Posts for: Chris T
Nov 30, 2019 21:33:10 #
Wingpilot wrote:
Times when Murphy’s Law prevails despite all attempts to keep it at bay. My Momma said there’d be days like this. Then the sweet realization that in the end, everything turned out well. Great story, Chris.
Thanks, Greg ... glad you liked it!!!!
Nov 30, 2019 20:58:54 #
No, folks - this one isn't a quandary - looking for a solution. It's an essay - about irony. It's also a story which will ring bells with some of you, as I know some of you have been in the same place, at one time, or another. It is also, a statement - about the fragility of some parts of our cameras. It's also, a story about all those things which can go wrong, go wrong, go wrong - virtually, at the same time, and - invariably - when
you're in a hurry, and you need to get something done before a huge snow-storm is about to hit. Right?
A word to the squeamish - this is NOT a quick read. It's a complicated scenario, and to fully understand it - you need to spare a few moments in time - to read, in depth, and to fully understand the picture painted.
Herewith: my latest opus ... I do hope you enjoy it. Please feel at liberty to comment on any part of it ...
Losing It!
After I came in, after doing the front steps - I was soooooooooo overjoyed - that I'd actually completed a job I said I would do, today - I decided to go back outside and photograph the image representing all my hard work. Started to photograph it all from the door, thought then - it'd make a better pic - if I went down near the car, and took a picture, facing back UP the steps ... so, I walked down to the car, and absent-minded-ly - dislodged the lens cap, intending it to HANG from the barrel - with the elastic tether I have around the lens barrel of MOST of my cameras (don't usually use them on Macro lenses, as they get in the way, during close-up shots - for them, I usually just take off the cap, and put it on the side - inside, and in my pocket, outside.) Imagine my surprise, then, when I heard that unnatural sound of plastic falling on cement!!! ... I looked down, and there I saw my priceless lens cap, with the big orange "S" on the front - looking back at me. Oh, drat!!! I thought ... what a bummer!!! Hope I didn't break the damned thing ... these things are so damned pricey, and now Sony seems to be getting out of the DSLR market completely - to concentrate on its Mirrorless line - doubt whether it'll be easy to get a replacement. So, I bent down, and picked it up, finding it - luckily - seemed to have survived the fall - initially, at any rate, so I pocketed it, composed my shot, and took it ... only to find a follow-up shot attempt was met with the dialogue on-screen "Battery is exhausted" - so, I came on in, getting ready to slide out the dead battery and replace it with the backup, all the while, fiddling with the cap, as I marched forward - but, it just would not click into place. Decided to sit down on my chair in the LR, after first sliding out the exhausted battery and putting it into the wall charger, and plugging it into the strip - then sliding the back-up out of the pocket Velcro'd onto my camera strap, and dropping it into the chamber, then - turning over the cap, as I switched on the spotlight on the pillar behind my chair, and put on my glasses, simultaneously - so I could examine the cap, to see why it did not seem to want to "click" into place ... and was suddenly amazed to see there seemed to be a piece missing out of the locking mechanism. Quickly, I got up, went to the door, and looked at the ground in front of the freshly-swept steps, to see if there was something black just laying there on the ground - no doubt, anticipating setting itself as some kind of booby trap for me - next time, I got ready to bundle myself into the car. And, there it was!!! At first, I put it down as some kind of crack, in the pavement, but as I gently dragged my toe along on top of it - I became quite surprised to find it moved in unison with my foot, so I bent down, picked it up, slid it into my pocket, and since I was out there with the camera, and now I had a LIVE battery in the chamber - decided to run off a few back-up shots - from BOTH directions, this time - BOTH - looking up, and looking back down! Then, I tumbled myself back into the house, where it was warm, and nestled myself back down into my chair, as I slid the black spindly thing out of my pocket and attempted to work it back into the mechanism of the lens cap.
