BLX-1 Battery Adapter now available!

BLX-1 Akkuadapter
BLX-1 Akkuadapter

I recently received a request to build a BLX-1 battery dummy. After designing and building a prototype, I successfully tested the prototype on an OM-1 at Fotozentrum in Krems (Austria).

As a result of theis test, I am now building BLX-1 battery adapters on request.

I don’t know of a source for spare part OM-1 battery compartment lids. Therefore I can’t provide modified battery compatment lids yet. The dummy is secured by the red notch that also keeps the battery from falling out of the camera. The dummy will stay in place, even when the lid is open or removed.

More info about battery dummies on my Battery-Dummies page.

Party-Phone Project

Wählscheibentelefon Jahrgang 1962
Rotary Dial Phone 1962

I am right now working on a new project. I turn an old mechanical dial phone into an accoustic guest book.

Users may lift the receiver, dial a number and thus trigger an anouncement. They are invited to leave a message after the tone.

The telephone is designed for autonomous operation. Connected to a computer, it can set to act as a USB drive. Messages aer recorded as OGG audio files to save storage space.

I built a first prototype inside a white model 1962 phone. The phone is already working with basic functionality.  It contains a set of configurable functions. I will test, optimise and extend functionality during the next few weeks.

I will publish project details on a dedicated page in the near future.

For details see my Guest Book page.

Exhibition “simply dying”

Plakat zur Ausstellung "einfach nur sterben"I am presenting the results of a recent photo project in an exhibition named “simply dying”. It consists of 12 pictures showing synonyms for dying or death. Since these synonyms are rather culture specific, they can’t be transpalted properly. They are phrases like “kicking the bucket”, “meeting your maker “and similar (maybe I will add an english version in the future).

The pictures are shown at the Viennese Funeral Museum during the Long Night of the Museums on October 7th 2023.

PhotoBooth LED Ring Service V1.9.16 available!

LED Ring LED48SFD
LED Ring LED48SFD

The new version has an improved support for larger rings. It also improves the installerby optimizing automated detection of controllers. Firmware 2.06 or later is required for the Ring Controller Micro to use improved functionality.

Detection of controllers in the LED Ring Configurator is also improved.

The new setup image is available in the LED Ring Service download area.

Angle-Finder Adapter for the OM-5

OM-5 mit Winkelsucher
OM-5 with Angle Finder

Reinhard Wagner is currently busy preparing his next book about the OM-5. During his research, he found out, that the angle-finder adapter suitable for the OM-D E-M5ii also fits the OM-5. Therefore, all angle finders supported by my adaptors may be also used with the OM-5.

This also applies to the eye-piece adaptors I offer.

Thanks to Reinhard for providing me a picture of the OM-5 with mounted VA-1 angle finder.

More about the adaptors on my Angle Finder Adaptor and Eye-Piece Adaptor pages.

Photo Project “simply dying”

einfach nur sterben
“simply dying”

In 2016, I had an idea for a concept to this series of pictures. The theme itself goes through my head for much longer. I had a few pictures in my mind but didn’t find a connecting line between them until then. Clinging to this idea, I started sketching pictures and collecting further ideas. The sketches were fine-tuned until I was satisfied with the concept.

Death is a widely neglected and avoided topic. The pictures show (German) words and phrases, used to avoid the simple word Death. Some of the pictures are pretty straight forward addressing the topic, others do it more subtle, but all of them with a smile. They are mostly following a memento mori motif. All pictures are in black and white, have a square aspect ratio andare created out of camera, without any post-processing on the computer.

The picture above was taken in a break between two of the planned pictures.

All 13 pictures were taken between November 13th to 14th 2022 at Reinhard Wagner’s Studio at Rocksdorf. With the help of a great team I was able to take the pictures at a record breaking speed. Thanks to my models Moni and Rowdy, Sebastian and Reinhard for their support and especially Reinhard for the infrastructure. It’s great fun to work in a team like this!

The concept includes presentations as a calendar and in exhibitions.

Photo Booth LED Ring Service 1.9.13 available!

LED Ring LED48SFD
LED Ring LED48SFD

The new version extends installer functionality. It includes support for automated detection of the older Controller Nano. Thhis makes the installation even easier.

The LED Ring Configurator now allows to update the controller firmware.

The new setup image is available in the LED Ring Service download area.

Project: large eye-cup for the OM-1

OM-1 Augenmuschel
OM-1 Augenmuschel, drehbar

I developped a large eye-cup for the OM-1. It shades the eye far better than the original eye-cup. Currently, I designed two prototypes with differend advantages and disadvantages.
The other model supports the eye-sensor but doesn’t allow to rotate the hood. It will be available as dedicated left or right eye model.

One of the models features a rotating eye-cup that allows to adjust for the right or left eye or for landscape and portrait. This model doesn’t alow to use the eye-sensor.

OM-1 Augenmuschel
OM-1 Augenmuschel mit Augensensor-Öffnung

Both models use original OM-1 parts to mount the hood to the camera. This ensures that the hood keeps fixedto the camera like the original eye-cup.

Up to now, there are only two prototypes available. The parts hafe fine details so I have to validate printability of the rubber parts before uploading the parts in my webshop.

Developing such projects implies costs that I have to pay, even if the project fails. I will therefore evaluate all options to minimize risks.

You may follow the project on its project page which will be updated in regular intervals.

If you are interested, please drop me a line through my contact form.

Iceland Explorer Tour 2022

Kratersee im nördlichen Island.
Crater lake in northern Iceland

In the course of an exploration tour I led together with Harald Hois, we managed to visit remote places. We had the chance to dive at rarely visited spectacular sites and even managed to do a first-time dive in a remote northern crater lake.

Due to the guiding, I didn’t take much photos during this trip but modeled under water for Harald Hois. I will show pictures of the trip in a few weeks in my gallery.