i’m not crazy (maybe)

So after burning like 5 rolls of film, I’ve finally concluded that my 50mm/1.5 nokton lens works just fine on my Bessa R, but not on my Bessa R3M. On the R3M, the focus is consistently off (actual focus is in front of where I think it is). But when I use my 40mm/1.4 nokton (a different lens) on my R3M, the focus is spot on.

I had sent the 50mm/1.5 in for repair because it was behaving strangely. Turning the focus was very stiff & sticky. This made it very hard to try and focus because it would jerk, rather than rotating smoothly. Anyway, sent it off and it came back better (much better), but not “like new”.

To check it out, I shot some stuff with it on my better camera (the R3M) but it didn’t look like it was focusing properly. So I did a roll to test the focus using that camera and all 3 of my lenses. The outcome of that was confusing, but I was starting to fear that the R3M itself was unable to focus correctly.

So, to try and clarify, I shot a whole roll in the R3M with the 40mm and every shot was properly focused. So I went back to believing the 50mm lens was bad. I shot a roll on the R3M with the 50mm, and yes the focus was consistently off.

So now I’m thinking, well the 50mm lens is clearly dorked somehow. But why am I not having trouble when I use it in practice (on the Bessa R)?

So, I shot a roll to test the focus of the 50mm lens on the R. And the focus is right on for every shot!

Sheesh.

So, it looks like I have to use the 50mm/1.5 on the Bessa R only. The 40mm/1.4 will only fit on the R3M because it’s M-mount rather than screw mount.

I haven’t determined if the 90mm/3.5 works on both or neither camera. I guess I’ll have to do that, but I don’t use that lens much.

*sigh*

I’m dreaming of an apple kindle-killer

I’ve heard of some using the ipod touch as a “portable computer”. (I thought it was on luminous landscape, but couldn’t find the ref.) What would be even better, would be an “oversized” ipod touch.

I’m imagining a large ipod touch which is all screen. Thinner than an iphone, but probably a bit thicker than ipod touch. Perhaps some buttons on the sides/top for on/off, scroll control, volume, but pretty much all touch screen on the front. The aim would be to minimize the margin around the screen. The screen itself should be the same size as a book, eg 6″x9″ or 4″x7″ or around there somewhere. A slightly bigger size would enable a better touch keyboard.

Oh yeah: Please, please, please let it use keyboard & mouse via bluetooth!

how to monetize twitter

I figured out how Twitter is gonna monetize. Actually it’s pretty elegant, if I do say so myself.

There are other products and services sprouting up around twitter. They all use the twitter API to extend and enhance the basic twitter services. The natural response is head scratching and wondering “why doesn’t twitter do these things, or buy these other companies and incorporate these fabulous enhancements?”

That is to say, when you start using these other services, you realize how much the basic twitter interface stinks.

So, here’s the plan:

Twitter will always stay very simple, perhaps even frustrating, but free. Then they will charge others to access the API. Other services built on the back of twitter will try a wide variety of options to fund the service. Some will offer enhanced services for pay, some will offer lower-grade services for free, but with advertising, etc. In any case, it will create a competitive environment which will, through the magic of natural selection, find the best solution for funding the twitter service.

Often the best solution to a hard problem is to create a market, and let the market find the solution. Genetic programming.

target store in kapolei opens

Just happened to be near the new Target Store in Kapolei about the time it was going to open for the first time, today. (I had just dropped kids at school nearby.) So I went over to check it out.

The most fun part was when the staff came out and did their song & dance. I don’t know the words, but something like “can I help you find something?” was definitely in there.

KHON2 was covering they event. I was taking pictures with my iPhone, and not in line. I hope I didn’t ruin any of the news guy’s shots by standing in the wrong place.

See and download the full gallery on posterous