Monthly Archives: February 2011

The Blitz

February 22, 2011Book reviewsThomas Pindelski

Book review

This collection of photographs from 1939 -1944 London is simply riveting.

If you look at the severity of Germany’s unprovoked aerial bombardment of London in WWII, using deaths as a yardstick, then the worst year was 1940 when the might of the Luftwaffe poured death and destruction from the skies. The combined efforts of I G Farben (now Bayer, BASF and Hoechst) for chemicals, Daimler Benz, BMW, AEG and Siemens for hardware and Deutsche Bank and Commerz Bank for finance, aided in no small part by massive conscription of slave labor, made all that insanity possible. Needless to add, all those firms survive and prosper to this day, along with the vermin offspring of their parents.

So it is impossible to write objectively about what this book of war time photographs from the Daily Mirror’s reporter George Greenwell portrays, other than to wonder at the miracle which gave England the English Channel, the greatest of all defenses, and a half-American named Winston Churchill. Our son Winston – a simple act of gratitude – will never know how close he came to not seeing this world.

While some of the pictures here are undoubtedly propagandistic in nature, the reality is that people did get married in bombed out churches, kids did play in the ruins and life went on as best as it could. ‘Muddling through’ may be a trait ascribed to the English but realistically what else were they going to do? I bow in admiration to their wonderful grace and stoicism in these hardest of times.

What many forget, and this book makes clear, is that death from the skies was not confined to 1940. Almost as many died in London in 1944. This time, with the Luftwaffe finished, it took the form of the V1 pulse jet and V2 rocket flying bombs, the first effective guided, pilotless missiles. The V1 could be put out of action by the faster Spitfires who would daringly tip it over with a delicate nudge from a wing tip and a 100 mph speed advantage. The V2 was altogether a different proposition. At 1,800 mph it flew at more than twice the speed of sound and no 400 mph piston-engined, propeller aircraft was about to catch it. That little number was created by a brilliant rocketeer who became a more than willing member of the SS in 1937 and managed to look resolutely the other way while Jews and Poles died on his production lines creating his evil weapon.

What became of him?

A few short years later he was to be seen in one of the last ticker tape parades down Manhattan’s Broadway, proudly waving a Stars and Stripes, testimony to his new citizenship and to the fact that his Saturn V rocket had just made it possible for Neil Armstrong to make his ‘Giant Leap for Mankind’.

That rocketeer was named Wernher von Braun.

Quesabesde on the Fuji X100

February 21, 2011FujiThomas Pindelski

An early review.

Spanish site Quesabesde has a review with picture samples of the Fuji X100. I was able to download the samples earlier and can report they are excellent – very fine grain even at the highest ISO settings, and sharp. Fuji has since instituted a blackout as the article states : ” Note: At the request of Fujifilm Japan has agreed to withdraw QUESABESDE.COM samples taken with a preproduction unit of the FinePix X100, with a view to publishing the short term a more extensive analysis from a final model of the camera.” The article also has RAW samples but as even SilkyPix has yet to process X100 RAW, they were unable to make any sense of them. These early samples were great so hopefully things will only get better.

Here’s a translation courtesy of the pidgins at Google Translate:

WANTED
Thursday, February 17, 2011

Fujifilm FinePix X100: first samples

Although it sounds like a worn clichÃ©, the truth is that for some time that a model did not arouse the interest of the Fujifilm FinePix X100. Since it was seen at Photokina, there are few professional and amateur gourmets who have believed to see in the philosophy of this compact $ 1,000 responses to their requests. QUESABESDE.COM advantage that we have a working model of the X100 (do not ask how), it is time to stop philosophising and start answering questions with the camera in your hands.

Iker MorÃ¡n .- Do not go on sale until March, but patience is not our forte. Faced with the prospect of waiting a little longer to get their hands on the FinePix X100-just that we were recommended from Fujifilm Spain-QUESABESDE.COM secret services have been launched to find a preproduction model of the compact.
Fujifilm FinePix X100

Have been 48 a few hours of living with a body that has installed the firmware version 0.69. Although it is early to draw conclusions (some camera functions were not operating at 100%), and we are working on a first test and a video that shows its performance and operation.

Anyway, thinking of the more impatient and in recent months who have asked for details of the expected camera, here are some early samples galleries and a fast response to an impromptu autocuestionario.SE SEARCH
Thursday, February 17, 2011

“The ergonomics are as good as it seems at first sight?

The finish, the feel of the camera in your hands, the distribution of controls and, in general, the management allowed a few snags. Already discuss in more detail, but it’s nothing that we did not know for several months.

When you apply a good dose of common sense (almost everything is invented, you just have to reinterpret it in digital) is difficult for some to fail. But, as always, there are fringes that are not as well finished off (at least in pre-production model has fallen into our hands.)

Screen menus, for example, broadly follow the aesthetics of the compact Fujifilm. Not that they are very complex, but we expected something more special and personalized for a camera like this. Neither the rotary dial back-too deep in the body, not suppose to press it by mistake, is very comfortable to drive when changing any settings.

How does the viewer hybrid?

Located on the right side (the SLR used to have to retrain and learn to let the left eye wide open to see what happens out of frame), the X100 combines a direct optical viewfinder with an electronic 1.4-megapixel resolution . Simply activate the lever on the front of the camera to switch from optical to electronic form.

Although the viewfinder can boast excellent performance (only when the soda weakens a bit in low light remember his nature) is particularly interesting to the viewer directly. It not only shows the typical framing guides-with parallax correction, and the meter, but also information such as sensitivity, image size, or even an electronic level superimposed.

Is it fast?

It is one of the most recurrent questions of those interested in this camera. In this sense, they can rest assured that the startup and shutter response is very fast even in this model the end he has given us a headache in other ways.

Concerning the burst, the camera can reach speeds of up to 5 frames per second, but, attention, as follows: the blast was triggered in full to fill the buffer and then plays a few seconds to see the results.

Advertising
Less happy we are with the recording time on the card. At least in the final model is not proven (insist on this detail) and working with SD Card SanDisk Class 10, the simultaneous recording of a picture in two JPEG and RAW was delayed about 5 seconds, during which itself was possible to re-shoot but can not access or browse menus making.

And silent?

This is another of its strengths: the X100, like all cameras of this type, has a very stealthy shutter. Although the camera comes standard activated a sound that plays when you press the shutter-very well done, indeed, worth disconnect and go completely unnoticed.

How was your approach?

The autofocus of the X100 performs well in terms of speed and accuracy within the predictable in-focus by contrast. Even in poor lighting conditions and with the assist light turned off, your reaction is correct, but it takes a little worse in areas of low contrast and macro shots.

Fujifilm FinePix X100

However, the approach is one of the benefits that usually recorded improvements through new versions of firmware, so hopefully this model evolved from 0.69 to final chamber.

Besides the two automatic modes of approach (simple and continuous), also has a ring on the lens to manual mode. This is not a mechanical system, but this ring starts the electric motor approach, with small movements that are executed at every touch. When working with an optical viewfinder, no confirmation of an outbreak, but a guide to the distance that can be very useful.

And the results, what?

The images speak for themselves. Although this is a preproduction unit you must take the results with pliers and no definitive conclusions (white balance, for example, has room for improvement), obvious that Fujifilm has done its homework in terms optics (23 mm equivalent to 35 mm f2 in step universal) and CMOS (APS-C size with a resolution of 12 megapixels).

Hits: 12 MP Â© QUESABESDE.COM
Catches were made with a Fujifilm FinePix pre-X100 (firmware 0.69):

Note: At the request of Fujifilm Japan has agreed to withdraw QUESABESDE.COM samples taken with a preproduction unit of the FinePix X100, with a view to publishing the short term a more extensive analysis from a final model of the camera.
All outlets, of course, have been made with the default settings of color, sharpness and saturation, and using the optional lens hood for optics.
Does it EXR processor?

Although it is assumed that CMOS has not been manufactured by Fujifilm, from the company has insisted that it is a custom version for this camera, especially with her EXR processor.

Hits: 12 MP Â© QUESABESDE.COM
Catches were made with a Fujifilm FinePix pre-X100 (firmware 0.69):

Note: At the request of Fujifilm Japan has agreed to withdraw QUESABESDE.COM samples taken with a preproduction unit of the FinePix X100, with a view to publishing the short term a more extensive analysis from a final model of the camera.
In this sense, among the options menu provides a dynamic range control settings from 100% to 400%, although the latter value is only operational from 800 ISO. In short, we will post some samples to check the camera performance in this area.
What noise?

