachscuttler]

Are you coming then bachscuttler, and what is your real name? ;)

Yes I'm definitely coming as long as you don't laugh at my wee diddy camera and my real name is Steve the Sasenach :)

[rudgej]

That's great. The latest body count is John (me), John, Scottie, Mike, Andrew, Stuart, Dimitri, Graham and Steve with Adrian to confirm.

Special guest lens appearances will be Scottie's EF-S 10-22 and EF24-105L IS; Dimitri's 70-300 IS, and Graham's Bigma.

Representatives from the Forestry Commission will be on hand in case of any tree situations.

[scr7b]

That's great. The latest body count is John (me), John, Scottie, Mike, Andrew, Stuart, Dimitri, Graham and Steve with Adrian to confirm.

Special guest lens appearances will be Scottie's EF-S 10-22 and EF24-105L IS; Dimitri's 70-300 IS, and Graham's Bigma.

Representatives from the Forestry Commission will be on hand in case of any tree situations.

Can we add a guest appearance for my new 5D... :D Picked it up today, and any day now, the 24-70 f/2.8L will be here to keep it company!

[rudgej]

Can we add a guest appearance for my new 5D... :D Picked it up today, and any day now, the 24-70 f/2.8L will be here to keep it company!
Definitely. Drool. I'm starting to think that we won't have any time for taking photographs at this rate.

[ScottMAcD]

Well I have now been upgraded from "Can't Make it" to "may be able to make it". The only touble now is that the Wife may come down aswell and go Shopping :shock: :sad: :shock: . I'll keep you posted for further developments.......

[rudgej]

That sounds good Scott. A fun day with us - and brownie points for taking your wife shopping. ;)

[ScottMAcD]

Oh and I've also got a new toy to play with - Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3, I know it's not the Bigma but it was going cheap. Can't wait to try it out so if anybody has any tips on using a large lense (Ie use a tripod) then i would be grateful....:D

[rudgej]

This meeting is turning into quite a drool-fest with all of the new kit coming along. :)

[Mike Bell]

he he that fills me with confidence, were you shooting hand held.

Don't worry - the shots at 50 were fine, it was the handheld one at 500mm that was dreadful despite a speed of 1/400sec - you can see the camera shake artefacts in this 100% crop quite clearly. A tripod for this one methinks!
http://static.flickr.com/48/139962358_47f05c7fca_o.jpg

[strachg]

phew thank god for that thinking of buying this tripod which is seemingly very sturdy.

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2350

Graham

[Mike Bell]

This thread needs more photos!

I will be staying overnight in Edinburgh the night before the POTN meet as my daughter is singing with the Edinburgh Singers at their summer concert. They'll be performing Handel's Israel in Egypt on June 17th in St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.

One of my first shots with the new 350D was this one of her singing a solo at their Christmas concert:
http://static.flickr.com/50/139939373_42fe120f8c_o.jpg
It was taken with the 350D and what was then my only lens - the kit lens at 18mm, f3.5, 1/30sec, ISO 1600, exp comp -1.67 (Yes it was that dark!) Lot of noise removal, colour correction and other PP had to be done! :confused:


I did another one of her in March using my EF-S 60mm macro:
http://static.flickr.com/44/139956545_a07751cbe5_o.jpg
1/80 sec at f2.8, ISO 1600. Still needed noise reduction and other PP. You can still see nasty noise on the red music folder. Should have cloned it out!

[strachg]

Nice pictures mike, yes it was lacking in them. guys a bit off topic but can i get your views on my new gallery, im using the EE gallery from here, still adding pics but how does it look. http://www.grahamstrachan.net/Gallery/

cheers

Graham

[rudgej]

That is some extreme settings that you had to use Mike. :shock:

Graham, your gallery looks like it is developing nicely. When you click on a photo, on the details section there is a number of vertical bars:
PHOTOGRAPHER: Graham Strachan | | | | | | | | COUNTRY: Scotland | | |
I presume that this is where the exif data would be displayed if present?

I'm using Coppermine for my galleries: JR's Galleries (http://www.johnrudge.f2s.com/coppermine/index.php). :)

[scr7b]

Ok, I'll get into the spirit of adding photos...

