A day at the museum

SkedAddled · Expire: 2021-08-12

Here's a post I made to another forum, from a trip to a local
museum on December 14. I had my Hanimex 70-140 zoom
with me, but not my Hanimar 135mm prime. I've since found
visible evidence of liquid or condensation inside the 70-140,
so this lens will almost certainly be my first attempt at dismantling
for purposes of cleaning. Heck, it only cost me $6. Wink

Most of these shots were through my kit 18-55 AF lens, but Don
has a 10-22 USM lens(I WANT!) he graciously allowed me to use
for some shots. I'm looking forward to taking my newly-acquired
Soligor 75-260 to this place, as well as using the Hanimar, and other
lenses as I obtain them.

I have a membership pass to this place which expires around this time
in February. I hope to afford a renewal at that time, because this place
is an amazing site to simply go and see, and an extremely challenging
site for a photographer. I have learned much about how to use a camera
here, and I have a lot yet to learn. Please wish me enough financial
luck for a membership renewal, because I want to go back as often
as I desire. Cool

On to the show:

I invited my two photographer friends to the Henry Ford Museum today,
mostly so we could use our cameras out of the nasty weather
we've been having around here. Due to the lighting in the place,
it presents a real challenge for getting good shots. There's
halogen spots, sodium vapor, tungsten, fluorescent, mercury vapor
and probably other light sources which have to be contended with.
As a result, it's a good idea to shoot RAW so that you can correct
white balance as needed during post-processing.

I took a lot of pics, but wasn't terribly happy with a lot of them.
Many were overexposed, but I was also using a manual-focus lens I
hadn't used before. The focus was sharp from most of those shots,
but the overexposure was still there.

Patrick was kind enough to buy lunch for everyone, so kudos to him
for his generousity. Very Happy

All in all, it was a good day with good friends.

There's a special exhibit currently on display, featuring Hollywood
movie costumes & props. A sign requested no photography, but I just had
to snap a few. This is outside the exhibit room.

This is the bona-fide real car from the 'Ghostbusters' motion picture.

And this is from the 2nd 'Batman' movie, 'Batman Returns.'

Goldenrod land-speed record setter from the 1960s. Twin turbocharged HEMI engines.

Exploded view, in real life.

From the front of a steam-powered farm tractor. Taken with the Hanimex 70-140.

Inside the Dymaxion House, which is a round, domed, aluminum-clad house
designed to be dismantled and moved by 10 men in 2 days. This is the only
one in existence, as the company never raised the capital to make it to
production status.

We were given a rare opportunity. Due to the smaller crowds,
the operator and presenter of this Corliss steam engine invited us to
come inside the outer barrier for better & closer shots while it was
in motion with compressed air. My thanks go to Neil for this opportunity.
The outer diameter of this engine's flywheel is about 28 feet; the engine itself
dates from the mid-1800's.

A DC electricity generator from the early 1900s, with an impressively
large steam-powered beam engine in the background.

A gauge from one of the 'Gasteam' engines which once powered Henry Ford's
original Highland Park, Michigan manufacturing plant.

A rather bizarre flying contraption, a 1931 Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogyro. On the side is the legend for
"The Detroit News" newspaper.

One of Ford's many forays into avation during the middle years of
their auto-industry dominance.

A Ford Tri-Motor airplane, vintage unknown by me. Believed to be circa 1934.

I just like these train cars, and thanks to Don's willingness to let
me use his ultra-wide angle lens, I finally managed to get a good shot
of an entire car like this. There are three of these on display.

You can see the same cars far behind this very old steam engine.

Architectural details in this place are mind-boggling. It was built in 1929.

Spotmatic · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 4045 Location: Netherlands

Thanks for posting this great series and the story! Great read during lunchtime hour Wink

Farside · Expire: 2013-12-27

Interesting. I didn't know about the Ford Museum.

Sven · Expire: 2011-12-29

Seems to be an interesting museum.
Very nice shots as well. I especially like the second one on the rotating flywheel (with the lubricant glass).

SkedAddled · Expire: 2021-08-12

Ziechy · Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 1 Location: California, USA

We know that The Henry Ford museum is a National Historic Landmark so that it is so great to be in there. The Henry Ford gallery in Dearborn, Mich., is reopening after an extended period of remodeling to unfold an account of America's obsession with the automobile. Beginning Jan. 29, the exhibition “Driving America” will open to the general public. The $8 million project signifies the first major overhaul of the gallery in 25 years, said Henry Ford museum president Patricia Mooradian. Same topic here Driving America opens at The Henry Ford on Jan. 2 . It will show and feature great automobiles in the automotive industry.

Schnauzer · Expire: 2012-03-08

This was very interesting to look at. I enjoyed it very much. Looks like it covers a large area.

Thanks.

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

nice visit, thanks for sharing!

fuzzywuzzy · Expire: 2013-11-30

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18