Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know that I am back from the Germany exchange trip that I was on for the last 2 weeks or so. Once I get over the proverbial Jet Lag, I'll post about the wonderful stuff I acquired there.
Vikram
7.26.2011
7.04.2011
Kodak playsport Zx5 camcorder.
I just got this camcorder for my birthday, and it's awesome. Compared to my [relatively] ancient Flip Video Ultra HD from two years ago, this one is simply amazing.Capable of 1080p HD recording and 720p HD at 60 frames/sec, this one has got it all. Included is waterproofing, shockproofing, and dustproofing, meaning I can take this thing anywhere without worrying about it breaking. Considering that one of the first videos I took with my Flip (720p only) was during a rainy marching band competition, I think these features will come in handy sooner or later, especially since I'm bringing this one to Germany in a few days.
Here's a non-comprehensive list of the basic features of this camera.
-four effects: high saturation, 70s film, B&W, sepia
-waterproof 3m
-shockproof 1.5m
-dustproof
-compatible with class 10 SDHC cards up to 32 GB (I've got a 16 gig card)
-in-camera trimming feature
-glare shield automatically activated
-image stabilization
-takes 5.3mp stills
(NONE of these features are included with the Flip. Two years of improvements show.)
Enough talk.
PICTURES:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.238615009501885.78481.100000601637808&l=d6bf369d6d
VIDEOS:
Typewriter Day 2011
BoeBot line following
6.16.2011
Graph Paper Notebooks.
Hi loyal readers, thank you for returning to my blog!
As a comeback post, I thought I'd write about something I've recently acquired-a nice new Rhodia reversebook from Blick. The paper's so smooth and perfect! Since it's a graph paper notebook, I figured that I might as well write a little about all my graph paper notebooks.
I saved the best for first.
RHODIA reversebook
What can I say that hasn't already been said? First off, this paper beats Moleskine up and shoves it into a trash can. Rhodia's 80g grid-lined paper is out of this world in smoothness and quality (and price, but that's beside the point, since this is the notebook equivalent of buying a blood red Ferrari 360 spider). The square design means that it can be used with the spiral at the top or on the side-whichever way you feel like at the moment. I've been waiting for a notebook worthy of my Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils, and I think I found it!
Office Depot dual-sized graph notebook
I found this one laying around in my math classroom for about 5 months, and decided on the last day to take it...what a bizarre notebook! Firstly, it's a wireless notebook-(no internet though)-and it's got 2 different sized grids on each sheet-4 squares / inch on the front and 5 on the back! Interesting. You can see this in the pic.
Mead Quad/College Ruled Composition book
Got this one from school for use in engineering class, but I just saved it and used my old one, which I'll write about next. I thought this was an interesting idea-have a diagram or picture in the grid section and notes on said diagram on the lines below. Haven't found a practical use for it yet, so on my shelf it sits. Maybe I can use it for designing parts or stuff like that, or writing what's on the whiteboard on the top and lecture notes on the bottom. Opportunities abound.
Office Depot graph composition book
We received these notebooks on the first day of Intro to Engineering/Design, and it's got some of the designs I came up with then, for projects and the like. I've also written some notes about what we learned and included some programs we wrote in Computer Integrated Manufacturing, which I took last year. I've only used about 1/2 the pages, though...maybe I'll use it next year in Digital Electronics!
Moleskine cahiers and Piccadilly Small Notebook graph
I got both of these at different times from Border's, before the location near my house closed. They caught my eye not only because they have a yellow insert (**side note: that's my favorite color) but because they're so small and full of utility value. I can take them anywhere in my pocket, and write down notes and draw things.
(Duh, that's what notebooks are for, Vikram.) When I finish up the blank Piccadilly small notebook I'm currently using, one of these will see some action.
AWESOME CONCLUSION:
So, there's my superfab comeback post. Stay tuned, I've got a bunch of topics in mind for future posts!
(ideas for future posts:)
(ideas for future posts:)
5.14.2011
Hiatus.
