Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Dear Kerby,

I has been some time since Fuji made the first Instax camera. This Instax camera takes instant film. Majority of the cameras on the market take a mini instant film about the size of a standard business card while the wide film is the size of about of two business cards or twice the mini. Only a few instant wide cameras have be produced thus far.

Over the past two years I have been following the Lomography website with its expansion of instant cameras that use the Instax film. Lomography produced a new line of cameras a well as a back for preexisting cameras to be able to use the Instax film. I do not have a camera like a Diana F+ or a Belair that I can just buy the back I would need to buy the camera and the back or a new instant camera.

In my mind the Lomo' Instant Wide is the top instant camera I have been constant reading about. I can do double exposures, colored flash and long exposures. With the extra lens attachments it can produce an ultra wide photo as well as a close up. Thinking of either the white or black camera (mostly white). The wide film is not as easy to come by as the mini.

While it is a little more expensive than the Lomo' Instant Wide my second choice is the InstantFlex TL70. The InstantFlex takes mini film unlike my first choice. This camera is modeled after a true twin lens reflex camera. The film ejects from inside the viewfinder area and the nameplate on the front flips around to reveal a flash.

I have been told that if you buy the Instax film in bulk that you will be able to save money compared to going locally and buying a pack at a time. It varies from place to place with the mini film but they do make fun bordered film rather than always have the classic white version. I have seen Star Wars film in the mini. With the wide one can only buy it with the white border. Bothe the mini and the wide to come in a black and white option.

I do love taking pictures with a shallow depth of field none of the cameras can do so. The Instaflex works with a f/5.6, f/8, f/16, f/22, f/bokeh aperture compared to the f/8 and f/22 the Lomo' Instant Wide produces. The f/5.6 is not bad as a standard aperture but since I do not use an f/22 on a normal slr camera I feel it would rarely be of use to me on this camera.

It might be a while before I make my decision on buying an instant camera. I would not be apposed to having some get it for me as a birthday or Christmas gift.

Talk to you later, Bluelaugh

Instant

Friday, November 11, 2016

Dear Kerby,

In the late '90s somewhere between 4th and 5th grade I got to go on another summer vacation. Summer vacations were a regular thing for me, even if it was only a week long. I remember spending time Salem, MA. It was only about a day or so but none the less it was still enjoyable when I was that young.

The town had some sort of antique/resale shop that peaked my interest. I got a few things from that shop. One of them was a hefty, metal peace sign belt buckle. The belt buckle was hand made in fashion with the hammered metal feel. When I got home I knew the exact belt I was going to use the buckle on. This belt came from one of the novelty venders at the county fair. It had a stamped design of eagles all around. I even had an arrow head eagle buckle on it. This buckle was no more. I took off the old buckle to use the new peace sign.

I had many problems with the belt buckle when I was using it at school. The buckle would come unattached. I remember in P.E. I had to keep adjusting it. I adjusted it so much that the teacher was wondering what I was doing. With this problem I stopped using the belt and the buckle. Years later after I started college I rediscovered the buckle. I got a belt that fit me. This made all the difference. The buckle never slipped off. The belt became something that I wore with every outfit I owned.

Recently, I got my Fitbit and I started watching what I eat. I was not "fat" but I was not in the most healthy state. This resulted in the belt and buckle not fitting quite right even though it was as tight as can be. I gave in and got a new belt. Along with the new belt came a new belt buckle. I ended up ordering this belt from Foster Weld and a customized copper wooden buckle from Shop Joyo.

Yes, I did mention that the belt buckle was customizable. I had some song lyrics from a Kimya Dawson song put into the wood. When read sideways the belt buckle reads "I am grounded   |   I am humbled    |   I am one with everything" These lyrics from the song are with me wherever I go. I am reminded to be better and do better. Overall, it is a fun song to sing as are all Kimya Dawson songs. I am sure that I will not buy a new belt or belt buckle for years.