Another of the greatest fears of those interested in this camera was what that will endure when the light touches is complicated and increase the sensitivity. Again, the samples are the best answer.

Samples: high sensitivity Â© QUESABESDE.COM

Catches were made with a Fujifilm FinePix pre-X100 (firmware 0.69) with sensitivity settings from 640 to ISO 12800:

ISO 640
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
ISO 12,800
Note: At the request of Fujifilm Japan has agreed to withdraw QUESABESDE.COM samples taken with a preproduction unit of the FinePix X100, with a view to publishing the short term a more extensive analysis from a final model of the camera.
Adjustments between 100 and 12,800 ISO-the latter not available in RAW-format, the camera supports up to 3,200 ISO smooth and even further if the conditions are not very critical. In all cases, the system has remained active noise reduction in standard mode.
What to do with the RAW?

That’s what we ask ourselves after filling out a card with dozens of images in RAW format and verify that there is not any software capable of reading them. Even tried a beta version (and in Japanese!) Of SILKYPIX 5, but no luck. Anyway, there we three files in original format in case anyone is encouraged to investigate.

Samples: RAW Â© QUESABESDE.COM
Catches were made with a Fujifilm FinePix pre-X100 (firmware 0.69). Photographs taken in RAW format and processed using the function included in the camera menus.

Note: At the request of Fujifilm Japan has agreed to withdraw QUESABESDE.COM samples taken with a preproduction unit of the FinePix X100, with a view to publishing the short term a more extensive analysis from a final model of the camera.
For now, what we can do (more to satisfy curiosity, to see the real potential of RAW) is to try to process them and export them to JPEG using the camera function that includes among its menus. That is precisely what we have done with these three images.
“I can leave the charger at home or autonomy is a fair bit?

With all the quotes that requires a non-final model in our quick test battery has supported more than 250 shots (JPEG and RAW formats) and about 20 clips from 10 to 20 seconds each.

Exactly the video recording (although nobody seems to remember, is an option there) seems to be the major consumer of battery, as it was to start experimenting with this feature when the camera started to show signs of exhaustion.

We believe that dosing the use of the screen and restricting the recording of sequences, we can stretch well over the autonomy of this battery of 1,700 mAh.

Is that all?

No. This is just an appetizer for the more impatient. Although circumstances have forced a stay of the X100 among us has been very short, we are working in a field test a little more detail and a video that shows the most interesting features of this camera in action.

Everything is to brighten the wait until we get a final chamber as those hit stores next month’s deck.

Note: Memory cards are pictured in this article have been released by SanDisk as part of an advertising agreement reached between the company and QUESABESDE.COM.

End of translation.

Here’s what I got out of that mess:

They are using firmware 0.69, so not final
Shutter lag is very low (this is THE key feature for a street snapper)
Switch off the electronic sound and the shutter is very quiet
It takes 5 seconds to write a JPG + RAW file to a Class 10 SDHC card but the camera’s buffer allows you to keep snapping in the meanwhile
‘Manual’ focussing actually operates a servo focus motor. Not sure if that matters.
ISO with JPGs goes up to 12,800 but stops at 3,200 for RAW files
The battery lasts 250 snaps only – not great – and burns up faster with movies. (Spare batteries are under $20 in the US). If you are buying this camera to make movies check back with me for the number of a good loony doctor. You are wasting your money – this camera is for street snaps. Period.

By the way, how much longer is Fuji going to keep calling itself Fujifilm? It’s even emblazoned on the X100’s top plate. Time to wake up, boys.

I’ll be writing about mine as soon as I get one, strictly in the context of real world use on the street. If you want pictures of test charts you can go to DPreview.com. Just don’t expect to find any photography there.

Cartoons, grafitti and photographs

February 21, 2011PhotographyThomas Pindelski

A great English tradition.

One essential aspect of my evening paper round when I was a kid was to check the daily JAK cartoon in The Evening Standard. Raymond Jackson (JAK) was their political cartoonist and from that paper round through my emigration many years later all I can remember is permanent labor discord in a nation soon to have its manufacturing base destroyed by its unelected representatives. So JAK was always a reassuring spot of sanity in a world gone mad.

His work covered all aspects of life but it was when he looked at the labor movement that he was at his best. You can see more of his work here.

