Pentax 1.7x AF converter
Anybody got one they want to sell? I'm not seeing any available either on Ebay or at KEH's website == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
RESEND: Heads-up and question
Folks, FYI KEH has cut their prices on used *istD bodies. Bodies-only in EX shape for $645 (formerly 725), full packages in EX for $665 and EX+ for $695. I ordered a body-only (as backup for my existing *istD) which just arrived and, although I haven't yet popped in batteries, it appears to be in like-new cosmetic shape. How does one determine how many to-date shots have been taken by a particular *istD? == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Outdated Kodachrome 64 slide film any good?
William (and others), which slide duplicators have you found useful with the Pentax DSLR line (or others with smaller-than-35mm sensors)? My understanding is that it's not possible to use a standard slide duplicator on a small-sensor DSLR body because you then get vignetting of the edges of the slide. I've found this Soligor duplicator: https://secure.soligor.com/index.php?id=5backPID=4L=1tt_products=6597L= 1 (Zoom Slide Duplicator T2 for Digital SLR Cameras) but it's unfortunately not available in the US. Suggestions welcomed! == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
More on *ist D vs DS
Thanks to all who provided feedback on whether I should purchase a second *ist D as backup to my existing *ist D, make the jump to the *ist DS/DS2 for my second Pentax DSLR body, or wait for the upcoming 10 Mpixel next-gen. In all the CompactFlash-vs-SD card debate, I was surprised to see little grumbling about the features that were stripped off the *ist D in the *ist DS transition. To whit (liberally borrowing from www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxistds): o Custom image sizes o TIFF image format option o Hyper-program o Program lines, vs picture modes o Altered metering range o Two additional manual white balance presets o wider built-in flash angle of coverage o PC Sync flash terminal o Two additional user memories o Continuous autofocus option in all exposure modes o etc(what did I forget?) Sonobody misses 'em? == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Upcoming 10 Mpixel DSLR
Judging from the photos here: www.dpreview.com/articles/pma2006/Pentax/ I'm guesstimating the upcoming (??) 10 Mpixel DSLR from Pentax/Samsung will take SD cards, NOT CompactFlash cards (and, therefore, not MicroDrives). Anyone concur/disagree? Regards, == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Upcoming 10 Mpixel DSLR
My reason for earlier asking about the storage card format of the upcoming 10 Mpixel DSLR is that I just bought a new *ist D on clearance from Amazon for $1199, as a backup for my existing *ist D. Here's where I'm torn: 1) 10 Mpixel resolution will certainly be helpful when doing extreme enlargements, or said another way enlargements of a small portion of a captured image, and 2) the *ist DS/DS2 on which I assume the new camera will be based makes some feature advancements over the *ist D, albeit with a few features discarded along the way (I admit I'm a bit fuzzy on how the *ist D compares to the *ist DS/DS2, and would welcome folks' feedback on this), but 3) Especially for those of us that primarily shoot RAW, CompactFlash storage capability, versus SD card, is desireable both from an absolute capacity standpoint and cost/GByte standpoint (esp when MicroDrives are factored into the mix). So what do folks think? The newer cameras are cheaper, and arguably better-featured (again, data and opinions are welcomed), but only work with capacity-deficient SD cards. Does it make sense to pay more simply for CompactFlash capacity? == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
*ist D Heads-up
Amazon.com has the *ist D body on clearance for $1,199.94 with free shipping. I just snagged one; the website says there's only one left == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Sigma 170-500 APO
Anyone have this lens mounted to their AF body...ideally a *istD? Feedback? Thanks in advance! == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Pentax 100-300
It's $99.95 right now at BH. Thoughts on this lens, folks, both in absolute terms and considering the price? == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/briansbrain 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Continued digest virus problems
I'm still getting a VirusScan W32/Sober notification, in lieu of a set of messages, with every other digest email that comes through. This started early yesterday morning == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/blog/40040.html 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: PDML Digests -notice any virus activity?
