Tag: iPhone 13 Pro Max

Olympus OM-3

ruminator
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.

A Little Radio

ruminator
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.

Home Again

ruminator
Last night I stepped outside of my camper to look at the night sky. I made this capture with my iPhone 13 Pro Max and it is SOOC.

I spent most of the week in Northern Nevada near Summit Lake collecting topographic data to refine one of my hydraulic models for my client. Our definition of the small channel was lacking and we had unused budget, so I lobbied for collection of more detailed channel geometry.

And so that is what I did. I had a new helper and she is excellent. She has no surveying experience, but learned to follow my direction rapidly and has a better attitude about field work than most of the technical people I have worked with. She is definitely a keeper!

I left the site later I needed to and hit traffic just west from Lovelock. A semi-truck van caught fire and was burned out on the shoulder of I-80. The trucker had separated the tractor from the van, so there was no apparent damage to the rig. But the van looked a total loss.

Traffic was backed up a mile or so. It was moving, but slowly. This cost me maybe 20 minutes.

The sun was falling behind the mountains and I was very tired after a week of exercise. Also, I had caught enough insects on the windshield that the light was causing difficulty seeing.

I was getting desperate when I hit the Toulon exit. But I seemed to remember a place to dry camp not far north from the Interstate. Driving up Wild Ass Road (yes, that is the name) I leaned out my window to improve my vision. I found a pull-out and then realized I had been there before. My friends sometimes camp there.

I turned the rig to face downhill, parked, and got The Girl out for a respite. She immediately eliminated, which was a good thing (for her).

It took a little longer than usual to deploy my camper. I guess I was pretty tired.

But, with the house setup, I opened a beer and a bag of chips for a snack. I also discovered that the refrigerator had reset itself sometime during the day and everything was warm. So, I did not trust most of my food. It was no matter, I was not particularly hungry. I simply wanted to settle down, decompress a bit, and go to sleep.

I fed The Girl and she hopped up on the bed and settled right down. I finished my beer and had another while sending text messages to friend and family.

I stepped outside to empty my bladder and noticed the sky. Unsure whether or not my iPhone might capture the scene of the trucks passing below us on I-80 and the evening stars, I made the capture anyway.

I was fairly astounded at the result, above. The Orion Constellation is clearly visible. I will take it.

I slept hard last night and rose when the eastern sky brightened. After a coffee and a short constitutional with The Girl, I recovered the camper and we headed home.

I stopped briefly in Fernley and had breakfast at the Denny’s inside Terrible’s Travel Center. I took The Girl most of my bacon.

We drove out the remaining hour and arrived home late morning. I think we were both glad to be home.

After unloading my few things and getting rid of the trash from the trip. I took her up near Spooner Summit and we had a good hike together.

The remainder of the day was spent recovering. We napped and snuggled. It is good to be home.

I am grateful, very grateful. Life is good.