Sutton Warrior

Sitting here listening to the Ashes Test at Lords, aren't they doing well . . . Discovered I could listen on the computer, whilst I fiddle on any other program . . . Dug around in my folders, found this original: '8am and 4 degrees . . . ' taken February 2007, Canon S50 compact This is my 'tickle up' of that original, no inspiration of an old artist, like the way the early sun and frost comes through . . . ? Sitting here, wondering as the weather improves, do I get an evening in on the local gravel pit . . . ??? some new stock been put in this week. Tough life ain't it . . . SW

Thanks Steve, a good idea. Puts a new dimention into the subject search? SW

I was at a new venue the other day, water lilies, moorhens, reflections, trees, a mature small gravel pit. Took a few pics, posted a couple in the comp. As I looked at one, the name Monet came to mind and his Water Lilly painting. Googled and it turns out he did a lot of Water Lilly paintings, they are very relaxing to my eye. No artist me, but I thought I'd have a fiddle in 'Elements v.7' see what I could come up with . . . Its no Monet, but I find the concept interesting for future investigation? As one wanders about looking for photos that could be tickled a little to remind one of various artist of the impressionist persuasion (I think they are called 'impresionists')? . . . its a bit of fun ain't it . . . and relax SW

Hay Janet, things are different these days, happy to 'bin the net', I agree with you. 16-20 was . . . is my normal choice of barbless spade hook, got this dinky little hook tier, and yes the cameras in the pocket . . . no DSLR on these trips. The kit looks worse than it is, box and rod holdall serves my needs, 50-100yds walk from the car, what dont go in the box dont go. SW

Funny you should say that that Janet . . . Here we go, all sorted this evening after work, some of my most recent tackle, had to dig around a bit in the shed, not sure where some of the really old tackle is, in the loft may be? But this is as it used to be up untill 1995, thats the last time this lot saw the light of day, found my old 'Berkhampsted Fishing Club' ticket for that year, along with my daughters Juniour card, she was 10 All of the above would have not be purchased after 1991/92'ish . . . it surprised me how up to date it looks to my obviously unaware eyes?? The rod is a 13ft Shimano 390 match coupled with an Aero reel, gorgeous line lay. Wont be botherd with the 'pod and bite indicators', simple light float for me these days. This is my reel of interest, a forerunner, one suspects of the modern carp reel, take off the drag as much as one wishes, the spool runs free or with some resistance according to the preset drag, the trigger gives full and variable clutch control, had a few decent fish on that. Never seen another one, any one used one? Bought my rod licence on line this morning before going to work. The plan is, due to personal circumstances, I'm going to have a quiet couple of hours up the Orwell after the bass, need some reflection time in some things . . . Then on the way home swing round via 'Markhams Tackle', get some new line, trace, maggots etc., plus a ticket for the lake on Sunday!!! Long time since I bought any light weight mono, always used 3lb main line, 1.5lb-2lb hook length, I presume that will still holds good on my sort of venue? The keep net, I seem to remember there were rules on dimentions . . . ??? the one I have is 2m x 0.5m, any one tell me if thats OK, or is it a bin job? SW