Every other digest I've gotten today (and I've gotten a flood of them today) has been tagged with the message below, and the contents have been deleted. I'm running McAfee VirusScan v8.0.46, DAT version 4.0.4635 dated 11/23/05, under Windows XP Home SP2 and Outlook 2000. I 'spect one of y'all on the distro list is Sober-infected == ** McAfee VirusScan *** Alert generated at: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:15:13 -0800 * * McAfee VirusScan has detected a potential threat in this e-mail sent by [EMAIL PROTECTED] The following actions were attempted on each suspicious part. We strongly recommend that you report this virus-related activity to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The attachment E-mail body is infected with the W32/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Virus(es). This attachment has been quarantined. == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PCs and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/blog/40040.html 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Rename request
Dear list manager, Please consider renaming this list to the jc_and_pj-discuss list. Because, clearly, these two individuals feel they're entitled to dominate it with their long-repeated, long-winded, business-naive and tiresome opinions. You might have a mass unsubscribe exodus if you do, but perhaps you're already experiencing this, and anyway the new name would more accurately reflect what this list has unfortunately become in recent days. Exhibit A: I am not going to move on until the posts which incorrectly explain why this was done cease. I am not bringing it up over and over again, I am just explaining why these wrong reasons used in some arguments by those who don't agree are wrong. If you don't agree fine, I can accept that but if your argument explaining why you don't agree is flawed or false I am going to rebut it. That's all why do we have to forcefully move on? Threads die all by themselves == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PC Core Logic and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/blog/40040.html 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Killfiles....
unfortunately don't work for digest subscribers. Believe me, I wish they did == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PC Core Logic and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/blog/40040.html 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Don't you....
all wish you had as much free time on your hands as J.C. appears to? I know I do J.C., there's an expression that goes something along the lines of 'when you find yourself stuck in a hole, it's best to stop digging'. Food for thought == Brian Dipert Senior Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Multimedia (audio, displays, 2-D and 3-D graphics, and still and video imaging), PC Core Logic and Peripherals EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com My blog: http://www.edn.com/blog/40040.html 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 760-0159, fax (781) 734-8038 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
[no subject]
Thanks for the report. Makes sense, given the (almost?) identical imaging sensors in the two cameras and the faster processing in the Ds. Did they drop any hints regarding the release of a higher-end DSLR? --Mark I asked about a higher-end 35mm model and did not get an encouraging response; either the person I spoke with was uninformed, or there won't be a pro body announced at PMA. Pentax seems to be focused on volume, not profit margin, in this space. The representative DID however point out that they'd need to 'digitize' their medium format product line soon; that as-is it was getting 'long in the tooth' == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
RE: *istD EOL...
Thanks for the report. Makes sense, given the (almost?) identical imaging sensors in the two cameras and the faster processing in the Ds. Did they drop any hints regarding the release of a higher-end DSLR? --Mark I asked about a higher-end 35mm model and did not get an encouraging response; either the person I spoke with was uninformed, or there won't be a pro body announced at PMA. Pentax seems to be focused on volume, not profit margin, in this space. The representative DID however point out that they'd need to 'digitize' their medium format product line soon; that as-is it was getting 'long in the tooth' == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
*istD EOL...
I had a chat with the folks at the Pentax booth today at CES. What I was told is that there are less than 1000 bodies left in factory inventory, and when they're gone there'll be no more made; the *istDS will carry the torch going forward (at least until next-generation products are out). The guy I talked to also wasn't aware of any future *istD firmware updates under development == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Fw: Delkin Rechargeable CR-V3 Battery w/charger $$19.99 - Sep 18
There was, as I recall, a recent discussion thread on rechargeable CR-V3s for the *ist D. Here's a cheap way to try them out for yourself. Note, please, that the kit only comes with one battery; you'll need two. I use them on my *ist D and am pleased with the results http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/35120 == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Mailing list problems
I'm hoping this makes it to the list; I'll check the archives later to see if it did. I haven't gotten digest postings since sometime Sunday. Emails to [EMAIL PROTECTED] have not been responded to, nor have attempts to re-subscribe (via [EMAIL PROTECTED]). I'm still getting hundreds of emails per day so I don't think the problem is on my end. What's going on? == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Image sensor article