Hi readers,
Things have been getting really busy around here, with junior year finally coming to an end. AP tests are, thankfully, over, but I still have a film research paper to write that's due in a week and another test also coming up on the 19th and 20th.
So, I am making it official:
No more posts can be expected here until about June 15, when school lets out.
Then, a barrage of posts will follow. I promise. :)
Things have been getting really busy around here, with junior year finally coming to an end. AP tests are, thankfully, over, but I still have a film research paper to write that's due in a week and another test also coming up on the 19th and 20th.
So, I am making it official:
No more posts can be expected here until about June 15, when school lets out.
Then, a barrage of posts will follow. I promise. :)
4.17.2011
Back from a brief break.
Hi all who read my blog,
I have been on a brief break due to intense schoolwork. After all, AP tests are less than a month away, and the homework load is relentless. I think there is not one night in the last two weeks in which I have gone to sleep before 11:30. Keep in mind that my normal bedtime is somewhere around 9PM.
In any case, just wanted to let you know that there is no intention from me to stop posting on this blog, just a break. After all, I just got my pics back from Costco that I took with my Pokemon camera! Once I scan in all of the pictures at school (since I haven't got a scanner) I will post about my 11 year old quasi relic. :-) Stay tuned!
V
I have been on a brief break due to intense schoolwork. After all, AP tests are less than a month away, and the homework load is relentless. I think there is not one night in the last two weeks in which I have gone to sleep before 11:30. Keep in mind that my normal bedtime is somewhere around 9PM.
In any case, just wanted to let you know that there is no intention from me to stop posting on this blog, just a break. After all, I just got my pics back from Costco that I took with my Pokemon camera! Once I scan in all of the pictures at school (since I haven't got a scanner) I will post about my 11 year old quasi relic. :-) Stay tuned!
V
3.12.2011
Fujica AX-3 Film SLR. [Retro Series Part III]
So, I was given this great looking camera at school from a friend, and knew instantly it was a bad idea. I generally tend to jump onto new stuff I get, and couldn't wait to get my hands on some film to try it. Couple problems: 1) it's not exactly sunny, so the pics I would get wouldn't be so great, and 2) film and processing is expensive. And of course I have that awesome DSC-HX1 (which I reviewed as this site's first post).
But I finally convinced my parents to get me some film, and the film processing (w/ prints) at Costco is only $5.99 for 2 rolls of 24 exp. 35mm film. Awesome.
I have yet to try the camera but I have been wanting to write for a while about it, so here goes.
I'm taking my digital camera (Sony) everywhere and reading up on tips on how to become a better photographer, in books and on the net. So I think that this camera will be a nice way for me to see just how good my pics turn out when I can't see them on the spot.
^floating in Polaroid camera bag
The Fujica AX-3 is an aperture priority, 35mm SLR camera. It was released in 1980 as the mid-line model, not cheap, but not too expensive. The all-metal construction makes it feel much more solid than any camera I have previously used or held; it's not the plastic junk that they tend to sell today! This was built to last. After all, it's made in Japan.
^through the viewfinder
A battery controls the exposure settings; you pick an aperture and the camera selects a shutter speed. If the aperture value is too high or too low, a little red light flashes in the viewfinder, signaling you to change the aperture. Film advance and film rewind are manual; the battery fires the shutter and operates the light meter. Unlike other older cameras with batteries, this one needs the battery to operate, so if that battery dies, you're out of luck.
(Some older cameras, like the Nikon FM-2, only need a battery for the light meter. They have manual exposure, so if the light meter battery dies, you can still shoot forever, provided you have enough film.) This one is good, though, since I can just load the film, and let the camera do the thinking for me. :)
Specifications:
-Shutter Speed: B, 2sec -1/1000sec
-Aperture: (X-Fujinon 1:1.9 50mm lens) F1.9-F16
-Exposure: adjustable +/- 1 (ASA 12-3200)
-Focus: 0.6m-infinity
-Battery Type: A544
-Film Advance: Manual
-Film Rewind: Manual
-Self Timer: 24 beeps (~12 sec)
I have done some "dry shooting" (took pics w/o film) and it is great fun focusing manually and hearing the satisfying "clack" of the mirror flipping up to expose the (nonexistent) film. Can't wait for some sunny weather to load in some of that Kodak UltraMax 400 and start shooting!