Inspired by Janet's recent post 'A GOOD DAY' and her pictures, stirred my roots, they go back almost 60 years, to 'the moor' in Redbourn and my Father fashioning a hook from a pin, tying this to a length of button thread and cutting a hazel stick to use as a fishing rod, bread bait and minows. Progressing by the time I was 7 to the Grand Union canal, three penneth of 'gentles' in a tobacco tin, gudgeon, roach and perch. Been hooked ever since. As I say Janet's thread and pictures brought back those earliest memories, the pictures, reminded me of more recent times in the 80's when I fished a 1 acre pond situated beside the railway bridge near Leighton Buzzard, Beds., that was the infamous location of the great 'train robbery'. It was also the site of me deciding on a wet October day in 1986, whilst returning a net full of fish . . . there has to be something better . . . ??? That led to 20+ years of trout and sea fishing, had a wonderful time, but the roots are still there I have the desire to re kindle my love of small pond and lake course fishing. Still got all the old tackle, plus some purchased in the early nineties when we as a family used to go to Bideford, North Devon, twice a year. We went to the same farm cottage, on which there was a small lake and a trout river. Up at 4am, fish till 8.30, the water was so close to the cottage that Kathy could call "breakfast", sit down by 9 o'clock, out by 10.30 for a family day! My Kathys ashes are scatted on that field overlooked by the cottage . . . Yes I have some fond memories of my course fishing days. . . . . So, I went to see my mate and tackle shop owner Gary Markham of Markhams Tackle in Ipswich. Asked the question, small lake, local? His reply, " we manage a lake just up the road in Kesgrave, disused gravel pit, on 2 acres, stocked with roach, rudd, tench, perch, bream, crucians and a few larger carp to 20lb". Sounds about right, so I went and had a nose . . . Whilst there, I got talking to a couple of anglers, father and son I think? Yes, the stock is there, the larger carp dont get seen much, but there are some good tench and bream, with roach to a pound on a good day, my type of fishing, its not the size, its the pleasure on really light tackle, 'floats my boat', always has done. Talked a little more, and they pulled out reels they still use . . . O'my, an 'Intrepid De-Lux', my first ever fixed spool, I paid 42/6d for it, for you young'uns thats 'forty two shillings and six pence', £2.12.5p in todays money. Dont know much about the 'Black Prince', same era, bit posher I think? So, a question, for those who live in the Ipswich area. I'm looking for, small, intimate lake/ponds, (dont need large carp), much prefer the waggler float, a 16-20 size hook, maggots, casters or sweetcorn, local'ish to Ipswich, fairly easy access, no root marches. Any suggestions . . . ???? SW

I think you might have hit the nail on the head Janet, not old, by modern standards, but believe me, one does feel pressure these days in sea fishing, I want fun, to relax. Sea fishing can get a bit OTT I find sometimes, my competitive edge has long gone . . . believe me, my competitive edge had a 'competitive edge' in a previous life, I took no prisoners, but that was a whole different ball game. The idea of re discovering that early life of happy memories and total relaxation . . . as I say, its time to do some soul searching . . . ? SW

Very interesting Janet, took me back 20+ years when I used to fish a similar looking pond, catch a similar stamp of fish and love every minute of it. Then one day, in the autumn, cold, wet and returning a net full of fish . . . I though there must be something better than this??? Not a good time in my life I have to say, approaching 40, milestone and all that . . . I searched for something better, tried trout/fly fishing . . . gets pricey, especially if you catch your limit in the first hour . . . Winding on, now facing the run up to retirement, another milestone in the distance, but very visible. However one has spent the best part of the intervening years afloat off our wonderful British Coast line. Had a great time, plenty of large fish, and some tiddlers! Learned all about boats, owned a few . . . But you know what, your report has fired the desire to get the course tackle out . . . Oh dear, what will Hazel say? Still got it all, not sold a thing, doubt the original line will be any good Why I can see . . . perhaps feel? . . . the passage of time. Aches and pains when on a boat become very acute these days, boats cost a lot of money, more pain, in the pocket! Moved home since those early years, from Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire, to South Suffolk in 2001. No idea even where the local pond is . . . however, I have friends in the local tackle business, and I live within 100 yards of 'Breakaway Tackle' in Ipswich. One has held some sort of fishing rod for as long as one can remember, read 'Mr Crabtree goes fishing' endlessly, my original copy fell apart from wear It was the only way to learn, my dear Dad, new nothing more than a fresh cut hazel stick, length of cotton and a bent pin, which is my first memory, my Dad in his shed bending that pin. One feels 'roots' stirring . . . food for thought, much soul (or is that 'sole') searching . . . SW

Janet, those pictures were only taken with my Canon S50 Compact P&S . . . 5mmp's. Its a very old camera technology wise. SW

