Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
I am amazed how much people can regress in a bad way. I try to regress in a good way.
I’m sure the grand kids will keep me young. The grand daughter insists that I pick her up and carry her. She is no little kid anymore. She makes up games like “Torture Calvin.” LOL.
No joke though how debilitating anxiety can be. I know first hand. Pretty much at the age of 32 I had to learn how to relax, it was a matter of life or death. Biking taught me how to relax.
At times over this weekend I felt like I was running a day care center. How crazy is that?
Also no joke training at altitude. I do better at sea level, but you cut your teeth at altitude and then when up from there. Out west the mountains are big. Blue Mountain is a less than 700 foot pile of rocks though.
My Robot Royal 36 needs service. The shutter speed dial is wonky. The shutter works, but suddenly the dial seems to have a hard stop below 1/100th of a second.
Anyways, I kinda factored in that a 67 year old camera would require some service. Oh-well…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Your Univega resembles my Ti Basso. I lack fenders though.
Anyways at this point all I need to do is put time on a bike, any bike.
I did 55 pushups in a set. This surprised me, I was thinking that since I was not doing pushups that pretty much just getting to 50 would be a maybe. I guess the biking has helped me maintain my upper body strength. I’m amazed that I’m getting mighty close to 65. My birthday is in January.
I think I’ll do two more sets. If I make or break 50 in each I’ll be mighty proud.
Cal
Anyways at this point all I need to do is put time on a bike, any bike.
I did 55 pushups in a set. This surprised me, I was thinking that since I was not doing pushups that pretty much just getting to 50 would be a maybe. I guess the biking has helped me maintain my upper body strength. I’m amazed that I’m getting mighty close to 65. My birthday is in January.
I think I’ll do two more sets. If I make or break 50 in each I’ll be mighty proud.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I was able to do two more sets of 50 pushups before bed yesterday.
Today “Maggie” is home, she tested today positive for Covid. I have a mild cough and a sore throat. Pretty much we think Covid got transferred from the Creature (Maggie’s daughter) to Creature-Junior (the grand daughter), and now to us. It is the mild form that is just basically annoying.
The Critter looks like he will be coming home around dinner time today. This kid likes to eat it seems. Pretty much the grand daughter, Creature-Junior, eats all my food. The Critter (newborn grandson) tested negative for Covid.
So we finally got Covid, and pretty much a “forced-move” because we had to take care of the Creature-Junior while the Creature was giving birth to the Critter. That started Friday, and the CDC says the new variant has a three day incubation period.
As I say under these conditions, “Oh-well.”
Calvin
Today “Maggie” is home, she tested today positive for Covid. I have a mild cough and a sore throat. Pretty much we think Covid got transferred from the Creature (Maggie’s daughter) to Creature-Junior (the grand daughter), and now to us. It is the mild form that is just basically annoying.
The Critter looks like he will be coming home around dinner time today. This kid likes to eat it seems. Pretty much the grand daughter, Creature-Junior, eats all my food. The Critter (newborn grandson) tested negative for Covid.
So we finally got Covid, and pretty much a “forced-move” because we had to take care of the Creature-Junior while the Creature was giving birth to the Critter. That started Friday, and the CDC says the new variant has a three day incubation period.
As I say under these conditions, “Oh-well.”
Calvin
100 pushups with Covid. Nice. On a strange note, I bought an M240. I love my Fuji X and GFX and my Ricoh GRIIIx, but missed a true rangefinder. While I have the Bessa R2, and while I do like it, I just do not see film as something I would use for my projects, so... an M240 was offered to me a great price here in Chile and I jumped on it. It appears to be a refurb direct from Leica Germany and the store I bought it from offered a one year warranty. It in no way replaces my other cameras, but it will be fun.
Range-rover
Mentor
Congrat's on your M240 John.
Nokton48
Mentor
Afternoon Cal,
18cm x 76 meters Agfa Aviphot 200 Aerial Film arrived today! This is the same film we have been buying in Germany and shooting in 70mm perforated. Looking forward to trying it as I have time. I have a lot of original 13x18cm Sinar Norma Film Holders. Looks good with 8x10 contact print paper black borders
SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr
The film is packed in a giant black plastic film can, wrapped with electrical tape to seal it. I cut off enough of the outer stock to examine it in the light.
It's the same emulsion we've been shooting in 70mm. I believe this can be processed a sheet at a time in a single flat bottomed tray. I cut out a couple of 18x24cm sheets on the Rototrim, no probs fitting in my old 18x24 Norma Holders. This is good for a go. No Money 8x10; the film is the biggest expense when doing conventional 8x10. Like shooting a whole roll of 36 in one pop. Nothing like it. The bigger the viewing screen, the more beautiful and easier it is to view and compose. Like looking at a giant television set. This stuff shows tremendous promise. BTW I just mixed up a gallon of Diafine A & B. I thought on you LOL. I may start processing these giganto sheets in Diafine. So like your negatives but with 8x10 fidelity. Diafine lasts forever, until it dries up
18cm x 76 meters Agfa Aviphot 200 Aerial Film arrived today! This is the same film we have been buying in Germany and shooting in 70mm perforated. Looking forward to trying it as I have time. I have a lot of original 13x18cm Sinar Norma Film Holders. Looks good with 8x10 contact print paper black borders
SONY DSC by Nokton48, on FlickrThe film is packed in a giant black plastic film can, wrapped with electrical tape to seal it. I cut off enough of the outer stock to examine it in the light.