When the electrical unions went on strike in mid-winter many old people died from hypothermia and JAK was there, in December 1970:

That one had the print unions refusing to run the day’s paper until an apology was published alongside. It was about then that I started having the first inklings that England was not to feature strongly in my future plans.

JAK was one in a long line of English political satirists which started with William Hogarth (1697-1764). Hogarth’s brand of social commentary was typified by Gin Lane (1750) where he graphically illustrated the depredations of alcohol on the poor. The woman on the steps is so soused she fails to notice the dog gnawing on her foot.

After Hogarth, David Low (1891-1963) became the mantle bearer for those with a heart. No more need be added to the fact that Low’s cartoons were banned in fascist Germany.

The contemporary descendant of these great satirists is the English graffiti artist Banksy. His carefully concocted schtick of secrecy and anonymity is in keeping with his art (“Once we catch you we’ll throw the key away”) and disguises one of the world’s highest earning artists. His image would never survive the money. Indeed, go to his web site and click on “Shop” and you are rewarded with …. a blank page!

What prompts these ruminations is that while the work of Banksy is in a line of direct descent from Hogarth, Low and JAK, his is the only genre that cannot survive without photography. You see, the people running The System are so threatened by Banksy’s work that no sooner than a new batch is spotted than it is painted over. So most of it survives only in photographs. You can see why from the following images.

There’s a very funny documentary on US Netflix titled Exit Through the Gift Shop which claims to show a competitor of Banksy’s vying for recognition; the whole thing is a spoof but so well done that you are fooled into thinking it’s a real piece of reporting. Right in keeping with Banksy’s man-against-the-system mindset. Check it out if this is your sort of thing. And keep a camera handy to record Banksy’s ephemera for posterity.

A bigger MBA SSD

February 20, 2011ComputingThomas Pindelski

Looks like an easy ugrade.

When I first reviewed the new 11″ MacBook Air (MBA) I mentioned that a larger 256gB Solid State Drive (SSD) was coming to the aftermarket as a replacement for the small 64gB or 128gB versions Apple ships. Well wouldn’tyou know it, Apple put a kibosh on PhotoFast threatening to pull all their other procurement from the manufacturer if PhotoFast did not cease and desist from making the MBA a more useful tool. You can guess the rest.

Well, that tyranny just ended as MacSales now sells much the same SSD under the name of Mercury Aura Pro Express in capacities of 180, 240 or 360gB for $500 – $1,180. The 240gB is the sweet point in terms of gB per $ at $580. It ships with the required pentalobe screwdriver; Apple arrogantly thought that fitting these unique retainers would stop anyone from opening up the MBA (the company feels increasingly like it’s run by tort lawyers – so much for ‘Think Different’). This special screwdriver is used to remove the ten screws holding the rear cover. It will also work on the latest versions of the iPhone 4 which uses like retainers. Jerks. Removal of one more regular Torx screw frees the SSD for replacement, and MacSales provides that screwdriver also. Like drives are also available for the 13″ MBA.

The PhotoFast SSD promised to ship an external enclosure to make use of the removed original SSD; MacSales does not include that (shame) so you must first make a bootable backup before replacing the original SSD. Use Carbon Copy Cloner to do this. Hopefully aftermarket enclosures will crop up to make use of the removed SSD.

10 external and one internal screw, and the new SSD (circled) is a plug-and-play replacement.

So for $1,000 for the 11″ MBA and $580 for the 240gB SSD upgrade you have an extremely light and capable notebook computer which my earlier tests showed is more than up to the task of running Lightroom 3 and Photoshop on the road. You will need a plug-in adapter for CF cards on either the 11″ or 13″ MBA and an SD card adapter for the 11″ (the 13″ has an SD slot). That’s still a lot of dollars per gigabyte but in the recorded history of man slim, light and fast have never been cheap.

I am finding that the 11″ MBA is the perfect size for occasional computing, lacking the added optical drive and backlit keyboard of the MacBook Pro but weighing in at 2.3 lbs vs. 4.5 lbs for the 13″ MBP. The MBA has a 5 hr battery life vs. up to 10 for the MBP. This piece was written on my MBA.

If you want to make the MBA into your primary computer (it accepts external large displays for home use) the addition of increased SSD capacity described above may make sense.