As far as I know, it's a rather old publication, from around 1999. Some of the information is still interesting today.
2026-05-11
2026-05-09
ISCO Iscovitar 50/2.8: Samples [3] - FF - f/2.8 + close focus (helicoid) adapter
Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: ISCO Iscovitar 50/2.8 at f/2.8
The close focus (helicoid) adapter was used instead of the built-in focusing mechanism. This reveals the true nature of the triplet.
See also related notes:
Image albums:
2026-05-07
RockShox SID SL Base 3P 110mm
My new bike fork: RockShox SID SL Base 3P (FS-SIDS-BSE3-D1) with 110mm travel. It is the cheapest version in the SID SL series. And 110mm is the longest travel (axle to crown 516 mm with 44 mm offset).
Some details.
It weighs 1570 g with the uncut steerer tube.
2026-05-05
Pentax Q7: SR and Live View
In my opinion, the Pentax Q7 is much better than the Pentax Q. But unexpectedly, the Pentax Q has one important advantage.
The Pentax Q7 lacks the ability to perform shake reduction (SR) during Live View!
The Pentax Q has the related SR option.
(Pentax Q's option)
The Pentax Q7 has no such option. SR only works during capture time.
This is important for manual focusing (with so-called "Unique lenses", for example). Although the Q7 provides more magnification for accurate focusing, the shaking during Live View with a long focal length lens is disruptive.
Even half-pressing the shutter button doesn't stabilize Live View. The goal is probably power efficiency.
See also related notes:
- Pentax Q7: Better, but still too specific (2025-11-13)
- Pentax Q "Unique Lenses" (2025-09-19)
- Pentax Q: Non-electronic lens support (2025-04-07)
- Pentax Q: Useless mirrorless camera (2025-02-14)
Image albums:
2026-05-03
Socks5: Non-standard commands
0x01: CONNECT0x02: BIND0x03: UDP ASSOCIATEAlso, there are some proprietary extensions that introduce new commands:
0x05: UDP IN TCP (by HevSocks5)0xF0: RESOLVE (by Tor)0xF1: RESOLVE_PTR (by Tor)2026-05-01
Pentax M 50/4 Macro: Samples [2] - FF - f/4
Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: Pentax M 50/4 Macro at f/4
2026-04-29
Romoss Solo 5 power bank (2017)
In 2017, I purchased the Romoss Solo 5 (10000 mAh power bank) for $10 with free shipping.
It was cheap, but the main reason was the internals of the Solo 5. This power bank contains five standard 18650 batteries.
I knew about this, and I wanted to disassemble the power bank and use the batteries in other devices. It could be very profitable.
Although I didn't initially need a power bank, this one turned out to be useful. So, I kept it without taking it apart. And, despite its inconvenient microUSB port (input for charging), the power bank is still used today.
2026-04-27
Maxxis Rambler 700x50c: Mounted tubeless
I mounted the Maxxis Rambler 700x50c tires on the Koozer 29" wheels.
The tires were mounted tubeless without any problems.
The tire carcass width is 51mm (2.0") on these i27 rims at 3 bar (43 psi).
See also related notes:
- Maxxis Rambler 700x50c (2026-04-17)
- Koozer XM1850 (622x27) wheelset (2024-06-29)
Image albums:
2026-04-25
Sony a7c: v2.03 firmware
Firmware version 2.03 has been released for the Sony a7c.
As for v2.02, the change list for v2.03 is obscure:
===
Improves the operational stability of the camera
===
As usual, I will wait for some time before updating.
See also related notes:
- Sony a7c: v2.02 firmware (2025-09-11)
- Sony α7c (Alpha 7C, a7c) (2022-03-18)
Image albums:
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)
See also related notes:
Image albums:
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).
2026-04-19
Tonigy: Apache 2.0 license
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).
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)
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.
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.
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.
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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