Red Ring Tupperware Party, Autumnal Equinoctal Edition (24)

gjl711 wrote in post #17367139
Last year I shut everything down but I have been lazy this year. Maybe today I'll drain the filter and turn it off until next month. Save some electricity.

I'd be worried about O-rings drying out, or pumps feezing up and stuff. I like to keep things running at least a couple hours a day. I'll have to play with the timer tonight and decrease it by a few hours, and adjust the on-off times.

vipergts831 wrote in post #17367162
Shame to wake up and put on SportsCenter early yesterday morning and be greeted with the passing away of Stuart Scott. My father and I would eat breakfast together in the 90's watching him anchor the show.

I liked him. And he seemed like a genuinely good guy from what I've heard. RIP.

LV Moose wrote in post #17367164
I'd be worried about O-rings drying out, or pumps feezing up and stuff. I like to keep things running at least a couple hours a day. I'll have to play with the timer tonight and decrease it by a few hours, and adjust the on-off times.

I drain the system and blow it out with a shop vac. All the seals I cover in silicone grease anyway so I'm not worried about frying out. FOr the pumps, I just remove the drain plug and let them drain as well. Anything below ground I don't have to worry about as the ground never freezes here, it's just the filter and pumps.

I'm thinking of having all of my pool equipment replaced. It's 10 years old, I think the main pump is on it's last legs, the thing that controls the cleaning heads isn't working properly; the hot tub drains half way when the pumps are off. The salt cell doesn't measure the salt content accurately....

LV Moose wrote in post #17367164
I'd be worried about O-rings drying out, or pumps feezing up and stuff. I like to keep things running at least a couple hours a day. I'll have to play with the timer tonight and decrease it by a few hours, and adjust the on-off times.

I liked him. And he seemed like a genuinely good guy from what I've heard. RIP.

Yeah he brought something different to the network at the time of his arrival. It was sad to see his physical condition change so much as he fought cancer.

LV Moose wrote in post #17367199
I'm thinking of having all of my pool equipment replaced. It's 10 years old, I think the main pump is on it's last legs, the thing that controls the cleaning heads isn't working properly; the hot tub drains half way when the pumps are off. The salt cell doesn't measure the salt content accurately....

I know what causes the hot tub to drain 1/2 way. There is a check valve which is suppose to stop the water from draining back into the pool. It's a simple flapper valve and the rubber is shot. Replacing is pretty easy. Valve looks like this.
http://www.poolpartson​line.com …id%3D35765%26si​ze%3Dlarge
and you can unscrew the front and change the flapper.

Cool. Gotta find it first. I don't have anything with a clear top like that, except for the pump baskets.

LV Moose wrote in post #17367230
Cool. Gotta find it first. I don't have anything with a clear top like that, except for the pump baskets.

It's usually in the return line to the spa.

Gracias

Timphoto wrote in post #17365051
Yes, I rented it and am still evaluating it. I'm getting some results that are not what I expected. I need to go back and re run some tests tomorrow.

Here's I shot I took at the Rose Parade. Only cropped, but otherwise SOOC RAW file converted to JPG by Lightroom 5.7. This is f/5.6 @ 400mm.

If you've ever watched the Love Boat, you may recognize this guy.

I did recognize "Isaac" LOL Interesting on your results, Tim.

LV Moose wrote in post #17365733
That's what I'm thinking. What happened to Marumi prices? And this is supposedly the best in the B+W line.

I have both. The Marumi used to be a quality filter for much less $. I'm shocked at the prices. Both are good but if they are close, B+W has a high reputation while (IMO) Marumi hasn't done enough to prove they are long lasting quality (although mine is absolutely fine...I'm just talking about not yet establishing a history of quality goods like B+W)

Timphoto wrote in post #17366241
I have to return this rented lens tomorrow, so I'm spending time with it, rather than post processing my Rose Parade shots. But here are some things I've found so far.

