R.I.P. SZ Viewer A1

I have decided to stop releasing the Android version of SZ Viewer (SZ Viewer A1) to the public after February 2025.

Currently, I distribute SZ Viewer A1 only through Google Play.  However, I don't want to verify my developer account as required by Google because it asks for too much personal information to be displayed to users. So my developer account will be removed after 27 February 2025.

At the same time, I have no plans to distribute SZ Viewer A1 as public APK files.

I might release a version of SZ Viewer A1 (in Google Play) before the deadline. But I am not sure. I'm very tired of SZ Viewer after 11 years: I spent a lot of time and resources with no profit and no prospects. It's time to get rid of the dead weight.

See also related notes:

• SZ Viewer A1: That's all Folks (2025-02-27)
• Nokia 5.3 (2025-01) (2025-01-29)

Image albums:

• Internet

Gyroflow v1.6: Important update for Sony cameras

The new v1.6 of Gyroflow offers very important features for Sony cameras (including my Sony a7c):

1. It supports IBIS data and lens profiles. So it is possible to record video with IBIS enabled and stabilize it with Gyroflow. Previously, you had to turn off IBIS to work with Gyroflow.

I have already tested it and it works fine. But the preview in Gyroflow with IBIS enabled video is much worse than the rendered result! There is a lot of jitter in the preview that is not present in the result. As far as I understand, the preview doesn't take into account the sensor movements made by IBIS. Anyway, this is a great feature.

2. Gyroflow automatically sets the frame readout time, which is important for rolling shutter correction. At least for the Sony a7c, Gyroflow uses values very close to my measurements.

See also related notes:

• Sony a7c: Three years with the camera (2025-02-06)
• Old graphics card for Gyroflow [RX480] (2025-01-26)

Image albums:

• Video

Scala+Gradle: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 vs 5700X

Scala+Gradle: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 vs 5700X

My other CPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 (very similar to 3700X, Zen 2 based, 8 cores, 3.6/4.4GHz) vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (Zen 3 based, 8 cores, 3.4/4.6GHz). The previous comparison was done in the raw image processing program ART.

This time I compared the build time of a Scala project using Gradle (64-bit Java 1.8.0_221). The project is not too big, but it uses macros which slow down the build a lot.

Source lines of code (without blank and comment, calculated with cloc):

Java: 71653 (most of them auto-generated)

Scala: 39151

Java: Oracle JDK 1.8.0_221 (64-bit Server VM)

Scala: 3.3.3

Gradle: 8.11.1

Build time (best result of several attempts):

AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700: 55-56 seconds

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: 49-50 seconds

The performance gain is again around 14-15%.

See also related notes:

• DDR4 3000 vs DDR4 3600 (2025-02-11)

Image albums:

• PC

Pentax K 55/1.8: Samples [2] - FF - f/1.8

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens:  Pentax K 55/1.8 at f/1.8

See also related notes:

• Pentax K 55/1.8 vs Pentax A 50/1.7 (2023-10-07)

Image albums:

• Pentax K 55/1.8

Thuraya (2024 state)

At the beginning of 2024, there were two operational Thuraya satellites: Thuraya-2 and Thuraya-3. Unfortunately, the Thuraya-3 satellite was out of service in the spring of 2024. Today, only Thuraya-2 is operational.

This is very bad for Thuraya users in the eastern and northeastern regions. While Thuraya has tried to reconfigure the network to force Thuraya-2 to work in these regions, the network connection may be very poor (SMS only) or non-existent due to the low elevation angle (<10-20°) of the satellite.

You can estimate the actual elevation angle and direction to the Thuraya-2 in your location on the service: https://www.n2yo.com/?s=27825

The launch of the new Thuraya-4 satellite is planned for December 2024. However, the Thuraya-4 is intended to replace the Thuraya-2, so it is not clear if and how soon it will help improve connectivity in the affected regions.

See also related notes:

• Thuraya-4 launched (2025-01-05)

SZ Viewer W1-2024-12-07 (Windows), L1-2024-12-07 (Linux)

SZ Viewer (Windows, Linux) changes:

1. Added support for some modules (D13A engine,  ABS/ESP control module 52129438AC).

2. Minor UI changes.

Note that version for macOS is discontinued.

See also related notes:

• SZ Viewer: общая информация (2014-02-15)

Scala 3: How to disable significant indentation (Gradle)

Overall, I like the changes in Scala 3. Most of them are actually simplify Scala programming. But I hate significant indentation (indentation-based syntax).

Meanwhile, I have become friends with Haskell's indentation-based syntax, but Scala's significant indentation made the syntax very fragile. It is very annoying.