UPDATE: 4/17/2011--
I went on a couple of college visits and brought this beast along. However, even after replacing the light seal foam, the camera did not function properly; maybe I loaded the film wrong, or maybe the mirror didn't snap up properly...but only 9 pictures out of the 24 I had turned out. I'll post them later.
In any case, I'm not going to load any more film in here until the time that I can have it professionally repaired. But the good news is that I have another film camera---the Pokemon camera! Sitting dormant in my closet for 11 years, I finally cracked it out a couple of weeks ago. Once I finish the roll, I will post the pics. Hopefully they turn out!
But I finally convinced my parents to get me some film, and the film processing (w/ prints) at Costco is only $5.99 for 2 rolls of 24 exp. 35mm film. Awesome.
I have yet to try the camera but I have been wanting to write for a while about it, so here goes.
I'm taking my digital camera (Sony) everywhere and reading up on tips on how to become a better photographer, in books and on the net. So I think that this camera will be a nice way for me to see just how good my pics turn out when I can't see them on the spot.
The Fujica AX-3 is an aperture priority, 35mm SLR camera. It was released in 1980 as the mid-line model, not cheap, but not too expensive. The all-metal construction makes it feel much more solid than any camera I have previously used or held; it's not the plastic junk that they tend to sell today! This was built to last. After all, it's made in Japan.
^through the viewfinder
A battery controls the exposure settings; you pick an aperture and the camera selects a shutter speed. If the aperture value is too high or too low, a little red light flashes in the viewfinder, signaling you to change the aperture. Film advance and film rewind are manual; the battery fires the shutter and operates the light meter. Unlike other older cameras with batteries, this one needs the battery to operate, so if that battery dies, you're out of luck.
(Some older cameras, like the Nikon FM-2, only need a battery for the light meter. They have manual exposure, so if the light meter battery dies, you can still shoot forever, provided you have enough film.) This one is good, though, since I can just load the film, and let the camera do the thinking for me. :)
-Shutter Speed: B, 2sec -1/1000sec
-Aperture: (X-Fujinon 1:1.9 50mm lens) F1.9-F16
-Exposure: adjustable +/- 1 (ASA 12-3200)
-Focus: 0.6m-infinity
-Battery Type: A544
-Film Advance: Manual
-Film Rewind: Manual
-Self Timer: 24 beeps (~12 sec)
UPDATE: 4/17/2011--
I went on a couple of college visits and brought this beast along. However, even after replacing the light seal foam, the camera did not function properly; maybe I loaded the film wrong, or maybe the mirror didn't snap up properly...but only 9 pictures out of the 24 I had turned out. I'll post them later.
In any case, I'm not going to load any more film in here until the time that I can have it professionally repaired. But the good news is that I have another film camera---the Pokemon camera! Sitting dormant in my closet for 11 years, I finally cracked it out a couple of weeks ago. Once I finish the roll, I will post the pics. Hopefully they turn out!
3.02.2011
Old Cell Phones and Related Miscellany... [Retro Series Part II]
Hello. I know it's been a while, but what can I say? It's just been pretty busy lately.
Anyway, I just became the fortunate recipient of some pretty unusual retro communications devices, presumably from the 90s, if my carbon-dating was accurate.
Let's begin with the Palm VII. Introduced for the exorbitant price of $699, it was plainly meant for business execs or civilians with too much money. That antenna you see on the right hand side actually worked; it was one of the first devices from which you could wirelessly access the internet! Of course, it was a Palm service, known as Palm.net, which was discontinued as of 2004. So, I have no way of connecting this thing, but it was text only, and you could only do stuff like check the weather, check your email, and maybe do some stock research.