This is one scene we could have a look at in Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht, Britannia. Taken handheld with my 85mm f/1.8. 1/80th, f/1.8, ISO400.

http://www.pbase.com/image/59635144/original.jpg

[bachscuttler]

I'll join in the fun...
I had a fantastic day out in Edinburgh last summer and here are some of the shots I got...

The castle...

http://www.bachs.shutterschool.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_5802-01.jpg

Greyfriars...

http://www.bachs.shutterschool.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_5760-01.jpg

Can't remember the name of this street but it's just up the road from Greyfriars...

http://www.bachs.shutterschool.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_5737-01.jpg

[rudgej]

That was three of the places I was think about for the meet. ;)

[rudgej]

I also meant to say that the Brittania shot was a nice photo Stuart. I've not been there at night and hadn't realised that it was so nicely lit.

[chemicalbro]

COOL......... mike bell gave me a heads up on this one......
I work nightshift and my week starts on a Sunday night (i like to get some kip duriong Sundays) but i'll see if i can put in for a holiday on that day.....
Edinburgh sounds like a good location to me....

I've suggested to John a couple of times that a meet in Edinburgh would be cool, but it never came to anything

a place in Edinburgh i'd really like to photograph is greyfriars cemetery

[chemicalbro]

Although I am a smoker I have no objection with the ban as some pubs are even too smokey for me. :lol:

What I cannot stand though is the B.O and fart reek that is now prominant in the bars of Scotland :evil:

I'll second that.............. (I won't say what i smoke tho ;)

you can add a 100-400 IS L to the guest list too :)

unfortunately the 1250mm telescope is a bit heavy for the trip :shock:
http://hellmouth.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/etx2.jpg

[chemicalbro]

phew thank god for that thinking of buying this tripod which is seemingly very sturdy.

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2350

Graham

Graham............. I've got that very tripod........ bargain of the century....... sturdy as hell........... weighs more than the black hole at the center of the galaxy tho..

[strachg]

Graham............. I've got that very tripod........ bargain of the century....... sturdy as hell........... weighs more than the black hole at the center of the galaxy tho..


thats good news so its def worth it for my bigma you think.

Graham

[chemicalbro]

thats good news so its def worth it for my bigma you think.

Graham

definately...... it holds my 100-400L like a rock and that's a DAMN heavy lens

[strachg]

Great thanks, I will def get it then.

cheers

Graham

[strachg]

Guys,

My Dad has been taking pics with his fuji s9500 for a while but now has a 350D so he may come along after he signs up for the forum.

Graham

[chemicalbro]

Great thanks, I will def get it then.

cheers

Graham

Graham.............. make sure you buy it from their ebay shop................ I got mine for £42 plus postage (bout £65 total)

[rudgej]

I've suggested to John a couple of times that a meet in Edinburgh would be cool, but it never came to anything

It'll be good to see you Alan. Of course we never got as far as trying to arrange a meet in the past... ;)

a place in Edinburgh i'd really like to photograph is greyfriars cemetery
A definite suggestion! Greyfriars is not far at all from my proposed meeting place on the castle's esplanade. :)

[rudgej]

My Dad has been taking pics with his fuji s9500 for a while but now has a 350D so he may come along after he signs up for the forum.
Nice one Graham. With Alan and your dad as possibles, that'll make around about a dozen people.

[chemicalbro]

Nice one Graham. With Alan and your dad as possibles, that'll make around about a dozen people.

a Dozen should be enough to fight off the muggers trying to steal all our gear :)
myself and Graham could use our heavier than earth tripods as weapons


I wouldn't like to imagine how much money will be contained in our bags

[strachg]

Graham.............. make sure you buy it from their ebay shop................ I got mine for £42 plus postage (bout £65 total)
great never thought of that. dont suppose you know the address of their ebay site.

Graham

[rudgej]

great never thought of that. dont suppose you know the address of their ebay site.

