The 43rd TPBM "Waiting (impatiently) for Noir" Random Chat

thomascanty wrote in post #11831700
The main reason my brother and I bought the Davis pistols is because we'd just elected a Mayor (or was it Governor?) who was threatening to outlaw that type of weapon as soon as he gained office. So, we bought them while we had the chance. Us and everyone else in Los Angeles. The gun stores couldn't keep up with the demand that year! That politician's threats made a fortune for companies like Davis!

The anti-gun folk drive gun and ammunition sales 1000x more than the manufactures could ever hope to. It's getting a little better but there are huge ammunition shortages since the new administration got in. When one former administration made it clear they would use an executive order do away with importation of what they labeled "assault rifles", dealers imported train cars full of Chinese SKSs and AK-47s to be sure if the ban went into place they would be grandfathered in. I have no idea what they go for now but at the time they were going for less than $100.

On a side note someone bought a huge lot of old 1950s production Russian SKSs and resold them. I bought one and it is a really nice gun compared to the Chinese ones. It is all milled instead of stamped with a nice wood stock. It is an accurate shooter too. With the fixed box magazine it is actually a very nice deer rifle. The bayonet may be over kill for deer though

neil_r wrote in post #11833265
Mornin' Zane .... Sitting at the keyboard feeling very self righteous having just got back from church .....

Isn't self righteous one of those things they frown on?

Becky N wrote in post #11833331
Hi Zane, good to see you, how was pool?

Hi Neil, think you missed a bit of tarnish there on the back side of your halo.

Pool was fun!

LOL on the tarnish!

Becky N wrote in post #11834246
We are all holding are breath...

Waiting to see...

As the fabled Ground Calf...

Emerges...

Will he see his shadow?
http://performancephot​o.smugmug.com/photos/1​186146581_hih2H-O.jpg

!

Becky N wrote in post #11834297
Nice being able to track my mom's flight. Looks like a good tail wind as they are now estimated to land 11 minutes before schedule.

Last time we flew in we were 30 minutes early but sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes because the gate was not open until the scheduled landing time

Skrim17 wrote in post #11834483
my boy this morning

Nice shots of the boy.

Belmondo wrote in post #11835469
BTW, I found this videoof a train derailment that occurred in my old stomping grounds in Northern California. It's interesting to watch them re-rail the locomotive. It's especially interesting to me personally, because it took place at a spot I drove past every day on my way home from the office. It's on Winchester Blvd. in Los Gatos. The Permanente local is the only train that uses those rails, and usually only a couple times a week. The tracks are poorly maintained, and I used to marvel that anything could stay on the rails. It was always a great source of entertainment to watch approaching trains as the rocked back and forth.

I was surprised by this video, because when we lived there, they never ran anything larger than a Geep. In fact, they kept a small pool of first generation diesels in Santa Clara just for this run.

Looking at the video, it appears a rail rolled over. That would make sense considering the weight of that big engine and the overall condition of the track.

Looks like this happened back in 2008

That was interesting to watch.

Permagrin wrote in post #11836561
so does anyone know what the pixel density of the 20D is?

I've been working on some photos from a 20D and I am so impressed by the lack of noise, and the colors. I've pushed these photos pretty far and it's IQ is holding up better than most I've worked on recently (40D, the 5Dmk2 & 1D3).

Anyway, until now I've never worked with any 20D shots and I've never owned one.

I was shooting birds the other morning with my 20D. I feel like some of my best shots came from that camera. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experimenting.

puddlepirate44 wrote in post #11836771
Photographic terms:

• Rule of Thirds: Imagine the frame divided equally into thirds. Both horizontally and vertically. Which, in hindsight, is more like the Rule of Nine Little Imaginary Boxes in the Big Box. Apparently, having your subject anywhere NEAR the center Little Imaginary Box is verboten. It will result in your having to give up your camera and use only really chunky crayons for your artistic release.
  
• Sunny Rule 16: This rule, which comes with a TON of little rules, is based on a bright sunny day and you setting your camera to f/16. You know, so that you can get EVERYTHING in focus. Not just your little niece playing on the beach, making a sand castle, but that big hairy dude off in the distance wearing the embarrassingly small European Speedo. Also, the same principle is called "Where The Heck Is The Sun Rule 16?" in some parts of the Pacific Northwest.
  
