New member query re buying GNDs in the UK

[Black Pearl]

I'll see what I can sort on Monday and get back to you.

[mlgreg]

Chris,

I do thank you for that bit of information we colonials are so helpless when in the big towns. The boss is in the throes of extending our stay there for another couple of days because the extended weather forecast for Scotland is so dreadful. I keep telling her that the Eurostar can get us from Victoria Station to civilization in a few short hours

[mlgreg]

I'll see what I can sort on Monday and get back to you.

You are a prince.

[Dave Humphries]

I keep telling her that the Eurostar can get us from Victoria Station to civilization in a few short hours

oooh, I doubt that

(they go from St. Pancras these days)

[mlgreg]

So her highness the princess is making....well some might call it plans. I would like to come home with lovely images of the highlands and the heather in full bloom. Mother nature however may have other plans. Since the deciding factor in this equation is the weakest link, and there are a number of factors that do not bear repeating here the plan is ????????. Originally this was planned as an exercise in landscape photography for me. since Her highness is the deciding factor it may be an exercise in street architectural and cityscape photography. Thats ok. I'm married to her so making momma happy makes everybody happy. we might spend three weeks in the UK and not get out of london for more than a couple of days. better that than an unhappy spouse and a disappointed hubby. The secret to a happy life... lower your expectations. then exceed them. All I know for a fact at the moment is that we will now be spending four vice two days in London, (secretly I suspect more). What I want is not the driving factor here. what I know is that I will bring back as many good images as I can no matter what her highness decides will be the most fun for her. I still want the GNDs for the chance that we do get out in scotland, (or some where). but there is now no real plan. The plan will be developed after we arrive.
Thank you all for all you help. Robin I am still looking for them please do not think I have abandoned my quest. I just need to come home with a happy wife and some good images as opposed to some good images and a wife who may or may not be happy. We shall persevere and thank you all for all your help.

[Donald]

So her highness the princess is making....well some might call it plans. I would like to come home with lovely images of the highlands and the heather in full bloom. Mother nature however may have other plans.

The key message, for photographers and princesses is that the mountains and glens of Scotland are far, far more dramatic when the mist is low and all is grey and atmospheric.

I di actually mean that, it';s not just bull....! Doesn't always se;; well to those who want sunshine, but give me a grey, damp, misty day in the Cuillins of Skye any day of the week. Packed full of atmosphere.

[Malcgeorge]

Try also Sendean Cameras, St Anne's Court just off Soho Square, which is about as central London as you can get. It is a few minutes walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Rd tube station. St Anne's Court lies between Dean Street and Wardour Street in Soho. Plenty of opportunity for architectural photography there too - Centre Point is there close and loads of other buildings of interest are within walking distance. Sendean Cameras are full of anything and everything 'Camera' and photographic and they know what they are talking about, which is an added bonus.

[mlgreg]

Malcome,

Thanks, IM going to be referring to these postings often over the next week or so.:

[shreds]

A day travelcard will allow freedom of rail travel within set zones. Check out the TfL website or queue up and ask at a ticket office when here. I would have thought most shops you are interested in are within zones 1&2 but dont quote me on that. A lot depends in where else around central London you want to be. Incidentally, we call the 'subway' the 'tube' or the 'underground' in London. A subway is just a pedestrian underpass from one side of the street to the other!

Oh and dont let anyone convince you that Tottenham Court Road is great for cameras. Whilst there are the odd few decent shops the majority of electrical retailers are of the type that will sell you last years stock at a ' negotiable' price a bit like a middle eastern bazaar. No good for the specialist stuff you are after.

[shreds]

Sounds like you will be taken to Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Knightsbridge Covent Garden and the like for the shopping.

Dont underestimate the time to get to Skye if you do go. The roads are not quite your freeways or interstates once you get beyond Edinburgh. But beautiful nevertheless and worth the effort.

Some good shopping for your wife to be had in Edinburgh, or at least mine always manages to find plenty of shops to spend in!

[Malcgeorge]

No one is trying to convince that Tottenham Court Rd is good for cameras as anyone who knows would not touch the shops there with a barge pole unless they after a hi-fi or similar piece of electrical gadgetry, which is not what is wanted here. However, if you know what you are about you know the specialist camera/photographic shops where the staff really know their stuff and they carry the sort of items and stock that the discerning photographer (rather than tourist snapper) will need. That is why I pointed to Sendean Cameras which I have dealt with for years - they are central and hence accessible to someone who is not resident normally in London, but specialist and helpful.

[Black Pearl]

Right.

Couldn't find a ND4 but there should be a Cokin Z-Pro ND2 on its way to our Oxford Street branch. I'll confirm its going and arrival as and when.

Robin

[krispix]

Hi Michael,
Robin seems to have come up trumps. Great.
Hope you have a super time in our fair city. In 66 years I've never tired of photographing the place.
Remind the Princess of the golden rule of travel: Pack half as many clothes, and twice as much money.
Enjoy.

[Black Pearl]

ND2 on its way to London, when will you be getting there and I'll make sure its kept for you.