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2026-08-11

Wuling Hongguang EV: Solid rear axle

The Wuling Hongguang mini electrical vehicle has a solid rear axle.




Of course, it is not the first EV with a live solid axle. But it is still funny for a modern EV, even such tiny.

Posted by malykh в 18:56 0 comments

2026-08-09

"A city on the Angara river": Panoramas

Here are two panoramic images taken from the "Город на Ангаре" (A city on the Angara river) documentary. The quality is rather poor due to the quality of the source material.






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Posted by malykh в 19:41 0 comments

2026-08-07

Kenko Soft 45/4.5: Samples [3] - 135 film - f/4.5

Camera: Pentax Super A
Film: Expired 20 years ago Forte Fortepan FP100 (135 B&W) exposed as ISO 32
Lens: Kenko Soft 45/4.5 at f/4.5

The camera makes it difficult to manually focus this lens. The split-image circle and microprism collar don't help at all (they just make it more difficult). Scale focusing is often easier.










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Posted by malykh в 18:40 0 comments

2026-08-05

TOPUMP TB2 Pro: Electric mini pump

Initially, I didn't want to buy an electric pump for bike tires. I was just looking for an electric manometer for a Presta valve. After comparing prices, however, I decided to buy an inexpensive mini electric pump with a built-in manometer.




It is the TOPUMP TB2 Pro. To me, it is a digital manometer with a built-in pump!

Overall, I like this pump because it meets all my needs. It measures tire pressure immediately, even with a Presta valve (a "Fillmore" tubeless valve too), without having to start pumping.

However, I found three minor issues.

First, it is unexpectedly loud (and noisy) when pumping. 

Second, the pump gets hot and significantly heats up a tire valve. You can even burn if you try to touch the tire valve. This can also damage a TPU inner tube. This issue is partially solved by using the included hose (with the Presta adapter). But with the adapter, the pump must be started pumping to display pressure.




Third, the battery capacity is small. This is related to the dimensions, of course.

However, I mainly use the pump at home. I bring it with me when I ride, but I also bring a regular manual pump (CrankBrothers KLIC HV) as a backup.




It is also possible to charge the pump with a mobile phone using the included USB-C - USB-C cable (or a compatible one).

The main question is how reliable the pump is. I have used it many times over several months, and it still works. But I'm not sure how long it will continue to work.  Especially since it heats up so much.

Be warned: The pump is not waterproof.




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Posted by malykh в 16:47 0 comments

2026-08-03

Toyota Hilux BEV rear axle

The Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ's rear De Dion suspension with Watt's linkage is quite uncommon. The electric version (BEV) of the brand new Toyota Hilux (xN2xx) also has a rear De Dion suspension.






Moreover, this rear De Dion suspension has leaf springs. I like the trend of using De Dion suspensions on electric vehicles.



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Posted by malykh в 16:10 0 comments

2026-08-01

Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime: Built-in ND filter

Although I didn't perform detailed tests, regular use shows that the built-in ND filter of the Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime lens is not strictly ND 4 (2 EV) or ND 2 (1 EV).  I would estimate it to be around 1.4 EV, ND 2.6.

Additionally, this ND (neutral density) filter is not truly neutral. However, the white balance compensates for this.



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Posted by malykh в 09:26 0 comments

2026-07-29

Pentax Q 05 18/8 Toy Lens Telephoto: Samples [2] - 1/1.7" - f/8

Camera: Pentax Q7 (1/1.7", 12MP)
Lens: Pentax Q 05 18/8 Toy Lens Telephoto, f/8 only, without software cropping (83mm equiv.)

The lens provides better image quality with the Pentax Q7 than with the Pentax Q. And focusing is easier, too. The only drawback is the lack of SR during Live View. This is important for such a long-focus lens with manual focusing.








Posted by malykh в 07:48 0 comments

2026-07-27

NONS SL42 (II): Notes

Here are my notes after on using the NONS SL42 (II) camera.




1. Before opening the film door to replace or insert a new film cartridge, turn the camera power on. Otherwise, the film counter won't reset. Don't forget to remove the dark slide by pressing the eject button.

2. To take vertical (common for Instax Mini) pictures, rotate the camera so that the film ejection slot is facing up.

3. The shutter can be cocked without turning on the power. However, since the shutter is electrically controlled, it will not expose film without power.

4. There is a noticeable delay between pressing the shutter release button and the shutter exposure. Warn your subjects not to move for some time after hearing the shutter (mirror, actually) sound.

5. Shooting and ejecting are fully independent processes. Therefore, multiple exposures are easily possible. Remember to adjust the exposure depending on the number of shots.

6. If you use a dedicated light meter, note that the native sensitivity of Instax film is ISO 800. Such high sensitivity is challenging in sunlight due to the 1/250 fastest shutter speed.

7. Due to the shutter's design, significant vignetting occurs without the NFE. Even with the NFE, vignetting can be noticeable, depending on the lens used.

8. According to my measurements, the NFE provides 1.89x magnification. Since the Instax Mini has a "crop" factor of 0.57x, the total crop factor with the NFE is approximately 1.08x.

9. If the NFE is installed, the exposure must be corrected by +2EV. The built-in light meter has a corresponding mode indicated by "NFE" on the screen. To switch the NFE meter mode on or off, quickly press the eject button several times. To avoid wasting film accidentally, do not switch modes if a cartridge is inserted.

10. Due to a protruding diaphragm actuator, a common Pentax K mount lens cannot be mounted on the camera. However, you can mount such a lens on the NFE if you remove the NFE front plate. Of course, a Pentax K - Canon EF adapter must be used.