It's the same emulsion we've been shooting in 70mm. I believe this can be processed a sheet at a time in a single flat bottomed tray. I cut out a couple of 18x24cm sheets on the Rototrim, no probs fitting in my old 18x24 Norma Holders. This is good for a go. No Money 8x10; the film is the biggest expense when doing conventional 8x10. Like shooting a whole roll of 36 in one pop. Nothing like it. The bigger the viewing screen, the more beautiful and easier it is to view and compose. Like looking at a giant television set. This stuff shows tremendous promise. BTW I just mixed up a gallon of Diafine A & B. I thought on you LOL. I may start processing these giganto sheets in Diafine. So like your negatives but with 8x10 fidelity. Diafine lasts forever, until it dries up
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Afternoon Cal,
18cm x 76 meters Agfa Aviphot 200 Aerial Film arrived today! This is the same film we have been buying in Germany and shooting in 70mm perforated. Looking forward to trying it as I have time. I have a lot of original 13x18cm Sinar Norma Film Holders. Looks good with 8x10 contact print paper black borders
The film is packed in a giant black plastic film can, wrapped with electrical tape to seal it. I cut off enough of the outer stock to examine it in the light.
It's the same emulsion we've been shooting in 70mm. I believe this can be processed a sheet at a time in a single flat bottomed tray. I cut out a couple of 18x24cm sheets on the Rototrim, no probs fitting in my old 18x24 Norma Holders. This is good for a go. No Money 8x10; the film is the biggest expense when doing conventional 8x10. Like shooting a whole roll of 36 in one pop. Nothing like it. The bigger the viewing screen, the more beautiful and easier it is to view and compose. Like looking at a giant television set. This stuff shows tremendous promise. BTW I just mixed up a gallon of Diafine A & B. I thought on you LOL. I may start processing these giganto sheets in Diafine. So like your negatives but with 8x10 fidelity. Diafine lasts forever, until it dries up
Devil Dan,
I love it.
With Diafine, when in doubt over expose.
Pretty much the profound compensating effect unwinds mucho contrast. The highlights never get blown out and are might fluffy with that UBER smooth roll off we love about film. Expect more shadow detail also.
My Slacker’s Brew (Diafine) is like shooting HDR except using film.
I also minimize agitation for finer grain if you need it. I’m also very gentle with the agitation. With Stainless Steel tanks I do two gentle inversions per minute.
Also I adjust exposure for the mids.
I’m having a lazy day. I watered the garden and put out the cardboard for recycling. Been foggy all day and nodding out. No fever like “Maggie” but an annoying cough.
Know that Diafine will get better after about 25 rolls of film or in your case 25 sheets. Pretty much some of Part “A” will slightly weaken the Part “B” just from the residue left on wet film.
For pushing development just extend the soak on Part “A” but the effect gets exaggerated and grows considerably. Almost all the development happens with the Part “B.” In my experience just another 15-30 seconds of Part “A” soak pushes development along considerably.
Don’t tell anyone my secret. Understand that minimizing agitation makes the compensating effect more pronounced and prevents over development of the midrange.
I found my film speed to be mighty slow like 100 ASA and below with the Rollie film. Remember I’m trying to maximize and develope the midrange. The shadow detail and fluffy highlights are always there, unless you underexpose…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
This morning had a head ache, so I just napped out the whole morning. Around lunchtime I felt better, the cough is less, no sore throat, but now a mild head ache.
Seems like I’m about a day behind “Maggie” as far as the symptoms go. Still a bit foggy.
Last night felt good enough to order bike parts. Loading up the truck with parts to have future spares and a stockpile of items bought on the cheap at discount or sale prices.
Still not really recovered from Covid, but I felt well enough this afternoon to mount some custom shades Maggie procured that were costly. They surely look great.
There is a silk screened two color stencil with Irises along the bottom hem. The material looks to be a canvas made of linen.
The “Critter” (grandson) is now at home. Reports are that he is a happy easy going baby that laughs a lot. Know that the Creature-Junior (eight year old grand daughter) is a handful and very high maintenance.
I wonder if the Creature Junior is annoyed that her brother looks like her. Understand that she hates being mimicked, so the resemblance I’m sure will upset her. LOL.
Devil Christian is feeding me a link again. Pretty much a heliocoil for my 90 that is on the camera known as the Devil Christian.
Later tonight I guess I have to go on EBAY and buy some stuff. One of these items are a pair of 26x2.1 Billy Bonker tires. I already secured a pair of 24x2.0 Billy Bonkers for the Ti IBIS. Pretty much a tire that has mucho small knobs, so it resembles a gravel bike tire made by Schwable known as the “All-Rounder.” Pretty much the Ti IBIS could be built out as a somewhat gravel bike, as well as a full blown mountain bike in 1x11 and 2x11 configurations.
I also have a Rock Shox Judy that is all tricked out with speed springs instead of elastomers, so adding a suspension is another option.
I still need a right hand shifter and of course hubs to build out wheels. Oh-well…
So Covid is a forced down time. I move in slow motion because of the fog. Maggie seems recovered more than me, but she had worse symptoms. I seem to have caught Covid later than her. Perhaps my immune system fought it off longer, and then Covid made inroads I figure.
Not much to report other than bike build ups continue.
Cal
Seems like I’m about a day behind “Maggie” as far as the symptoms go. Still a bit foggy.
Last night felt good enough to order bike parts. Loading up the truck with parts to have future spares and a stockpile of items bought on the cheap at discount or sale prices.
Still not really recovered from Covid, but I felt well enough this afternoon to mount some custom shades Maggie procured that were costly. They surely look great.
There is a silk screened two color stencil with Irises along the bottom hem. The material looks to be a canvas made of linen.
The “Critter” (grandson) is now at home. Reports are that he is a happy easy going baby that laughs a lot. Know that the Creature-Junior (eight year old grand daughter) is a handful and very high maintenance.
I wonder if the Creature Junior is annoyed that her brother looks like her. Understand that she hates being mimicked, so the resemblance I’m sure will upset her. LOL.
Devil Christian is feeding me a link again. Pretty much a heliocoil for my 90 that is on the camera known as the Devil Christian.