Talk to you later, Bluelaugh

Peace

Friday, August 12, 2016

Dear Kerby,

In June I got some new natural Schmidt's Deodorant to replace the bad kind I was using. The paste worked extremely well about 95% of the time. I had a few sweat issues that did not last long. After I went through two small jars of paste in two months time I switched to the stick. I find the stick to have the same strong scent as the paste. I took off my black shirt from work and found white pit stains. I put the deodorant on after putting the shirt on. What gives? I am going to see how long the stick last compared to the paste. Still loving the deodorant.

In June my mom got me some new white record dividers for my ever growing record collection. She sent them with my brother to have labels painted on them. I have not seen them since. Most likely August will come and go and I will not see them. I need to reorganize my records when the dividers come in just to make sure I have the right categories when I checked my genres a while back.

Due to me working on editing photos, working at the restaurant, and looking for a new job I have not had the time to use my new camera. I would love to get familiar with it before assigning myself to do multiple photo shoots. I could read the manual all day and change all the settings I like to make it "my camera" but that does not make me an expert. Every place I go challenges me with the camera settings I need to use.

This guy at work is still being a flirt/tease. He has this personality that makes you love him and joke around with him. From time to time he drops subtle hints that he is into women but he does not actually come out and say it. I get the hint from him some times when I go a little too far on the "gay" comments. I started seeing him at the restaurant where I work back in June and he started working with us in July. He works up stairs at the bar and I work in the kitchen. He is one of those fit muscle guys that cane not keep his hand off the food. As a result of that he is constantly in the kitchen. It is not that I can really have him because I have a man of my own.

I can not believe "summer" is over and the school buses are back on the roads. I recall the days I was in public school and all the memories come crashing into one giant looped highlight reel.

Talk to you later,
Bluelaugh

Update It

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Dear Kerby,

In July I had a birthday. I was asked the first time what I wanted for my birthday. I told my mom I wanted a set of dividers for my records. That was fine. She got them. My brother has them so that he can paint the correct genre labels on them. Closer to my birthday my mom asked me again what I wanted for my birthday. I told her I was saving up for a camera. I was looking for a used model, body only. When my mom asked what the used prices were I knew something was going to happen.

My mom had me on eBay one weekend searching for the Nikon DF camera I wanted at a price she could afford. I lost one auction but then made an offer on another. When the offer expired I put a bid on another camera with a body, lens, and battery. It was a refurbished camera with the whole package. I was surprised that my mom wanted to spend that money on a new camera for me. I offered to pay for part of it due to it being a tad more than she thought it would be. Later on I got my money back when she decided to pay 100% of the cost.

Later on after my birthday I got an Amazon gift card. This went to buying a camera card a bag. The seller had bag dimensions that were close to the size of the camera bag insert size. To my knowledge the insert would fit in any bag that was the right size to turn it into a camera bag. This particular insert was described a shockproof as well as padded. Moving over to ETSY I found a camera strap. I would say that this strap is made from the webbing strips of the old folding lawn chairs. The strap has three stripes: navy blue, light blue, and copper brown. I am waiting for the packages to arrive so I can use the camera.

With the new camera came more pixels and a larger size. This means that I might have to resize the photos to fit on the internet. I hope that this does not become a problem. I am looking forward to higher quality prints and maybe going with larger frames every once in a while. I like my double 12x24 inch frame and I might not give that up any time soon.

I have no plans to give up my Nikon 1 V1 camera any time soon. I love the cameras compact size and ability to take video (not that I do much video). I plan to keep it in the same case/bag as a grab and go option for when I want to use the camera, this is partly why I am getting a new bag for the new camera.

Talk to you later,
Bluelaugh

Update Your Camera

Monday, June 13, 2016

Dear Kerby,

I have been looking at my next purchase with my photography equipment. This is something I would need to plan into my budget and not forget the other items that my money will be going to.

My first small purchase would be a few camera cards. I am looking at another SD card card for my Nikon1 V1. The card would have to be of a higher complicity so I do not rely on the computer. On the flip side I have an old Nikon D70 which takes a Compact Flash card. I feel this format has died out due to the ease of destroying the little needle like pins that the card mush make contact to read/write to the card. In my mind I would like to pick up that camera and start to use it again. A few of my manual lenses would work with ease on the D70 without the need for an adapter.