To my surprise, I discovered it just wasn't possible ... not only had this "u" shaped piece dropped out, but, in order to become dislodged - it had snapped - presumably, when it hit the pavement. Worse still, I noticed the OTHER "u"shaped piece on the other side of the lock mechanism - had ALSO snapped - meaning - the lens cap was a total bust!!!! ... Time to put it away, then - and look for an alternative means to protect the glass. So, I began rummaging around in my gadget bag, and came across another lens cap (sans orange "S") but pre-tethered - so, I breathed a sigh of relief, and happily attempted to replace my shattered lens cap with this other one, but, as I went to slide the tether around the barrel, I suddenly sensed something amiss ... and that stopped my motion, in its tracks. This cap was smaller than the one I just broke - not by much, but smaller enough so that I knew it'd never work. Took a look at the size engraved on the underside of the broken one - 62mm ... then took a look at the other one - 55mm - stared back at me. Nope! ... That wasn't going to work!!! So, I resigned myself to the fact, I'd boxed myself into a hole, and decided to put the camera back away into the gadget bag, with the lens nose down, providing the most protection I could possibly afford it, in the present situation. As I did so, a light-bulb went off in my head as I suddenly remembered that 18-250 lens I had on my old a77 which I didn't really use that much, anymore as a) the card in it was pretty full, and I had no way to replace it at the moment ... and b) the lens was pretty useless, anyway ... as it only acted normally up to around 55-60mm ... at which point, it goes berserk, and never stops - attempting to find focus ... and c) the lens cap on it, anyway - is pretty shoddy - as it doesn't lock too well - it never did ... since I GOT the lens ... but still - when you first put it on - it seemed to snap in place - loosely - but enough so, that it'd be a better fit than the one I'd just broken - so then - I started rummaging thru my other bags - looking for the one that held the a77 with the 18-250 on it, with the wobbily lens cap. Then, all of a sudden, after opening several bags, and not finding the a77 ... I opened yet another one, and saw at once - the Navaho Indian colors of the Capturing Couture strap I'd put on my a77 II - and suddenly - everything fell into place!!!! ... It was NOT the a77 II - my GOTO camera - I'd taken out earlier - in order to shoot my handiwork on the front steps - it was the older a77 model, with the messed-up 18-250 lens on it - with the already-broken lens cap!!! ... No wonder I let the lens cap drop!!! ... The one on the 16-105 on the a77 II - IS tethered!!!! Somehow, then - I knew - there WAS a God - looking over me!!! I breathed a sigh of relief, then - for I knew - then - All IS alright, with the world!!!! .... Happy Holidays to all ....
you're in a hurry, and you need to get something done before a huge snow-storm is about to hit. Right?
A word to the squeamish - this is NOT a quick read. It's a complicated scenario, and to fully understand it - you need to spare a few moments in time - to read, in depth, and to fully understand the picture painted.
Herewith: my latest opus ... I do hope you enjoy it. Please feel at liberty to comment on any part of it ...
Losing It!
After I came in, after doing the front steps - I was soooooooooo overjoyed - that I'd actually completed a job I said I would do, today - I decided to go back outside and photograph the image representing all my hard work. Started to photograph it all from the door, thought then - it'd make a better pic - if I went down near the car, and took a picture, facing back UP the steps ... so, I walked down to the car, and absent-minded-ly - dislodged the lens cap, intending it to HANG from the barrel - with the elastic tether I have around the lens barrel of MOST of my cameras (don't usually use them on Macro lenses, as they get in the way, during close-up shots - for them, I usually just take off the cap, and put it on the side - inside, and in my pocket, outside.) Imagine my surprise, then, when I heard that unnatural sound of plastic falling on cement!!! ... I looked down, and there I saw my priceless lens cap, with the big orange "S" on the front - looking back at me. Oh, drat!!! I thought ... what a bummer!!! Hope I didn't break the damned thing ... these things are so damned pricey, and now Sony seems to be getting out of the DSLR market completely - to concentrate on its Mirrorless line - doubt whether it'll be easy to get a replacement. So, I bent down, and picked it up, finding it - luckily - seemed to have survived the fall - initially, at any rate, so I pocketed it, composed my shot, and took it ... only to find a follow-up shot attempt was met with the dialogue on-screen "Battery is exhausted" - so, I came on in, getting ready to slide out the dead battery and replace it with the backup, all the while, fiddling with the cap, as I marched forward - but, it just would not click into place. Decided to sit down on my chair in the LR, after first sliding out the exhausted battery and putting it into the wall charger, and plugging it into the strip - then sliding the back-up out of the pocket Velcro'd onto my camera strap, and dropping it into the chamber, then - turning over the cap, as I switched on the spotlight on the pillar behind my chair, and put on my glasses, simultaneously - so I could examine the cap, to see why it did not seem to want to "click" into place ... and was suddenly amazed to see there seemed to be a piece missing out of the locking mechanism. Quickly, I got up, went to the door, and looked at the ground in front of the freshly-swept steps, to see if there was something black just laying there on the ground - no doubt, anticipating setting itself as some kind of booby trap for me - next time, I got ready to bundle myself into the car. And, there it was!!! At first, I put it down as some kind of crack, in the pavement, but as I gently dragged my toe along on top of it - I became quite surprised to find it moved in unison with my foot, so I bent down, picked it up, slid it into my pocket, and since I was out there with the camera, and now I had a LIVE battery in the chamber - decided to run off a few back-up shots - from BOTH directions, this time - BOTH - looking up, and looking back down! Then, I tumbled myself back into the house, where it was warm, and nestled myself back down into my chair, as I slid the black spindly thing out of my pocket and attempted to work it back into the mechanism of the lens cap.
