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2023-12-29

Brother DCP-T220: My new printer

After the Canon G1400 broke down, I decided to buy a new printer. I chose the Brother DCP-T220, an ink tank printer (4 colors: BT5000C, BT5000M, BT5000Y, BTD60BK).


(picture on the box)

I would prefer a cheaper model that is just a printer without a scanner, but this Inkbenefit Plus series has no such thing. So the DCP-T220 (with built-in scanner) is the simplest model in the range.

This is my fourth personal inkjet printer (after the HP DJ690, the Canon Pixma iP5000, and the Canon G1400). 

First impression: the new printer took up an unexpected amount of space on my desk. The printer itself is large, and required extra space at the front and back to open the trays.



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Posted by malykh в 00:03 0 comments

2023-12-27

SZ Viewer: 10th Anniversary

On 2013-12-27 (10 years ago) I started writing my own Suzuki diagnostic application after successfully testing CASCADE (Hi-Scan Pro/CarmanScan software emulator) with my Jimny Sierra.


(that old source code)

First it was called SZD. 


(title is "SZD")

On 2014-01-04 I renamed it to SZ Viewer.

(title is "SZ Viewer")

I wrote the application in Scala (v2.10 at that time) from the beginning, and today all versions (including Android) are also written in Scala (now v2.11).

First public release has version v0.1a-20140201. Second release W1-2014-02-12 started using the version numbering saved today. First Android release was A1-2014-03-24.

Today I still support SZ Viewer (1, 2), but I have no strategy for future development. Windows/macOS/Linux is easier to improve, but very few users need it. Meanwhile, I don't want to develop the much more popular Android version, but I try to update it regularly for new requirements to keep it in Google Play.




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Posted by malykh в 00:02 3 comments

2023-12-25

Takumar 105/2.8 (Pre-Set II): Samples [1] - FF

Photos taken with the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) and the Takumar 105/2.8 (Pre-Set II - 5 elements in 4 groups).

A sunstar at f/8:




Samples at f/2.8:













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Posted by malykh в 00:02 0 comments

2023-12-23

Pentax K-m: 10MP CCD DSLR

I sold the NX300 camera for parts (due to the broken LCD screen). I bought a new (and cheap!) camera to replace it. My new old camera is the Pentax K-m.




The Pentax K-m (also known as the K2000) was introduced in 2008 (my copy was made in 2009). This K-m/K2000 is the last CCD DSLR with the Pentax K mount. The sensor has a crop factor of 1.5x and a resolution of 10MP (like the K10D/GX-10 and K200D).

In the past I already had two Pentax DSLRs: 6MP CCD *ist Ds (bought in 2005, sold in 2012) and 10MP CCD K10D (bought in 2007, sold in 2013).

The small Pentax K-m reminds me a lot of the *ist Ds. But there are some differences and features come from the K10D.

Unfortunately, the K-m lacks the 0.95x @ 50mm pentaprism viewfinder (it has a 0.85x @ 50mm pentamirror one instead) and a top panel display. The K-m also has fewer focus points (and no viewfinder point indicators). Meanwhile, the K-m has a larger rear LCD screen (2.7" vs 2"), SR (Shake Reduction), in-lens focus motor support, higher resolution (10MP vs 6MP). And I like the control of the K-m better than the *ist Ds.

My K-m copy is pretty good. The shutter count is just under 19000. Even the backup battery is good. There are only two problems: the slightly scratched viewfinder and the broken SD card slot cover. But the camera is usable, it is possible to remove and insert an SD card.

For me, it is important that the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) has the 10MP resolution in APS-C mode. This is the same as the K-m has (with its crop factor 1.5x). The almost identical pixel density makes it possible to compare noise, resolution, and color reproduction of these cameras (2008 CCD vs 2020 CMOS). In addition, I can do it with the same Pentax lenses. That is why I wanted the 10MP (not 6MP) CCD Pentax camera. I didn't like the K10D (it's too big and heavy), the GX-10 is almost the same camera. And between the K200D and the K-m, I choose the K-m as a cheaper and newer camera.

Posted by malykh в 00:01 0 comments

2023-12-21

Mitakon Creator 85/2 II vs Vivitar 85/1.8: out-of-focus area blur

I continue to compare the Mitakon [Zhongyi] Creator 85/2 II and the Vivitar [OEM] 85/1.8 lenses. This summer, I tested the blur in the out-of-focus areas at the widest apertures (f/2 and f/1.8, respectively).

1.

(Mitakon Creator 85/2 II)


(Vivitar 85/1.8)

2.

(Mitakon Creator 85/2 II)


(Vivitar 85/1.8)

3.

(Mitakon Creator 85/2 II)


(Vivitar 85/1.8)

4.

(Mitakon Creator 85/2 II)


(Vivitar 85/1.8)

5.

(Mitakon Creator 85/2 II)


(Vivitar 85/1.8)

6.

(Mitakon Creator 85/2 II)


(Vivitar 85/1.8)

As expected, the Mitakon's circle of confusion is slightly smaller, but smoother. However, I thought the difference would be greater (see for example the comparison of two 50mm lenses).

I still haven't decided which of these two 85mm lenses to retain.