• Mirror Lock-Up: A feature on many dSLR's that photogs use that "locks" the flappy mirror thingy in the Up mode before activating the sensor so as to reduce the vibrations. There is some debate as to the actual effectiveness of this feature. What is not debated is that the Mirror Lock-Up feature has been proven to be the absolute best way to attract dust to your sensor.
  
• Zone System: Established by great photogs, like Ansel Adams, it's a way to ensure the best possible exposure for a shot. There are, according to the last census, only fourteen people alive today that really understand this system fully. The ones that DON'T understand the Zone System, but talk like they do, are the ones that are just trying to impress cute, young photographers at swarmy cocktail soirees; also known as utilizing the Zane System.
  
• Camera Designations: There's the 5D. The 1D. The D3. But then you add little stuff behind that. The 5DMkII. The 1DsMkIV. The D3x. All of which are exponentially more expensive than the ones without the stars on thars. The pervading rule of thumb here is the more letters and Roman Numerals after the initial designator, the more you're going to pay through the nose. Also, the more suffixes you add, the more it starts to look like some atomic device that belongs in a Bond movie. Which, honestly, is kinda cool.
  
• Weather Sealing: The camera manufacturer has placed a very thin O-ring in the joints to protect the camera guts from moisture. Which, really, means a thick fog. Or a humid April in the Bayous. NOT Oregon beach weather in November. Let's just be clear on that.
  
• White Balance: A process whereby it allows the camera to make reds red, blues blue, whites white, etcs etc. This is done by an elaborate system of electronics within the camera itself and a bit of Photographic Voodoo. It is NOT the name of a militia in Northern Idaho, regardless what Wool says.
  

I am so busted I really don't even shoot I just looked for a sport that lots of girls did then looked for a forum to stalk.

Permagrin wrote in post #11836802
Thoughts about processing from different canon cameras:

well the only thing I've noticed during the processing I've done over the last few months is that the detail in the 5D2 is amazing. It's not very forgiving if it's under exposed, but if it's properly exposed, it's got gorgeous IQ. You can manipulate the shots to a higher degree, if you start in raw and don't go hog wild with an underexposed shot....much less so if you start with a jpeg.

The 40D is less forgiving than the 5D2. Better nail those shots if you want to aggressively manipulate.

The M3 is a bit better for serious processing. Although you can get those same muddy shadows if you aren't careful with your exposures.

The 30D... just say no to really manipulating these. Everything turns out yellow green. Just nail the shots and go for a natural look.

and the 20D was the most forgiving of all. Man, these shots are a processors dream. lol I can just about do anything with them, starting off raw.

Thanks again for your testing.

puddlepirate44 wrote in post #11836960
Lisa, for reasons unknown to the all save the voices in her head, just called Marlowe "Carl". This is how most of our animals get their nicknames.

Yo

Permagrin wrote in post #11837048
Well I appreciate you looking for that for me. I just wondered if there was any correlation to the results I was getting.

I'm sure there is. At least to some degree. At some point, there must be an "ideal" pixel density that will give you the best image quality, the least noise and the nicest detail. I try not to get too hung up on the gearhead aspect of things. Either it takes a decent picture or it doesn't.....that is more my criteria.

Hi Z

I, too, shot some boids today

poppie guy wrote in post #11837115
Today after church in the Ladd's Addition area of Portland I saw a large group of people walking their dogs. These people get together twice a month to walk their dogs in a group. They were all greyhounds, and were all retired racers. There were around 30 or 40 of them, all beautiful but somehow seemed even more beautiful by the sheer number of them together. Wish I'd had my camera with me.

That must have been and impressive site. Your wonderful description made for a nice shot in my head

Woolburr wrote in post #11837183
I'm sure there is. At least to some degree. At some point, there must be an "ideal" pixel density that will give you the best image quality, the least noise and the nicest detail. I try not to get too hung up on the gearhead aspect of things. Either it takes a decent picture or it doesn't.....that is more my criteria.

LOL. Kinda like me and my transportation, two rules:
1. Must start when I turn the key.
2. Must always respond to my foot on the accelerator without hesitation.

