A Fujifilm NP-50 battery:
I'm not sure if it's genuine or fake. Most likely, the battery is fake.
In any case, it fits well as a replacement for a Pentax D-LI68 battery in my Pentax Q camera.
The Pentax D-BC68 charger works well with the NP-50.
2025-07-11
2025-07-09
Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 40/4.5: Samples [1] - FF - f/4.5
Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 40/4.5 at f/4.5
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2025-07-07
Mitakon Creator 85/2 II: Pentax K mount
My Mitakon 85/2 II lens has a Nikon F mount. I use an adapter to mount it on my Sony a7c. However, I cannot use the lens with my Pentax Super A film camera because it has a Pentax K mount.
Of course, the film camera world allows you to buy an inexpensive camera to mount your desired lens. First, though, I tried removing the Pentax K mount from the Mitakon 35/2 lens and installing it on the Mitakon 85/2. It worked!
The Pentax K mount (with its longer bolts) was successfully installed in place of the Nikon F mount.
Now that I have modified the Pentax K mount, I can use my Mitakon 85/2 lens with my Pentax Super A camera.
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2025-07-05
Pentax Q 05 18/8 Toy Lens Telephoto
The Pentax Q 05 Toy Lens Telephoto (18mm, f/8) is another lens from the so-called "Unique Lenses" series for Pentax Q cameras. This is the third lens from this series that I have purchased for my Pentax Q, after the Q 03 Fish-Eye and the Q 04 Toy Lens Wide. On the Pentax Q (1/2.3"), it is equivalent to a 100mm lens.
The Q 05 is smaller than the Q 03 Fish-Eye or Q 04 Toy Lens Wide, but has a slower aperture (f/8 vs f/5.6 or f/7.1).
It is an electronic lens with manual focus. It lacks a built-in leaf shutter and aperture control. Therefore, it behaves similarly to that of a manual focus lens with an adapter, with a few exceptions. First, a Pentax Q camera saves EXIF data with lens information (including the permanent f/8 aperture value). Second, a Pentax Q camera recognizes the focal length (18mm) for the sensor-shift image stabilization (SR).
The focusing ring is mechanical, but overly sensitive. There is no distance scale, and the ring rotates far past the infinity (which is also unmarked). The depth of field is large, focusing is difficult.
The lens has 3 elements in 3 groups. By the way, I am unsure if the Q 05 lens is a true telephoto lens. It could just be a "conventional" long-focus lens.
The simple optical design and diffraction due to the slow aperture result in poor image quality.
The long focal length requires a fast shutter speed (my Pentax Q uses a 1/100 limit for Auto ISO). With an aperture of f/8, it tends to use a high ISO even in fairly well-lit conditions. Another problem is that it produces low-contrast images (it reminds me of old uncoated lenses). These problems will result in a lot of noise in processed images.
This lens is called the "Toy Lens" because its image quality resembles that of cheap plastic "toy" film cameras.
See also related notes:
- Pentax Q "Unique Lenses" (2025-09-19)
- Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens: Samples [1] - 1/2.3" - f/9 (2025-09-05)
- Pentax Q 07 11.5/9 Mount Shield Lens (2025-08-21)
- Pentax Q 03, 04, 05 lenses (2025-07-27)
- Pentax Q 05 18/8 Toy Lens Telephoto: Samples [1] - 1/2.3" - f/8 (2025-07-17)
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2025-07-03
Suzuki Fronx 4WD (JDM only)
Production of the classic Suzuki SX4 model ended in 2014. Sales of the SX4 S-Cross ended in Japan in 2020. And Sales of the Vitara (as the Escudo) ended in Japan in 2024.
Although there is no direct successor to the SX4 line in Japan, the Suzuki Fronx has been considered its replacement since 2024.
The Suzuki Fronx is a model produced by Maruti Suzuki India. At slightly under four meters long (3995mm), it is an important size for the Indian market (with 1.2L NA or 1.0L Turbo engines).
The JDM version has a Suzuki K15C I4 engine, naturally aspirated (NA), Dualjet?, 1.5L (101/99ps) with a 6AT and WA06A (3.1ps) electric motor (for a mild hybrid system).
The most interesting feature of the JDM Fronx is its exclusive 4WD option. Other markets only have the 2WD.
Video about the 4WD system:
The 4WD system uses an outdated viscous coupling instead of a modern, electronically controlled one.
Some disadvantages are offset by ESP.
Another video provides more information about the 2WD version:
Overall, I'm ambivalent about the Fronx. However, it boasts a rare combination today: an NA engine and a conventional AT transmission.
In the same time the Honda Fit e:HEV Crosstar 4WD is available at a similar price in Japan.
Appearance is, of course, a matter of preference, but the e:HEV is a far superior powertrain.
The Suzuki Fronx is often compared with the Honda WR-V.
Although the WR-V is bigger and only has 2WD. It also lacks an e:HEV. The Fit is similar in size to the Fronx, and its 4WD uses viscous coupling too.
See also related notes:
- All-wheel drive and viscous coupling unit (2023-02-17)
- Honda i-MMD - "двухмоторный" гибрид Fit/Jazz e:hev (2021-04-18)
- Escudo и Escudo (2015-10-16)
2025-07-01
Pentax A 35-70/4: Samples [3] - FF - 50mm - f/4
Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: Pentax A 35-70/4 at 50mm and f/4
2025-06-29
Asimov's QR codes
Isaac Asimov - The Naked Sun (1956)
===
Baley stared at the robotic newcomer. It was sleek, but not glossy. Its surface had a muted, grayish finish, with a checkerboard pattern on the right shoulder as the only bit of color. Squares in white and yellow (silver and gold, really, from the metallic luster) were placed in what seemed an aimless pattern.
Daneel said, "Take us to the conversation room."
The robot bowed and turned, but said nothing.
Baley said, "Wait, boy. What's your name?"
The robot faced Baley. It spoke in clear tones and without hesitation. "I have no name, master. My serial number" - and a metal finger lifted and rested on the shoulder patch - "is ACX-2745."
Daneel and Baley followed into a large room, which Baley recognized as having held Gruer and his chair the day before.
Another robot was waiting for them with the eternal, patient nonboredom of the machine. The first bowed and left.
Baley compared shoulder patches of the two as the first bowed and started out. The pattern of silver and gold was different. The checkerboard was made up of a six-by-six square. The number of possible arrangements would be 236 then, or seventy billion. More than enough.
===
2025-06-27
Angarsk: 11 views from 1956 (and 2025)
This is a small postcard titled "Виды Ангарска" (Views of Angarsk, 11 photos) from 1956. Also see another postcard (10 photos) from 1956.
The views themselves are tiny, about the size of a postage stamp, so the resolution is low.
I've also included similar views that I took in June 2025.
Disclaimer: My photographs are nothing more than a documentation of reality.
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2025-06-25
Suzuki AGS
The Suzuki AGS (or 5AGS/6AGS) is a five/six-speed Auto Gear Shift transmission. Based on a manual transmission, it uses an electro-hydraulic actuator for automatic gear shifting.
A notable feature is the Park (P) position of the gear selector (see 1 and 2), which makes the AGS appear to the driver as a conventional automatic transmission.
Since 2014, it has been a low-budget option. However, it later became part of Suzuki's "strong" hybrid system.
Overall, I don't like the AGS. It combines the disadvantages of all types of transmissions. Thankfully, there are no AGS transmissions in new JDM cars anymore. This also means that there are no strong hybrids for JDM. JDM strong hybrids based on AGS have been replaced by mild hybrids based on CVT.
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