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)