So I disable significant indentation whenever possible. (With Scala 3) I use Gradle instead of sbt. To turn off significant indentation in a Gradle project:

tasks.withType(ScalaCompile) {
    // disable significant indentation
    scalaCompileOptions.additionalParameters = ['-no-indent']
}

Anyway, programming in Scala 3 tends to make me use braces (curly brackets) even more (in a Rust-way).

Pentax M 100/4 Macro: Samples [2] - FF - f/4

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Pentax M 100/4 Macro at f/4

See also related notes:

• Pentax M 100/4 Macro (2024-01-01)

Image albums:

• Pentax M 100/4 Macro

ART: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 vs 5700X

I use the ART raw image processing program. And its speed is important to me.

Recently I changed my CPU: I replaced an AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 (very similar to 3700X, Zen 2 based, 8 cores, 3.6/4.4GHz) with an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (Zen 3 based, 8 cores, 3.4/4.6GHz).

I wanted to measure the speed difference in ART. So I prepared a 3.5GB image set: 107 raw files (ARWs from the Sony a7c and DNGs from the Ricoh GR).  I used optimized versions of ART: 1.24.1-14-g3eebab7b1 (Znver2 - optimized for Zen 2) and 24.1-14-g3eebab7b1 (Znver3 - optimized for Zen 3).

Best times (more images per minute is better):

PRO 3700 & Znver2: (377s) ~17.1 images per minute

PRO 3700 & Znver3: (379s) ~16.9 images per minute (just for reference)

5700X & Znver2: (330s) ~19.6 image per minute

5700X & Znver3: (330s) ~19.6 image per minute

So the performance gain is about 14-15%.

See also related notes:

• DDR4 3000 vs DDR4 3600 (2025-02-11)
• Old graphics card for Gyroflow [RX480] (2025-01-26)
• Scala+Gradle: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 vs 5700X (2024-12-22)

Image albums:

• PC

Film camera shutter test

There is a well-known way to test the shutter speeds of a film camera:

Using a DSLR as a Shutter-Tester

Film Shutter Speed a simple test method

It involves using the film camera body as an "external shutter" for a digital camera with a lens. So you can take test pictures with the shutter of the digital camera and then compare the brightness of the pictures with those taken with the shutter of the film camera.

The distinction is whether you place the front of the film camera body or the back of the film camera body in front of the digital camera lens.

I prefer to put the front of the film camera body in front of the digital camera lens. I also use a reverse "macro" adapter/ring to couple the film camera and lens together.

I don't change the aperture during testing. Faster speed is used with higher ISO.

Renault E-Tech 1.6 Hybrid deadly trouble

The Renault E-Tech Hybrid based on a 1.6l H4M (HR16DE) engine and a DB1 gearbox, has the problem that Renault failed to mention. A seal in the gearbox is badly made and oil leaks internally. At best, the temperature sensor is broken, but the electric motor can also fail and immobilize the vehicle.

Un problème de fiabilité avec le moteur hybride 1.6 E-TECH chez Renault?

Une nouvelle OTS pour le moteur hybride 1.6 E-TECH

Fiabilité Renault 1.6 hybride. Des problèmes de boîte sur potentiellement 157 000 modèles

In some countries, Renault denies the trouble and you should repair the car at your own expense (and replacing the gearbox is very expensive).

I wouldn't recommend buying a E-Tech hybrid Renault until the recall is initiated by Renault (if they do it at all).

Image albums:

• Car

Developing a color C-41 film as a B&W negative

I wondered what would happen if I developed a color negative film as a black and white negative?

So I bought a "classic" Kodak Gold ISO 200 film:

It is in good, fresh condition (to be developed before 11/2025).

It was originally intended for C-41 processing. But after shooting I developed it as a B&W negative film: 5ml Rodinal clone and 500ml water (very diluted solution 1:100) and stand developed for one hour. And then the usual (sodium thiosulfate based) fixer. There was no bleaching step in the process.

Surprisingly, there are some pictures on the film:

Of course, there is the expected red tint (due to the mask) and the negatives are slightly dark. But I successfully digitized the film with a digital camera.

Camera: Vivitar 3800N

Film: Kodak Gold ISO 200 (C-41), exposed as ISO100-200, developed as a B&W negative film.

Lens: Pentax K 30/2.8 at f/2.8-5.6

See also related notes:

• JJC FDA-S1: Digitizing 135 film (2024-07-22)
• Vivitar V3800N: Film SLR camera with Pentax K mount (2024-04-20)
• Pentax K 30/2.8: ad (2023-09-15)

Image albums:

• Photographic film
• Pentax K 30/2.8

Viltrox AF 20/2.8: Firmware update (V1.1.2)

As mentioned before, I have only two electronic (AF) lenses with Sony FE/E mount: the Samyang AF 35/2.8 and the Viltrox AF 20/2.8.

It is not possible to update their firmware directly with a Sony camera.