Finally in the mire with the rest of you, my link has stopped working this morning but then new one is working fine . . . SW

Just tried it again, still OK for me, makes a change its usually me who is in the mire. SW

Working for me OK Fred. SW

There you go, its smoke and mirrors . . . As my last post, I started to suspect . . . program related? I'm a happy man, thanks Steve Walker . . . SW

I would read the as the program sees it as 240ppi in nef (RAW) As I dont shoot in raw at all, I dont know or have an issue? I wonder, did you try to re set the PS box to 300ppi? . . . OK Just tried it, I'm now confused myself, cos you can adjust the 'ppi' up!!! I put a 'RAW-nef' image up to 600ppi!!! Begs the question is 240 the ppi rate that 'nef' is set to in the camera or is it the way PS defaults? A can of worms or what . . . SW PS, I'm just going to bounce along, with the basic knowledge . . . for get the techie stuff, and enjoy my photography, seem to remember Ken Rockwell got into this a bit deeply on the issue of D40 v D40X v D80. I think it 'hung' there as well, with most individuals, with Ken singing the praises of the D40, and its 6mp's. He maintained the higher 10mp rating was no better, even worse, (slower camera processing!) than the poultry 6mp of the D40. O'boy . . .

Out on the boat Bassing again yesterday. I particularly like this picture, 'Ready for the net', the water swirling as the fish swims. See full report and a couple more pics in the Sea Fishing section, 'A relaxing days bass fishing'? Ready for the net: It was especially hard to get, as I was on my own on the boat, playing the fish, it still had some go in it, tried one earlier, played it out to long and it laid over on its side, that did not look good. SW

Not wishing to ruffle any feathers, but the original post 'Fuji cameras' by Janet took a direction re the above . . . Mulled it over in my mind since then, not to sure of true understanding whats going on?? So, as I new that my cameras were set at 'X' dots per inch . . . first where did I get this information . . . it finally came to me, when I re-size a picture, the drop down menu, gives, in the case of my Canon S50 compact, 180 pixels per inch, in the case of the Nikon D80 its 300ppi. I vaguely remember these figures used to be talked of in reviews, cant recall this in recent times? So, I took four pictures at four different mega pixel ratings with my S50, L=2592x1944mp, M1=1600x1200mp, M2=1024x768mp and S=640x480mp. Transferred these to Elements v.7, and put them up for re-size. In all cases they came up at 180ppi . . . ? very confusing but more thought. I then clicked on the show on screen at print size . . . did not note the actual A"xB", but all came on screen at an appropriate size to the 'mega pixel' designation, ie, large, smaller, even smaller and a stamp!!! Confirming, in my mind, the 'megapixel thing' is a sales gimmick, the 'X' millions of mega pixels you get gives a bigger picture, but the 'detail information' that is governed by pixels per inch is constant, as preset by the camera/sensor/processing. This can be changed at 'post processing', but cannot exceed the upper limit on ppi dictated by the sensor, at present this figure seems to be a maximum for DSLR's 300ppi, without interpolation? and upto 180ppi on compacts, not sure wher the pro., full size sensor sits? As I say I'm not into arguments here, just trying to understand what is actually going on, and suspecting we might be, as has been mentioned in the media and on a number of websites, we might be being led up the proverbial garden path, 6mp's is adequate, 8 to 10mps if you must, anything above this is stretching the less than full size sensor??? 6mp's is adequate on A4 and if 300ppi, potentially contains as much information as a 10-12mp's, 300ppi image, the only difference is printable size. Quality of processing, sensor type etc, is another issue entirely. SW