Later tonight I guess I have to go on EBAY and buy some stuff. One of these items are a pair of 26x2.1 Billy Bonker tires. I already secured a pair of 24x2.0 Billy Bonkers for the Ti IBIS. Pretty much a tire that has mucho small knobs, so it resembles a gravel bike tire made by Schwable known as the “All-Rounder.” Pretty much the Ti IBIS could be built out as a somewhat gravel bike, as well as a full blown mountain bike in 1x11 and 2x11 configurations.
I also have a Rock Shox Judy that is all tricked out with speed springs instead of elastomers, so adding a suspension is another option.
I still need a right hand shifter and of course hubs to build out wheels. Oh-well…
So Covid is a forced down time. I move in slow motion because of the fog. Maggie seems recovered more than me, but she had worse symptoms. I seem to have caught Covid later than her. Perhaps my immune system fought it off longer, and then Covid made inroads I figure.
Not much to report other than bike build ups continue.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I ordered a pair of Billy Bonkers in 26x2.1 skinwall.
Skinwall is the muy retro look of decades past and perhaps a spillover from road bikes when mountain biking was new.
I ended up buying a Berthoud saddle for the Ti Basso. Kind of a French version of a Brooks saddle. I happened to find one in the U.S. that was laying around a bike shop never used. I went with a light brown for my inspired retro look.
The Ti Basso with the polished titanium and a chromed fork should look rather evil. The bike presently weighs 20 pounds with Maxxis Cross Mark tires on the skinny retro wheels. The new saddle I figure will add some weight, but the new Billy Bonkers will offset any weight gain.
I’m thinking of mounting Schwable Marathon Supremes on the skinny retro wheels, as the tires are 26x1.6, and mounting the Billy Bonkers on a pair of Mavic Cross Max wheels that have evil bladed spokes. The front wheel and half the rear wheel have radial spokes for speed and lightness.
Tomorrow I expect another mucho slow day as my Covid recovery proceeds. Perhaps I will feel up to heading into my basement to sort through things and maybe work on some bikes.
I have an old retro Bontrager Ti saddle on the Ti Basso now. This saddle is mucho narrow, and will be recycled onto the steel IBIS. There is a benefit to an UBER narrow saddle, especially on an IBIS, where you can basically ride behind the saddle standing on the peddles on steep drop offs or situations where you might otherwise do an endo.
The steel IBIS weighs 24 1/2 pounds, pretty light for a suspension bike. Know that the steel IBIS has oversized tubing and the frame is kinda stoutly built. The Ti seat and a new Ti bottom bracket could make the steel IBIS into a nearly 24 pound bike. That would be hot. Know that I have a mucho large heavy rear tire and the front tire is a 2.35. Recycling parts is a great thing. The seat I’m removing is a Chrome Molly railed IBIS saddle. Pretty much the same as the Ti saddle I have on the Ti IBIS, so it kinda is a spare.
The thing with Covid is that it has different phases. “Maggie” is clearing out congestion, and this seems like the final phase.
The new shades look mucho great. This weekend we will pick up the framed print that will hang in the kitchen. Pretty much a limited edition fine art print that was gifted by one of Maggie’s followers.
Cal
Skinwall is the muy retro look of decades past and perhaps a spillover from road bikes when mountain biking was new.
I ended up buying a Berthoud saddle for the Ti Basso. Kind of a French version of a Brooks saddle. I happened to find one in the U.S. that was laying around a bike shop never used. I went with a light brown for my inspired retro look.
The Ti Basso with the polished titanium and a chromed fork should look rather evil. The bike presently weighs 20 pounds with Maxxis Cross Mark tires on the skinny retro wheels. The new saddle I figure will add some weight, but the new Billy Bonkers will offset any weight gain.
I’m thinking of mounting Schwable Marathon Supremes on the skinny retro wheels, as the tires are 26x1.6, and mounting the Billy Bonkers on a pair of Mavic Cross Max wheels that have evil bladed spokes. The front wheel and half the rear wheel have radial spokes for speed and lightness.
Tomorrow I expect another mucho slow day as my Covid recovery proceeds. Perhaps I will feel up to heading into my basement to sort through things and maybe work on some bikes.
I have an old retro Bontrager Ti saddle on the Ti Basso now. This saddle is mucho narrow, and will be recycled onto the steel IBIS. There is a benefit to an UBER narrow saddle, especially on an IBIS, where you can basically ride behind the saddle standing on the peddles on steep drop offs or situations where you might otherwise do an endo.
The steel IBIS weighs 24 1/2 pounds, pretty light for a suspension bike. Know that the steel IBIS has oversized tubing and the frame is kinda stoutly built. The Ti seat and a new Ti bottom bracket could make the steel IBIS into a nearly 24 pound bike. That would be hot. Know that I have a mucho large heavy rear tire and the front tire is a 2.35. Recycling parts is a great thing. The seat I’m removing is a Chrome Molly railed IBIS saddle. Pretty much the same as the Ti saddle I have on the Ti IBIS, so it kinda is a spare.
The thing with Covid is that it has different phases. “Maggie” is clearing out congestion, and this seems like the final phase.
The new shades look mucho great. This weekend we will pick up the framed print that will hang in the kitchen. Pretty much a limited edition fine art print that was gifted by one of Maggie’s followers.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Covid for me the experience is a bit like both a cold and a flu at the same time, but somehow milder. Today “Maggie” has a facial rash, my cough is subdued, but still there. I’m less foggy, yet I feel depleted.
I welcome the cooler weather and it seems the steam bath like conditions in New York are behind us. It seems like a drought of sorts is causing an early fall.
My new bike seat might be delivered this Saturday, and I am excited. I really made a cool bike out of something very outdated. Understand that in the early-early days the geometry was lax and not fast or aggressive at all. Then it never was designed for a suspension where adding a suspension fork made the bike like a chopper.
