Author Topic: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects  (Read 42614 times)

David Paterson

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #90 on: April 21, 2016, 22:34:51 »
Today, very near the Lodges.

Note the weather - we have had a week of this, like most of the UK. But most long-range forecasts for early-to-mid-May are predicting cool, showery conditions with new snow on the hills. Better pack thermal underwear and some rain-gear, I think.

David Paterson

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #91 on: April 25, 2016, 00:19:47 »
This was a new discovery for me, just this morning - following a hill-track which I spotted years ago but never tried until now.

This was a summer temporary dwelling, or shieling, and a number are scattered on both sides of the high valley I was following. They probably date from the 18th and 19th centuries  - people would come up here in the summer with their sheep and cattle, to take advantage of the rich summer grazing.

If anyone has an interest in this kind of thing I would be delighted to take them there. The hills are the Tarmachans, seen from the north, and with just the lightest dusting of new snow on top of the old seams of spring snow - iron-hard in the morning until the sun starts to soften last night's freeze..
 

Erik Lund

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #92 on: April 25, 2016, 09:06:27 »
Very nice shot Dave! I like the view ;)
Erik Lund

Øivind Tøien

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #93 on: April 25, 2016, 09:31:20 »

Here is another potential project during the gathering, if I got the dates right,
Passage of Mercury in front of the Sun May 09, 2016:
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3435.msg50041.html#msg50041
Øivind Tøien

Jakov Minić

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #94 on: April 25, 2016, 09:34:39 »
Øivind, that's a great idea!
Now all I need is a solar filter and Bjørn's knowledge :)
Bjøøøøøøøøøørn heeeeeelp......
Free your mind and your ass will follow. - George Clinton
Before I jump like monkey give me banana. - Fela Kuti
Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem. - Woody Allen

Jan Anne

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #95 on: April 25, 2016, 12:11:34 »
Was planning on testing the Techart autofocus LEM-FE adapter with the abundance of Ai-S lenses everybody will be bringing but my adapter is planned for shipping in a month or so  :'( :'(

Oh well, more time to do other things ;D
Cheers,
Jan Anne

simato73

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #96 on: April 27, 2016, 23:59:45 »
Here is another potential project during the gathering, if I got the dates right,
Passage of Mercury in front of the Sun May 09, 2016:
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,3435.msg50041.html#msg50041

OK, that means I will take the Mamyia 500mm and my Baader filter. Maybe also the 2X. Pity the lens does not focus properly to infinity, I have not done anything to try and fix it yet.
Simone Tomasi

simato73

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #97 on: April 28, 2016, 00:02:37 »
Another thing I'd like to do is to shoot the Glenfinnan railway viaduct when the steam train passes (Harry Potter anyone?).
I have found departure times from Mallaig and Fort William but nothing hinting when trains might be passing Glenfinnan.
Dave, have you got any suggestions?
Simone Tomasi

David Paterson

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #98 on: April 28, 2016, 00:42:44 »
Another thing I'd like to do is to shoot the Glenfinnan railway viaduct when the steam train passes (Harry Potter anyone?).
I have found departure times from Mallaig and Fort William but nothing hinting when trains might be passing Glenfinnan.
Dave, have you got any suggestions?

I've attempted this a couple of times, once successfully, once not. It's very important to allow plenty of time to get into a good camera position, probably somewhere to the west of the viaduct. If a train leaves Fort William at, say, 11am, it would not be inappropriate to be walking in to position at 10.30.

chris dees

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #99 on: April 28, 2016, 06:36:40 »
Another thing I'd like to do is to shoot the Glenfinnan railway viaduct when the steam train passes (Harry Potter anyone?).
I have found departure times from Mallaig and Fort William but nothing hinting when trains might be passing Glenfinnan.
Dave, have you got any suggestions?

This would be something for me as well.
I arrive on Monday, so it would be nice to do this somewhere between Tuesday and Friday. :)

I've been there once but no train. :(
Chris Dees

David Paterson

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #100 on: April 28, 2016, 12:51:51 »
Re the West Highland Line - it seems that there is only one steam train per day, leaving Fort William at 10.15am. The "ordinary" (non-steam)  service takes 35 min to reach Glenfinnan station, with a few stops en route, so you can expect the steam service to be a little quicker - perhaps 25 min - as it does not stop until the end of the line at Mallaig. I would aim to be in position by 10.30 at the latest, which means starting the walk-in not later than 10.00. I might come with you; we'll see.

David Paterson

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #101 on: April 28, 2016, 16:07:37 »
Oops!   :-\

When some very cold, dense low cloud lifted around noon, it revealed that the snowline was down to around 300m. Amongst other things, this meant that my wife, who had gone to visit a friend about 35km from here, probably had to drive most of the way on snow. She is a novice driver and I don't think she has ever driven on snow before.   :-\ :-\

As far as Scotland! 2016 is concerned, please DO NOT WORRY. The sun is shining now and the snow is already in retreat.   ;) 8)

Just be sure to bring some warm clothes.   :-\ :-\ :-\

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #102 on: April 28, 2016, 16:33:53 »
In other words, Norwegian summer attire then. :D

David Paterson

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #103 on: April 28, 2016, 17:03:41 »
In other words, Norwegian summer attire then. :D

Yes, reindeer-hide and sheepskin it is.   ;D

Maybe I spoke a little too soon about the sun - we have heavy falling snow at the moment.   :-\

But Mayumi is home safely after her snowy adventure.   ;D ;D

simsurace

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Re: Scotland NG Gathering 2016: Projects
« Reply #104 on: April 28, 2016, 19:51:39 »
I don't really care about the weather, it can't be much worse than last September in Finland, and I managed to have fun even there. Of course a little bit of sun doesn't hurt.
Simone Carlo Surace
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