John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:28 p.m.
A dealer at Melton car boot sale had three Praktica Bayonet type cameras on his stall. He said they were all faulty and I could have all three for a pound. I passed initially, not wanting the hassle, but they were still there later so I relented. Well two of the cameras were certainly faulty, but the third, a BC3, seemed to be OK.
The Praktica BC3
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:36 p.m.
Its a well specified aperture priority camera with stop down preview, full viewfinder information and a good bright focusing screen. Very pleasant and easy to use. I put a 200 ISO print film in it, years out of date, and was surprised to get 24 sharp and well exposed images back with a CD from the processors. (The auto winder wasn't part of the deal, I already had it).
Penguin
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:38 p.m.
Its a shame the Praktica electronic system didn't survive the end of East Germany.
Skateboard Park
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:40 p.m.
I took it to Foxton Locks, where the Grand Union Canal rises on a flight of ten locks by the junction to Market Harborough. It was a very dull New Years Day.
Lookind down Foxton Locks
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:42 p.m.
Top Lock Cottage
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:44 p.m.
Feeding the Ducks at Foxton Locks
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:46 p.m.
There used to be an inclined plane here, where the boats were hauled up and down the slope by engines, to speed up operations and save water. It was only in use for a few years, here are the remains of the top of it.
The Inclined Plane
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:49 p.m.
Looking down the inclined plane. The rails are mostly gone but its believed they were similar to the "bridge rails" used on Brunel's Great Western Railway.
Looking Down - The Bridge Rails
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:52 p.m.
There's a model to show what the whole place was like, when it was fully operational.
The Model
John Seaman , Jan 19, 2012; 01:54 p.m.
Last one - not at Foxton this time - thanks for looking.
Statue of Liberty and the Summit building, Leicester
