I had a look at the Golf Plus , but couldn’t justify the price. I was looking to buy a new car and had a few on my shortlist.

I ended up ordering a new Skoda Fabia Scout 1.6 diesel.

About to take delivery on 1st March.

Skoda had a deal on whereby there was 0% vat , which made the decision over the Golf Plus very easy.
Also had 50% deposit with two years interest free payments.

Considering I was looking to buy with no part ex and the Skoda deal it was stacked in favour of the Skoda.

Golf is slightly better finished, but the deal I got was very good.

Skoda Scout is your other choice, not sure if the deal is still on though.

Saddle arrived today – many thanks – I’m happy its a good deal / offer.

My saddle hasn’t arrived either

Yes, I bought it.

Always wanted one, making a return after a three year lay off.

look for an old chap pottering around Afan on a Durance once the monsoon season is over.

Doing lots of stretching and walking to get in a fitter state at the moment.

Thanks for the comments – the photo was taken at the recent Volksfest at Margam – some wonderful VW,s there.

I’ve recently sold all my Canon digital equipment and bought a Leica X1 digital compact.

Been captivated by the image quality and the simplicity of taking photographs again.

Seriously thinking about getting a Leica M6 or M7 and returning to film.

It’s the telever lever system – doesn’t dive under braking – works quite well.

Not the most nimble bike in the world, but lovely to ride in a sane manner.

Bags of usable torque everywhere. Can bimble along at just under 2,000 rpm and just open the throttle – don’t have to keep changing gear.

Photo of the Beemer

Didn’t buy the Triumph in the end – bought a BMW R1150R in lovely condition.

Now, where’s the sun gone….

Thanks – I know the bike starts ok, but its only done 13,600 from new.

Read up on the sprag clutch problem, seems it can start anytime after 15,000 miles.

Its a very expensive repair job – I think I’ll pass.

Thanks oldgrump08 – I’ll have a look.

I know that this might go against the current flash thinking, but I had the Pocket Wizards TT1 and TT5 using the Canon 580 EX II off camera.

Sold all the Pocket Wizards, and assorted off camera stuff.

Now use the flash in the hot shoe with very good results for fill in flash – you just need to be a little close to the action – say about three metres away.

Cheers Grumm

GF1 with the 20mm lens does look tempting – will keep my current gear for the next 3 months just to make sure that I won’t have any regrets if I decide to change etc.

See earlier in the thread for a pic I took at ISO1600 on a 4/3 camera.

Lovely image, must get back to taking more varied photo’s myself.

I’ll have a look at the 4/3rds suggestions, my main concern would be the noise in the images.

A friend has a 5D2, and it’s simply stunning in terms of image quality – the reviews on the Leica (in particular) and the new Fuji , appear to have very good ISO performance as well.

I’ve read through this interesting post, but seem to be having some doubts about my own photography of late.

I’ve built up to what most people would probably envy (in terms of gear), to a Canon 1D3 , various primes , Pocket Wizards TT1 & TT5 ,external battery pack to fuel the flash etc.

Can’t help thinking that to take an image I’ve got an arsenal of gear…….

Looking at the type of images that I tend to take, and those which I actually like to view , well they’re a mile apart in terms of subject and content.

I’m close to selling all my gear except the tripod and buying a Fuji X100 or a Leica X1.

I just want to be able to put my camera in my pocket (or small man bag :-) ) and take images of places of interest. Natural light, one focal length – near dslr quality.

Anyone else on here gone back to simpler photography? could be tempted with just a 5D2 and a 35mm lens though – but that would be the extent of it.

Earlier today at Rheola

Hi Grum

You deserve it – the photo’s you’ve posted on here are excellent.

I’ve had a similar request for my speedway photo’s – a few riders have contacted me for use in promotional work.

I’m trying to work out how I can become more involved in photography as a serious hobby / semi professional work.

Reading the recent wedding photography posts though – that looks like something I’d want to avoid.

Worms Head – Gower

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2010/09/olympus-to-end-43rds-lenses.html

When I had an Olympus E300 the noise issue was clearly apparent on certain high ISO images.

I liked the operation of the Olympus, and as said by other their lenses are very fine, it’s just the lack of choice really.

Canon and Nikon make their own high quality lens, plus good options from Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc – just more choice really.

I’ve had a Canon 40D and now a Canon 7D – suppose I’d recommend Canon.

The one area where I think Nikon have an advantage is in the better ISO rendition. The higher end Nikon cameras get better reviews based on less noise and a better low light capability.

To be honest, there’s not much in it – both are very good at different price points throughout their respective ranges.

I did have an Olympus – but wouldn’t recommend Olympus, purely on the lack of choice of lens compared to the big two.
Didn’t think the whole 4/3 rds thing was too well thought out – it appears it might be coming to an end – see internet rumours.

I raised a complaint against the bank (mine) as it was one of the only ways of finding out where the £975 was.

By coincidence I got a phone call this afternoon from them…

They have investigated the issue, and found that the money was successfully transferred to the "sellers" account on 31st July.

The money was always there, and he was simply trying to steal my money – thats a fact that the bank can confirm.

I'll be ringing the police tonight – attempted theft.

~~

Nice one Don, looks like a good deal, might sleep on it…..
:-)

Contacted the bank this morning …….

The cheque HAS CLEARED!!!

Thanks to all for your support – it has helped to have some opinions and dialogue, at times I felt I had lost the money for good.

Will be contacting the police tonight to see what I can do about this.

Looks like the closure of a long running thread.

Liam

There have been a few times during this episode that I haven't been quite so calm.

At one stage I had to believe that I had simply had my money stolen, as it was taking over my life.

The intervention of the police, and telling the other person about the police changed the situation.

I just hope the cheque clears on Monday officially.

Once I've got my money back, I'll discuss the options with the police. Needless to say the "seller" will be banned on the forum where he "sold" the lens. I'll probably put a post on the other forums warning them also.

I'm keeping an eye out on Ebay and the other popular photography forums for him.

A few of my camera friends have also emailed him etc enquiring about the sale of the lens – he hasn't replied to them….

Cheque hasn't bounced yet – according to the bank it will have "officially" cleared this coming Monday.

Police are still informed and if the cheque bounces then they will interview him with all the evidence to date.

Emails, records of texts, one (only one) telephone call in all of this.

Looks positive that the cheque will clear at the moment.

more speedway action…

Cheque has arrived by recorded delivery this morning.

Photo taken of the cheque and will take to my bank tomorrow morning.

~~

Bottle of Newcastle Brown moves back into fridge in readiness…..

~~

If its genuine, then I suppose it won't be until Wednesday – Friday next week until it clears.

ummm… takes Newcastle Brown out of fridge for the moment, looking good on the dining room table.

I do hope I can open it soon….

thanks for the link