To update the Samyang firmware, you need a docking station (or find someone who has one). So I am still using the outdated v.04 firmware (while v.08 is available).

Meanwhile, the Viltrox AF 20/2.8 has the USB-C port on the mount flange.

And the firmware can be updated by copying the file to a virtual disk. A nice solution.

The lens information on my Sony a7c shows version 01:

The real version information from the virtual DeviceInformation.txt file:

My lens already has the current firmware version V1.1.2 installed.

See also related notes:

• Samyang AF 35/2.8: Lens station (2025-05-15)
• Viltrox AF 28/4.5: Firmware update (2025-02-19)

Image albums:

• Viltrox AF 20/2.8 FE

Noname [OEM] 50/1.1 FF: Samples [2] - FF - f/1.1

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Noname [OEM] 50/1.1 FF at f/1.1

See also related notes:

• Noname [OEM] 50/1.1 (Sony FE/E): Full-frame lens (2023-08-23)

Image albums:

• Noname [OEM] 50/1.1 FF

SLIK PRO 340DX Tripod (with SH-705E head)

The SLIK Sprint Mini II tripod is convenient for carrying in a camera bag. But for some tasks, I wanted a larger tripod that could be transported on a bicycle. I used to use the DiC & MiC E302C tripod, but I was disappointed with its design.

I also have the SLIK PRO 500DX tripod, but it is too bulky. I was looking for something similar but smaller. So I bought a used and very cheap SLIK PRO 340DX tripod:

The SLIK PRO 340DX is almost the same as the PRO 330DX, but the 340DX has four leg sections instead of the 330DX's three. This makes the 340DX is smaller when folded.

The design of the 340DX is similar to my old 500DX, even the head is the same (the SH-705E).

The SLIK PRO 340DX with the lower sections folded and the center column folded:

I like this tripod, especially its simplicity. I also wonder why SLIK tripods are so underrated.

See also related notes:

• Slik Sprint Mini II tripod (2024-02-13)
• DiC & MiC E302C tripod: Disadvantages (2023-12-17)
• Штатив DiC & MiC E302C (2016-05-21)
• Штатив SLIK PRO 500DX + SH-705E (2014-05-02)

Image albums:

• Tripod

Sekonic Auto-Leader L-188: Calibration (adjustment)

How to calibrate (adjust) the Sekonic Auto-Leader L-188 light meter: セコニック オートリーダー L-188 の調整は簡単！

There are three trimmers under the cover, from top to bottom: the highlight adjustment, the battery level (indicated by the button) adjustment, the low (shadow) adjustment.

See also related notes:

• Sekonic Auto-Leader L-188 light meter (2024-09-26)

Jikiu BL29012: Front stabilizer bushing (for Suzuki)

The Jikiu BL29012 front stabilizer bar bush:

This is a replacement for Suzuki 42431-79J00/42431-80J00 parts.

Image albums:

• Suzuki

External optical viewfinder (35mm): Accuracy

There are no frame lines in the external optical viewfinder, so the visible limits of the frame depend largely on the position of the eye.

For example, this is the view through the viewfinder mounted on the Sony a7c with the Pentax K 35/3.5 lens:

You can see parts of the lens and the lens adapter. This is because the shoe is quite close to the lens, as the Sony a7c does not have a large SLR-style top. But this reduces the vertical parallax.

And a picture taken:

Overall, the viewfinder is usable. And as I said, the image quality is surprisingly good. Let's hope it doesn't deteriorate over time.

See also related notes:

• External optical viewfinder (35mm) (2024-09-05)
• Pentax K 35/3.5 lens (K): Retrofocus wide-angle Tessar (2024-02-23)
• Noname Pentax K (A) - Sony NEX adapter with the aperture control (2023-05-15)

Image albums:

• Pentax K 35/3.5
• Photo

My AF lenses for Sony FE (2024-10)

I have only two autofocus lenses with the Sony FE mount (for my Sony a7c camera):

The Viltrox AF 20/2.8 and the Samyang AF 35/2.8.

I also have three manual focus lenses with the Sony FE mount: the Risespray 11/2.8, the Checar FF 35/1.4, and the Noname 50/1.1.

See also related notes:

• Viltrox AF 28/4.5 (FE): Wide-angle pancake lens (2025-01-24)
• Viltrox AF 20/2.8: Firmware update (V1.1.2) (2024-11-16)

Image albums:

• Samyang AF 35/2.8 FE
• Viltrox AF 20/2.8 FE

XR Rikenon 50/2: Samples [1] - FF - f/2

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: XR Rikenon 50/2 at f/2

See also related notes:

• XR Rikenon 50/2 (K): Interesting 50mm lens (2024-09-20)

Image albums:

• XR Rikenon 50/2