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2026-04-23

ISCO Iscovitar 50/2.8: Samples [2] - FF - f/2.8 - Two types of focusing

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: ISCO Iscovitar 50/2.8 at f/2.8

The ISCO Iscovitar 50/2.8 has a simplified focusing mechanism. Only the front optical element moves. So, like the Riconar/Rikenon 55/2.2, two types of focusing can be used: with the built-in mechanism or with the lens adapter. See more details.

There are comparisons between these the two types of focusing.

1.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

2. 

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

3.

(lens focusing)

(adapter focusing)

2026-04-21

Koozer 450: Six-bolt vs Centerlock

Which bike rotor to choose? Six-bolt or Centerlock? It is often a matter of preference. However, some hubs are designed differently depending on the type of rotor.

For example, there are front Koozer 450 hubs in MTB versions (based on a 15 mm wheel axle).

Hubs for six-bolt rotors use bigger 18307 (18x30x7 mm) bearings. And there is an internal hub axle (15x18 mm) that goes through the bearings.

(J-bend spokes)


(Straight-pull spokes)


Hubs for Centerlock rotors use smaller 6902 (15x28x7 mm) bearings. These hubs have no internal axle going through the bearings, just a spacer sits between them.

(J-bend spokes)


(Straight-pull spokes)


This applies to the front MTB hubs only. Regardless of rotor type, the front/rear road versions and the rear MTB versions of the Koozer 450 use 6902 bearings and an internal hub axle (12x15 mm).




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2026-04-19

Tonigy: Apache 2.0 license

I chose the Apache License v2.0 for Tonigy.

The source code is available, you are welcome.



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2026-04-17

Maxxis Rambler 700x50c

I used the Kenda Small Block Eight 29x2.1 tires for two years. During that time, they wore out. I decided to replace them with similar tires, but 120 TPI.

I bought the Maxxis Rambler 700x50c (50-622, equiv. to 29x2.0 in terms of MTB).
 



They are 120 TPI, foldable, of course.


 
 
Recommended pressure: 2.5-3.4bar (35-50psi)

Weight: 628g and 654g (each, without packaging).



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2026-04-15

Samsung NX 16/2.4: Samples [2] - APS-C - f/5.6

Camera: Samsung NX20 (1.5x crop factor, 20MP), Samsung NX300M (1.5x crop factor, 20MP), Samsung NX500 (1.5x crop factor, 28MP)
Lens: Samsung NX 16/2.4 at f/5.6 (24 mm equiv.)

The profiled lens correction is disabled in the raw converter.

(NX20)

(NX20)

(NX20)

(NX300M)

(NX500)

(NX20)

(NX500)



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2026-04-13

135-120 film adapters

These are two pairs of adapters to install 135 (35mm) film into a 120 film (medium format) camera.




Unfortunately, they are not compatible with my old Kiev-6S camera.




I successfully loaded a 35mm film, but when I cock the shutter, it goes very tight. I stopped because I was afraid of breaking something.



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2026-04-11

VIOFO A119 Mini 2: GPS module

The GPS module of the VIOFO A119 Mini 2 is also serves as a mount. Therefore, an additional GPS module must be purchased to mount the dash cam in a second car.

I bought a module claimed to be compatible with the VIOFO A119 Mini. However, it is exactly the same as the Mini 2's module.





And it works well with my VIOFO A119 Mini 2.

By the way, I use GPS for clock synchronization only.



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2026-04-09

Kenda Small Block Eight 27.5x2.1: i19 vs i35

The Kenda Small Block Eight 27.5x2.1 tires mounted on different rims:




The left wheel has a 584x19 (i19 - 19mm internal) rim.
The right wheel has a 584x35 (i35 - 35mm internal) rim.

The tire carcass width:

i19: 52.1mm (2") at 4 bar (58 psi)
i35: 58.4mm (2.3") at 4 bar (58 psi)

The outer tire diameter is also slightly larger with the i35 rim.