11. The viewfinder coverage is rather small. This is not dependent on NFE usage.

Posted by malykh в 16:35 0 comments

2026-07-25

Viltrox AF 28/4.5: Firmware v1.15

Another firmware update (v1.15) for the Viltrox AF 28/4.5.
Posted by malykh в 08:16 0 comments

2026-07-23

Sony ZV-1A vs Sony ZV-1

The Sony ZV-1A (ZV1A) is an updated model, but it has some limitations compared to the ZV-1 (ZV1):
===
Die ZV-1A ist die 2025er EU-Richtlinien-konforme Modellvariante der Sony ZV-1. Bei dem Modell mit dem Zusatz "A" wurde die USB-Ladefunktion über die Micro-USB-Schnittstelle deaktiviert. Die Dauerstromversorgung im Betrieb funktioniert weiterhin. Zum Laden des Akkus ist eine Akku-Ladeschale BC-DCX2 mit Micro-USB-Anschluss beigelegt.
===

In translation:
===
The ZV-1A is the 2025 EU Directive-compliant model variant of the Sony ZV-1. On the model with the “A” suffix, the USB charging function via the micro-USB port has been disabled. Continuous power supply during operation still works. A BC-DCX2 battery charger with a micro-USB port is included for charging the battery.
===


===
1. The requirements set out in points 2 and 3 of this Part shall apply to the following categories or classes of radio equipment:
...
1.3. digital cameras;
...
2. In so far as they are capable of being recharged by means of wired charging, the categories or classes of radio equipment referred to in point 1 of this Part shall:
2.1. be equipped with the USB Type-C receptacle, as described in the standard EN IEC 62680-1-3:2021 “Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-3: Common components – USB Type-C® Cable and Connector Specification”, and that receptacle shall remain accessible and operational at all times;
2.2. be capable of being charged with cables which comply with the standard EN IEC 62680-1-3:2021 “Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-3: Common components – USB Type-C® Cable and Connector Specification”.
===

Therefore, if a digital camera cannot be recharged via wire, a USB-C port is unnecessary. Rather than replacing the microUSB port with a USB-C port, Sony disabled in-camera charging in the updated ZV-1A model to comply with the directive.

While this is not ideal for customers, it is a way to keep the camera on the market.

Posted by malykh в 14:52 0 comments

2026-07-21

Pentax K 30/2.8: Samples [4] - 135 film - f/2.8

Camera: Pentax Super A
Film: Expired 20 years ago Forte Fortepan FP100 (135 B&W) exposed as ISO 32
Lens: Pentax K 30/2.8 at f/2.8 

Surprisingly, it is a nice film despite being expired.










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Posted by malykh в 07:19 0 comments

2026-07-19

RoadFisher 55/8 (Nikon F): f/8 or f/11?





To evaluate the RoadFisher lens, I shot the same scene with these each lens set to f/8 (1/400, ISO 100, "Neutral" profile of ART).

Pentax K 55/1.8 at f/8:




Riconar 55/2.2 at f/8:




RoadFisher 55/8:




The RoadFisher certainly has a focal length of 55 mm or slightly less. However, its aperture is obviously not f/8.

For comparison, the Pentax K 55/1.8 at f/11 (also 1/400, ISO 100):




So, the actual aperture of the RoadFisher is much closer to f/11 than to f/8.

Posted by malykh в 09:47 0 comments

2026-07-17

"Up the Angara River" (1973)

The "По Ангаре (Up the Angara River)" documentary. It was made in 1973.




It is about three cities: Bratsk, Angarsk, and Irkutsk.

There is a camera pan of Angarsk's streets. I converted the video fragment into a sequence of 253 images.




Then, I created a panoramic image with Hugin.



The result (Equirectangular projection, no edge fill):





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Posted by malykh в 08:08 0 comments

2026-07-15

My lenses by mount (2026-07): Lenses to keep

While I have a lot of lenses, there is no lens that is actually expensive (over $200-300). Some of them are very cheap. However, despite their cost, several of my lenses are important to me.

For the full-frame Sony a7c, I would keep two lenses. The Pentax K 30/2.8 and the Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5.

Overall, I like Pentax lenses, and the K-series interests me the most. I didn't like the Pentax K 30/2.8 until I got a full-frame camera. Now, it is the most interesting of all my K-series lenses.

The Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5 is not optimal, but it's a very rare lens. Some people think this lens doesn't exist at all. But I have a copy. And it works.

For a Samsung NX camera, I would keep the Samsung NX 30/2. This lens is optically good.

For a Pentax Q camera, I would keep the Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime and the Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens. The former is the best prime lens for the system (and I prefer prime to zoom), and the latter is fun.

Posted by malykh в 07:34 0 comments

2026-07-13

RoadFisher 55/8: Samples [1] - FF - f/8

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: RoadFisher 55/8, f/8 only

During testing, it looks like the actual aperture is f/11 rather than f/8. I'll try to check by comparing it with another lens.

Another issue is the fixed focus. At least my copy is a "landscape" fixed focus lens. Subjects at 5 or 10 meters are noticeably out of focus. Perhaps, the lens is focused even beyond infinity. For me it is rather useless.

There is no a character-trait aberration, that I expected after the Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens or the Holga HL(W)-SSN 29/8. The image is boring.

What's the point of the lens? I don't understand. You can use a cheap manual focus 50mm lens, set and fix the aperture and focus, and achieve similar results.








Posted by malykh в 14:30 0 comments
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