How about: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/amvona-com :)

[strachg]

thanks john how did i ever manage without you lot. he he

[chemicalbro]

I've put in my holiday for that day... so I can now confirm that i'll be there :)

[chemicalbro]

Graham............
here's one that ends at 7pm tonight
Click me (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PROFESSIONAL-CAMERA-TRIPOD-KIT-BALL-GRIP-HEAD-AT-828BL_W0QQitemZ7614522210QQcategoryZ30094QQcmdZVie wItem)

at the right hand side near the bottom of the listing you'll see a rolldown window that allows you to calculate the postage ....... if you win the auction you just add this to your paypal payment (with dhl it's $48.45 about £26.20)

I got mine for £42 in the auction plus the 26 postage............ for that kinda money they are practically giving these away

[rudgej]

Time for a thread round-up again. :)

Those people confirmed for Edinburgh on Sunday June 18th are:


Bachscuttler - Steve
Buggbairn - Scottie
Chemicalbro - Alan
dv2004 - Dimitri
JLP9639 - John
Mike Bell - Mike Bell
rudgej - John
saggy9999 - Andrew
scr7b - Stuart
strachg - Graham


Potential appearances:


adebass - Adrian (still to confirm)
Graham's dad (still to join POTN and then confirm ;) )
ScottMAcD - Scott (if his wife can go shopping ;) )


Special new kit appearances will be:


EF-S 10-20mm - Scottie
EF 24-70 f/2.8L - Stuart
EF 24-105L - Scottie
EF 70-300 IS - Dimitri
EF 100-400 IS L - Alan
Bigma - Graham
Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 - Scott
580EX flash - Steve
5D - Stuart


I've suggested the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle as a suitable meeting point, and we should meet at the statue to Earl Haig (its at the front right as you look at the castle). Would 10:00am give enough time for everyone to get to Edinburgh?

[chemicalbro]

Would 10:00am give enough time for everyone to get to Edinburgh?

I will have to check out the train timetables (just too much hassle trying to find parking and the Edinburgh meter maids ar notorious :))

will keep you posted

[lakiluno]

I'll second that.............. (I won't say what i smoke tho ;)

you can add a 100-400 IS L to the guest list too :)

unfortunately the 1250mm telescope is a bit heavy for the trip :shock:
http://hellmouth.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/etx2.jpg

what kind of aperture is that? Got any pics?

[adebass]

Sorry havnt responded sooner, but been a wee bit busy. Ill confirm though and say ill be there. Looking forward to it.

[rudgej]

Nice one Adrian. I'm looking forward to meeting you (well all of you for that matter ;) ).

[chemicalbro]

what kind of aperture is that? Got any pics?

telescope optics are very different to camera lens optics......

with telescopes....aperture describes the diameter of the primary lens or mirror.......... in the case of my scope it's 90mm if you divide the focal length 1250mm by the aperture 90mm that gives a focal ratio of f/13.8 (don't confuse that with f/13 in camera terms)

Here is a real life example that will make this easier to understand. If two telescopes have an equal aperture and one is f/4 and the other is an f/8, then the f/8 will always provide better quality than the f/4.
The f/8 can pull in more light (the complete opposite of a camera lens). but it will need a longer focal length (hence a longer tube)
my scope is a macsutov cassegrain design which uses a combination of mirrors and a correcting lens, which enables the tube to be a lot shorter than the focal length suggests (it actually bounces the light back on itself). have a look at this page to see how the light travels in this design
http://science.howstuffworks.com/telescope4.htm

add to this that my telescope has UHTC (ultra high transmission coatings) and the light gathering power becomes even more........

comparing a telescope to a camera lens is like comparing apples to lemons
the pics were done using eyepiece projection (where you use an eyepiece to magnify the image and the camera then takes a picture of that) so the focal length of the scope isn't even descriptive of the magnification you can achieve (that depends on what eyepiece you use)

the way the camera is connected in the photo I posted is what you call prime photography (where the focal length does work exactly like a camera lens) i can also attach the camera to the bracket on the top of the scope and use normal lenses for long exposure wide angle constelation shots with no star trails (the motors in the scope track the stars and keep them centered in the field of view)

Jupiter

http://hellmouth.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Jupiter.jpg

Saturn
http://hellmouth.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Saturn.jpg

the appenine mountains on the moon
http://hellmouth.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Appenine-mountains.jpg

[rudgej]

These shots are really impressive Alan, and you seem to be a guy of extremes going straight from macro photography to astrophotography, and apparently nothing in between. ;)

[chemicalbro]

These shots are really impressive Alan, and you seem to be a guy of extremes going straight from macro photography to astrophotography, and apparently nothing in between. ;)

you've obviously not seen my ducks :)

I guess thats why i bought the 100-400.......... trying to diversify a bit

Ive always been into astronomy tho (i've had a telescope in one form or another since i was about 8 years old)

I guess i just like taking pictures of things that you don't get to see every day... wether it's the micro world or the HUGE universe, we all look up at the sky and think it's beautiful, it's just a pitty that more people don't really get to see just how beautiful it is....

