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2024-11-30

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%.



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Posted by malykh в 19:32 0 comments

2024-11-25

Film camera shutter test

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



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.

Posted by malykh в 16:09 0 comments

2024-11-24

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.






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).



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Posted by malykh в 09:03 0 comments

2024-11-23

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.

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








Posted by malykh в 10:44 0 comments

2024-11-16

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.



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Posted by malykh в 20:53 0 comments

2024-11-07

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










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Posted by malykh в 12:57 0 comments

2024-11-04

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.

Posted by malykh в 11:53 0 comments

2024-11-02

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.



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Posted by malykh в 19:40 0 comments

2024-10-29

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.






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Posted by malykh в 23:08 0 comments

2024-10-11

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.

Posted by malykh в 22:31 0 comments

2024-10-07

My AF lenses for Sony FE (2024-10)

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




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.

Posted by malykh в 19:53 0 comments

2024-10-04

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

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)
Lens: XR Rikenon 50/2 at f/2










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Posted by malykh в 22:08 0 comments

2024-09-30

Metadata for film shooting

A very nice feature of digital photography is the support of metadata (EXIF). Even with non-electronic lenses, date/time/ISO/shutter speed is stored in the EXIF.

Nowadays, when I shoot with a film camera, I want to add EXIF to the scans. To do this, I take two pictures with my mobile phone after taking one with the film camera.

First picture with nearly the same scene. This is for image identification and date/time.

And second picture with the look of the film camera:




This view helps to determine:

1. The frame number (approximately 13)
2. The lens model (Pentax K 55/1.8).
3. The shutter speed (1/250).
4. The aperture value (f/8).
5. The lens filter usage (ND4 in this case).

So later, after scanning, it is possible to generate metadata and add it as EXIF.

But there is a big downside. This additional action takes the fun out of shooting with a film camera. So I often ignore the opportunity to know so much data. I only take a picture of the film camera after changing the lens. The only metadata I get is the lens model.



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Posted by malykh в 18:00 0 comments

2024-09-28

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700: Replacing ear pads (again)

I have had the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 headphones since 2011. And I use them a lot.

I have already replaced the ear pads with a non-original set from China. Unfortunately, they are made of bad faux leather and are extremely worn out.

So I replaced the ear pads again:




On the left is the previous non-original one, on the right is the new non-original one.



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Posted by malykh в 09:37 0 comments

2024-09-26

Sekonic Auto-Leader L-188 light meter

After disappointments with software light meters, I decided to use a dedicated light meter. I bought a used Sekonic Auto-Leader L-188:


(compared to a roll of 135 film)

It is a simple battery powered model that has been made for many years. And it is quite small.

The first Auto-Leader model was the L-38 (selenium based). 




The later L-188 Auto-Leader is from 1978. It has a related selenium-based Auto-Lumi L-158:




But I do not recommend to use old selenium-based light meters because of their low accuracy, especially with a time.

The L-188 is powered by an SR44 battery, but an LR44 will also work.




To get exposure data, you should align the guide mark with the pointer by rotating the dial while pressing the switch button.




I also like the nice looking and precise scales. There are many intermediate (and useful!) marks.

The speed scale: 1/2000, 1/1200, 1/1000, 1/800, 1/500, 1/400, 1/250, 1/200, 1/125, 1/100, 1/60, 1/50, 1/40, 1/30, 1/25, 1/15, 1/10, 1/8, 1/5, 1/4, 1/2

The aperture scale:  f/1, f/1.1, f/1.3, f/1.4, f/1.6, f/1.8, f/2, f/2.2, f/2.5, f/2.8, f/3.2, f/3.6, f/4, f/4.6, f/5, f/5.6, f/6.4, f/7.1, f/8, f/9, f/10, f/11, f/13, f/14, f/16, f/18, f/20, f/22, f/25, f/28, f/32, f/36, f/40, f/45, f/50, f/56, f/64

The ISO scale: 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200, 4000, 5000, 6400, 8000, 10000, 12000.

The disadvantage is that the L-188 doesn't work with incident light, only with reflected light. This is not important for me.




The angle of incoming light is 65°. This corresponds to 28mm (for horizontal angle) or 35 (for diagonal angle).

Posted by malykh в 21:00 0 comments

2024-09-22

Samsung NX 30/2: Samples [1] - APS-C - f/2

Cameras: Samsung NX2000 (1.5x crop factor, 20MP), Samsung NX10 (1.5x crop factor, 14.6MP)
Lens: Samsung NX 30/2 at f/2
The profiled lens (distortion) correction is disabled.

(NX2000)

(NX2000)

(NX10)

(NX2000)

(NX2000)

(NX2000)

(NX10)
Posted by malykh в 18:03 0 comments
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