Olympus OM-3

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This morning I enjoyed a nice mug of Joe and admired the new-to-me Olympus OM-3. Capture with iPhone 13 Pro Max, SOOC.

It has been a day. The weather turned more wintry last night and I woke to a gray day. I made my first mug of the day using my Aeropress and some Peet’s whole bean dark roast. I sat down at the computer to contemplate the day and enjoy my coffee and noticed the new-to-me Olympus OM-3 sitting on my desk. I decided to make an image to celebrate the arrival of one of my grail cameras.

The OM-3 did not sell in large numbers. It has a mechanical shutter, which I think is highly desirable. It has a sophisticated spot metering system that it shares with the OM-4 (electronic shutter) that is very powerful. The camera will average multiple spot readings to produce a proper exposure. There is a bit of a learning curve, but not bad. I have already figured it out.

My sample has some brassing on the edges and a bit of paint loss on the back. Although these cameras are collectible, my sample is user grade and I will use it.

I have a G.Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 lens in my inventory and I affixed that lens to the body. I ran about a half roll of 36-exposure film through it yesterday and need to finish off the roll. I checked the meter with my Minolta spot meter and the camera’s meter is within a half-stop of the Minolta. That is good enough. After I use it for a while I might send it in for a CLA. I might also replace the light seals.

I have a few Olympus lenses in my inventory. Many of the Olympus lenses are very good and the system is very small. I mean diminutive in stature; not a weak system.

It will be fun to put this camera through its paces. I just want some good light.

Yesterday I noticed that my Microsoft Office 365 installation needed to be updated (on my Mac). So I permitted the updater to do the work. On starting Word, I was greeted with “Welcome to Copilot” and I nearly shat myself. I have no desire to permit any AI on my computers, especially Microsoft’s. This seems like an open door to the software scraping my systems for data to feed the AI monster. NO THANK YOU!

And that is not just a “No!” it is a “Hell No!”

I think this might be the last straw. Big Tech seems to be invading everything now and I want nothing to do with it. In texting with my son and my grandson today, I realize that it is highly unlikely that I will neither be able to completely limit my exposure nor completely disconnect from the grid. But, I can take some steps to make me a harder target such that the ‘bots will tackle the easier targets instead of me.

In installed LibreOffice on my Mac this afternoon. After working with it some, I can decide if I can eliminate the Microsoft virus from my Mac. It is bad enough that Apple is asking me to turn on their AI. (I said no.) It also means that I am looking at Linux again as a possible refuge or at least a minimization of my exposure.

So I will set up a Linux computer and start doing some testing. I wonder what photography post-processing applications I can get running under Linux. I guess I will find out.

At The Red Hut

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Linda working the floor. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 wide open.

A few days ago I was at the Red Hut Diner in south Carson City for breakfast. I had The Usual and it was quite good. This lady is one of my favorite servers ever. She is so outgoing and so fun. She also makes a good image.

It was a good day. I am grateful. Life is good!

Oranges

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The orange display at the local Raley’s. Shot with Fuji X100V at f/4 using the Kodachrome 64 film simulation SOOC.

Work has been keeping me busy the last few weeks, enough so that I have not posted much. I just have not had the energy to put together an image or radio outing and the words.

Yesterday I just *had* to get out and buy some groceries. So, after walkies, I completed my grocery list, grabbed the X100V (slung over my shoulder), and drove down to the local Raley’s store. When I walked into the store, the late afternoon sun shown on the Navel Orange display at the entry. That warm light cried for some Kodachrome 64. I sure wish they made that film stock, what a classic look.

But, I have a simulation stored in one of the custom slots of the X100V. A quick trip into the Q-Menu retrieved the settings and I made the capture.

Then I went on through the store to fill my order and go home.

It was a good day. Life is good.

Remainders: 11 January 2025

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  • Vintage Watch Services is a Swiss watchmaker who does restoration of vintage wrist watches. His YouTube channel is a deep dive into the restoration process and is fascinating.
  • QLog looks to be a solid amateur radio logging software that runs under Linus and other operating systems. I am confident that I will end up with a Linux box again, probably as my main computer.
  • This brace from Animal Ortho Care has potential for helping with Sera’s recovery. She ruptured the ACL/CCL of her left knee on Thanksgiving Day. She will have surgery soon.

Cloudy Mt. McLellan

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I need to get my geography straight. I do not know if this is McLellan or Scott. In any event, nn walkies, I noticed the between the sky and Mt. McLellan. I made the capture with the Fujifilm X-T5 and the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 macro lens at f/8. The capture is traight out of camera with Reggie’s HP5 film simulation.

Here is another capture from a couple of days ago. I really like the rendering of the HP-5 film simulation. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 Macro lens.

Slide Mountain

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On walkies, I noticed the clouds over Slide Mountain. I made the capture with the Fujifilm X-T5 and the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 macro lens at f/8. Later I noticed the fascinating blob of shadow low center. The capture is traight out of camera with Reggie’s HP5 film simulation.