[adebass]

you've obviously not seen my ducks :)

I guess thats why i bought the 100-400.......... trying to diversify a bit

Ive always been into astronomy tho (i've had a telescope in one form or another since i was about 8 years old)

I guess i just like taking pictures of things that you don't get to see every day... wether it's the micro world or the HUGE universe, we all look up at the sky and think it's beautiful, it's just a pitty that more people don't really get to see just how beautiful it is....

Couldnt agree more mate. I can still remember the first time i saw jupiter, saturn and venus through my telescope. Damn near took my breath away. Matbe when i get bored of biology ill go back to uni and do an astronomy degree. It was always my second choice. Seeing your photos has really made me want to break the teleascope out again. Thanks for the inspiration mate:)

[chemicalbro]

Seeing your photos has really made me want to break the teleascope out again. Thanks for the inspiration mate:)

break it out :) my scope is constantly set up (as you know in Scotland you can never tell when you'll get good seeing) so mine is always ready to go at a minutes notice....

now's the time to do it what with a nice fragmented comet (73P/Schwassmann-wachmaan) in our midsts....
if you were to look tonight fragment C will be between zeta herculis and beta lyrae (not far from Vega) fragment B will be in Corona Borealis (6th-7th may it will be in hercules close to the globular cluster M13) the closest approach to earth will be 11th-12th may when it will be about 10 degrees south of epsilon Cygni

I will be trying to get some shots of it and if i'm successful i'll post them here :)

[JLP9639]

To digress slightly. Alan (and anyone else), you can park for free all day in most of Edinburgh on a Sunday - unless they've changed the rules. Should be easy enough for one of us Edinburgh(ish)dwellers to check it out. Awesome astrophotography, by the way!

[scr7b]

To digress slightly. Alan (and anyone else), you can park for free all day in most of Edinburgh on a Sunday - unless they've changed the rules. Should be easy enough for one of us Edinburgh(ish)dwellers to check it out. Awesome astrophotography, by the way!

That's good news, does anyone know if that applies to the big car park on Castle Terrace? That's where I was planning to park... it's handy for the castle.

[chemicalbro]

yeah sorry for hijacking the thread with my astronomy shenanigans :) (it's one of the few things i'm passionate about so if somebody hints at an interest i tend to babble)

that IS good news about the parking.... but driving negates any talk of what pub we go to
I dunno about the rest of you but if I want Irn-Bru I don't go to a pub (especially as they all seem to charge about 4 quid a can ;))

I'm not a big drinker but i'm partial to a Gin n tonic :)

[JLP9639]

Ah. The big car park on Castle Terrace is NCP or something. I think it's just the Council ticket machines, etc that are free.
And, Alan, I was not intending to comment on your astronomy stuff, so babble away.
And I think John estimated £30-40,000 for all the gear if it turns up! (whoever asked)

[rudgej]

That's good news, does anyone know if that applies to the big car park on Castle Terrace? That's where I was planning to park... it's handy for the castle.
Sorry Stuart, but that is an NCP car park and 6-9 hours could cost you £11. :shock:
Johnston Terrace that runs down the back side of the castle has parking places, and although it is something like 70p for 15 mins during the week, the following quote from the council is encouraging:
Pay and display spaces operate from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Saturday in the central zones, and usually between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday in the peripheral zones.

[JLP9639]

"You do not have to purchase a ticket on Sundays or on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day or Easter Monday." is what it says on the Edinburgh.gov web-site - so there you go.

[chemicalbro]

Another reason I'm leaning towards the train is that i don't really know Edinburgh all that well....
easier just to get off at Waverley station and make my way from there I think...

am I right in thinking that the station isn't too far away from the meeting place?