To my surprise, I discovered it just wasn't possible ... not only had this "u" shaped piece dropped out, but, in order to become dislodged - it had snapped - presumably, when it hit the pavement. Worse still, I noticed the OTHER "u"shaped piece on the other side of the lock mechanism - had ALSO snapped - meaning - the lens cap was a total bust!!!! ... Time to put it away, then - and look for an alternative means to protect the glass. So, I began rummaging around in my gadget bag, and came across another lens cap (sans orange "S") but pre-tethered - so, I breathed a sigh of relief, and happily attempted to replace my shattered lens cap with this other one, but, as I went to slide the tether around the barrel, I suddenly sensed something amiss ... and that stopped my motion, in its tracks. This cap was smaller than the one I just broke - not by much, but smaller enough so that I knew it'd never work. Took a look at the size engraved on the underside of the broken one - 62mm ... then took a look at the other one - 55mm - stared back at me. Nope! ... That wasn't going to work!!! So, I resigned myself to the fact, I'd boxed myself into a hole, and decided to put the camera back away into the gadget bag, with the lens nose down, providing the most protection I could possibly afford it, in the present situation. As I did so, a light-bulb went off in my head as I suddenly remembered that 18-250 lens I had on my old a77 which I didn't really use that much, anymore as a) the card in it was pretty full, and I had no way to replace it at the moment ... and b) the lens was pretty useless, anyway ... as it only acted normally up to around 55-60mm ... at which point, it goes berserk, and never stops - attempting to find focus ... and c) the lens cap on it, anyway - is pretty shoddy - as it doesn't lock too well - it never did ... since I GOT the lens ... but still - when you first put it on - it seemed to snap in place - loosely - but enough so, that it'd be a better fit than the one I'd just broken - so then - I started rummaging thru my other bags - looking for the one that held the a77 with the 18-250 on it, with the wobbily lens cap. Then, all of a sudden, after opening several bags, and not finding the a77 ... I opened yet another one, and saw at once - the Navaho Indian colors of the Capturing Couture strap I'd put on my a77 II - and suddenly - everything fell into place!!!! ... It was NOT the a77 II - my GOTO camera - I'd taken out earlier - in order to shoot my handiwork on the front steps - it was the older a77 model, with the messed-up 18-250 lens on it - with the already-broken lens cap!!! ... No wonder I let the lens cap drop!!! ... The one on the 16-105 on the a77 II - IS tethered!!!! Somehow, then - I knew - there WAS a God - looking over me!!! I breathed a sigh of relief, then - for I knew - then - All IS alright, with the world!!!! .... Happy Holidays to all ....
Nov 2, 2019 10:36:58 #
jackm1943 wrote:
Yes, I've written those items off by now, wasn't using it anyway because I was using the Wisner. I have given the Super Graphic to my granddaughter (along with a Rolleiflex and other stuff) and hope to eventually give her the Wisner when she's ready. I'm also slowly donating things from my darkroom to the local community college. Still way a way to go.
"Still got a ways to go" - have you, Jack?
I guess I could do that, too. But, I KNOW that as soon as I did, I would need something!
But, I DO have three enlargers. Tough to use them all at once!
Nov 2, 2019 00:39:56 #
jackm1943 wrote:
I used to have one exactly like that, along with a Super Graphic and a Wisner Tech 4x5. I "loaned" it to a friend about 15 years ago, along with a Tiltal tripod, a dark cloth, and some film holders. Haven't seen them since. Oh well, saves me having to try to get rid of them now.
So, you've just written it off, then - have you, Jack?
Shame!!!
Not gonna get rid of mine. Still use it, from time to time - whenever I need a big neg ...
Nov 1, 2019 11:08:10 #
Peterac wrote:
I have always been a Pentax fan because I feel I can get more bang for the buck. I presently own a K-3 and am very happy with it, but like to learn more so as to get its full potential.
I have own a Pentax 18-50 f2.8 lens, a Pentax 55-300 lens and a Pentax 18-250 walk around lens. Any feedback would be appreciated.