I've gotten indication that my previous post earlier this morning made it to the list ok, although I'm still not getting anyone's postings. Anyhoo, thought you all might be interested in my latest image sensor cover story in EDN: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/article/CA450596 Both my *ist D and the PDML are prominently featured. Feedback via personal email, please; I don't know when Doug will be able to straighten out my digest subscription problem of recent days and until then I won't be able to see posts to the mailing list. == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
[no subject]
When I first got my istD I was very worried about the 3-5 hot pixels, some red, some purple, one blue, that tended to turn up in longish exposures. And the red pixel that showed up in 80% of my exposures at the same position. Well, after about a month, I completely got over the hot-pixel phenomenon. It's nothing to be worried about, and it's nothing that can be done away with. You know, I did the whole 15 second exposure deal with the lens cap on in an unlit room, and yes there are hot pixels that show up in quantities similar to what you posted... Thats also at 15 seconds and with no subject matter, so I can only assume that it doesn't really apply to the real world, unless taking pictures of black emptiness happens to be your game... Dust causes me more problems than hot pixels do, in fact, hot pixels are the best kind of flaw, they're in the same place every time, so I know where to look by now, and the color signature is usually very easy to pick out. And if it's not very easy to pick out, well, then it must not be very easy to pick out, so why worry?? -el gringo Thanks for your response. The hot pixels at 1 second and longer exposures don't bother me at all; they're to be expected. The hot pixels above 1/4 of a second, the point at which noise reduction kicks in, bother me more; ie when I'm seeing 10-15 hot pixels, many of them clustered together, at 1/90th of a second. How often do YOU shoot at that speed? My interest is both professional (my day job below, and the prior-mentioned image sensor article I'm working on) and personal. And of course you've got a valid point on hot pixels-vs-dust This week I plan to run numbers on my Kodak DX6490 digital point-and-shoot camera, and my wife's DX6340, too == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Real-life calibration assistance welcomed
My apologies in advance for posting an off-topic photography message on what seems to have transformed into an operating system debate list ;-) I'm currently in the research phase of an article on image sensors, to appear in EDN's September 16 issue. Coincidentally, as some of you may remember from my post of a few weeks back, I recently discovered I had a number of hot pixels on my *ist D. I was on the phone interviewing Foveon yesterday, and they expressed shock at the number of failing pixels I'd found, and the allowable pixel defect rate this implied Pentax was accepting from Sony. Was Foveon TRULY shocked? Or were they just trying to get me to convert to Sigma gear? ;-) That's the point of this email. Those of you with *ist Ds, will you mind downloading and running the free 'Dead Pixel Test' utility from Starzen Technologies (yes, only supporting operating systems from the alleged Evil Empire of Redmond, according to one of the more vocal and annoying current members of this list) here: www.starzen.com/imaging/deadpixeltest.htm Capture the image at a 1/10th of a second shutter speed, please (the *istD activates noise reduction, if you've enabled it in your camera, at slower speeds), with the eyepiece covered, make sure you capture a TIFF file (JPEG artifacts may give 'false positives), run the utility on the TIFF with the default hot and dead pixel threshold values (so comparative results are meaningful), and send me your results. I'll consolidate everyone's feedback and post it to the list in a few days. Below are my results using the utility's default threshold settings (60 for hot pixels, 250 for dead pixels), as FYI: [DeadPixelText] Version=1.0 Description= FileType=TIFF NumBadPixels=14 0=Hot,286,340,93 1=Hot,286,341,67 2=Hot,2568,453,67 3=Hot,2567,454,82 4=Hot,2568,454,118 5=Hot,2569,454,81 6=Hot,2568,455,68 7=Hot,2162,1117,92 8=Hot,1666,1213,114 9=Hot,264,1391,109 10=Hot,833,1691,75 11=Hot,832,1692,76 12=Hot,833,1692,142 13=Hot,833,1693,76 The first two numbers after 'Hot' are the coordinate locations of the pixel, while the the third is the luminance value measured. Since the lenscap was on during the exposure, the value should ideally be 0. Thanks in advance! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Real-life calibration assistance welcomed
Not if you have your kill file filters set properly. ;- TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ Alas, I'm a digest subscriber, so kill filters don't apply. Though you can bet I've thought long and hard in recent weeks about un-digesting myself for exactly this reason! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: *ist D survey
5645 Acquired early October 2003 Sorry for the delay in responding; I've been out of the country and away from the camera since end of last week == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
1GB CF $$106
Amazing..Viking card, after rebate...probably not a high write performance option, but considering the price http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/32049 == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Mysterious white specks: *istD
