I was out trying out my new compact camera (Panny TZ7) and also took my Canon 450D along. My model for the test shooting was my Exige Cup Bemani.
The TZ7 is amazing with a 25 - 300 mm stabilised zoom range in a body that fits in jeans pockets.
However, my favourite shot of the day was taken with the Canon:
Same scene with the TZ7
The hi-res LCD screen on the Panny is visible from fairly acute angles. Not as good as an articulating screen, but it helps with shots at ground level � and the wide-angle of 25 mm lets you get the whole car in
Also helps to get overhead shots
All in all, I’m quite impressed. I don’t like the lack of full manual control and some other details, and I need to learn the cameras idiosyncrasies to get the best out of it, but I intend to practice.
The fact that it can also do HD video (720p) is not to be sniffed at either.
My Cup is going. My 300ZX 2+2 Twin turbo is also up for sale.
I’m keeping my Smart Brabus Xclusive Roadster-Coup� as a short distance fun road car (love that leccy roof that can be opened and shut any any speed).
I intend to replace the ZX and the Exige with a car which � though I know most won’t believe this � can do both the GT and the blast mode r�le. However, I’m waiting for prices to drop a little first.
In the meantime, I’ve got something else as a stop gap � more to cover the GT r�le.
If I’d wanted auto, I’d have bought an XKR. I just wanted to try an Aston. Tbh, it’s more 70’s than new millennium. My 300ZX Twin Turbo from 10 years earlier is far more sophisticated! And I actually get more smiles per mile in my Smart Brabus Roadster-Coup� than in the Aston.
But it’s only a stop-gap. Next year a GT-R will be mine!
To get back OT, I’ve posted a few videos on You tube of my Cup in action.
This was the closest I came to totalling it � see around 4 min 50 secs. I reckon the experience gained on the Playstation saved me
I do have a GT-R, although I kept my Exige S1 Honda’ed (and bike engined caterhams…). You’ll have less fun in the GT-R than in your Exige cup… But still a much better everyday car as I use mine.
Won’t sell mine to you (black edition) as I’ll keep it
You’re certainly right about an Exige Cup not being an everyday car. The 4-points (no additional 3-points in a Cup!) meant that joining a road was often a nightmare � you can’t always position yourself at right angles and you can’t lean forward in a harness.
I have a “horses for courses” approach to cars � for flitting about one- or two-up I really enjoy my Smart Brabus Xclusive Roadster-Coup�. Fantastic leccy roof that can be opened or closed at any speed and great paddle shift (although it takes about 3 months to learn how to use it best).
For more practical short-range stuff I have a Pug 106GTI (when my wife or daughter aren’t using it).
For big transports/ lots of people, I use a Dodge Durango 4.7 V8
For high speed trans-europe stuff I’ve been using a 300ZX Twin Turbo since 2000. Fantastic car. Even my wife loves driving it and appreciates the way Nissans are well-designed and do the job � a good argument in favour of the GT-R which she has shown little opposition to.
My Aston DB7 V12 Vantage is just a stop-gap (had to scratch the itch) until I find a suitable GT-R
Don’t do (motor) bikes, but have a couple of classic cars:
MGC (fully restored)
Lancia Beta Spider
Keeping the black paint looking clean is a pain - that’s why black is out as a colour for me on the GT-R. What colour is yours? Any issues to date?
I wistfully remember my 106GTi, I loved that car. I’d have another one as a runabout good choice. IDG had one too. [/quote]
106 GTi was a fantastic car but not as good as the original 106 rallye IMHO.
That was my first company car (well first 2 to be precise) at a time when everyone else was driving 405 turbos. Everyone thought I was mental … until they drove it.
