Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Random photos: Got anything interesting, unique, strange?

Not sure how it's even in question. Person going straight had the right of way. By virtue of the fact they crashed the McLaren clearly should not have pulled out. I fucking hate this mindset. Saw plenty of it last night on the outer beltway. Wether or not the driver with the right of way could have possibly swerved at the last second is immaterial.

It's the same shit as someone running from the cops, resisting arrest, then reaching in to your waste band and being surprised when you get shot. Could the cops have tased you or waited to see if you came up with a gun vs scratching your ass? Maybe. Is it their fault you're dead? Fuck no. People are always trying to make it somebody else's fault/responsibility.
 
Moon shot. First time trying this. Learned several things, including NOT using a ballhead. I'll use my cine tripod next time for sure! Focusing is tricky, this was the best of probably a dozen. Approx 875mm at approx F 9 or so.
moonshot.jpg
 
@Zorba , shoot it when the moon is in any other phase, and you'll get a lot more detail along the terminator line. Easier to focus, and more interesting results. It might even auto-focus since it will have some high-contrast detail.

Maybe try to focus on something far away in the daylight, mark the focus ring carefully, and then use that mark for the moon. It's worked for me. I like the old lenses where infinity is up against the stop, just crank it to the stop and shoot. Those are rare on modern cameras.
 
@Zorba , shoot it when the moon is in any other phase, and you'll get a lot more detail along the terminator line. Easier to focus, and more interesting results. It might even auto-focus since it will have some high-contrast detail.

Maybe try to focus on something far away in the daylight, mark the focus ring carefully, and then use that mark for the moon. It's worked for me. I like the old lenses where infinity is up against the stop, just crank it to the stop and shoot. Those are rare on modern cameras.

I'll try different phases - sounds like a plan. Lens is manual focus only - one of those Chineseium super zooms.
 
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...one of those Chineseium super zooms.
That may be your problem. I'm not a photographer, but as a serious hunter, I have a ton of money in quality glass, and with spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and binoculars, you really do get real value in spending obscene money on glass. The first time I looked through German glass at an elk, I couldn't believe the difference compared to Japanese or USA glass, let along Chinese glass...
 
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That may be your problem. I'm not a photographer, but as a serious hunter, I have a ton of money in quality glass, and with spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and binoculars, you really do get real value in spending obscene money on glass. The first time I looked through German glass at an elk, I couldn't believe the difference compared to Japanese or USA glass, let along Chinese glass...

It very well may be as there's no way I'd spend the $10,000+ for "real glass" of that size! Its more of a toy than anything else, although I have been able to get decent results out of it with terrestrial shots. Its a bit fiddly, and the depth of field (DOF) is about 3.2 microns thick! So its like: "Let's shoot the moon with this thing and see what happens!" People report that they have gotten decent images of same with these lenses - but variability between examples is a thing, as is photography skill.
 
It very well may be as there's no way I'd spend the $10,000+ for "real glass" of that size! Its more of a toy than anything else, although I have been able to get decent results out of it with terrestrial shots. Its a bit fiddly, and the depth of field (DOF) is about 3.2 microns thick! So its like: "Let's shoot the moon with this thing and see what happens!" People report that they have gotten decent images of same with these lenses - but variability between examples is a thing, as is photography skill.

Just for comparison, I just took this a few minutes ago by pointing my Swarovski spotting scope at the moon, setting it at about 45 or 50X, focusing it, and then holding my iPHOONNEE up to the ocular lens (with no other support):
IMG_7238.jpeg
 
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Moon shot. First time trying this. Learned several things, including NOT using a ballhead. I'll use my cine tripod next time for sure! Focusing is tricky, this was the best of probably a dozen. Approx 875mm at approx F 9 or so.View attachment 573046

Mine is a little less in focus, might have to try it with a tripod next time I get the opportunity. These are the 3 decent shots I got that night. Sept. 9th, 2022.

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I wouldn't say it was all that impressive really... Although Digital zoom gan really mess you up if you even move a millimeter.


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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

I know smartphones can take good pix, never said otherwise. I'm just impressed that you were able to hold it that still! Yea, its not the sharpest picture of the moon ever taken, but it may be the sharpest picture of the moon ever taken handheld! Congratulations!
 
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Testing a loadout in a new camera bag/backpack/roller:

What does that kit weigh? Will you carry it on your back sometimes?

My similar-ish backpack (no rollers) is about 16 lbs, plus tripod in belt carrier 10 lbs, plus any extra lenses strapped to the belt. I used to carry it on long hikes, but not so much these days.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts