Samsung NX 50-200/4-5.6: Samples [2] - APS-C - 200mm

Camera: Samsung NX300M (1.5x crop factor, 20MP), Samsung NX500 (1.5x crop factor, 28MP)

Lens: Samsung NX 50-200/4-5.6 at f/5.6-f/10, 200mm

The profiled lens (distortion/vignetting) correction is disabled.

(see also Baikal chipmunks)

See also related notes:

• Бурундуки на Байкале (2015-08-14)
• Samsung NX 50-200/4-5.6 III ED OIS: впечатления (2014-01-31)

Image albums:

• Samsung NX 50-200/4-5.6

malykh-drb3-reader [GitHub]

Some time ago, I learned how to read Chrysler control modules using a PCI (J1850 VPW) bus and an ELM327 adapter. See my posts about using the ELM327 and about reading the module identifier.

DRBDBReader was a big help. It's open-source software that reads and decodes a DRB-III database. However, for my purposes, I wrote a simplified version in Scala 3.

I am now publishing this project: https://github.com/malykhcom/malykh-drb3-reader

To run it, you need to find a database.mem file (here, for example).

While I doubt the software itself will be useful, it may help to study the database.mem file format. I tried to make code simpler and more readable.

On-board diagnostics are not part of my life currently, so I don't plan to continue working in that field.

See also related notes:

• PCI (J1850 VPW): чтение номера модуля (2022-11-13)
• Чтение шины PCI (J1850 VPW) через ELM327, PCI-модули моего Jeep Cherokee KJ (2019-02-07)

Image albums:

• On-board diagnostics

Flyxii FR-701 carbon frame

I've ridden the Cannondale Cujo 1 for seven years, and overall, I like it. This bike suits me well.

The main problems are the rear QR 141 Boost dropouts and the terrible stock rear hub. The Koozer 450 hub is much better. It can also be upgraded with a TB141 axle and T34+T36 caps (HG/xD).

However, I would prefer a 148x12 Boost rear thru-axle. I don't want a new bike, Cujo's components are good. So, I decided to change the frame only.

I already bought the Flyxii FR-701 carbon frame.

Why did I choose it?

1.  It's a 29+ frame with plenty of space for my 29x2.6 tires.

2. It is not too expensive, nor too cheap. I bought it at a good discount.

3. It is not too light (for a carbon frame). "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable."

4. The frame allows for 52mm chainline with a fairly large chainring (for MTB). This is due to the specific shape of the right chainstay.

5. The overall geometry is similar to that of the Cujo 1.

And, of course, this frame has 148mm Boost rear axle spacing.

See also related notes:

• Cannondale Cujo 1 (2018): Specifications (2025) (2025-12-31)
• Vittoria e-Barzo Trail 29x2.6 (2025-12-19)
• Koozer XM1850 (622x27) wheelset (2024-06-29)
• Мой новый велосипед: Cannondale Cujo 1 (2018) (2018-10-06)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

RT/ART: Flat-Field to remove dust

The "Flat-Field" option of RT/ART raw converters is usually used to correct vignetting or color vignetting ("color shift").

However, the "Flat-Field" can also be used for dust removal. The method is essentially the same, but the blur radius should be set to a lower value. For example, I often start with a value of 4.

My Ricoh GR is prone to dust, so I use it to demonstrate the dust removal method.

A Flat-Field image (at f/5.6), once again, I use sky shot:

An image (at f/5.6 too) without the Flat-Field correction.

The same image with the Flat-Field correction (a blur radius of 4).

The dust has been removed. The vignetting has also been corrected.

It is a powerful tool, but the main problem is taking the right flat-field images for the apertures. If the dust moves, these images should be reshot periodically.

See also related notes:

• Pentax DA L 18-55/3.5-5.6: 24mm on FF (vignetting and Flat-field) (2024-04-30)
• Ricoh GR: once again about dust (2023-08-27)
• RawTherapee (2022) и ART (2022-03-30)
• NX20, Зенитар 16/2.8 и color shift (2014-01-21)

Image albums:

• Ricoh GR

Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/3.5: Samples [2] - FF - f/3.5

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/3.5 at f/3.5

See also related notes:

• Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/3.5 (M40x1): Uncoated (non-T) version (2024-05-30)

Image albums:

• Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/3.5

Ricoh GR IV Monochrome announced

The long-awaited Ricoh GR IV Monochrome has been announced.

Unlike the standard GR IV, this camera does not have color filters on the sensor. While it is very interesting, it is too pricey.

The standard GR's built-in ND filter has been replaced with a red filter.

Without the red filter:

With the red filter:

The electronic shutter works up to 1/16000 to compensate for the lack of an ND filter.

See also related notes:

• Ricoh GR IV announced (2025-08-23)

Image albums:

• Ricoh GR

JJC FDA-S2: Digitizing 120 film

I still use the JJC FDA-S1 to digitize 135 film. For 120 film, I use the JJC FDA-S2.

The FDA-S2 works well with the Pentax M 100/4 lens. However, I have to use a workaround to mount the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP).

The actual size of a 6x6 film frame is 56x56 mm. The Sony a7c's sensor size is about 36x24 mm, so the maximum usable area is 24x24 mm. Since 24/56 equals approximately 0.43, I use the Pentax M 100/4 (1:2, 0.5x magnification) without macro extension tubes. The maximum resolution is 16MP.

See also related notes:

• Kiev-6S: Budget medium format film camera (2025-06-11)
• JJC FDA-S1: Digitizing 135 film (2024-07-22)
• Pentax M 100/4 Macro (2024-01-01)

Image albums:

• Scanning

VXM MT-V86: Tool for Shimano direct-mount chainrings

This is a tool to remove and install lockrings of Shimano direct-mount chainring systems.

It is named VXM MT-V86.

If you don't have a suitable 44mm/16 BB wrench tool, you can use a standard 32mm wrench instead.

I would like to replace the 32T chainring with a 34T one.

See also related notes:

• Shimano M7100-1 (SLX): Crankset 175mm, 32T (2025-11-11)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

RockStar/AstrHori 35/1.8: Samples [3] - FF - f/1.8

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: RockStar/AstrHori 35/1.8 at f/1.8

See also related notes:

• RockStar/AstrHori 35/1.8 (Sony FE/E): Full-frame lens (2024-03-06)

Image albums:

• RockStar/AstrHori 35/1.8

M12x1.5 manometer for a pump

I use an old foot pump designed in the USSR to inflate my bike tires. The pump itself works well, but the manometer was broken. So, I replaced it with a new manometer (also 0-6 bar).

The mounting thread is M12x1.5.

I have already mounted the new manometer, and it works well. The only drawback is that the new manometer has a fragile plastic body.

Image albums:

• Tools

SZ Viewer A1-2025-01-07 (151, Android)

No, there isn't a new version of SZ Viewer (Android). This is the SZ Viewer A1-2025-01-07 version, but updated to target API level 35 (Android 15).

See also related notes:

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