Author: Randy Wells

SILVER BULLET AND THE GREAT ESCAPE

Once again, Excellence magazine has chosen to feature two of my articles in the same issue (August #220). One portrays a Silver/Red 1959 356 Cabriolet and the other documents a “survivor” Slate Gray/Red 1966 911 (see link below). Both Porsches have compelling stories, and both have stayed in the same family for all or most of their lives. Cheers to their respective owners, Eric Holzapel and Jay Karolyi, for making these stories possible, and thanks to everyone involved in in my photography/writing! Continue reading “”

A SHARP CANON UWA ZOOM

Canon’s EF 16-35 f4L image stabilizing lens was announced this week.

It’s not available until the end of June but has already gained a following – especially among those who have been waiting for a really sharp ultra-wide-angle zoom from this manufacturer. None of Canon’s past or current offerings match the edge-to-edge performance of Nikon’s 14-24 f2.8 optic. Continue reading “”

TREFFEN 2014

Just back from Cambria, California and the 2014 R Gruppe Treffen/gathering. I had a blast hanging out with my friends and the tons of early Porsche 911s, 912s, and 914s that were there. Special thanks to Terry English for his hospitality. Thanks also to Ernie Wilberg for sending me this photo that depicts (left to right) Greg Young, myself, Brian Lum, and Jason Thrupp. Continue reading “”

THE TUXEDO CAR

Congratulations to Stephen Norman and his 1938 BMW 327 Cabriolet for being featured in Bimmer Magazine this month (issue 123). The beautiful pre-War BMW saloon car was chosen for the illustrious field at Pebble Beach in 2013 and is a study in elegance. Thanks to Jackie Jouret for assigning me to write and photograph this story. Continue reading “”

LEICA T

Here’s a Leica back up body that some digital M users have been waiting for. $1850 will give you a 16 MP sensor with a 1.5X APS-C crop factor. It has a new T mount that will accept Leica M lenses with an adaptor (for an additional $400) and EVF viewing with another adapter (about $600). That’s more than the cost of a used 10.3 megapixel Leica M8.2 APS-C body. Comparatively, the T doesn’t need an IR filter, it’s smaller, and half the weight. There’s no rangefinder and no focus peaking or image stabilization. But it has AF with the two rather expensive Japanese made T lenses introduced so far. Continue reading “”

PORSCHE LMP1 919

Porsche’s 919 Hybrid LMP1 entry debuted at the 6 Hours of Silverstone endurance race yesterday. With Mark Weber driving, along with teammates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, it finished third behind two Toyota TS040 Hybrids. This is the first event in the 2014 World Endurance Championship leading up to the LeMans 24 Hour race in June.

Continue reading “”

FOCAL LENGTH

OK, let’s talk focal length (FL) on a full-frame 35mm camera.

14 and 15mm: The widest angle FL has traditionally been a 14mm lens. This exotic optic is available in a rectilinear design so it can reproduce straight lines as straight, yet it “stretches” the subject. It is limited in it’s usefulness but can be indispensable for certain situations. 15mm is the next widest FL and commonly designed as a fisheye (non-rectilinear) lens. Again, very limited in its use, with much more barrel distortion (think ‘60s pop art). Continue reading “”

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Ireland. A land of green. A great travel destination for the summer. I’ve only been as close as England and Scotland, but my dad loved it when he visited. It’s on my to do list along with Iceland, and several other countries. In the meantime, I’ll be content with a small patch of paradise in the Pacific NW. Continue reading “”

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SAFETY

Thanks to Rob Bhatt and Sue Boylan for featuring my photography in the March/April issue of AAA Journey Magazine. The article written by Rob focuses on the six most important driving lessons as taught by ProFormance Racing School at Pacific Raceways in Washington. Hanging out with everyone was a hoot! Continue reading “”

ROME’S SISTINE CHAPEL

Born March 6, 1475 in Italy, Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512. This commission from Pope Julius II portrayed the twelve apostles and had a profound influence on the development of Western art. Michelangelo was given complete artistic freedom on this project. Continue reading “”