I remember getting my dad's old one when I was little. Don't know where that one is, but here's another one...It runs on 2 AAA batteries, so it will continue to power on as long as batteries exist. But, of course, I don't have the cradle for it, so I cannot synchronize it with my computer. Even if I did, though, my computer is so new that there is no more serial port-the precursor to USB-that the cradle used.
The next goody here is a Sprint-Qualcomm Palm phone. Yes, this is a cell phone with a Palm PDA built in! As you can see, it was a brick. Nevertheless, as evidenced by my friends' reactions to their first sight of this monstrosity, it has a cool factor (as in, "Wow. What is that?").
Unfortunately I can't turn this thing on, since I have no charger. :(
And some more cell phones here; the ones on the left are Motorola Timeport flip phones and the one on the right is a Sprint. None of these have working chargers, so I can't use them at all. (Not that I would want to even if I had the chargers.)
Finally, my favorite of the bunch. This is a Motorola Timeport 2000X pager. Awesome name, huh? I actually have the charger for this one, so after some frustration getting it to work, I charged it up and typed a couple of lines in the Notepad app. Unfortunately, the battery life is poor, (10 min.) so I have to use it while on the charger. And again, the thing uses a serial connection to connect with the computer, so it is now a standalone device.
There are a few apps on it, some of which are normal, like a to-do-list manager and notepad. But I've got the game 21 and a version of minesweeper, so if I ever get bored enough I can charge up this thing and play some 21! It's also got a cool-looking backlight, and the date defaults to 2001. Interesting.
Anyway, there are my retro communications devices. Hope you enjoyed seeing them! Another retro device coming up.
Anyway, I just became the fortunate recipient of some pretty unusual retro communications devices, presumably from the 90s, if my carbon-dating was accurate.
Let's begin with the Palm VII. Introduced for the exorbitant price of $699, it was plainly meant for business execs or civilians with too much money. That antenna you see on the right hand side actually worked; it was one of the first devices from which you could wirelessly access the internet! Of course, it was a Palm service, known as Palm.net, which was discontinued as of 2004. So, I have no way of connecting this thing, but it was text only, and you could only do stuff like check the weather, check your email, and maybe do some stock research.
I remember getting my dad's old one when I was little. Don't know where that one is, but here's another one...It runs on 2 AAA batteries, so it will continue to power on as long as batteries exist. But, of course, I don't have the cradle for it, so I cannot synchronize it with my computer. Even if I did, though, my computer is so new that there is no more serial port-the precursor to USB-that the cradle used.
The next goody here is a Sprint-Qualcomm Palm phone. Yes, this is a cell phone with a Palm PDA built in! As you can see, it was a brick. Nevertheless, as evidenced by my friends' reactions to their first sight of this monstrosity, it has a cool factor (as in, "Wow. What is that?").
Unfortunately I can't turn this thing on, since I have no charger. :(
And some more cell phones here; the ones on the left are Motorola Timeport flip phones and the one on the right is a Sprint. None of these have working chargers, so I can't use them at all. (Not that I would want to even if I had the chargers.)
Finally, my favorite of the bunch. This is a Motorola Timeport 2000X pager. Awesome name, huh? I actually have the charger for this one, so after some frustration getting it to work, I charged it up and typed a couple of lines in the Notepad app. Unfortunately, the battery life is poor, (10 min.) so I have to use it while on the charger. And again, the thing uses a serial connection to connect with the computer, so it is now a standalone device.
There are a few apps on it, some of which are normal, like a to-do-list manager and notepad. But I've got the game 21 and a version of minesweeper, so if I ever get bored enough I can charge up this thing and play some 21! It's also got a cool-looking backlight, and the date defaults to 2001. Interesting.
Anyway, there are my retro communications devices. Hope you enjoyed seeing them! Another retro device coming up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)