I accepted and embraced the slow geometry as a cruiser that looks and resemble a Schwann “Newsboy” and because of the looks of polished titanium and a chrome fork it looks like a show bike with a cool mix of old and new. Lots of the components are retro and go back to the day. Many are no longer available and are no longer made, so I kinda have a two wheeled museum that harkens to the late 80’s early 90’s.
The bike is tricked out with lots of engineered and lightweight components, but then again the ti handlebars are heavily built, yet still take up road shock and diminish the sharp edge off jolts and jumps. The new seat has Ti rails as a bit of suspension, and overall this bike has enough titanium on it that it exploits the give and flex that is spring like, yet with mucho heavy dampening that is inherent on a Ti bike, then add the Ti stem, handlebars, seat rails, bottom bracket to expand and exploit the spring and liveliness of Titanium.
I dislike aluminum bikes. For me their ride is kinda dead.
I can expect using the Newsboy a lot. I got a seat post rack to add utility. Also has the right blend of old and new. The drivetrain is XTR 1x11, and I have mucho spares. I love having mucho flexibility in change into different wheel and tire combos exploiting the old and the new wheel sets I have. Today it is getting difficult to secure old school wheels that utilize rim brakes. I was lucky to get the Mavic Cross Max wheels in minty shape for a good price last year.
So eventually all this bike building leads into building out the Chevy C-10. I likely will register the truck and pay for insurance just so I can legally park it in my driveway. It is remarkably factory original, but the engine has burnt valves, a leaky rear main oil seal, and likely a wet clutch contaminated with oil. Then I have to upgrade at least the front brakes to disc for better braking and safety.
The wooden bed has to be replaced, and it will require a set of new tires. Hopefully I can retain the narrow old school steel rims to maintain the retro style and look. With no power steering there are limitations on wheel size. Also I am going counter trend and I am not going to lower the suspension, I’m going to keep the factory “stance” that might of dropped, sagged, and softened over the decades.
A lot of time and money will go into this truck. BTW it kinda makes a statement on its own being so retro, and looks great parked in the street or driveway. Understand that my house is about 50 feet from the one-way-in-one-way-out that leads to “The Hot Rod Hotel,” where all kinds of hot cars are stored and warehoused. I see super cars, vintage cars, and muscle cars all the time.
So pretty much a stage one buildout leads to “Calzone” mode. I hope stage one allows me to build capitol to get Chevy 250 I-6 built out that will make 320 HP with a 5800 RPM redline with a throaty and bumpy idle. I would pair this engine with a Chevy SM 465 4-speed tranny that is kinda bomb proof. It basically has a “granny” gear and is basically a three speed that would be on the floor.
Right now the factory engine is a Chevy 250. The phase two will be money in the bank. So the trends are short bed trucks are favored, as well as large panoramic rear windows, but I have a long bed Fleetside with a small retro rear window that harkens to a more 50’s styling. My 1984 Jeep Scrambler had 350 HP, 400 foot ponds of torque, and without the half cab top and doors weighed in at 3,000 pounds with a full tank of high test.
The Chevy C10 weighs in at 3400 pounds, so 320 HP is not so crazy as my Jeep. Not so much a monster, but a bit monstrous. Should be a very cool resto-mod that is not so updated, except for engine performance. The SM 465 was a very popular Chevy truck tranny back in the day. The three on the tree tranny BTW only weighs 65 pounds and is not so heavy duty.
Cal
I welcome the cooler weather and it seems the steam bath like conditions in New York are behind us. It seems like a drought of sorts is causing an early fall.
My new bike seat might be delivered this Saturday, and I am excited. I really made a cool bike out of something very outdated. Understand that in the early-early days the geometry was lax and not fast or aggressive at all. Then it never was designed for a suspension where adding a suspension fork made the bike like a chopper.
I accepted and embraced the slow geometry as a cruiser that looks and resemble a Schwann “Newsboy” and because of the looks of polished titanium and a chrome fork it looks like a show bike with a cool mix of old and new. Lots of the components are retro and go back to the day. Many are no longer available and are no longer made, so I kinda have a two wheeled museum that harkens to the late 80’s early 90’s.
The bike is tricked out with lots of engineered and lightweight components, but then again the ti handlebars are heavily built, yet still take up road shock and diminish the sharp edge off jolts and jumps. The new seat has Ti rails as a bit of suspension, and overall this bike has enough titanium on it that it exploits the give and flex that is spring like, yet with mucho heavy dampening that is inherent on a Ti bike, then add the Ti stem, handlebars, seat rails, bottom bracket to expand and exploit the spring and liveliness of Titanium.
I dislike aluminum bikes. For me their ride is kinda dead.
I can expect using the Newsboy a lot. I got a seat post rack to add utility. Also has the right blend of old and new. The drivetrain is XTR 1x11, and I have mucho spares. I love having mucho flexibility in change into different wheel and tire combos exploiting the old and the new wheel sets I have. Today it is getting difficult to secure old school wheels that utilize rim brakes. I was lucky to get the Mavic Cross Max wheels in minty shape for a good price last year.
So eventually all this bike building leads into building out the Chevy C-10. I likely will register the truck and pay for insurance just so I can legally park it in my driveway. It is remarkably factory original, but the engine has burnt valves, a leaky rear main oil seal, and likely a wet clutch contaminated with oil. Then I have to upgrade at least the front brakes to disc for better braking and safety.
The wooden bed has to be replaced, and it will require a set of new tires. Hopefully I can retain the narrow old school steel rims to maintain the retro style and look. With no power steering there are limitations on wheel size. Also I am going counter trend and I am not going to lower the suspension, I’m going to keep the factory “stance” that might of dropped, sagged, and softened over the decades.