The Girl and I got out of the house about noon yesterday. I worked/puttered much of the morning, never really wanting to make breakfast. Then I decided I needed biscuits and gravy. So I took care of her needs and we headed over to The Red Hut so I could have The Usual (biscuits & gravy and eggs).

We then headed out to Silver Saddle Ranch for a hike. The sky was partly cloudy and I liked the contrast of sky and clouds. I noticed some clouds crawling over the Sierra Ridge and how they hung on Slide Mountain. There was also a bit of snow from the last storm. So, I paused to make a couple of captures.

I like this one. The blob of shadow catches the eye.

The Girl is managing her energy, but just barely. Once she gets through the surgery, it will become more difficult for her as she feels better. It will be alright, though. We will manage.

Despite her faults, she is a good companion. I am grateful. Life is good.

A Little Radio

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A KH1 stump shot, photographed with my iPhone 13 Pro Max and no post processing.

A few days ago (before the new year), I had The Girl out for a walk. The Sun shone and made it feel warm even if the air was cool.

It was a day that had no afternoon duties scheduled, so after walkies I got out my Elecraft KH1 to play just a little radio. I sat on this old cottonwood block, facing the Sun. The Girl hung out in the rig, only a few feet away. I think she liked the warm of the rig.

I heard a few stations calling CQ POTA and answered their calls. However, none heard me and answered. The few watts the KH1 makes was not making the trip this afternoon. After about 15 minutes, I decided to pack it in and head home. I paused for the photograph, then reloaded the KH1’s box and put it away.

There will be another day for radio, God willing. It was still a good day — we had a good walk and I sat in the Sun for a few minutes, listening to the radio waves.

Life is good.

Edit: Yes, the title is a pun. The KH1 is a little radio.

The New Year — 2025

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At the Red Hut for breakfast. Fuji X100V, 23mm f/2 fixed lens, shot at f/8 using Tri-X film simulation and SOOC.

The New Year arrived last night. I heard fireworks at midnight, briefly. They did not really disturb either of us, but I am struggling to stay asleep the last fortnight or so. So I rose and went to my workroom. I picked up my new bullet journal, not quite a tabula rasa, but pretty close. I started working up the format for this year. Part of that is migrating tasks from last year to the new journal.

I finally gave up and returned to bed for a few minutes before rising at 0530h and making a coffee. Yeah, a handful of hours of sleep New Year’s Eve. It is what it is.

I fed The Girl later and decided to go get breakfast. So it was a trip to The Red Hut for a waffle sandwich, from which I brought home a strip of bacon for my love.

Given it was pretty cool this morning, I puttered around the house this morning and then got us out for a hike at Silver Saddle Ranch. There were a few other walkers, but not so many as there would have been had the weather been better. It was gray, blustery, and cool. The fair-weather hikers stayed home, probably nursing a hangover.

All in all it was a quiet beginning to the new year. I came away from Red Hut with a decent capture. The Girl and I napped a bit, hiked a bit, and interacted a bit more.

I have a lot of tasks for 2025. I better get after it.

I remain grateful. Life is good.

Aloha

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A few evenings ago (it looks late, but it was not) I stopped at Aloha to reprovision my bar. I liked the look, so I made the capture. Fujifilm X100V and fixed 23mm f/2 at f/8 using Reggie’s Portra film simulation, straight from camera.

A few evenings ago I stopped at Aloha to reprovision my bar. I had a camera with me and made a capture. However, I have been busy and too focused to post much here. That is contrary to my intention of posting something here at least once each week.

I am mostly caught up with work and need to devote some attention to my other activities, including photographic work. So here we are, a post on the last day of 2024.

I suppose the title is also appropriate, a well wish at an ending and a beginning.

I am grateful for another year. Life is good.

Memory of a Good Day

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It was playtime at the Station 51 Park, a favorite place with my favorite people and my favorite dog. Shot with Sony A7R and Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-f4 probably wide open.

Nearly seven-years ago, Older Son and DiL were here for a visit. Of course, we had to get The Girl out for walkies. So, we walked over to the Station 51 Park and did a couple of rounds. And also of course, Ki got wound up and wanted to play.

She loved the grabass game. I played it with her a lot, but I have nowhere near the strength and reach of my son and those big ole mitts of his. He could sweep her around about like I could not and she loved it! It makes me laugh just to think about it.

While they played, DiL drank her coffee and I had a camera, of course. I was carrying the Sony A7R that day along with an old Vivitar Series 1 zoom. I came away happy and with a couple of good captures. These are two of my favorites.

This is a good memory of a good day. I am grateful that for day. Ki was so happy. Life is good.

Ki loved to play grabass and Jake is good at it. It was a good day. Shot with Sony A7R and a Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 lens, probably at f/4.