My Writings. My Thoughts.
Finding a new WordPress MP3 player
// November 30th, 2011 // No Comments » // Audio and Recording, Computer / IT, Gadgets, Live Sound
I’m looking for a new wordpress MP3 Player. Excuse this post while I try various players to see what I like.
My Camera Gear Weighs as Much as Three Babies
// October 8th, 2011 // No Comments » // Gadgets, Hardware, Photography
Recently I finally took the plunge and get a full frame DSLR camera. I do a fair amount of low-light indoor photography, as well as small crops from my images. For this my old Canon XSi just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I did my research and opted for a Canon 5D MKii. This is a great camera, but the only lens I had for this was a 50mm F1.8 prime, the rest of my stuff has EFS mounts.
I love taking wide angle shots, so I ended up finding an open box Tokina 16-28mm f2.8 on Amazon for $750. I had fun with this, but I got the itch for a a telephoto lens with image stabilization to counteract my shaky hands. After a good deal of deliberation and a cost miscalculation on ebay, I won an auction for a used Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L lens. The price hurt, but this lens is a piece of art, and solid as a brick (and as heavy as a brick too).
With this gear, I found that I got a lot more acceptable results, but I had not counted on the weight of this set up. Equipment lists and weight below:
Canon 5D MKii: 1.78lbs
Canon 70-200 f2.8 lens: 3.24lbs
Tokina 16-28 F2.8: 2.8lbs
Canon 50mm f1.8: 0.23lbs
Canon Speedlite 430EX II: 0.73lbs
Custom SLR Split Strap: .35 lbs
Vangaurd Uprise 38 Bag: 3.6lbs
That right there already 12.73lbs!!! Most photogs would consider this a very spartan setup. And that is not counting batteries, cleaning supplies, chargers, flashlight, or miscellanea. Also, any time I travel I throw my laptop (7.5 lbs with power adapter) and tripod head (1.8lbs) in there as well for a total weight of 22-24 lbs. That might not sound like a lot, but think of it in term of babies – the average north american baby is 7.5lbs, so my gear (minus the tripod) weighs in at 3 babies!!! Just to take pictures!
Moral of the story: Camera’s are super heavy – especially for couch toned geeks. Unless you are really serious, stick with point and shoot cameras, which take excellent pictures are a fraction of a pound. Be aware that photography is an addiction that will lighten your wallet and break your back.
Data Service Provider for Google SEO Company
// August 11th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Computer / IT, Hints and Tips
One of my clients forwarded me the following voicemail that they had gotten, wondering if it would be a good idea:
Hi,
This is Aaron, data service provider for Google. Wanted to give you a call because we have a pretty awesome opportunity for you there in your marketplace. We have some openings on the front page of Google, Yahoo, and Bing; so I wanted to touch base with you to see if there was any interest as far as getting your website and your buisiness on the first page of these search engines. You can reach me toll free – the number is 866-976-5477, we’d be happy to answer any questions you have.
Call me as soon as you can if you are interested, because we do only have a few spots open. Again this is for the first page of Google, Yahoo, and Bing there in your margin.
This is the shadiest method of SEO (search engine optimization) marketing I’ve encountered to date, but it is kind of true. All he is really saying is that he will get you on the front page of ad sense adds (in the margin), and that he is a Google data service provider. “Google Data Service Provider” has to be the vaugest term of description I have ever seen. I guess I would qualify for that as well, if you came to this site through Google, I provided them with the service of this data – a bit of a streatch, but it is technically correct.
As to getting on the front page of Google, save your mony and by your adds direct through Google’s sales divition. It takes a little elbow grease, but I guarentee that you will get the same results for less than what “Aaron” is going to provide for you.
#1 rule of thumb. Never trust a business that will not disclose it’s name.
#2 Never trust an IT based company that does not have a website – especially and SEO company. If they can’t keep themselves on top of web searches, how are they going to keep you there?
www.world-electronics-central.com Scam Site
// August 10th, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Photography, Vendors and Supplies
Recently I have been upgrading my camera gear. In the process of doing so I ran across the best prices I have ever seen on Canon L series glass at world-electronics-central.com. Their prices are 40% lower than Amazon, B&H or Adorama.
I did a bit of research on the company since the prices were so incredibly good and found the following things.
1. No phone number on site.
2. Phone number listed on associated review sites 646-619-4285 is a fax machine
3. HQ address listed in about section points to a company with the web address www.world-electronics.com, a elevator equipment company. I spoke to them, and they notified me that they are intending to send a cease and desist notice to try to stop the fraudulent use of their HQ address.