A lot of time and money will go into this truck. BTW it kinda makes a statement on its own being so retro, and looks great parked in the street or driveway. Understand that my house is about 50 feet from the one-way-in-one-way-out that leads to “The Hot Rod Hotel,” where all kinds of hot cars are stored and warehoused. I see super cars, vintage cars, and muscle cars all the time.
So pretty much a stage one buildout leads to “Calzone” mode. I hope stage one allows me to build capitol to get Chevy 250 I-6 built out that will make 320 HP with a 5800 RPM redline with a throaty and bumpy idle. I would pair this engine with a Chevy SM 465 4-speed tranny that is kinda bomb proof. It basically has a “granny” gear and is basically a three speed that would be on the floor.
Right now the factory engine is a Chevy 250. The phase two will be money in the bank. So the trends are short bed trucks are favored, as well as large panoramic rear windows, but I have a long bed Fleetside with a small retro rear window that harkens to a more 50’s styling. My 1984 Jeep Scrambler had 350 HP, 400 foot ponds of torque, and without the half cab top and doors weighed in at 3,000 pounds with a full tank of high test.
The Chevy C10 weighs in at 3400 pounds, so 320 HP is not so crazy as my Jeep. Not so much a monster, but a bit monstrous. Should be a very cool resto-mod that is not so updated, except for engine performance. The SM 465 was a very popular Chevy truck tranny back in the day. The three on the tree tranny BTW only weighs 65 pounds and is not so heavy duty.
Cal
Nokton48
Mentor
Morning Cal. Glad u are feeling better. I've had covid too, I think, even though I tested negative. Don't like the headache
SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr
24cmx74m Agfa Aviphot. This is the plastic can inside the outer box. I cut off some leader which had some tape residue on it. So these were run through my Rototrim Cutter, a piece of Kodak MINR cutdown to 18x24 used for sizing the sheet, with blue masking tape. Pretty easy to do this in the dark, I have eight of these olde wooden Norma Holders I like them. I could also make 8x10 sheets with two cuts, and it'll make scrap. But it's 8x10! Personally I like 18x24 negs centered on a 8x10 fibre paper. Makes a beautiful border and I show the whole negative.
Thnx for the Diafine info. I will to try to give it a go as I have time. Shows great promise. Highlights can be bulletproof
SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr24cmx74m Agfa Aviphot. This is the plastic can inside the outer box. I cut off some leader which had some tape residue on it. So these were run through my Rototrim Cutter, a piece of Kodak MINR cutdown to 18x24 used for sizing the sheet, with blue masking tape. Pretty easy to do this in the dark, I have eight of these olde wooden Norma Holders I like them. I could also make 8x10 sheets with two cuts, and it'll make scrap. But it's 8x10! Personally I like 18x24 negs centered on a 8x10 fibre paper. Makes a beautiful border and I show the whole negative.
Thnx for the Diafine info. I will to try to give it a go as I have time. Shows great promise. Highlights can be bulletproof
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Cal,
This is mucho important for cyclists; you need to stay active, even when you're sick.
I learned part of the reason I got a 3 foot blood clot in my left leg in the cold winter of 2019 was that I went from a period of activity, over 4 years of daily commuting, to a bitter cold snap and taking the bus to school. It was about a month in to taking the bus that my left leg just wouldn't stop hurting and I went to my doc. They sent me up to the ultrasound bay and I had a superficial blood clot in my greater saphenous vein (second largest in the leg) from my groin all the way to my ankle. Luckily it wasn't a DVT and luckily it was caught before a chunk broke off and killed me. A massive pulmonary embolism killed my maternal grandmother a decade ago.
Anyway, this is important for cyclists because vascular specialists and sports medicine folks call the calves the "second heart" or the "heart of the lower body" in that they squeeze all the blood from the legs back up. When you and I are in shape we have the ability to drop our blood pressure and our resting pulse to very low levels. This would be detrimental for people not in good health but is a benefit for those who are in shape because it allows the heart to really rest. The problem is that the heart isn't getting the help from the calves and the blood can easily pool in the feet, ankles and below the knee where the clots can develop very easily. So, if you find yourself in a period of inactivity due to COVID, the cold, or whatever, get some compression socks, elevate your legs, do some indoor trainer workout, anything to keep your extremity's heart working or you could find yourself like me in the spring of 2019, off the bike again, walking everywhere and on blood thinners, constantly having your INR measured. Take care.
Phil Forrest
This is mucho important for cyclists; you need to stay active, even when you're sick.
I learned part of the reason I got a 3 foot blood clot in my left leg in the cold winter of 2019 was that I went from a period of activity, over 4 years of daily commuting, to a bitter cold snap and taking the bus to school. It was about a month in to taking the bus that my left leg just wouldn't stop hurting and I went to my doc. They sent me up to the ultrasound bay and I had a superficial blood clot in my greater saphenous vein (second largest in the leg) from my groin all the way to my ankle. Luckily it wasn't a DVT and luckily it was caught before a chunk broke off and killed me. A massive pulmonary embolism killed my maternal grandmother a decade ago.
Anyway, this is important for cyclists because vascular specialists and sports medicine folks call the calves the "second heart" or the "heart of the lower body" in that they squeeze all the blood from the legs back up. When you and I are in shape we have the ability to drop our blood pressure and our resting pulse to very low levels. This would be detrimental for people not in good health but is a benefit for those who are in shape because it allows the heart to really rest. The problem is that the heart isn't getting the help from the calves and the blood can easily pool in the feet, ankles and below the knee where the clots can develop very easily. So, if you find yourself in a period of inactivity due to COVID, the cold, or whatever, get some compression socks, elevate your legs, do some indoor trainer workout, anything to keep your extremity's heart working or you could find yourself like me in the spring of 2019, off the bike again, walking everywhere and on blood thinners, constantly having your INR measured. Take care.