[rudgej]

Another reason I'm leaning towards the train is that i don't really know Edinburgh all that well....
easier just to get off at Waverley station and make my way from there I think...

am I right in thinking that the station isn't too far away from the meeting place?
You're correct. It is not far at all. Here's a print from Map24, and ignore the longer route that it is suggesting - that is just for cars. take the shorter route up Mound Place and Ramsay Lane.

[rudgej]

Here's a good link to an Edinburgh City centre map (http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/popups/map.html).

You can see the castle in the middle with Johnston Terrace as one suggested parking spot. You can also see Princes St Gardens (potentially good shots from there), and the Wallace Monument. Below Johnston Terrace is the Grassmarket and Victoria Terrace (which is where Steve's third shot on page 6 was taken). Greyfriars Kirk is in the grassy area to the left of Forrest Road.

The Royal Museum has a roof-top observation platform, and then to the right, you can see the Parliament, Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Palace (have to pay to get into the grounds), and Arthur's Seat/Salisbury Crags. Slightly up from the parliament is Calton Hill with Edinburgh's Shame and nice views along Princes Street.

Probably if we did these sites in that sort of order then it would take us most of the day. :)

[Buggbairn]

I've suggested the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle as a suitable meeting point, and we should meet at the statue to Earl Haig (its at the front right as you look at the castle). Would 10:00am give enough time for everyone to get to Edinburgh?

10.00AM is fine for me John :)

I'll also be bringing along this newly arrived mystery piece of kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/weejoe/IMG_1519.jpg

In a Rolf Harris Stylee........."Do you know what it is yet" ? :lol:

[chemicalbro]

angle finder?

[strachg]

Thats easy, its a map which gets folded up into a Canon pouch.

[Buggbairn]

angle finder?

B@@@stard That wasn't hard was it :( ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/weejoe/IMG_1519b.jpg

100% correct :) , I kinda figured anyone that had one would get it straight away, do you have one ?

If so how do you get on with it ?

I bought it to get low on shots and generally save the knees of my jeans gettin filthy.

I'm thinkin with my 10-22mm lens comin I'd get some interesting urban shots too.

[strachg]

Hi John,

I like that idea, always end up with mud covered knees when im out.

Graham

[Buggbairn]

Hi John,

I like that idea, always end up with mud covered knees when im out.

Graham

Hi Graham

Scottie's the name ;)

I do think it'll be a good addition to my kit, the viewfinder on the 350D ain't the biggest either and the angle finder helps block out everything else when your looking into it, kinda molds round the eye :)

[bachscuttler]

I've got the copy of the angle finder. It is a great addition but practically unusable with a flash mounted.
Thats the only drawback.

[strachg]

Ha HA sorry Scottie didnt look at the name properly thought it was rudgej.

I fancy one of those myself as the 350d viewer isnt that great as you say.

Graham

[Buggbairn]

I've got the copy of the angle finder. It is a great addition but practically unusable with a flash mounted.
Thats the only drawback.

Yeah I'd imagine so

Not much call for external flashes when I'm roaming the hills and Lochs so I should be fine :)

Ha HA sorry Scottie didnt look at the name properly thought it was rudgej.

I fancy one of those myself as the 350d viewer isnt that great as you say.

Graham

Ha ha your forgiven mate ;)

Yeah the viewfinder on the 350D can be pretty hard to use in certain situations and bright conditions, doesn't help when you have 4 eyes either ;)

[chemicalbro]

do you have one ?

If so how do you get on with it ?

Yes i do have one..... a third party make tho...... (not canon) I bought it for astrophotography tho , it's a lot easier looking down into the viewfinder than trying to squint through and try to focus using the regular 350D viewfinder in pitch darkness trying to focus on a star or whatever (the telescope can also get into some mad angles )
the 2x magnification on the angle finder helps too...

I also use it sometimes for low down macro shots

[rudgej]

10.00AM is fine for me John :)

Great!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/weejoe/IMG_1519.jpg

Now that I know the answer, I'm more curious about the asterisks on your map. Are they viewpoints for great shots? The positions of unclaimed lone trees? Places that you have lost lens caps? ;)

[Buggbairn]

Now that I know the answer, I'm more curious about the asterisks on your map. Are they viewpoints for great shots? The positions of unclaimed lone trees? Places that you have lost lens caps? ;)

Thats my Hi-Tec GPS mapping system for burger vans :lol: :lol:

Well if I'm honest it's just so I don't head out one day and end up in the same location twice, my tree database is in an external hard drive guarded by vicious rottweilers in a secret location ;)

[lakiluno]

lol...

about paying me back for those maps...