4. They do not respond to email sent via their company form.
5. They are not listed by the BBB
6. Per the bottom of their webpage, they claim to be founded in 1998, but there are no online reviews, and the domain was registered in July 2011.
7. The contact number, 770-442-1062, for the domain owner, Sandra Hardy, is disconnected.
8. When I spoke to the real World Electronic Company – the one that sells elevator equipment – said that a number of people have called looking for items that have never showed up.
If anyone has additional information, please let me know. If I could get a 70-200mm f2.8L lens for $1,500, I would not complain…
Night Photography #1
// August 4th, 2011 // No Comments » // Photography, Pictures
I recently got my first Pro DSLR – the Canon 5D Mark II, and have been having a lot of fun getting to know it. I have especially been enjoying night photography. The way that lights are accented, how you can get different effects depending on how you set your camera is astonishing to me. I am still waiting for my new tripod and cable release to arrive so that I can really get into this aspect of photography, but I am already enjoying it with the gear that I currently have. My tripod is really shaky and I don’t have a cable release which limits me to exposures of 30 seconds or less, but I am still amazed at what can be done with even a smidgen of creativity.
All photos below were taken with a Canon 5d Mark ii with a Canon 55mm f/1.8 prime lens.
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My Home Studio Gear
// July 29th, 2011 // No Comments » // Audio and Recording
I enjoy working with sound – mixing down live recordings, and doing a bit of recording on the side. Over time I’ve built a collection of gear that works really well for the work I do. Some of it is not necessarily what I would purchase if I were to start from scratch, but my list is constantly evolving. Below is a list of the gear I use, along with some brief reviews.
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Dell Precision Tear Down Gallery
// July 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // Computer / IT, Hardware
I’ve noticed that a lot of my hits are coming from my post regarding upgrading the RAM/memory of a Dell Precision M6500. I though some of you might like to see the set of pictures I took while doing that upgrade as well as adding a second hard drive. So below you will find my collection of pictures of a M6500 in various stages of dis-assembly.
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Best Ultra Low Cost Recording Mic – under $100
// July 18th, 2011 // No Comments » // Audio and Recording, Live Sound
If you know me at all, you will know that I am pretty involved with audio equipment, and spend a fair amount of time fielding questions from my friends as to what mics they should use, how to fix soundcard issues, or any of the myriad of problems that crop up if you are running church sound or have a small home studio with next to no budget.
Now, I am not an expert in the audio field, but I have been recording for the last ten years or so, and have used about 15 different mics in that period. So far the best recording mic I have seen for under $100 is the Nady SPC-10. I know what you are thinking – Nady???!!! That stuff is terrible!! For the most part I would agree, but this mic is the exception. It does have its cons, but the sound and price make up for it. It is a fairly ugly microphone, it is top address with a large capsule, so it looks like a misshapen huge blob of ice cream on a tiny cone from Lilliput, but start recording and you will forget the brand name, and the ugliness of the mic. It is smooth with a really nice presence effect when you get right into it. I doubt that you would be able to find a better mic for under $200, and this one is only $70 on the street.
I have heard of some people using this as a live mic, but I have not had any sucess using this in a live setting. I run sound for an acapella group, and gain before feedback is always an issue. While the sound translates very well over the speakers, I have not been able to get the volume I need from the speakers. If GBF is not an issue for you, by all means give it a try.
Dell Precision M6500 only has 2 dimms
// July 15th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Computer / IT, Hardware, Hints and Tips
Recently I purchased a Dell Precision M6500 the had 2GB memory pre-installed. I’m not sure why a machine of this level of performance would ship with such a paltry amount of ram, but I needed more than that. I did a bit of research online, and when to my go-to source for memory information – crucial.com. The website stated that this machine had 4 memory slots, so I purchased two additional sticks of 1GB memory (32 bit operating system). To my dismay, I found that, at least on i5 systems, the slots underneath the keyboard are missing. I attached a picture of the spot where the slots should be below. So next time you ask yourself, “How many memory slots are in a M6500?”, look carefully, because chances are that there are only two available.
Sewage Slope
// July 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // Random Facts
Although I don’t always succeed, I try to learn at least one new fact a day. The most fascinating fact I have run across in the last couple of days is that there is a precise slope needed for sewage pipe. Apparently the slope has to be between 2%-4%. Any more, and the liquids will drain away from the solids, creating blockages. Any less and nothing will flow properly, creating blockages. I know this is a bit of an odd fact to come up with at random, but it was something I never knew, even though I work for a company that installs a lot of public utilities.