Phil Forrest
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Morning Cal. Glad u are feeling better. I've had covid too, I think, even though I tested negative. Don't like the headache
24cmx74m Agfa Aviphot. This is the plastic can inside the outer box. I cut off some leader which had some tape residue on it. So these were run through my Rototrim Cutter, a piece of Kodak MINR cutdown to 18x24 used for sizing the sheet, with blue masking tape. Pretty easy to do this in the dark, I have eight of these olde wooden Norma Holders I like them. I could also make 8x10 sheets with two cuts, and it'll make scrap. But it's 8x10! Personally I like 18x24 negs centered on a 8x10 fibre paper. Makes a beautiful border and I show the whole negative.
Thnx for the Diafine info. I will to try to give it a go as I have time. Shows great promise. Highlights can be bulletproof
Dan,
Pretty much wonderful fluffy highlights and an enhanced shadow detail are a given, but the key truly is a wonderful vast midrange.
Done perfectly a film HDR effect is created. Agitation can increase contrast and kill mids. In effect you are doing more of a stand development by minimizing agitation.
I do think the head ache is the worst part, then there is the annoying cough.
I bet large format with slackers brew and contact printing amazing work can be done.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
My next door neighbors must think I’m crazy. They know we both have Covid, but I’m in the Back-Backyard slope digging a rather oversized hole to bury 25 gallons of kitchen mulch.
Kinda interesting how much banana peels, apple cores, and orange skins can add up. Pretty much I maxed out the pail and it was mighty heavy. Somehow I dead lifted the “man-killer” onto my garden Gorilla cart and emptied the might stench-E contents.
So even though I’m still recovering I am still busy and working.
The physiology you describe makes sense. MD’s wondered if I felt alright because my blood pressure and heat rate were so low. Pretty much out of the realm of normal.
I have noticed elevated blood pressure levels in the morning, even before coffee. Pretty much my BPM is 49-50, but my blood pressure is well into the very high side. I figure it was due to being cold, and I know how my body over reacts to cold. My blood vessels constrict to conserve core warmth. I found this abnormality unusual, but you did a pretty good job of explaining why I have a physical need to stay active.
It seems even my commute to Madhattan involved over 9 miles of walking 5 days a week, then I would do hard labor on the house, digging landscaping, and such every weekend. I was concerned about loosing my fitness, but evidently I still have a base of sorts and this surprises me.
I guess anyone with a resting pulse in the 49-50 BPM range has a pretty good vascular system to maintain. At my age though I’m planning on putting in more time verses any strenuous hammering like I use to do.
Retirement is a big adjustment. With money being limited as a resource “one and done” has to be the motto to not waste funds. Back years ago I loaded up on Shimano 11-speed XTR, and even 9-speed XTR (for the road bike). I loaded up on XT 11-speed cassettes to have a stockpile. Three out of my 4 bikes are made of titanium for a less harsh ride and a smoothness that Ti can provide. All money well spent.
Of course when I workout I make sure I put in the time to rest up, as to not to wear myself down.
I have less of a cough today, very minor, no head ache, and a somewhat runny nose.
In the winter I will have to use the Concept 2 rower to sweat and manage my fitness. Having a ERG is a great. Very fast and easy to do some real work. The harder you pull the more resistance. I bought this from a Phd who worked at my hospital. He bought it and from what I can tell he barely used it. About 15 years ago the sold for over $1k or so, and I bought it for $300.00.
Then with moving to Madhattan I gave it away to Maggie’s brother, who gave it to Maggie’s sister. Then I asked for it back. The thing I love about an ERG is how it utilizes so many muscles. Playing my stereo and doing a workout went together well.
So with biking I have yet to put in lots of hours riding. I know long and slow pays the best dividends for angio-genesis and vascularization. Because of time limits, and family obligations been mostly concentrating on strength workouts. Nothing like long-slow-distance though for ultra fitness.
My goal is to have a resting pulse that stays in the 40’s.
Also I’m surprised by the weight you reported when enlisting in the Navy. 129 pounds is a rather small man, but I never saw you that way. Anyways your body size promotes your VO2 Max capabilities.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Hey Dan,
Just remember with Diafine expose for the most midrange. The perfect highlights and enhanced shadows come for free.
Also Kodak 5222 loves Diafine. I shoot it at 400 ISO. Muy retro.
Tri-X (650 ISO) also is favored, but I love 5222 better. To me the 5222 has the old school look, and Tri-X looks more modern and cleaner.
Acros with Diafine for night shooting is the eighth wonder of the world. No reciprocation failure, and mucho mids. Fine grain also shoot at box speed (100 ISO).
I have not tried Acros II yet… Know that I have mucho Acros in 120 stockpiled that I need to use.
Cal
Just remember with Diafine expose for the most midrange. The perfect highlights and enhanced shadows come for free.
Also Kodak 5222 loves Diafine. I shoot it at 400 ISO. Muy retro.
Tri-X (650 ISO) also is favored, but I love 5222 better. To me the 5222 has the old school look, and Tri-X looks more modern and cleaner.
Acros with Diafine for night shooting is the eighth wonder of the world. No reciprocation failure, and mucho mids. Fine grain also shoot at box speed (100 ISO).
I have not tried Acros II yet… Know that I have mucho Acros in 120 stockpiled that I need to use.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Kinda funny is how even with Covid I still have my “superpower” and can still be busy as ever. I’m still taking it easy, I’m not straining myself, but digging out a cubic yard of soil is no easy task. 25 gallons of moist composted kitchen waste is muy heavy.
The back-slope is getting a terraced look to it.
Knotweed is flowering elsewhere, but not in my back-backyard due to my interventions.
One long term symptom I think I have from Covid is a never ending thirst. My mouth feels chronically dry.
Cal
The back-slope is getting a terraced look to it.