Thanks folks for the responses so far. To clarify, StarZen's utility defaults (which are user-adjustable) define a 'bad' or 'hot' pixel as one with a luminance value of 60 or higher, and a 'dead' pixel as one with luminance value of 250 or higher. 0=pure black, 255=pure white. So if I truly had bad pixels, I think it would have caught them. Unless, of course, there's some sensor marginality that only manifests itself when the sensor is illuminated (StarZen's utility employs images shot with the lenscap on)? Other suggestions welcomed! == A few months ago I was shooting photographs at San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, among them an image of a small ivory Boddhidharma (the First Patriarch of Zen, who brought Buddhism to China) figurine with a black background. The image capture setting was highest quality JPEG, and using flash was a no-no in the museum, shutter speeds were approx 1/15th of a second (note noise reduction was on). A bit over a week ago, I was looking at the Bodhidharma image and noticed white flecks where there should have been only black. Zooming in uncovered the unmistakeable pattern of a single-pixel white dot surrounded by black, which had consequently undergone JPEG pixel-matrix compression. I cleaned the sensor with a brush, and shot images (again JPEG highest quality) last weekend in Yosemite at 1/90th of a second and faster shutter speeds. Examining them afterwards, I again noticed luminance shifts in the 'white' direction in the same pixel locations, but not to completely- or near-white values. Oh, oh, I thought, a sensor with bad pixels, although my prior testing with StarZen's 'Dead Pixel Test' soon after obtaining the camera had indicated no problems. So I reran lenscap-on files through StarZen's utility (thanks Mark!) earlier today, with noise reduction still turned on in the camera. My first tests on JPEGs, with the default utility settings for bad (60) and dead (250) pixel luminance values, suggested there were bad (but no dead) pixels, albeit at locations other than the ones I'd noticed before, and appearing at shutter speeds even faster than 1 second. But when I reran the tests on TIFFs, no bad pixels appeared until a 2-second shutter speed setting, and even then they were marginal. So does anyone have an idea what might be going on? Perhaps I still have particles clinging to the sensor, but wouldn't that cause stuck-at-black pixels, versus white ones? I've swapped lenses several times between the Asian Art Museum and Yosemite tests, so I don't think particles on the lens elements are to blame. I'm stumped. Maybe I should just shoot RAW (and break down and upgrade to Photoshop CS)? Thanks in advance! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Mysterious white specks: *istD
Aha, found them. The clue was that noise reduction is only enabled at 1/4 of a second and slower. I just looked at a TIFF shot at 1/20th of a second, and there are a number of hot pixels that match what my prior images had uncovered. The hot pixels disappear at 1/4 of a second, indicating noise reduction is enabled, and begin to reappear at 2 seconds. == A few months ago I was shooting photographs at San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, among them an image of a small ivory Boddhidharma (the First Patriarch of Zen, who brought Buddhism to China) figurine with a black background. The image capture setting was highest quality JPEG, and using flash was a no-no in the museum, shutter speeds were approx 1/15th of a second (note noise reduction was on). A bit over a week ago, I was looking at the Bodhidharma image and noticed white flecks where there should have been only black. Zooming in uncovered the unmistakeable pattern of a single-pixel white dot surrounded by black, which had consequently undergone JPEG pixel-matrix compression. I cleaned the sensor with a brush, and shot images (again JPEG highest quality) last weekend in Yosemite at 1/90th of a second and faster shutter speeds. Examining them afterwards, I again noticed luminance shifts in the 'white' direction in the same pixel locations, but not to completely- or near-white values. Oh, oh, I thought, a sensor with bad pixels, although my prior testing with StarZen's 'Dead Pixel Test' soon after obtaining the camera had indicated no problems. So I reran lenscap-on files through StarZen's utility (thanks Mark!) earlier today, with noise reduction still turned on in the camera. My first tests on JPEGs, with the default utility settings for bad (60) and dead (250) pixel luminance values, suggested there were bad (but no dead) pixels, albeit at locations other than the ones I'd noticed before, and appearing at shutter speeds even faster than 1 second. But when I reran the tests on TIFFs, no bad pixels appeared until a 2-second shutter speed setting, and even then they were marginal. So does anyone have an idea what might be going on? Perhaps I still have particles clinging to the sensor, but wouldn't that cause stuck-at-black pixels, versus white ones? I've swapped lenses several times between the Asian Art Museum and Yosemite tests, so I don't think particles on the lens elements are to blame. I'm stumped. Maybe I should just shoot RAW (and break down and upgrade to Photoshop CS)? Thanks in advance! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Hot and cold pixel test?
Folks, could someone remind me where I can find that utility that'll analyze a TIFF file and identify any bad pixels on the *istD sensor? Thanks in advance! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Pentax MZ-S Auto Focus SLR Body for $749.99.