A medium size purchase would be to get some sort of a ringflash. A ringflash is a "doughnut" or ring of light that sits on the end of a lens. The flash like light effects the image coming into the camera. With the light sitting closer it does not create dark shadows like a traditional flash sitting farther away on top of the camera. The Nikon1 system of cameras has an accessories port rather than a standard hot shoe making it difficult to trigger the ringflash. Lomography website sells a ringflash that comes with a set of colored filters to create fun colored photos. On the other side, Photojojo sells a more sophisticated and professional ringflash. This flash attaches to the front of the lens with a series of screw on adapters. Sorry, no filters.

The larger of the purchases would be to get a new lens. Yes, I said new. The lenses I have a mostly manual and have been either given to me on have been purchased used/as is. The only electronic lenses I have are the ones that came with either camera body. The new lens I am looking into is the Petzval 85. I have not found another lens that I am into at the moment. The lens not only functions as a lens to take crisp clean photos but has an artistic side.

Talk to you later,
Bluelaugh

What to Buy?

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Dear Kerby,

When I got a new iMac in October 2015 I had the trial version of the Adobe Creative Cloud or CC programs. Not only did I want to try them out before buying them, but I wanted a few weeks free. At this point I knew what the basics were since I was working with the Adobe graphic programs for several years now. Having the free trial of CC helped me save my money and brought me up to speed with the new features. The trial ended and the programs became locked while still installed on my computer. The only way to use the CC was to pay for one month. 

Since having the CC I worked on projects that were previously unfinished along with new and upcoming ideas. For some reason I felt like I wanted to be back at my last school where we produced  projects every few weeks. Producing graphic design projects help keep my mind on something enjoyable.

The job I had ended, in October, and so did my income. With no job eventually came an end to the design programs. I still have all my files saved on my verious drives but it was a must to have the CC version. Without specially saving the programs for previous versions I could not use them elsewhere. saving for older versions may encounter data loss.

Since no CC I have been looking at different pendant lights and sofas because of my other enjoyment; interior design. Today I felt like sewing some pillows. The site Ikea Hackers has also peaked my interest. The hackers site reminds me of how sellers update antiques on ETSY.

In the end I feel like getting up and doing things while also being creative.

Talk to you later,
Bluelaugh

Projects

Monday, January 25, 2016

Dear Kerby,

Somehow I have been thinking of a lot about items I could spend money on. Most of these items I could currently do without. It is sort of like a wish list that will never be real, maybe only for my mind. Oh yeah, I have a real set of wish lists through Amazon.

One item on my mind is a new phone. I do not need one but it would be nice. Mine has a few problems.

  • The phone is an old model because they have on model newer.
  • I go a phone case when the phone arrived. The case is not the best. I do not want to invest into this phone only to get a new one.
  • I believe that I got my last update that available for this phone this past fall. It can no longer have software updates.
  • Places can recycle my old phone.
Here is the downside to getting a new phone:
  • Do I really need one? This phone does what I want it to do.
  • Can I recycle my old phone case?
  • Will a new phone without a contract cost more that I expect?

Another item on my imaginary wish list happens item is a new Fitbit. Fitbit has recently come out with the Blaze (currently for preorder only on the Fitbit website). In the future I will most likely see it in stores with the other products in the line.

  • The Blaze has a screen than gives off more information about being active.
  • The screen is in color.
  • I can give my current Fitbit to someone that will use it.
  • It comes with a Plum wristband just like the one I currently use.
On the other side:
  • What I have works fine for what I need.
  • I could spend my money somewhere else.
  • Will it help me be more active/motivated than I currently am?
  • Not sure I want to have multiple watch band for the tracker. I do not go many place where I need to change styles.

What are some items on your wish list? Are these items you need or want? Would you ever pay for them yourself if you had the money for them?

Talk to you later,
Bluelaugh

Update

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