Yep, thats what I was looking for, a 'Lazy day afloat'. Put the anchor out and watch the fish bit . . . yeh Mentioned in the week to member how the Outer Ridge has been known to throw up the od decen bass, loked at the forcast . . . why not. Got a few peelers, some monster rag and a freezer full of squid. The outer ridge is only a half-hour steam from the marina, almost flat calm, loverly, then I spied in the mist a small trawler. O'well I'm here now, give it try. To cut a story short, all I did was feed the crabs for an hour. Back in to the river, wasted 90 minuts of the new tide, as it took some time to steam. Tried verious marks, nothing, slowly working my way to an area I treat as a 'banker mark'. Even here, nothing . . . OK 'sidways thinking', where might they be, the deep water, nah, a third of the tide has gon, it goes dead then. But with ragworm and not a fish, not even a sprat . . . This is suposed to be a relaxing day, on feet all the time, brain in gear permanatly, and drifting which is an exciting way to fish but tiring. The next hour and a half, saw 8 bass boated, 2 + 40cm, 3 + 36cm and a couple of sprats . . . thats seven . . . yep I had one worm left, there was a hole, in the deepest part 40ft+. I had never drifted the hole . . . so, nothing to loose, last worm, set the drift, the worm was at lest 10" long so half a worm!!! tight git A 40ft + hole with 1oz of lead takes a long time to bottom out. The half worm was intercepted on the way down, missed the fish, slack line and all that. OK, added the other half worm, all wiggly, and again the long drop to the bottom, by this time I was at the back edge of the hole and running onto some deep rough ground . . . You know that saying, "I can feel it in my water", well I could . . . Bang!!! no messing the toothpick of a rod bent double. This was a different fight, no dashing about, just power, stay deep, take line type power. Finaly the grey form came to the surface, the fish netted, only lightly hooked, a heavier more powerfull rod would have pulled that hold free. 50cm, about 3'ish+ pounds? A satisfying end to a great day afloat. Ready for the net . . . Safly aboard . . . Thats a lot of water to find a few bass in . . . It true these fish are not large by the standards of the long distance off shore marks in this aea, but I find it balances nicly in my mind against fuel and time needed, puerly a personal choice. SW

I am backing out of this one before it kicks off, I'm not going to be in the middle like the RAW/Exif fiasco. Yes its a printing thing, I am a time served printer, the spec., on a camera states clearly, XXX no. of pixels per inch, I assume that relates to; Y inches x Y inches at 300dpi = XXXX mega pixels = a print Z" x Z". As I say thats it, I'm out of here. SW

I think the reviews are good for evaluating usability and processing in their various forms with respect to cameras. However, regardless of sensor size, the more pixels per inch, potentially the finer the image will be. No different to news papers pictures and fine quality images in books. In the simplest of terms, its down to the number of 'dots per inch', less dots the courser and lacking in detail will be the picture. The way processing is don in the camera, that is another story, wont go there cos we get into JPEG, RAW and all that (rap So, lets keep it simple, the 'more pixels per inch' the better, the 'bigger the sensor' the better, and if you are into big prints, the more 'mega pixels' the better. Like you say Rob, trying to work it out any further than that, I dont think it will help the cause at this time. However, a word of caution to anyone, in simple term, more 'mega pixels' on their own does not = better pictures, regardless of what the glossy adverts say . . . SW

Are you right about the cropping Rob? Large mega pixel counts on compacts or, any camera, boasting 10 million pixels. Look closely at the spec., ods on, compacts will only be, at best, 180 pixels per inch A3'ish print size. The 6mp D40 type DSLR will have 300ppi, smaller potential print size A4'ish but a much finer image . . . to crop if so desired. Think hard on that one, its 'pixels per inch' that determines crop size/quality and 'total megapixels' that determines practical print size . . . I'm no Einstein but I think thats works out about right? My advise is wait, high megapixel compacts have small censors, trying to cram a quart into a pint pot, and assuming I'm right? marketing gurus get us to think that a large MP count is the 'bees knees', when in truth, 6mp or 10mp both at 180ppi = the same basic picture quality Janet, its early days with the compact, and Christmas is only 6 months away, get that 'eye' working and the legs zooming . . . SW

