Wednesday, 10th August, 2022

My new concept2 rowing machine (erg) arrived yesterday. I’ve wanted to get one for such a long time but always put it off as I thought it was too expensive. It is quite expensive - about £800 (and soon to be going up in price). It’s a good exercise for multiple reasons, plus I used to row at university so it reminds me of then. But I also like how the machine has a controller which does everything you need, connects to heart rate monitor, and has a phone/tablet app that is free. Also has a built in device holder too. What I’m trying to say is that “THERE’s NO SUBSCRIPTION!” 😁 Did my first row on it last night with the workout of the day and decided to watch Squid Games. I need to get some headphones for the iPad though. I have wireless ones I use with my phone but they’re cheap ones and don’t do multiple device pairing well, and I use them each day on my way to work so I don’t want to have to keep switching back and forth pairing. Probably just another cheap pair will do. The fan is a bit too noisy and my iPad’s speakers point away from me. I could mount the phone but it’s a small screen. Anyway, I like the setup and my biggest challenge is to build the habit to use it. (As my wife plainly stated to me yesterday with “and you better bloody use it!”).

Debating between early morning or evening. I’d prefer morning but it’s fitting it all in before going to work, and not that there isn’t time, it’s just I can’t make a 20 minute workout take an hour. The evening is fine but then I end up not doing much else, or when I do sit down at the computer it’s already 10pm and I stay up way too late looking at cameras.

But perhaps now I won’t be looking at cameras as I finally ordered one! The X-E4 with 27mm. It’s taken me a while and I’m still not 100% sure it’s the right thing to do - either the model or just a new camera in general. I go back and forth on it a lot. This was just the same with all the previous cameras (and in fact anything over about £200) that I’ve bought. Usually, when it arrives I start feeling better. I did send back the X-S10 camera when I bought that, but I think the X-E4 is more what I want. Fewer buttons, rangefinder style, smaller, and prime focused camera.

The Leica M10 is still on the desire list but it’s too expensive and I’m not sure it fits for me at the moment. But we’ll see. I’m still planning to go into the Leica store in London when I’m passing.

I’m hoping the camera arrives tomorrow for the weekend’s family party. No doubt my hesitation is going to mean it misses it.

So many people recommend the Fuji 18-55mm with the X-E series. It’s quite compact. Perhaps I’ll keep an eye out for a cheap one, as a kit lens that’s been around forever, I’m sure there’ll be lots. Although I don’t really like zooms, particularly these focal lengths as I’d rather just stick to one length in this range. However, I can see it being versatile if you just want one lens.

I’m keen to keep going with the M to Fuji adapted lenses. I think the small M lenses will fit well with the design of the XE4.

I really like this strap, but it seems nowhere sells it.