Anything over that is bonus

short5 wrote in post #11837152
I am so busted I really don't even shoot I just looked for a sport that lots of girls did then looked for a forum to stalk.

You're not busted, We've known this for a loooong time. *.*

Mike Holmes used Canon cameras!

*waves* I did quote... I did.
Well... I thought I did. They's gone.

*shrug*

Um...

Dan: NRLOL!
Crissa: Great shots of Eli. I prefer the warmer ones to the cooler ones.

Um. There was something else, I KNOW there was.

Oh yeah!
Sid... I'd have LOVED to have seen that large of a group of rescued greyhounds.

LADY is ADOPTED!

She was accepted at HWAC when we went on Tuesday. One of the hardest ones that I've had to let go, even though I knew it was best for her.

She's already off their site. We had her for almost 6 months. They get her adopted in 4 days. Unbelievable. And awesome.

short5 wrote in post #11837152
Last time we flew in we were 30 minutes early but sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes because the gate was not open until the scheduled landing time

Rockford is so easy getting in and out, though I really wish they had more flights to more destinations, that would take away the easy in and out. Saw mom's plane land and taxi right into the gate. This is also the airport where one of my shots is hanging. Mom saw it and gave me a thumbs up when she went through security last Sunday.

CAT, great news.

cfpackerfan wrote in post #11837493
LADY is ADOPTED!

She was accepted at HWAC when we went on Tuesday. One of the hardest ones that I've had to let go, even though I knew it was best for her.

She's already off their site. We had her for almost 6 months. They get her adopted in 4 days. Unbelievable. And awesome.

YAY!!

Quick check in all! Hope everyones weekend has gone well!

Quick story: I get home a few hours ago and found a voicemail from youflowers saying they will miss the delivery of mayras flowers tomorrow. I call them up and they offer to send it on Tuesday with a sorry note. I tell them that doesn't help matters because I placed this order weeks ago. They call me the night before to say it can't be filled? They offer to call her to apologize and tell her it's thier fault. To which I say she is the most humble person I've ever met. She could care less about the day and I'm not held accountable to do anything on it. What this all does is that it ruins my surprise. I tell them send the flowers on Tuesday and expect this to be the last time I conduct buisness with you.

I get it's the busiest day in thier industry but calling the night before to say you can't make the order? Rediculous. Sorry just fuming right now. I called mayra and spoiled the surprise to let her know what happened. She was okay with it and is happy I thought to do something. It just sucks especially when you feel the company didn't do more than what they offered.

misspix wrote in post #11837193
Hi Z

I, too, shot some boids today

Cool! Share someday?

puddlepirate44 wrote in post #11837421
You're not busted, We've known this for a loooong time. *.*

*.*

cfpackerfan wrote in post #11837475
*waves* I did quote... I did.
Well... I thought I did. They's gone.

*shrug*

Um...

Dan: NRLOL!
Crissa: Great shots of Eli. I prefer the warmer ones to the cooler ones.

Um. There was something else, I KNOW there was. OH! Zane, great to see you here. It is always such a suprise!

I helped.

cfpackerfan wrote in post #11837493
LADY is ADOPTED!

WOOT!

Permagrin wrote in post #11836802
Thoughts about processing from different canon cameras:

well the only thing I've noticed during the processing I've done over the last few months is that the detail in the 5D2 is amazing. It's not very forgiving if it's under exposed, but if it's properly exposed, it's got gorgeous IQ. You can manipulate the shots to a higher degree, if you start in raw and don't go hog wild with an underexposed shot....much less so if you start with a jpeg.

The 40D is less forgiving than the 5D2. Better nail those shots if you want to aggressively manipulate.

The M3 is a bit better for serious processing. Although you can get those same muddy shadows if you aren't careful with your exposures.

The 30D... just say no to really manipulating these. Everything turns out yellow green. Just nail the shots and go for a natural look.

and the 20D was the most forgiving of all. Man, these shots are a processors dream. lol I can just about do anything with them, starting off raw.

The 20D and 30D used the same sensor, did they not?

cfpackerfan wrote in post #11837493
LADY is ADOPTED!

Nice

Bummer Omar.