Tom, the head honcho, was at work and told me the whole business is moving out of town.

I felt quite sad, don’t know why. They’re not closing, just re-locating.

I guess it’s because it feels like another nail in the coffin of Derby’s city centre shopping/dining culture.

BUT it’s not shutting… just moving! STAY POSITIVE!

Although I’ve known her for years from Mosh and other Derby nightlife escapades, this is the first shoot we’ve ever done.

She’s a natural, the photosession just powered by, looking forward to working with her again.

Check out the gallery above for some Helios 44M 58mm f2 test shots.

First impressions: it’s way sharper than I expected and I could easily become re-seduced by the simplicity of on-barrel focus and aperture controls. Putting the EM1 into Manual mode and judging shots by the lightmeter also made me very nostalgic. The Helios produces a very pleasing bokeh and though it does flare, it’s easily avoided. Unless you’re going for that flarey, washed out look, of course.

Most of my Oly lenses have easy focus rings but now I’m wishing they had equally accessible aperture control.

For a different view of my home neighbourhood.