Posted by malykh в 00:07 0 comments

2023-12-19

SZ Viewer W1-2023-12-19 (Windows), L1-2023-12-19 (Linux), M1-2023-12-19 (macOS)

SZ Viewer (Windows, Linux, macOS) changes:

1. Added "Output control" for Engine and AT/CVT CAN modules.




It includes "Fix ignition advance" for Engine and "Learned Initialize" for AT/CVT.

Warning: This is an experimental implementation. A CAN module may support only a subset of controls or none at all. Execution may fail due to incorrect conditions. Refer to a service manual for the required condition.


2. Minor changes and bugfixes.

3. Updated libraries: jna, jna-platform, scala-xml.

Posted by malykh в 00:01 8 comments

2023-12-17

DiC & MiC E302C tripod: Disadvantages

Since 2016 I have been using the DiC & MiC E302C tripod. Overall, I like the tripod, but I have found some drawbacks while carrying and using it these years.

The reverse folding legs wrap around the ball head, such a construction allows the tripod to be compact for carrying (about 360-370mm length).




But you should rotate the legs before use and rotate them back after use. Also, you should move the center column down and up if you don't want to use a raised column for photo/video. This is a rather annoying action. In addition, the rotation axles become loose over time, it is necessary to tighten them periodically. So I don't rotate the legs up after use, which makes the folded tripod about 530mm long.




The twist locks on the legs should be tightened well to prevent spontaneous length changes. The worst thing is that you cannot visually judge how tight a twist lock is. So you should try to tighten each one (there are 12 of them!). This is a waste of time.

One of the locks is now broken, making the section too hard to push in, so I try not to use that section level.




This reduces the optimal height of the tripod.

The removable leg feet should also be tightened well, otherwise a foot can be lost.




I almost lost one of the feet in the field. Luckily, it was found, but it took some time. 

Also, the hook at the bottom of the center column (which I don't use at all) has come loose a couple of times.

I still use the tripod, but I would prefer a different (smaller and simpler?) model for use in the field.



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Posted by malykh в 00:02 0 comments

2023-12-16

Syncthing 1.27.1 and Windows 7

Warning: Updated Syncthing v1.27.1 crashes when launched on Windows 7.

This is due to Go 1.21, which dropped support for Windows 7.

===
...
Go 1.20 is the last release that will run on any release of Windows 7, 8, Server 2008 and Server 2012. Go 1.21 will require at least Windows 10 or Server 2016.
...
===


If you want to continue using Syncthing on Windows 7, disable autoupdate in the config.xml file (change the value to 0):

===
...
        <autoUpgradeIntervalH>0</autoUpgradeIntervalH>
...
===


And downgrade to v1.27.0 (rename syncthing.exe.old to syncthing.exe)

Posted by malykh в 00:00 0 comments

2023-12-15

malykh-geo-ep source code [Java, 2009-2010]

In the past I used to take part in off-road competitions. Most of them were related to finding places by coordinates. These coordinates were printed on paper, so it was necessary to enter geopoints into a PC.

In 2009 I wrote an application to enter coordinates of points and save them in KML/WPT files. There were several versions of the application, then I left off-road competitions and the development of the application was stopped in 2010.

Now I have released the source code of the application: https://github.com/malykhcom/malykh-geo-ep

This is a slightly updated version of v0.6 (not previously released), so I called it v0.6+.




It is written in pure Java 6, although I have been programming in Scala since 2009.



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Posted by malykh в 00:00 0 comments

2023-12-13

Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5: My experience [3/3]

(see part 1, part 2)

The Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5 with the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP) at f/4.5.











Of course, the lens is very specific, not for universal everyday use. Usually such slow (or even slower) simple (non-retrofocus) wide-angle lenses (even plastic ones) are built into cheap compact cameras. But this Choro lens is a higher level interchangeable lens, which is ready to use if you have a suitable adapter for a mirrorless camera. That's its valuable feature.

Posted by malykh в 00:01 0 comments

2023-12-11

Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5: My experience [2/3]

(see part 1)

The Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5 lens with the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP). All images were taken at f/4.5.

The lens is wide-angle and very slow. And the minimum focusing distance is quite long.











However, it is difficult to obtain strong background blur.






And triplet "soap bubbles" are almost absent.

See part 3.
Posted by malykh в 00:02 0 comments

2023-12-09

Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5: My experience [1/3]

The Staeble-Werk Choro R 35/4.5 is an old wide-angle triplet lens. Today it is rare, but in its time it was a cheap and simple lens.

All images were taken with the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP).

The lens is slow. It is difficult to focus because of the large depth of field. Sometimes I use the focusing scale to focus, even though the scale is only in feet.

At f/4.5, the vignetting is very noticeable.




It is easy to correct with software, but I leave the vignetting untouched, it gives a vintage look.

At f/8-f/11, the vignetting is reduced and the resolution is higher.

f/4.5:




f/8:




But most of the time I shoot at f/4.5, even landscapes.





Unexpectedly, fingers (of the focusing hand) can show up in the corners of the frame. For example, in the lower right corner:




This is because the optical elements are located deep inside the lens body, the front part of the body acts as a hood.

However the lens is prone to flare:





I also noticed that the 35mm focal length is real. The field of view at infinity is the same as the Pentax K 35/3.5 and slightly wider than the Samyang 35/2.8. This is good, I was expecting a real focal length of 37-40mm.


Posted by malykh в 00:06 0 comments
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