On clearance at Amazon.com. FYI http://www.retailretreat.com/modules.php?op=modloadname=Newsfile=articles id=6852 == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
IrfanView
I've been able to open up PEF files in IrfanView 3.91 if either I manually enter the filename or I do a search on all files (*.*). However, PEF seems not to be a file format that IrfanView natively recognizes as a 'common graphics file' option, and I can' view PEFs through IrfanView's Thumbnails feature either. Does this match others' experiences, or am I missing something? I've downloaded both the program and all of the optional plugins == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Epson 3170 $$170 (free shipping)
Great price on a great medium format transparency/slide flatbed scanner www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/30253 == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
FYI......4GB MuVo^2 cheap, in stock
-Original Message- From: Techbargains.com Posted At: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:52 AM Posted To: Inbox Conversation: Muvo2 4GB $$180 - Apr 13 Subject: Muvo2 4GB $$180 - Apr 13 http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/30037
Re: My own DOF confusion
Collin, considering you don't even know how to correctly SPELL the word 'Buddha', I have some doubts as to your ability to intelligently discuss the topic. Enjoy the quote below == Brian Dipert Sacramento, California mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com Why of course the people don't want war...That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, a parliament or a communist dictatorship...the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders...All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger. -Hermann Goering, Nazi Reichsmarshal and Luftwaffe chief at Nuremberg trials, 1945
Re: PAW: Last one from San Francisco
Is it just me, or is anyone else struck by the irony that coincident with the discussions about the destitute population in San Francisco and elsewhere in the world, there's a parallel discussion thread going at PDLM on 'What gear is on your lust list'? Try imagining, sometime, how you might explain to someone who isn't sure where their next meal is coming from why you just have to have that expensive lens that specs the exact same focal length and f-stop range as the three other lenses already in your collection, but has 'better bokeh'. And before you all respond with 'practice what you preach' diatribes: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/article/CA379891 Yes, this email WAS intended to make you feel uncomfortable. == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Windows eye candy
Since this seems to be such a popular topic, I humbly offer up the following self-authored how-to guide for your perusal and implementation: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/article/CA330074 Based on a Fujitsu Lifebook-P2040 running Windows XP Professional, but most of the techniques discussed are applicable to other hardware and Windows operating system versions == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
645/67/etc slide/film scanners
FYI a place called Publishing Perfection (www.pubperfect.com) has refurbished units of the Minolta Dimage Scan Multi, with 3 month warranties, for $299. I ordered one and am very pleased. They also have the Scan Multi II (ie Scan Multi with ROC and GEM software) for $399. == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
RE: FW: Amazon: Creative Labs Nomad.....
If it'll ease your mind, I just popped off 141 sequential shots on the *ist D to the 4 GB Microdrive, then stuck it in my notebook PC. All is working fine. Custom hardware (ie a modified CompactFlash connector pinout) would run counter to Hitachi and Creative's low cost aspirations, which are enabled by high volume efficiencies of one hardware spin spread across multiple customers and systems. Custom firmware is possible, and is sometimes done by HDD manufacturers for their consumer electronics customers, but in this case the alterations are usually fairly modest; an unaccessable portion of the platter (for security IDs, etc...think ReplayTV, TiVo, cable settop boxes, Xbox, etc) or finetuned access algorithms to reflect non-PC-like read and write profiles, enable lower power consumption and lower noise, etc. Worst case, with altered firmware the drive just wouldn't function. Minimally, you'd see slightly faster, or slower, reads and writes than with an off-the-shelf drive, coupled perhaps with being unable to use the entire media. But I can't brainstorm a scenario under which custom firmware would damage the host system (ie the camera). I cover HDDs as part of my editorial 'beat', and have an extensive electrical engineering background, so I know a bit of what I speak of. Here's the DPreview thread; I see no mention of any issues: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1023message=7308713 Have emailed Creative again for clarification. I really do think that anything the Hitachi folks on the 1-800 line would tell you would be to cover their bums in the unlikely case there's a problem (which may or may not be related to the drive) down the road == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
RE: FW: Amazon: Creative Labs Nomad.....
One other note; the drive seems to come pre-formatted (or maybe I reformatted it in the *ist D, I can't recall for sure) FAT32 with 8 KByte clusters. Discussion traffic on the DPreview site suggests, and my experience with high resolution audio recording on the Pocket PC confirms, that larger clusters lead to higher write performance (fewer FAT entries to keep track of) at the tradeoff of slightly lower storage space usage efficiency. But given the sizes of the files the *ist D creates, this 'downside' is a nit. I was successfully able to reformat the 4GB drive to 32KB clusters using a Pocket PC utility called Flash Format. == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
FW: Amazon: Creative Labs Nomad MuVo² 4 GB MP3 Player for $199.99. Free Shipping.
This is a cheap way to get yourself both a nice digital audio player and a 4 GB CompactFlash card (Hitachi Microdrive) for your digicam. The Microdrive is not soldered down, and is easily removed/replaced == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com -Original Message- From: Retail Retreat Posted At: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 8:30 AM Posted To: RSS Conversation: Amazon: Creative Labs Nomad MuVo² 4 GB MP3 Player for $199.99. Free Shipping. Subject: Amazon: Creative Labs Nomad MuVo² 4 GB MP3 Player for $199.99. Free Shipping. http://www.retailretreat.com/modules.php?op=modloadname=Newsfile=articles id=2771
Re: FW: Amazon: Creative Labs Nomad.....
