Travel – Estepona, Spain 2026

Sony A7 – Nikon 35mm f2. A view across to Gibraltar from the back of our hotel.

We first visited Estepona in 2023. On that occasion our hotel was situated about eight miles out of town which meant a bus ride in for us before we could start exploring. I wanted to return but stay in the town or close to it. So with that in mind we booked a H10 hotel located on the edge of town and within easy walking distance of the town centre.

Continue reading

Vintage Lenses – Lens/Camera Combinations

A rose image I shot yesterday – Fujifilm X-T5 – Jupiter 9 85mm f2

It’s getting on for nearly a year now since I started regularly using vintage prime lenses, choosing to shoot with them rather than my modern Fujifilm alternatives, mostly zooms. I don’t own a vintage zoom lens. I’m not sure why that is other than I’ve enjoyed using my new prime lens collection and just not been minded to even research vintage zooms as an option. However there is one issue that’s become apparent with these old prime lenses since I bought my full frame Sony A7 MK3 earlier year.

Continue reading

Travel – Ladram Bay, East Devon, UK

The Ladram Bay camp site from the coast path to Budleigh Salterton – Auto Takumar 35mm f2.3

We took advantage of some recent good weather in the UK and booked a short caravan holiday, Mon-Fri, at Ladram Bay on the East Devon coast. A late booking discount meant we paid £360 for an eight berth caravan plus an extra £40 for the dog.

Continue reading

Travel – Rethymno, Crete, Greece – 2026

We revisited Rethymno, Crete, at the beginning of the month staying once again in the Aquila Porto Rethymnon Hotel. This was a half board deal, booked through TUI, flying from Bristol UK into Heraklion, Crete. The flight and airport were pretty uneventful although the transfer from the airport to the hotel took 90 minutes in a pretty uncomfortable, packed minibus. Still, we were on holiday and didn’t care.

Continue reading

Vintage Lenses – Three New Nikon Lenses

Jodrell Bank Cheshire UK. Taken with a Nikon 105mm f2.5 and Sony A7 mk3

Its been a while since I posted in relation to my vintage lens journey and I’ve added to my collection during that time. The first of my recent acquisitions was a Nikon 105mm f2.5 Pre AI lens. It was a popular lens back in the 70’s and 80’s and was made famous by Steve McCurry who shot the famous Afghan Girl image for National Geographic with a copy.

Continue reading

Vintage Lenses – Helios 44-2 with a reversed front element

An early shot with the modified lens. I took the lens out with us to grab some shots this morning but we were unlucky with the weather and walked straight into a monsoon like squall. Thinking of my wife and dogs welfare I agreed to put the camera away and go for a coffee until the squall blew through. I know, I’m a good guy. Actually, the truth of the matter is I was more worried about getting my vintage lens and Sony A7 wet!!

Having scoured so many vintage lens blogs and watched hours of vintage lens YouTube videos over the last few months, I was aware that lens elements could be reversed to achieve some quirky effects. It was something I hadn’t considered trying until I stumbled across Nadin Thomsons wonderful photography blog site. Here’s a link to Nadins site, it’s well worth making a visit – nadinthomson.co.uk

Continue reading

Photography – Nikon NIKKOR-S.C Auto 50mm f1.4

I shot this in my garden. I pulled the Danbo out of retirement for a bit of foreground interest but what I was really trying to do was create some round, soap bubble, bokeh balls. That worked well with the sun creating nice bokeh ball highlights off the leaves on a bush in the background.

I bought, yet another, vintage lens from Ebay last week. I’d read a favourable review of the Nikon NIKKOR-S.C Auto 50mm f1.4, a 1970’s classic and decided I’d like one. It’s still widely available and I bought a copy, in mint condition, for £100. I’ve never owned, or used, a Nikon lens before but I’m suitably impressed. The build quality is superb and it’s a dream to use.

Continue reading

Lens Artists Challenge #380: What’s Around the Corner

John Ateyo. A 1950’s Bristol City FC legend. We walked through the soccer stadium grounds on route to the harbour and the view of the suspension bridge.

Well this is really spooky. This week Anne challenges us to post images from photo opportunities we’ve stumbled across on one particular walk. I’ve done exactly that today, before I knew what was coming with this weeks challenge! Here’s the story of that walk.

Continue reading

Photography – New Vintage Lens Additions

Canon FD 55mm f1.2 – A photography book Christmas present I was given this year.

Following on from the success and enjoyment I had using my vintage lenses in Marrakesh (blogged here) I decided to invest in a few more old lenses. I’ve spent hours researching on YouTube channels, blogs and Flickr and came up with a short list of lenses that might compliment those I already owned.

Continue reading

Vintage Lenses – Auto Takumar 50mm F1.4 (8 Element Version)

Auto Takumar 50mm f1.4 – Shot at F5.6 earlier today.

I’ve been shooting on and off with vintage lenses for a couple of years now. I always enjoyed using them but I didn’t really stick with it. I think it’s probably because I was prioritising shooting stock images, which need to be tack sharp. To that end using my modern Fujifilm lenses, with auto focus and coatings that have superb flare and glare control made more sense. There’s more on my drift into using vintage lenses in a previous blog – Vintage lenses and Flickr

Continue reading