I don't think that I rented the sharpest copy of the EF 100-400L MkII. In a comparison against my very sharp "old" 100-400 made in July of 2008, the 400mm focal length test between the two lenses was a draw at f/8. I was VERY surprised to find that my "old" 100-400 is sharper at f/5.6. I tripled checked that test and had my son verify the results. The MkII was definitely not as sharp at f/5.6, and there was no discernible difference at f/8. At other focal lengths, we had to do some serious pixel peeping and it too was a mixed bag of results, with the MkII very slightly sharper overall.

My experience with this particular copy of the MkII mirrors what Roger Cicala found in his review of the MkII HERE.

As others have reported, the new IS is amazing. Handheld 400mm shots at 1/30th of a second are very doable. I didn't time it, but the AF seems to be faster.

I'm not getting into the twist zoom vs push pull debate. I think its a matter of personal preference. I prefer push-pull and the rented copy of the MkII was loose enough that I could grab the hood and use it that way.

I hated the new foot and collar.

Even though BH Photo has it in stock and my checking account could cover that purchase, I won't be buying it. Mind you, I am very tempted because of the improved IS, but for the type of shooting I do, I just can't see spending $2200 at this time. If I ever begin shooting BIF, weddings in dark churches from the back of the choir loft, or old age tremors set in to the point where I can't hold a lens still enough, I reserve the right to reconsider that decision.

Interesting info. Not what I expected. We have the 70-300L Love it so much. It's incredibly sharp and decently fast AF (better than I expected for the 5.6 in lower light). I was wondering if we should move to the 100-400. Think I'll wait a while before making any decisions. Especially at the price. Thanks for your opinion.

LV Moose wrote in post #17366307
Oh, I agree. But from what I've heard, Marumi is not on the lower end of the quality spectrum. However, for basically the same price, why bother switching? I was just wondering if someone knew something about the comparison between the two, that I wasn't figuring in.

I don't think they are lower quality either. I actually like them on part with my B+W

Harm wrote in post #17367010
Good Morning peeps (and Permie!!!)

LOL! Peeps and Permie...someday I'll achieve "peeps" then, Harm? PLEASE, post a photo of Alexander. I haven't seen one since he was an infant

Harm wrote in post #17367067
Was.... different.

Alexander's buddy was mauled by a pitbull, when my wife and alexander were going to meet them at the park. Luckily being cold, she had layers galore on, so ended up with a few bite marks on her chest but nothing more... thankfully, it did not go for the arms or face etc.

Then he wanted to make a chocolate cake. Kitchen was a messy disaster Cake looks great though!

Nice and easy weekend before the temps plunge!

Harm wrote in post #17367122
she is fine thanks. just some scratches and bite marks.

like i said, luckily it was cold that a 2.5 yr old needed 3 layers of shirts & tops, and a thick jacket on top of that. Also very fortunate it didn't go for the arms, hands or face.

no puncturing of the skin...

That is absolutely frightening. I'm glad she was ok. Gah.

vipergts831 wrote in post #17367162
Shame to wake up and put on SportsCenter early yesterday morning and be greeted with the passing away of Stuart Scott. My father and I would eat breakfast together in the 90's watching him anchor the show.

That was incredibly sad. I didn't even know he was ill. Such good example of a decent human being.

for Permie the Peep

(taken in latter part of 2014):

Stuart Scott's passing was very sad, he was one of the few on air people that ESPN employs that actually was enjoyable to watch. Most of their people would be right up there with members of Congress for the blowhard of the year award.

Harm, how did you get the little guy to stay still long enough for the bird to come in? That is a great shot.

It took about 30 minutes for him to get to stand still... but in the end he did for enough time. I had the camera on a high ISO (1600) so i could use a high speed burst at 1/2000s to get a shot at least... it worked

That will be a great memory for him.

it sure is! he often asks to go feed the birds...

he won't get it if i say "tuppence a bag"...

well not yet...