I don't know if its true or not, but some sellers on ebay are warning about using the drives from these players. They claim that the interface is different and proprietary, and that it may cause incorrect behavior/failure of the card and the device its used in. I wonder if there is any truth to this or they are just trying to scare people into buying the actual card vs getting it cheap this way. rg The 1.5GB variant of the MuVo^2 employs a Cornice Storage Element with a proprietary interface that an external chip converts to CompactFlash. The 4GB version uses a standard Hitachi Microdrive. It seems so far to work fine in my *ist D, as did its 1 GB Microdrive predecessor (which is now in the MuVo^2) == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: the date on my 'puter....
Tanya, are you running Windows XP on that computer? If so you probably have it set up to auto-adjust the time and date periodically via 'ping' to a time server, and you've got the wrong time zone configured. Right-click on the time display in the bottom right corner of the screen (to the right of the system tray), then select 'Adjust Date/Time'. Make sure your time zone is correct (and that, if appropriate, you have the 'adjust for daylight savings time' box checked), then see what's enabled (or not) on the Internet Time tab. It's fine to have it periodically poll a time server, but you have to have the time zone right. == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Microdrives
The old 340 GByte drives had a nasty tendency to lockup with the read head/arm partially in-between its normal operation and park positions. This happened to me personally; the 1 GByte replacement hasn't exhibited this phenomenon (yet) but plummeting flash prices have found me not using the Microdrive much, either. You can tell this has happened by the audible and multiple 'clicking' noises the drive makes when you stick it in the slot and it attempts to spin up for the first five or so seconds; it'll eventually give up and you'll get system error messages relating to an inability to access it. There is a way to at least temporarily fix this, and I kid you not..put the drive on a CompactFlash expansion harness or in a PCMCIA adapter, or in some system slot that gives you physical access to its bottom edge, then gently tap on the bottom left corner during the spin-up attempt cycle (if you wait too long, it won't work, you'll need to remove and reinsert the drive then try again). An IBM (then, now Hitachi) marketing VP told me this during a face-to-face meeting at CES a few years back. And it works. You Microdrive users may want to file this away for future reference. It's not a matter of 'if' as much as it's a matter of 'when' ;-) == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
AvantGo: Custom Channels
www.dpreview.com/mobile/ is an example of an ideal Custom Channel (ie limited storage memory required due to its graphics-deficient nature), if it isn't directly offered by them. Cotty, poke around your account online and you'll see where to create these. == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Adorama
Here's what I think about Adorama: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/article/CA339719 John Francis had a similar *ist D experience with them == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Free website hosting
Folks, for anyone who might be interested, given all those JPEGs and TIFFs you're all generating nowadays, this company has a free-three-year website hosting deal going on right now that expires at year end www.1and1.com They're a large European (German, I think?) webhosting provider who's trying to break into the US market. Seems legit; they're advertising heavily with two-page promotion pieces in various PC-related publications. 500 MBytes of storage. Supports FrontPage extensions. WebMail, FTP, etc.. What I do is register my domains at www.godaddy.com (you can use some other domain registry service too), then point the domains towards the content hosted at www.1and1.com. This way, if at the end of the three years I want to move my content elsewhere due to non-competitive 11 rates or other factors, I can do so without losing the rights to my domain (which might happen if I used 11 as my domain registry provider) == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Good news..Pentax RAW
Cerious Software has also just released a beta of a plugin for ThumbsPlus 6 that supports RAW files from a number of manufacturers, Pentax included. It won't be fully enabled until TP 6 Service Pack 1, whose release is reportedly right around the corner == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Sub-$1000 Nikon DSLR on the way
Wonder if they'll call it a 'Rebel'? ;-) I'm not holding my breath on a Pentax equivalent == Nikon(R) Announces Development of D70(TM) Digital SLR Camera New Nikon D70 Poised to Expand Digital SLR Camera Market by Delivering Excellent Performance and Superb Image Quality at an Attractive Price MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today announced development of the D70, a new interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera designed to deliver superb image quality and hallmark Nikon SLR performance at an attractive price that a broad range of consumers will find within reach. A new DX Zoom-Nikkor lens is being developed concurrently to match the D70, and both products are scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2004. Designed for a wide range of customers, from novices to serious and experienced photo enthusiasts, the D70 will enable photographers to easily adopt digital technology into their existing camera system. The new model will offer an exclusive selection of new features and exciting Nikon SLR technology