This morning I set off with the kit and within four hours had earned a days wage. I even had to spin the job out a bit.
I was snapping old cars. They looked better than new. I popped strobes in the inside and a strobe round the blind side and the result I thought was okay. I’ll do the same to my mates MG Midget. It’s easy once you comprehend fill light. I can’t show or use snaps from today as like most wealthy folk he doesn’t want to show off. Or show what he has.
First thing yesterday we drove to Maplin. Maplin is always a fraught shopping experience. They sell allsorts of things from Arduinos to weather stations to graphics cards. I took my new laptop to see if they had a NVIDIA card that supported two screens. They didn’t, thank god. I’ll let PC Specialist sort this wee problem next week.
They did have a hundred pack of their wonderful AA batteries for a penny under fifteen pounds. I also purchased a tape measure for a pound, A new test meter for a tenner and a bag full of those wires with tiny crocodile clips on. Thrilled to bits I was. I actually went for a motion detect camera that my mate bought the week before for a smidging under sixty pounds. They were back to a hundred this week so I passed.
Last night, I set his to record twenty second video clips. Much the worse for wear, I popped peanuts down on what looked like a run and tied the camera to a stick. This morning on retrieving the tipped over camera it had recorded these beauties.
Tomorrow, I’m ripping my old microwave from the truck and once I’ve measured it with my Maplin one pound tape measure will order a new one.
Have fun.
The properties of the video file should have a last modified time (i.e. right click on it and choose properties). Then add on the time into the video and bingo you have the time of the badger sighting.... hopefully.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark it would be great to set a hide up with strobes and camera. Leave it a day or two for them to be bribed by peanuts and get used to the new. It's my project. I suspect they are creatures of habit so they should be easyish to capture in glorious colour.
ReplyDeleteMark, they are AVI files....the computer she says no. I'll convert them tomorrow and try again.
DeleteLovely to see photos of Badgers, especially just now. I hope your badgers will be safe!
ReplyDeleteVal, they are fine up here. We have lost the Sparrow Hawks, the Barn Owl and even the Kestrel. The landowners and owners of shoots know they are safe from prosecution under this hooray government.
ReplyDeleteIf we paid a proper price for food there would be no need for Badger culling. Any farmer with half a brain and I believe there are some must realise that stuffing 600 animals close together spreads disease. Have you ever felt on top form after a flight on a Jumbo Jet?
Aaah the joy of pennies ~ we have not had 1cent, 2cent coins for years and they are going to do away with 5cent coins too.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I don't know why we have them. They are worth nothing.
DeleteCool pictures of your badgers. It's great listening to you discuss what can be done with light in different places.
ReplyDeleteRed, I have about ten minutes of video so far. I'll relocate the camera tonight then edit it and post the video.
DeleteHI Adrian Great to ha to photo these shots of the badgers but why did you not show us the video? Thar would have been even better.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I detest editing video. My internet connection here is politely called variable. I dread to even try uploading to You Tube. I have all the clips in a folder so next time I have good internet access I'll post properly.
DeleteAdrian you are one spunky guy. All that going about and setting all this up - well, I admire it. I wish I had half the determination you have. Wow, a hundred batteries! Have you ever tried the rechargeable kind? They work fine for my keyboard and mouse. They will work for my little camera but I haven't used it enough to really know if they are powerful enough.
ReplyDeleteI guess your camera is rugged as you didn't say it suffered any damage from getting knocked over. It's cool seeing those badgers even this way.
David yes I have tried rechargeables. They are great for a while but then don't seem to hold charge.
DeleteThese batteries are very good value and last well.
It isn't my camera so what the hell. They are built for the job. It seems pretty rugged. The Badgers keep going up to it and sniffing it. It's on a bigger stick now.
thanks for a look-see into how badgers look close up!
ReplyDeleteNorma, the site is pretty quiet tonight so I'll pop the camera out again. I'll also leave them some dry dog food and peanuts.
DeleteKeep them secret and safe. Apparently some places around Great Britain want to kill them all. Very cool gadget you have there:) But keep their secret safe;)
ReplyDeleteChris, they don't seem bothered by the LEDs. These trail cameras are fun and if you have bottomless pockets they do a black light version.
DeleteI unfortunately do not have bottomless pockets, but I would certainly love to have them at some point:)
DeleteI have asked my camera supplier and he says they are all much of a muchness. A hundred and fifty dollars should buy one. Maybe half that through Amazon.
DeleteI have asked my camera supplier and he says they are all much of a muchness. A hundred and fifty dollars should buy one. Maybe half that through Amazon.
DeleteI have asked my camera supplier and he says they are all much of a muchness. A hundred and fifty dollars should buy one. Maybe half that through Amazon.
DeleteI have asked my camera supplier and he says they are all much of a muchness. A hundred and fifty dollars should buy one. Maybe half that through Amazon.
DeleteHi Adrian, I just priced out locally, a Sekonic L358 for $350.00 Canadian. I don't know if they would cost more in your part of the world. I have an old one, the one I mentioned earlier. I use it all the time when using strobe flash units.
ReplyDeleteHorst, I do Know someone who uses an incident light meter. I'm not shooting weddings so it is no problem to just take test shots and adjust as required. I'll pinch it next week and see if it speeds the job up.
DeleteI have a cheap but big LED lamp. I tend to light things with it and when happy pop a strobe and diffuser there.
I don't do much strobe work but it does add to an image....usually. I have never got my head round Hi-speed sinc or the modelling flash business. I think Hi-speed sinc just does lots of little flashes. Well intensity is the same but they just string a load of say eighth duration ones together.
Vayaaaa que buenas...si que son bellezas!!