We see this one so often, the poster very quickly realises they need flexibility, modern compact do an amazing job, I have 3!!! But when it comes to serious picture taking, I still reach for the DSLR. I hate being that predictable but its true. The problem starts in my mind with budget on the one hand, advise on the other and the middle ground of sensibility with out prejudice, and all at a budget? Janet, you will be asking the same question in a few months time. Keep your money mounting, enjoy your compact. My feeling is that you really want the flexibility of a DSLR. So, should the question be; how much will a DSLR cost me at entry level, and which camera? I only have experience of Nikon, I can hear the Canon camp tapping away already I'm biased, but the Nikon D40 plus its 18-55 lens is still a peach. I use the D40X which has a similar operating system, its a hybrid, part compact, part DSLR, but because I use both types I get along with it just fine, you are buying into a lens system that has received some criticism, 'cant use old lenses'. Nikon are committed, D40-40X-60-5000, its the new world of affordable, usable Nikon, in the same way as they have committed to the C-MOS sensor. I see Nikon as the one to beat for the foreseeable future. HSM (hi speed motor) lenses are the way to go, Nikon are moving into the 21st century, the brand is supported by Sigma, Tamron, Tokina . . . and they are available 'used' at the right price. So thats the negatives out of the way. Positive, New D40 from Amazon £230, with 18-55 lens, is that in budget? if not, keep saving, the down side only 6m mega pixels, prints up to A4 no problem, a little larger some will say. Nikon D60, 10m mega pixels, £370, print A3, do you print A3? menu a little more DSLR, less compact . . . is it a worry? Then there is the question of additional lens cost. Or a bridge camera, it has it all?? . . . the only bridge I have seen that produces a picture I would like is the Panasonic that Nurse Judy has, top pictures. Then again the new breed of compact is something else, so are the prices!!! It does not matter which way you jump, there is always a compromise, save the money, remember, 'a better camera will not take a better picture', work on the 'eye'. I say again, go the rout you are proposing and you will be itching to do it all again in no time A humble opinion, not answering the question but anticipating the question 6 months on? SW

Grabbed a few hours bass fishing on the boat Sunday evening, tides worked in perfectly with the British Grand Prix on TV and me having a lay in in the morning The fishing was great, two of us, in 3 hours, boated around 20 bass, stop counting at half a dozen each They ranged from sprat size to a nice 40cm fish, all went back to fight another day, great fishing on super light tackle . . . then to be rewarded with this sunset: Early, dark and moody . . . Half an hour later . . . My favourite . . . just . . . These are as the camera saw them, I did have to adjust the EV compensation, +1 to +1.3, Straight in to the sun, center weighted metering did its job, I have not use Matrix metering for ages, dont even think about it anymore . . . The only computer adjustments are 800 pixels and a hint of sharpen. The lens is Nikons 18-200VR all things to all men super zoom, It really does do a 'job' by my simple standards . . . . . . and those camera menu adjustments, again by my standards are spot on Nikon D80: a very expensive 'point and shoot' . . . SW

Brian Carragher, Here is a blown up picture of my previous boat installation, best I could do on quality/size combination. It shows clearly how the 'quick set holder', holds the rod in place with the geometry of the rod retainer, pressure on the front leg from the rod butt, holds the rear leg down. For me it works fine, but I emphasize again, I do know those who cant get on with the requirement to be very 'aware' as you place the rod in the holder. SW

The rod holders I use are the 'Berkley Quick Set'. Used them for a couple or three years on two different boats. At £12 a pop (last time I looked) from Harris Angling I think they are tops, not everyone's cup of tea, but they are my choice. ET

Frankly Janet, I think if you are now happy again, dont worry. Getting into calibration was a headache, IMHO, my previous monitor was fine calibrated with a simple on line free-bee, originaly initiated by 'Poldark' if my memory serves me? Be interested in you assessment of the book in the future? I'm having trouble finding another two for the competition, got a couple as standbys, could always put the bass picture in ? SW