that will surpass products within the evolving digital SLR market, and provide exceptional value at an estimated retail price of $999.00 for the camera body. The D70 represents Nikon's next step in expanding the digital SLR camera market. Ever since the introduction of the revolutionary D1 in 1999, Nikon has been in constant pursuit of the highest image quality and performance in digital SLRs. This has led to the introduction of the D1X, the D1H, and most recently the groundbreaking D2H. The D100, introduced in June 2002, marked Nikon's efforts in bringing digital SLR technology into the hands of enthusiast photographers, and has since become a flagship camera for this audience, said Richard LoPinto, vice president for SLR camera systems, Nikon Inc. With the development of the D70, Nikon is responding to a growing interest among a broad range of photo enthusiasts who are looking for a full featured digital SLR camera that fits within their personal budgets, and also the expanding interest among amateurs who enjoy great pictures and want the high level of performance that a Nikon digital SLR can provide. The D70 joins Nikon's current selection of digital SLR models and employs the popular Nikon DX format sensor and Nikon F lens mount. This design will allow photographers to use high quality DX Nikkor lenses, and also maintain seamless compatibility with all AF Nikkor lenses and the D70. Designed exclusively for Nikon's D-series digital SLR cameras, DX Nikkor lenses are optimized to achieve outstanding center-to-edge-to-corner image quality, when used with any of Nikon's digital SLR cameras including the D1, D1X, D1H, D100, the new high-speed D2H, and the forthcoming D70. Nikon currently has three DX Nikkor lenses that offer exceptional wide-angle coverage: -- AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens: 180 degree angle-of-view -- AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED: 99 degree - 61 degree angle-of-view -- AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED: 79 degree - 28 degree 50' angle-of-view More information and detailed specifications about the D70 will become available at a later date. Please log on to www.nikonslr.com for more information about Nikon digital SLR photography and products. About Nikon Nikon...If the picture matters, the camera matters(TM). Nikon Inc is the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology and is recognized worldwide for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras; Nikon Coolpix(R) compact digital cameras; Coolscan(R) digital film scanners; Nikonos(R) underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative(TM), the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities. Source: Nikon Inc CONTACT: Saurabh Wahi, [EMAIL PROTECTED], or Amy Podurgiel, [EMAIL PROTECTED], both of The MWW Group, +1-201-507-9500, for Nikon Inc Web site: http://www.nikonslr.com/ http://www.nikonusa.com/ == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me
PayPal's new policy
Valid point.the buyer still has to pre-pay before I ship the item, so worst case (a dishonest buyer) I'm still out the hassle and invalid 'black eye' on my PayPal account, but no $$$. Thanks to those who responded == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
FW: Your Inquiry
Blah blah blah blah blahcut to the next-to-last paragraph of the email below for the 'meat' (this is a followup to John Mustarde's earlier posting, which I forwarded on to Ebay/PayPal requesting clarification). I've deleted the PayPal employee's contact info Unbelievable. The seller has to prove they shipped the item and, if it's worth more than $250, also that someone signed for it on the other end, otherwise they get charged for the item cost. I don't think I'll be using PayPal anymore... == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com -Original Message- Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 5:36 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Your Inquiry Dear Brian Dipert, I sincerely apologize for the difficulties you have encountered while using PayPal. The company values your business, and I want to do everything possible to answer your question. Let me be very clear when I express to you that PayPal is, has been, and remains, absolutely committed to providing a safe environment for our customers, from all over the world, to conduct business in a secure environment. We deeply regret every loss experienced by our sellers and work on a daily basis to remove or minimize such threats to all our customers. Because of the extreme risk that reports of fraud, or other reversals, pose to the profitability of the online economy, PayPal offers free indemnification from such losses in the form of our Seller Protection Policy. PayPal encourages all of our valued sellers to participate in this program to defend themselves from the risk of such reversals. This free plan has no enrollment or activation; you need only meet the requirements to take part. If you do, PayPal will indemnify you against reports of fraud or non-receipt, up to $1000 per transaction, $5000 per year. You will find the full terms and conditions of this plan at the following link: https://www.paypal.com/sellerprotection. Unfortunately, any seller who chooses not to follow the terms of the Seller Protection Policy is wholly liable for any funds lost as a result of a fraudulent transaction. Because of the extreme risk posed by such reversals to the profitability and viability of our Seller's accounts, we recommend that every seller fully follow the terms of the Seller Protection Policy as much as their business model will allow. In a buyer complaint is filed we contact the seller and request tracking information, something that can be tracked on line. If the transaction is over $250.00 then we request that sellers get signature conformation as well. If the seller does not have that information, then the buyer would win the buyer complaint. Having read the email you forwarded, that seller's interpretation is for the most part correct. A seller is required to get a tracking number. However, PayPal does keep track of all buyer complaints that are filed. If any account shows a pattern of filing buyer complaints, their account can be limited or closed. Sincerely, Executive Escalations PayPal, an eBay Company
FA: Pentax (and Kodak) gear (multiple auctions)
All auctions close on Sunday. Thanks in advance for your interest! Pentax ZX-5 QD w/35-70 PK-F Zoom, other accessories (Item #2966059206) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2966059206 Pentax Super Program w/50mm lens, other accessories (Item #2966061505) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2966061505 Excellent condition Pentax Motor Drive A (Item #2966063063) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2966063063 Kodak DC120 digital camera plus accessories (Item #2966066268) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2966066268 Regards, == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
*ist D review
Happy reading; any and all feedback always welcomed: http://www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/article/CA336981 == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Digital film backs
Per this in-process discussion, how about a digital film CARTRIDGE? Alas, they ran out of money and investor patience before they were able to get it into production, but I shot some reasonable-quality images with a prototype eFilm system and various Pentax bodies. http://www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/index.asp?layout=articlearticleId=CA 90761 Their website is still alive, 2+ years after their presumed demise, so hope springs eternal http://www.siliconfilm.com == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
More on RAW
Some of you who are dabbling in digital imaging may already be familiar with Hamrick Software's excellent VueScan flatbed and negative/slide scanner software (www.hamrick.com). VueScan also supports the RAW formats of quite a few DSLRs. I've been in contact with Ed Hamrick, and have confirmed that he employs the earlier-described RAW library from Dave Coffin. Sooner or later, Ed plans to roll in the latest iteration of that library, thereby securing *ist D support. Emails to Ed expressing your interest may speed the process along. I've also been in communication with Cerious Software, developer of the equally excellent ThumbsPlus program (www.cerious.com). I've used ThumbsPlus ever since I learned, many years ago, that it supported the RAW format of my now-retired Kodak DC120 digital rangefinder camera. Adding *ist D RAW support is on their list of features, currently low on the list though, and they're awaiting feedback before they bump up its priority. Finally, I've emailed Lemke Software inquiring as to their *ist D RAW support plans for Graphic Converter. Will report back to the list if/when I hear anything back from them == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Ebay
Beware of hacked accounts, esp. if you choose to conduct the transaction outside the Ebay system. From personal experience, alas: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/index.asp?layout=articlearticleId=CA289972 (long URL may break into multiple lines in your email client) == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
RE: Sanity check
False alarm folks, fine. It's just a 'fiddly' PK-A adapter. Put it back on this morning and it's working fine. Thanks to all for your responses! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com -Original Message- From: Brian Dipert [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 10:00 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Sanity check Hey folks, my *istD just arrived today. Good news is that, as prior feedback from the group had indicated, my Sigma 21-35mm in PK-R mount works fine on this camera (albeit in a non-autofocus fashion, I may yet be buying the 18-35). The one lens in my collection that doesn't seem to work, which I want to run by you all as a sanity check, is one of those famous green massive Tamron 300mm f2.8 jobbers. It has an AE mark on the aperature ring, and I do have a PK-A adapter on it, but it doesn't seem to be talking happily to the body. Expected, or suggestions? Thanks in advance
RAW format examples please
Hi folks, I've been asked by my friends at Cerious Software to track down examples of the RAW and other file formats which *ist-D outputs, so that they'll be able to quickly add support for them in ThumbsPlus. My camera has not yet arrived; if someone who has access to one could post some files to a website, FTP site, etc I'll download them and take it from there. Thanks very much in advance! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Advice: Sigma lens on *ist D
In preparing for the sooner-or-later retail channel stocking of the *ist D, followed closely (likely) by my purchase of it, I'm trying to figure out if the body alone will suffice or if I should purchase it in conjunction with the 18-35mm zoom. I already own a Sigma 21-35mm f3.5-4.2 with 77mm filter size, and in a 'K-PR' mount (according to the sticker on the side of the box, I think it translates to 'K mount for Pentax and Ricoh'). It works well with my existing Pentax 35mm bodies (ZX-5, Super Program and K1000) but I suspect it won't be full-function compatible with the *ist D. Correct, or am I being overly pessimistic? Thanks in advance for your feedback! == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