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2026-04-05

Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens: Samples [2] - 1/1.7" - f/9

Camera: Pentax Q7 (1/1.7", 12MP)
Lens: Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens f/9 only (53mm equiv.)

The larger sensor provides better resolution in the center, but the area off-center is more blurred. The lens still needs light, with f/9 and 1/100.



(ISO 1250, Noisy!)








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2026-04-01

Shimano B05S: Disc brake pads

New disc brake pads Shimano B05S:




Old pads Shimano B01S (OEM from Cujo):



I am not sure whether the new pads are genuine or fake. They have worked well overall since I started using them in autumn. However, they sometimes squeak in rainy or snowy conditions.

2026-03-29

M39x1 extension tubes

I have several sets of M39x1 extension tubes.




1. Old four-tube set, USSR, KMZ (КМЗ).




Tube lengths: 5mm, 8mm, 16.4mm, 26mm.


2. Old four-tube set, USSR, FED (ФЭД).




The same tube lengths: 5mm, 8mm, 16.4mm, 26mm.


Why is the tube length 16.4 mm? This tube is used to mount earlier Zenit SLR M39x1/45.2 lenses to M39x1/28.8 rangefinder cameras: 45.2 - 28.8 = 16.4 (mm)


3. Modern three-tube set, China, no-name.




Tube length: 7mm, 14mm, 28mm.

These lengths were more common for M42x1 tubes, but now they are also used for M39x1.

2026-03-27

Samsung NX 45/1.8: Samples [2] - APS-C

Camera: Samsung NX20 (1.5x crop factor, 20MP), Samsung NX300M (1.5x crop factor, 20MP), Samsung NX500 (1.5x crop factor, 28MP)
Lens: Samsung NX 45/1.8 at f/2.5-f/2.8 (68 mm equiv.)

The profiled lens correction is disabled in the raw converter.

(NX20, f/2.8)

(NX300M, f/2.8)

(NX300M, f/2.8)

(NX300M, f/2.8)

(NX500, f/2.8)

(NX300M, f/2.8)

(NX500, f/2.5)



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2026-03-25

Flyxii FR-701: With large boots

The rear derailleur cable housing routes through the right chainstay of the Flyxii FR-701 frame.




This makes shifting easier because the cable moves more smoothly.

However, this creates an unexpected issue. If your shoes are large-sized or bulky, the heel of your right shoe may touch the cable housing.




This isn't an issue for me overall, but I have occasionally touched the cable housing several times in winter boots.



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2026-03-23

Ricoh GR: F-numbers

My F-number statistics for all stored images that were taken with the Ricoh GR.

f/5.6: 5663 - 61.61%
f/2.8: 1557 - 16.94%
f/4.0: 566 - 6.16%
f/5.0: 491 - 5.34%
f/4.5: 464 - 5.05%
f/3.5: 182 - 1.98%
f/6.3: 113 - 1.23%
f/3.2: 103 - 1.12%
f/7.1: 36 - 0.39%
f/8.0: 6 - 0.07%
f/16.0: 6 - 0.07%
f/13.0: 2 - 0.02%
f/10.0: 1 - 0.01%
f/11.0: 1 - 0.01%
f/14.0: 1 - 0.01%

Total: 9192 images

I should note that I usually use the P mode. And the P mode of the Ricoh GR likes f/5.6 very much when there is enough light. Otherwise, it prefers f/2.8. Other F-numbers are not very popular, or I select them manually.

This makes me think that the Viltrox AF 28/4.5 (FE) lens only needs two aperture settings: fully open at f/4.5 and fully closed at f/8. Therefore, its aperture mechanism could be very simple.

2026-03-21

Split crown race

The headset that came with the frame includes a fork crown race ring (39.8 mm). However, when I installed the headset, I used a split crown race instead.





A split crown race is easier to install and remove.



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2026-03-19

Anastigmat Victar 50/2.9: Samples [2] - FF - f/2.9

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)








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