Knotweed is flowering elsewhere, but not in my back-backyard due to my interventions.
One long term symptom I think I have from Covid is a never ending thirst. My mouth feels chronically dry.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Seems like Covid is draining through my nose. I would not call my nose running as they say, but it is more like a constant dripping. The Creature reported that this was the last phase of Covid, and now she tests free and clear.
So now I have a nose drip.
”Maggie” has been sleeping all afternoon. It seems Covid hit her earlier, harder, and she seems to be getting well at a slower pace.
The “Critter” weighed in at around 8 pounds, so all the panic for nothing. I’m mighty glad that he is a happy baby, low maintenance, and not like the grand daughter (Creature-Junior).
I started preserving some fresh basil we grew in the garden in a mason jar covered in olive oil. I’m also cooking. I started by grilling some turkey sausages. BTW grilling makes them taste better than pan frying. I learned this by making up a batch of my sausage and peppers and I used my Weber gas grill because it was EZ-PZ. Basically they are more tender.
Well I fried up the peppers and onions my traditional way in a large pan, but I Carmelize the onions for sweetness.
Somehow the huge tray did not get used for a wedding shower for my niece, but it got utilized for Maggie’s mother’s funeral.
So here’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone: when cooking sausage for pasta, first grill for tenderness, then simmer in sauce to increase the tenderness for at least an hour.
The sausages get mighty tender and moist, but also the sauce gains in flavor in the exchange. Don’t tell anyone my secrets…
Also know that I’m the better cook. For some reason “Maggie” is not so good. Her cooking lacks taste and is kinda bland in a kinda vegan way.
So back to photography, how many of you photographers are also good cooks?
BTW I was accused of poisoning the Creature’s husband with one of my 40 pound lasagnas that had heft amounts of cheese and meat that included a layer of sausage. Pretty much Dave kept on eating until he got sick. Is it my fault that he overdosed on my cooking?
Anyways “Maggie” says I overdo things, but that’s the point. Why be boring? Is boring exciting, an adventure, a challenge, or interesting?
Anyways the Creature-Junior loves my cooking.
Cal
So now I have a nose drip.
”Maggie” has been sleeping all afternoon. It seems Covid hit her earlier, harder, and she seems to be getting well at a slower pace.
The “Critter” weighed in at around 8 pounds, so all the panic for nothing. I’m mighty glad that he is a happy baby, low maintenance, and not like the grand daughter (Creature-Junior).
I started preserving some fresh basil we grew in the garden in a mason jar covered in olive oil. I’m also cooking. I started by grilling some turkey sausages. BTW grilling makes them taste better than pan frying. I learned this by making up a batch of my sausage and peppers and I used my Weber gas grill because it was EZ-PZ. Basically they are more tender.
Well I fried up the peppers and onions my traditional way in a large pan, but I Carmelize the onions for sweetness.
Somehow the huge tray did not get used for a wedding shower for my niece, but it got utilized for Maggie’s mother’s funeral.
So here’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone: when cooking sausage for pasta, first grill for tenderness, then simmer in sauce to increase the tenderness for at least an hour.
The sausages get mighty tender and moist, but also the sauce gains in flavor in the exchange. Don’t tell anyone my secrets…
Also know that I’m the better cook. For some reason “Maggie” is not so good. Her cooking lacks taste and is kinda bland in a kinda vegan way.
So back to photography, how many of you photographers are also good cooks?
BTW I was accused of poisoning the Creature’s husband with one of my 40 pound lasagnas that had heft amounts of cheese and meat that included a layer of sausage. Pretty much Dave kept on eating until he got sick. Is it my fault that he overdosed on my cooking?
Anyways “Maggie” says I overdo things, but that’s the point. Why be boring? Is boring exciting, an adventure, a challenge, or interesting?
Anyways the Creature-Junior loves my cooking.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The reason why “Maggie” slept all afternoon was that due to coughing she got no rest last night.
Seems like her symptoms wax and wan, where she feels better and then gets worse. Her symptoms are much more flu like, while mine are more like an annoying mild cold.
Tomorrow we may go see a doctor for her. Maggie is 5 years older than me at age 69. This covid variant is not so mild for her.
Cal
Seems like her symptoms wax and wan, where she feels better and then gets worse. Her symptoms are much more flu like, while mine are more like an annoying mild cold.
Tomorrow we may go see a doctor for her. Maggie is 5 years older than me at age 69. This covid variant is not so mild for her.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
“Maggie” is doing better today.
I worked on my Ti Basso road bike. Used a Ti mountain bike stem to add some rise to a pair of Ti straight bars. Did some maintenance. The 12-21T 8-speed with XTR lever/shifters was steep gearing, even with a 39/53. Peekskill is not like Long Island. LOL.
So right by my house is a long climb To Renold’s Hills for field testing.
Eventually I changed the cassette to a 12-26, but still my low gear is only a 42 inch gear, still very steep for the hills in my hood. Some hills are mighty steep, and worse others are long. Pretty much like choking yourself aerobically or anerobically so your eyes get bloodshot from self afixiation.
So in my older age I love gears, the more the better. I’m going to crunch the numbers to see what a 53/39 with a 34-11T 9 speed will do, and I’ll also check out a 42/32 42-11T 11-speed.
Also I played around a lot with the drivetrain. In theory my mountain bike XTR shifter should work great with my Dura-Ace derailleurs, but on the rear derailleur the high gear’s indexing is off no matter what I do.
I’m using a KMC 8-speed chain because they are good and mucho cheap, but the chain might be the problem. I even shortened up the chain some by taking out 2 links, but this did not help anything. No better, nor no worse.
Tomorrow I’ll try a 9-speed Dura-Ace chain to factor out the chain maybe, but that still leaves me with steep gearing.