(/me steals your tree database and chops down all the trees)

[Buggbairn]

lol...

about paying me back for those maps...

(/me steals your tree database and chops down all the trees)

Edinburgh Laddies with a wee pinch o' salt are the dogs favourite so "go ahead punk..make their day" :lol:

Your DVD's have been ripped buddy, once burned they'll be on their way ;)

[lakiluno]

Thanks!

If I get one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ANTI-DOG-BARK-ULTRASONIC-TRAINING-COLLAR-FREE-BATTERIES_W0QQitemZ7764018421QQcategoryZ43426QQssP ageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), the dogs won't come near me (if I leave it on all the time!)

of course, I'll get put in a loony bin for wearing a dog collar :confused:

Leo :D

[saggy9999]

about the only new bit of kit I will have by then is a stofen for my flash

It will be the train for me as with my Daughter now taking part in the Linlithgow Gala Day on the Saturday we are having a big party at my house on the Saturday night
who knows what state I will be in
should make for some interesting photography from a lying on the pavement position???

Andrew

[Buggbairn]

about the only new bit of kit I will have by then is a stofen for my flash

It will be the train for me as with my Daughter now taking part in the Linlithgow Gala Day on the Saturday we are having a big party at my house on the Saturday night
who knows what state I will be in
should make for some interesting photography from a lying on the pavement position???

Andrew

Well I hope it's a better day than the ahem.....Bo'ness fair :lol: ;)

You may be on the same train as I get from Falkirk so If you need scraped off the platform at Lithgy gimmie a shout :lol:

[strachg]

well the bigma has arrived and oh my god you really dont realise the size and weight of this monster until you see it for real, there is actually a 350d at one of the ends of this.
Graham

http://www.grahamstrachan.net/IMG_0335.JPG

[rudgej]

well the bigma has arrived and oh my god you really dont realise the size and weight of this monster until you see it for real, there is actually a 350d at one of the ends of this.
That's some size. :shock: I hadn't realised that it was that big either.

[JLP9639]

That's some size. :shock: I hadn't realised that it was that big either.

And I thought size didn't matter! My 120-300 f2.8 MIGHT be bigger - 120mm "filter thread"!

[strachg]

yeah its big although filter size is only a measly 86mm. i will bring it to the meet anyway.

Graham

[rudgej]

And I thought size didn't matter! My 120-300 f2.8 MIGHT be bigger - 120mm "filter thread"!
I'm very keen to give that lens a try at some point on our Germany trip...:twisted:

[lakiluno]

maybe I'll peek at you with binoculars to take in the wonder of that bigma - and perhaps the 120-300 as well ??? :)

[bachscuttler]

That's some size. :shock: I hadn't realised that it was that big either.

If he points that thing at the Parliament building we are all going to spend a night in the cells :D

[chemicalbro]

If he points that thing at the Parliament building we are all going to spend a night in the cells :D

LOL :):):)

[saggy9999]

here is my 20D with my 120-300 attached
its a heavy beast but great for the footie

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/paperpics/20D_sigma120-300.jpg

[rudgej]

It's impressive for sure, but it does look that the Bigma might be slightly longer. I guess that it will be tape measures at dawn on the 18th then. ;)

[strachg]

That lens is def a larger diameter but maybe not as long, I weighed it out of curiosity and lens and camera together are 7lb's. so really heavy.

Graham

[strachg]

Graham............. I've got that very tripod........ bargain of the century....... sturdy as hell........... weighs more than the black hole at the center of the galaxy tho..

Man are you right, I need an assistant to carry this gear the tripod is another 8lbs I need to carry he he.

Graham

[chemicalbro]

Man are you right, I need an assistant to carry this gear the tripod is another 8lbs I need to carry he he.

Graham

:) told ya......

I guess tho that the extra weight adds to it's sturdiness :lol: