Recently, I was again modelling for Harald Hois in an Austrian mountain lake. My red gear creates a nice accent and contrast, exspecially in shallow water.
I will extend my equipment by red fins and another mask that allows better view of the face.
Two of the pictures may be viewed in my Model Gallery.
Who says, that you can’t mount a threaded filter on top of the Zuiko 7–14 mm f2.0 lens? With a filter diameter of 105 mm it is possible. I tested with the bare holder for vignetting. Up to now, the results are promising.
I designed and built a prototype on request. I couldn’t test the holder yet. None of the dealers in my vicinity stocks filters of that diameter. Since I wasn’t willing to spend more than 200 € for a quick test, I have to be patient. My customer will test the holder and I will report the results.
Polarizers are expected to produce strange effects when pointed at the sky. Nevertheless, they should remove reflections quite good across the whole image.
I made the BLN-1 battery cover available in my Shapeways shop. If you don’t have access to a 3D-printer you may order the cover at Shapeways. They will print the item in SLS and deliver it right to you. If the service is suitable for other projects, I will deploy them to my Shapeways shop.
I built a new buzzer for photo booths. The new case is even more stable than its predecessor. As a bonus, it allows charging two AA cells independently without opening the case. The receiver is implemented using a Yongnuo RF-603. It may be expanded with a USB-dongle that emulates a left mouse click or hitting a key on a keyboard.
I performed tests to power Olympus cameras (OM-D E-M1) from a 5 V source. The voltage of 7.5 to 7.6 V required by the camera was delivered by a DC-DC step-up converter.
In general, powering a camer this way is possible. I just couldn’t find a power source yet that allows to drive the camera without restrictions. Even a wall wart delivering 2 A maximum current wasn’t enough to get single frame pictures at a decent pace. Too short image intervals caused troubles saving the taken pictures. Common USB chargers won’t drive the camera even in idle mode.
Maybe a power source delivering 2.5 or 3 A may do the trick. I couldn’t verify it yet.
I have selected a couple of pictures of my recent trip to the Sudan. They may be seen here in my gallery.
I am still searching for the wreck of the Aurora, lying at Wingate Reef. As far as I know, she sank on November 23rd 2004 during a storm. She is reported to lie at about 20 meters depth in the vicinity of the Umbria. The image shows the Aurora on her last trip in October 2002.
I am glad about any hint leading me to the exact position of the wreck. If you know about the wreck, please tell me through my contact form.
I selected a couple of pictures from my expedition to Mount Licancabur to be shown in my gallery. Althoug we didn’t succeed in reaching the summit and diving the crater lake, the trip left deep and vivid impressions. We’ll have a second try for sure.
I am in the process to evaluate a converter that allows to power Olympus cameras (and others, with appropriate voltage settings) from Powerbanks, that provide up to 2000 mA at 5V through USB sockets.
If the tests are successful, I will present the solution here with cabling and a 3D printed housing.
After a series of tests I have built a BLH-1 battery dummy for Olympus cameras (currently the OM-D E-M1 Mark II). Since the battery is larger than other models, the lid of the battery compartment is also bigger. This allows to cut a slot for the cable to pass through while the lid is closed. You shouldn’t do this to the original lid. That’s why I currently try to get spare battery compartment lids for the camera.
You may find more details about battery dummies on my Battery Dummy Page.
I have been to Indonesia in November 2016 for six weeks. Finally, I managed to weed out my pictures and select a few for display. I created three galleries representing the areas of Lembeh, Raja Ampat and Halmahera.