I spent a week on the island of Amrum, loacted in northern Germany, close to the Danish border. During the trip I took mostly landscape shots with the m.Zuiko 7-14mm f2.8.
New Heavy-duty Buzzer
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.
Power Olympus Cameras from a 5 V Source
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.
Sudan 2017 gallery is online
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.
“Licancabur 2017” gallery is online
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.
Back from Sudan
I was diving the area south of Port Sudan towards the Eritrean border. I used the trip to test dive computers and to do some research on the position of a wreck I’m looking for. Pictures of the trip will be shown in the gallery soon.
Using a Powerbank as power supply for Olympus cameras
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.
Back from South America!
I have been on an expedition in South America. We wanted to dive a crater lake at 5900m altitude to test outdoor and diving equipment. Sadly, the weather was too bad to achieve our goal. Nevertheless, I had a great time in Bolivia and Chile. During the next few days, I will process pictures from the trip and upload them to a gallery on this site.
Limitted responds
I am intensely working on a project for the next two weeks. This prevents me to be online as often as usual. Please apollogize for any inconvenience caused by late responses to inquiries.
BLH-1 Battery Dummy available!
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.