I have own a Pentax 18-50 f2.8 lens, a Pentax 55-300 lens and a Pentax 18-250 walk around lens. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Here's my two Pentax bodies, Peter …
That's the 50-200 on the K-50 … also have a Tamron 18-200 for it …
Also had a K-3 for a month, but had to return it …
Oct 28, 2019 09:53:32 #
angler wrote:
img src="https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/s... (show quote)
Oh, I see … hadn't realized … haven't been up Cumbria way in Donkey's Years …
Yes - they are very pretty … kinda made me just a little homesick!!!!
Thanks for the explanation …
Oct 28, 2019 05:26:03 #
angler wrote:
.... with even a hint of a rainbow as well.Photographed this mornng. 
Very pretty, Angler - is it yours?
BTW - why is there such a drastic difference in overall color tonality, between the two?
Oct 25, 2019 10:23:42 #
FiddleMaker wrote:
I thot I saw the Lochness Monster in the 2nd image !!!
Excellent images - I really like #2.
Excellent images - I really like #2.
Maybe that's why I liked the middle one the best, Fiddle … I think I saw it, too …
Glad to see Nessie's into migration!!!
Oct 25, 2019 09:55:50 #
GWR100 wrote:
Thank you Chris, LOL, I will probably get hung for this but I find Loch Ness one of the less interesting Lochs, and anyway Ive photographed the monster so many times its all got a bit boring???? -- Thanks again, its most appreciated,
Geoff
Geoff
Well, I'm glad you got SOME pics of Nessie - at least!!!!
Care to share?
Oct 25, 2019 06:50:18 #
GWR100 wrote:
Just 3 of Scotland's estimated three and a half thousand Lochs;
1- Loch Duich, from the top of The Mam Ratagan Pass, the most spectacular route to The Isle of Skye via the The Original Glenelg-Skye Ferry.
2- Loch Tummel, from the Queens View.
3- Loch Shiel, which spreads seaward from The Glenfinnan Monument and the Glenfinnan Viaduct
1- Loch Duich, from the top of The Mam Ratagan Pass, the most spectacular route to The Isle of Skye via the The Original Glenelg-Skye Ferry.
2- Loch Tummel, from the Queens View.
3- Loch Shiel, which spreads seaward from The Glenfinnan Monument and the Glenfinnan Viaduct
That middle one is priceless, GWR …. good job!!!
What - no pics of Loch Ness? … Want to see some of the monster!!!!
Oct 15, 2019 16:50:21 #
Bob Werre wrote:
The M stands for motor (cheepie's had a crank), C ... (show quote)
Ah, I see … mine's just called a 45MX … motorized. Beautiful device. Pined after one for the longest time. Bought the 23C first, then realized many of the negative holders were interchangeable. Plus lenses, of course. Only wish I'd found a way to use the 23C's Diffusion Color Head on the MX …
I converted the boys' bedroom into a darkroom, after they left. Had a plumber come by and install a sink in the corner. The other side of the wall is the U/S bath - so, it was fairly easy. Then I set up a long counter in the middle, for the light box and the print dryer, and got reduced-price kitchen cabinets for the perimeter - from Lloyd's Lumber, as they were closing up shop … did a pretty good job on it, I think …
Oct 15, 2019 14:37:00 #
Bob Werre wrote:
Yes B&J made some fine looking cameras of wood... (show quote)
Yes, they sure did, Bob … I do treasure mine!!! … Don't know if this one has a name - I'll check. … Just reads B&J View Camera on the front plate. Probably, if it were a Grover or Orbit - it'd say, on it - right?
The Beseler MCRX was a motorized 8x10 - wasn't it? … I'll bet you had a pretty high ceiling to use that!
Oct 15, 2019 13:00:45 #
Bob Werre wrote:
I started out with a Burke and James view camera which was very close to the Calumet (which was actually a Kodak camera originally). The B&J had red bellows and red knobs. After a year or so, when guys dropped out, lot's of those cameras could be had fairly cheaply. There are probably 1/4 million of them in basements and garages today!
Here's my B&J 5x7 with red bellows, but - not red knobs … oh, well! … can't have everything, Bob ….
Oct 15, 2019 11:34:02 #
eskimoky wrote:
Good reply !ty sir
Here's my rig …
I have the Beseler 4x5MX in my darkroom … great machine. I also have a 23C with Color Head.
Calumet 4x5 on Bogen 3050 Tripod
Oct 12, 2019 13:50:33 #
mas24 wrote:
User name "larkahn" mentioned all except the a6500. My friend wants to upgrade from the a6000 to the a6500. Perhaps that is why he wants it. IBIS.
That's probably IT, Mas … the only other Sony line which have it - are the a9 and a7 Series (newer ones.)