ReplyDeleteHe estado sin lÃnea de interner, solucionado el problema vuelvo a ver a los amigos:))
Un abrazo.
Laura, tú y yo. Mi internet es terrible aquÃ. El tejón es hermoso.
DeleteTener un abrazo y un buen fin de semana.
It's good to see the Badgers looking safe and well Adrian, lets hope they stay that way? It looks like you've found yourself another photo project there then?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the DIY!...[;o)
Trevor, let us hope so. I'm amazed that the LED light doesn't bother them. They are curious rather than concerned. I've too many projects on at the moment. Jack of all and master of none springs to mind.
DeleteThat has gone like a dream...off to Argos soon for a new microwave. Well not soon but Drektly as the west country folk say. It will be next Tuesday.
wauwwww wat is dat mooi.
ReplyDeleteHet is het een Badger, zijn Onze regering slachten honderden. Als ik een man te schieten dan weet ik waar ik heen ga om zijn pistool te zetten.
DeleteI thought Maplins was a holiday camp? Hi-de-hi! Loved the badger pictures. Amazing creatures but how many have Cameron's assassins exterminated? They are keeping it all very secretive - like a military operation. I think Cameron, Clegg and Osborne should be made to wear badger skin suits in parliament - with badger hats - like posh Davy Crocketts.
ReplyDeleteYP, it is I used to really fancy the lass in Hi-de-hi. I could have grown old disgracefully with her. I'm not making too bad a job of it on my own.
DeleteCome, come now. They are doing their very best for the country. It is not very good for wildlife or the country. That is only because they are a gang of incompetent, arrogant tossers with no thought for anyone but themselves and those of their ilk.
Stop beating about the bush Adrian - say what you mean!
DeleteStop beating about the bush Adrian - say what you mean!
DeleteStop beating about the bush Adrian - say what you mean!
DeleteBelos registos...Espectacular....
ReplyDeleteCumprimentos
Fernando, muito obrigado e tenha um bom fim de semana.
DeleteShame we can't see the cars, the Le Mans Bentley replica sounds interesting, is it a real Bentley done up to look like a Le Mans racer or is it a full blown replica, wheels up so to speak? Though I can understand the owners reluctance, security etc. Like the badger shame about the loss of Kestrels, barnies and sprawks some people are so narrow minded.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, it was built in 1962. Then rebuilt two years ago with parts sourced from the period.
DeleteThe coach work is brand new with the soft canvas cover. The engine is a period 1929/1930 4 1/2 litre unit from a saloon as is the chassis. The Roots blower was rebuilt from an old grain silo compressor so is identical to #1. I think the #1 Bentley was only 3 litre but it is an overhead cam unit with four valves per cylinder. The owner is seventy eight and a grand chap. I asked him to bring it out for an airing but he says it's harder to drive and stop than his Field Marshall tractor and nearly as hard to start.
It is a bit agricultural in conception, like the difference between a Lotus Elan and a Mustang but still totally mind blowing. He has just had new wheels and hubs built. The wheels have aluminium bronze splines whilst the hub splines are some posh steel alloy. Or maybe it is visa versa. The new wheels and spokes are just nickle plated. It's easier for crack detection. A wheel fell off last year.
He's a grand bloke I met in a pub who was surprised I had even heard of Frazer Nash, or ERA he wants one of them with the pre-selector gearbox.
I really must get it out on the road. I don't know whether I could work it though, I have trouble with Fireblades these days and they are a dream to ride. Specially the 1997 ones and the new ones. They lost the plot in between did Honda.
So to answer your question it is a copy. A very good one. I haven't seen or heard it fired up but apparently it needs an oil flush every time it runs. He hires Croft circuit twice a year and has a mate who can drive it. He says his mate has steel balls or balls of steel. The damn thing goes or tries to go straight on when it sees a corner. It does one hundred miles a year. I will try and get some snaps of it rushing along. Be next year now. He is a sociable chap but wary.
It laps Croft in one minute fifty nine seconds on it's best day, it is usually well over two minutes, nearer two and a half on hard rubber.
I saw a genuine one and replica at the Silverstone classic so I know what you mean about it being hard to drive, one chap told me it was like rubbing your head and patting your belly at the same time which made me laugh, mind you 1:59 around Croft ain't too shabby of a time.
DeleteI'm seeing the owner tonight. I don't think 1'59" is credible I suspect he should have added a minute. He's a rum old bugger.
DeleteGreat stuff Adrian - the badger pics. I would have been over the Moon with them no matter what the quality. I had a quick look on Maplins site but couldn't see that sort of camera listed. Just curious as to the specs of it.
ReplyDeleteI'll get the make and model number when I fetch it in later.
DeleteGood to see a Badger that's escaped the murderers of DEFRA.
ReplyDeleteI was over the moon when my night camera picked one up here; and then a Fox.
Keith, I've a fair bit of video to string together. I'll do it today. The internet seems better. I can't face trying to upload to You Tube on a slow connection.
DeleteFrom what was reported in yesterdays Telegraph it doesn't look as if they will manage to shoot very many at all. Mind you one is two many.
My Uncle had an old 4 1/2 litre Bently when he was young. And a Alvis at one time too. Those were the days. As for Fraser Nash: my dream. One of the wonderful things about NZ is the number of old cars that are still driven on a daily basis and the vintage car rallies that take place constantly.
ReplyDeleteGraham, there are many here as you know. They are just too valuable these days for every day use.
DeleteGraham, there are many here as you know. They are just too valuable these days for every day use.
DeleteGraham, there are many here as you know. They are just too valuable these days for every day use.
DeleteThis is a very fascinating creature. I love the light.
ReplyDeleteMaria, they are great.
Delete