Another De Dion on EV

Here's yet another (see also 1, 2) example of a De Dion rear suspension on a modern electric vehicle (Daihatsu e-Hijet, also known as Toyota Pixis Van BEV, also known as Suzuki e Every).

This time, the suspension has coil springs and a Panhard rod.

(source)

(flipped vertically, source)

(source)

See also related notes:

• Toyota Hilux BEV rear axle (2026-08-03)
• Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ rear axle (2025-08-13)

Image albums:

• Electric vehicle

"A city on the Angara river": Panoramas (2)

Two more panoramic images taken from the "Город на Ангаре" (A city on the Angara river) documentary.

Large lettering is visible on a building. The poor image quality makes it impossible to read. I don't remember exactly what it said, but I think it was something like "Путешествуйте по озеру Байкал" (Travel on Lake Baikal).

See also related notes:

• "A city on the Angara river": Panoramas (1) (2026-08-09)

Image albums:

• Angarsk

My first tubeless puncture

Some time ago, I got a puncture in the front tubeless bike tire (Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4[WT]). Unfortunately, the sealant didn't help because it had dried out (after several months). So, out in the field, I used a cheap tubeless tire repair kit:

It was easy, and the electric pump was very helpful.

I rode over 100 km with the "bacon strip" (the tire plug) without any problems.

Then, at home, I removed the strip and applied a tire patch.

Everything is okay with the tire now.

See also related notes:

• TOPUMP TB2 Pro: Electric mini pump (2026-08-05)
• Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4[WT] (2026-06-01)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Five Star 500/8: Samples [2] - FF - f/8

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Five Star 500/8 at f/8

The lens is difficult to use, but it was the cheapest option available some time ago. To achieve better results, the aperture should be closed to f/11, or even f/16.

See also related notes:

• Таир-3C и Five Star 500/8 (2022-05-26)

Image albums:

• Five Star 500/8

Pentax Q7: DCP file for ART/RT (download)

I created a camera profile for the Pentax Q7 + Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime combination.

Download file (2026-08 version): q7.dcp (32KB)

This is a basic camera profile for ART/RT raw converters. It is only single-illuminant (D50) one. It only contains the Base table.

Input Profile (ART): Embedded

Input Profile (ART): Camera standard

Input Profile (ART): Custom: q7.dcp

See also related notes:

• Pentax Q7: Better, but still too specific (2025-11-13)
• ColorChecker, DCamProf, ART/RT (2025-10-05)
• Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime (2025-09-23)

Image albums:

• Pentax Q (series)
• Pentax Q 01 8.5/1.9 Standard Prime

Newly built cities of the USSR (1958)

I bought a collection of booklets from 1958.

The collection is titled "Новые города СССР/Villes Nouvelles de l'URSS" (Newly Built Cities of the USSR), and contains booklets about eight cities.

The booklet about Angarsk interests me the most.

Image albums:

• Angarsk

Front engine transverse with RWD

In the ICE world, a front (front!) transverse mounted engine with rear wheel drive is crazy (like Ford's T-Drive concept). However, this engine layout is reasonable for a series hybrid, regardless of wheel drive.

There are several such rear-wheel drive hybrid cars. For example, Changan Qiyuan/Nevo A06 in EREV/PHEV version (source).

The front-mounted, transverse IC engine acts as a generator only.

There are no half-shafts in the front suspension.

The rear wheels are driven by the electric motor.

By the way, I would like the new Suzuki Jimny to be a series hybrid with a front transverse IC engine (for more cabin space).

Image albums:

• Electric vehicle

Pentax Q 04 6.3/7.1 Toy Lens Wide: Samples [2] - 1/1.7" - f/7.1

Camera: Pentax Q7 (1/1.7", 12MP)

Lens: Pentax Q 04 6.3/7.1 Toy Lens Wide, f/7.1 only, without software cropping (29 mm equiv.)

Once again, the Pentax Q7 is better than the Pentax Q.

See also related notes:

• Pentax Q7: Angle of view with 03, 04, 05 lenses (2025-12-17)
• Pentax Q 04 6.3/7.1 Toy Lens Wide (2025-06-13)

Image albums:

• Pentax Q 04 6.3/7.1 Toy Lens Wide

Expired Svema FN 32

Some Svema FN 32 (B&W, ISO 32) 120 film rolls.

All expired (develop before January 1994).

I have tested them. There are some visible spots in the shadows. To avoid this, a lot of light is required, so the film should be exposed as ISO 1 or ISO 2.

Image albums:

• Photographic film

Wuling Hongguang Mini EV: Solid rear axle

The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (electrical vehicle) has a solid rear axle.

(source)

(source)

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.

See also related notes:

• Hengrun HRS1 - маленький почти внедорожный электромобиль (2021-06-05)

Image albums:

• Electric vehicle

"A city on the Angara river": Panoramas (1)

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.

See also related notes:

• "A city on the Angara river": Panoramas (2) (2026-08-27)

Image albums:

• Angarsk

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.

See also related notes:

• Forte Fortepan FP100 (2026-07-01)
• Kenko Soft 45/4.5: 45mm soft focus lens (2025-09-03)

Image albums:

• Kenko Soft 45/4.5