Welcome to Planet Mars where I snapped a couple of photos there today. I’m not online with the space program…
Month: February 2021
The Next Set
Here is another set from the Sony RX100 Mark 7. Much of the same things I’ve posted before unfortunately, but it’s a nice test for the camera. I plan to take the camera and my tripod into the desert tomorrow for a few landscape photos, maybe I can find some Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels in Calico Basin too. For the most part, I’m very impressed with how well these photos cleaned up in processing! I almost feel like a pro, haha. 10 photos in this set.
Unboxing The Sony RX100 Mark 7
Here are some photos I took with the iPhone when unboxing the new camera yesterday, I think they will give you an idea of the size and functions of this little camera. I’m back here later today. Happy Sunday!
Testing A New Camera
Before I get into the new camera, are you also having connectivity issues with WordPress this morning? All of my pages either won’t load or are super slow to load. Other pages like Dropbox and my email load as usual. It’s gotta be WordPress having another brain fart.
Moving along, I needed a break from the blog yesterday so I took care of some stuff around the house, then set off to my favorite camera shop on Sahara Avenue. I’ve found that the Nikon has actually been sort of getting on my nerves with the terrible dust intrusion problem which has reared its ugly head again.
I mentioned this to the dude at the shop, he seemed surprised to hear this. Oh yeah, it’s terrible, no matter what I do, dust just gets into the camera in a big bad way. This pisses me off and I’ve had enough!
Did I mention that the weight and bulk of the Nikon is sometimes a pain in the ass too? So I picked up my little Sony RX100 camera and took some random photos with it and thought, why not look into a smaller camera that won’t have dust intrusion issues?
I searched online for different options including Olympus cameras and other brands, making some comparisons.
And what did I arrive at? I came across the Sony RX100 series and found that Sony had released a nice upgrade or update to the RX100 series which was first released in 2012. This newer version is the RX100 vii or Mark 7.
What’s new? A very nice tilt-screen, a newer menu system, and a 200mm zoom capability which has been great so far in the short time I’ve had with it yesterday and early today. I searched online for a video tutorial on this newer version and found a really good one that is about 40 minutes in length, I learned quite a bit in a short time.
Have a gander at these photos from very early this morning as the sun was rising. As far as I am concerned at this point, these photos are every bit as good as the Nikon Z6 can produce, but this camera fits in my pocket. I also read more about cameras in this class and how they compare to phone cameras.
Sorry phones, but they still can’t compete with this camera. Oh, WordPress seems to be back up so I best hurry and finish before it craps out again!! I would like your thoughts on these photos, and did you miss me yesterday, haha!!!
Ancient of Days
Prohibition Ends
I have dozens of these old-time photos and will use them when I have nothing to upload. I hope these photos by unknown photographers of old aren’t found to be more interesting than my stuff! Imagine living in those days, such a different world they lived in. The idea of banning booze was a failure even before it ever became law.
Most folks enjoy a bit of booze at some point along the day…
Ham Radio
Amateur Radio or Ham Radio is allocated many bands or sets of frequencies that have been in use for many decades. Since almost day one of my ham radio journey, I have preferred the VHF/UHF bands which use FM, or Frequency Modulation, for its ease of understanding who you are communicating with, and the lack of the annoying interference. This link to the ARRL website will help you understand this better.
Since my home is in a Home Owners Association, I can’t use outdoor antennas, hence the magnet-mount mobile antenna usually used on a car or truck is what I use at this time. There is one other option I may try in the future.
Should You Get The Vaccine?
The text below is not my work but it does make some good points. Frankly, I believe that if you refuse the vaccine, then you by default become or remain a part of this dangerous issue. Your thoughts?
1.- Can I stop wearing the mask?
Government: No
2.- Can they reopen restaurants, pubs, bars, etc, and everyone works normally?
Government: No
3.- Will I be resistant to covid?
Government Response – Maybe, but we don’t know exactly, it probably won’t stop you from getting it
4.- At least I won’t be contagious to others anymore?
Government Response – No, it doesn’t stop transmission.
5.- If I am vaccinated, can I stop social distancing?
Government: No
6.- If I am vaccinated, can I stop disinfecting my hands?
Government: No
7.- If I vaccinate myself and my grandparents, can we hug each other?
Government: No
8.- Will cinemas, theatres, and stadiums operate as per normal thanks to vaccines?
Government: No
9.- What is the benefit of the vaccine?
Government Response – Hoping the virus won’t kill you.
10.- Are you sure it won’t kill me?
Government: No
11.- If statistically the virus won’t kill me anyway (99.7% survival rate) … Why would I get vaccinated?”
Government Response – To protect others.
12.- So if I get vaccinated, I can protect 100% of people I come in contact with?
Government: No
13. – Can you guarantee that I won’t experience adverse effects from taking the vaccine or die from the vaccine itself?
Government Response – No
14. – Since you’re encouraging every American to get vaccinated then when people experience severe adverse reactions, long-term effects (still unknown) or die from the vaccine will they or their families be compensated?
Government response: NO – the government and vaccine manufactures have 100% zero liability in experimental stages.
15. -How long does the vaccine last?
Government response- we aren’t sure.
So, get vaccinated!! Oh… wait a minute!
Fun With The Sun
Late last night, I snapped two photos of the sun over my TV to work with this morning. iColorama, the HDR application, and Photoscape X did a pretty good job of messing them up, eh? Photo fun with one’s sun.
Yesterday’s Birds and Beauty
Memories, scenes, and thoughts. Are they real? Where do they come from and where will they go?
Busted, With No Shame
As I headed home yesterday I went through an alley that I use frequently to avoid the traffic in the parking area out front. About twice per month, I see people ‘dumpster diving’ in these bins. It’s sad and I really do feel bad about this. It could also be an economic indication as well as a result of job loss due to the damned Covid virus.
As I passed this person standing on some plastic trays, she looked at me, I looked at her. Her gaze seemed to me like ‘what the hell are you staring at?’ kind of look. She had two partners who were also raiding the bins. Do they have no shame? Do they simply not give a rat’s ass what other people will think about them? Again, it’s so sad.
Shortly after this, a store employee appeared from the building, walked over to them, and began a conversation with these people I noticed as I was slowly driving away. Obviously, this isn’t healthy for the people and is perhaps illegal too as it should be. I felt as though I should offer them some cash which I rarely carry, for a decent meal.
Scenes From 2019