Would like to keep one M9000 XTR rear derailleur as a spare for my other 11-speeds. The 9-speed XTR has a long cage derailleur so I can have a pretty big range of gearing. The bike feels more relaxed with the perhaps 1 1/2 inch rise on the handlebars, just a bit more upright.
I’m hoping the 9-speed with the 39/53 works for me. I already have 9-speed XTR trigger shifters that I secured years ago. Online the old geezers talk of using 9-speed XT with a 11-34T on their road bikes.
Cal
I worked on my Ti Basso road bike. Used a Ti mountain bike stem to add some rise to a pair of Ti straight bars. Did some maintenance. The 12-21T 8-speed with XTR lever/shifters was steep gearing, even with a 39/53. Peekskill is not like Long Island. LOL.
So right by my house is a long climb To Renold’s Hills for field testing.
Eventually I changed the cassette to a 12-26, but still my low gear is only a 42 inch gear, still very steep for the hills in my hood. Some hills are mighty steep, and worse others are long. Pretty much like choking yourself aerobically or anerobically so your eyes get bloodshot from self afixiation.
So in my older age I love gears, the more the better. I’m going to crunch the numbers to see what a 53/39 with a 34-11T 9 speed will do, and I’ll also check out a 42/32 42-11T 11-speed.
Also I played around a lot with the drivetrain. In theory my mountain bike XTR shifter should work great with my Dura-Ace derailleurs, but on the rear derailleur the high gear’s indexing is off no matter what I do.
I’m using a KMC 8-speed chain because they are good and mucho cheap, but the chain might be the problem. I even shortened up the chain some by taking out 2 links, but this did not help anything. No better, nor no worse.
Tomorrow I’ll try a 9-speed Dura-Ace chain to factor out the chain maybe, but that still leaves me with steep gearing.
Would like to keep one M9000 XTR rear derailleur as a spare for my other 11-speeds. The 9-speed XTR has a long cage derailleur so I can have a pretty big range of gearing. The bike feels more relaxed with the perhaps 1 1/2 inch rise on the handlebars, just a bit more upright.
I’m hoping the 9-speed with the 39/53 works for me. I already have 9-speed XTR trigger shifters that I secured years ago. Online the old geezers talk of using 9-speed XT with a 11-34T on their road bikes.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
“Maggie” is doing better today.
I worked on my Ti Basso road bike. Used a Ti mountain bike stem to add some rise to a pair of Ti straight bars. Did some maintenance. The 12-21T 8-speed with XTR lever/shifters was steep gearing, even with a 39/53. Peekskill is not like Long Island. LOL.
So right by my house is a long climb To Renold’s Hills for field testing.
Eventually I changed the cassette to a 12-26, but still my low gear is only a 42 inch gear, still very steep for the hills in my hood. Some hills are mighty steep, and worse others are long. Pretty much like choking yourself aerobically or anerobically so your eyes get bloodshot from self afixiation.
So in my older age I love gears, the more the better. I’m going to crunch the numbers to see what a 53/39 with a 34-11T 9 speed will do, and I’ll also check out a 42/32 42-11T 11-speed.
Also I played around a lot with the drivetrain. In theory my mountain bike XTR shifter should work great with my Dura-Ace derailleurs, but on the rear derailleur the high gear’s indexing is off no matter what I do.
I’m using a KMC 8-speed chain because they are good and mucho cheap, but the chain might be the problem. I even shortened up the chain some by taking out 2 links, but this did not help anything. No better, nor no worse.
Tomorrow I’ll try a 9-speed Dura-Ace chain to factor out the chain maybe, but that still leaves me with steep gearing.
Would like to keep one M9000 XTR rear derailleur as a spare for my other 11-speeds. The 9-speed XTR has a long cage derailleur so I can have a pretty big range of gearing. The bike feels more relaxed with the perhaps 1 1/2 inch rise on the handlebars, just a bit more upright.
I’m hoping the 9-speed with the 39/53 works for me. I already have 9-speed XTR trigger shifters that I secured years ago. Online the old geezers talk of using 9-speed XT with a 11-34T on their road bikes.
Cal
I worked on my Ti Basso road bike. Used a Ti mountain bike stem to add some rise to a pair of Ti straight bars. Did some maintenance. The 12-21T 8-speed with XTR lever/shifters was steep gearing, even with a 39/53. Peekskill is not like Long Island. LOL.
So right by my house is a long climb To Renold’s Hills for field testing.
Eventually I changed the cassette to a 12-26, but still my low gear is only a 42 inch gear, still very steep for the hills in my hood. Some hills are mighty steep, and worse others are long. Pretty much like choking yourself aerobically or anerobically so your eyes get bloodshot from self afixiation.
So in my older age I love gears, the more the better. I’m going to crunch the numbers to see what a 53/39 with a 34-11T 9 speed will do, and I’ll also check out a 42/32 42-11T 11-speed.
Also I played around a lot with the drivetrain. In theory my mountain bike XTR shifter should work great with my Dura-Ace derailleurs, but on the rear derailleur the high gear’s indexing is off no matter what I do.
I’m using a KMC 8-speed chain because they are good and mucho cheap, but the chain might be the problem. I even shortened up the chain some by taking out 2 links, but this did not help anything. No better, nor no worse.
Tomorrow I’ll try a 9-speed Dura-Ace chain to factor out the chain maybe, but that still leaves me with steep gearing.
Would like to keep one M9000 XTR rear derailleur as a spare for my other 11-speeds. The 9-speed XTR has a long cage derailleur so I can have a pretty big range of gearing. The bike feels more relaxed with the perhaps 1 1/2 inch rise on the handlebars, just a bit more upright.
I’m hoping the 9-speed with the 39/53 works for me. I already have 9-speed XTR trigger shifters that I secured years ago. Online the old geezers talk of using 9-speed XT with a 11-34T on their road bikes.
Cal