Rand Farm Park
We are working at Rand Farm Park today installing a new webcam in the main animal barn.
For more on this story see the post on the Octagon Technology blog here.
Photography
645 Pro Camera App
Having seen 645 Pro app trailed last week, I decided quite quickly on Saturday evening to buy another camera app for my iPhone.
I gave the manual a quick look over on Saturday and then went out and used it Sunday morning.
It is a complicated app to use – with all the functions driven from the main screen, using small button, and on first use, in bright sunshine where I was struggling to see the iPhone screen I had some difficulty using the camera. However with practice the strength of this app is that all the controls are alway available, making creative choices easy.
There were several features I was really interested in.
Film Stock
It comes with built-in filters that emulate traditional film stock results. I especially like the K14, a saturated colour result similar to Kodachrome and H5, a high contrast filter that emulate Ilford HP5 mono film.
Various frame ratios
I do like Jag.gr’s 6×6 camera – and the square format is included in the options.
Live View
Both of the above functions will display live in the view finder, so you will see a mono square image if you have those options selected.
Below are some comparison photos. Not as sharp as I wanted but they show the colours.
taken with 645 Pro K14 6×6
taken with Camera+
the Camera+ image – post processed with Camera+’s polarizing filter.
If there is a problem with this app it is that it is slow to use. The viewfinder is “laggy” as you pan and tilt looking for your shot. There is an occasional delay after pressing the shutter release and a longer delay before the app returns control to the user. Because of this I was struggling to get the framing right on some moving leaves when using the camera last Sunday.
I am pleased with the array of functions available in this app and look forward to using it over the coming months however its complexity relegates this app to my second camera “when I have time”. Camera+ is still my go to camera replacement app, it is quick to use and has a flexible focus and exposure system. I have taken some of my “Photo a day” images this week with 645 Pro but Camera+ is still the one I am using the most, and remains the camera app I would recommend to people, as it meets most people’s needs. I have only recommended 645 Pro to one friend who is a really keen photographer as he will get some fun and benefit from the app.
Overall I am pleased I bought this app and I am looking forward to any updates that will address the issues.
645 Pro Camera App Read More »
MSR PocketRocket Stove – Test
Today’s “photo of the day” is testing the MSR stove.
When Jeremy and I got in we decided to test the MSR Pocket Rocket stove in the backgarden.
The assembly of the stove was very easy, the large knurled bottom of the stove helped with this and assisted with keeping the stove straight on the canister as it was screwed in. Then we tried out the stability of our MSR titanium mug and Titan kettle which we found very good, due to the angled pot stand arms.
As per the instructions we did not use a windshield and depended on the “Wind Clip™ wind shield”, these are the three small metal fins on the burner.
The stove was set up in an exposed position and there was a strong breeze. The burner lit easily even in the breeze – and we put 300ml of water on to boil, in the MSR titanium mug with lid. The Wind Clip worked as from time to time as the breeze picked up we could hear the flame stutter but it did not go out.
In this exposed position it took 2mins 30secs to bring the water to a rolling boil. When camping it would be possible to give the stove some shelter behind the tent so decreasing this boil time.
Following this test it only took a couple of minutes for the stove to cool sufficiently for it to be handled and packed away.
This was a garden test, which showed this is a good stove – we’ll test it some more when we go backpacking next.
MSR PocketRocket Stove – Test Read More »
One more photo for today
I missed this one earlier today when making my previous post.
One more photo for today Read More »
A walk between the showers
A short walk across the fields today – between the showers. There were some very impressive clouds covering Lincolnshire today.
I put a small brewkit in my pocket – titanium mug with lid, a beaker, spork, a solid fuel stove and some aluminium foil for a wind break.
A walk between the showers Read More »
