The local ABC news affiliate visited our middle school yesterday. They came to report on the iPads being used by the sixth graders. Just in case they came into my classroom, I shined up the Commodore PET 4032. so that there could be a comparison between technology of today and technology of 1980. Unfortunately, they went to other classes and just videotaped the iPads in use. Darn! I could have made a good case for Commodore. :)
As reported on the 6 o'clock news at
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/education&id=7977103
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
It's been my experience that retro and vintage computers are only appreciated by a select few people of good taste. I've come to conclude that Commodore has lost its relevance in the public consciousness, having become little more than a footnote in the development of our modern culture. Even a modern release of an original Commodore 64, or a modern Linux or Windows based counterpart, would be little more than a novelty.
Quote from: Paul on March 02, 2011, 04:59:47 PMIt's been my experience that retro and vintage computers are only appreciated by a select few people of good taste.
Which reminds me to call or e-mail the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Ever since the original Vintage Computer Festival went a.w.o.l., there has been nothing coming out of CHS in terms of a retro/vintage computer show.
FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
An excellent idea, Robert. That reminds me, I'll need to look into starting up a similar sort of festival this summer north of the border, or at least start poking around and see if I can stir up any interest.
Quote from: Paul on March 07, 2011, 04:24:38 PM...I'll need to look into starting up a similar sort of festival this summer north of the border...
North of your border? Wouldn't that place it in the frozen floes of the Arctic Ocean? ;)
FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
Quote from: RobertB on March 07, 2011, 08:10:39 PM
Quote from: Paul on March 07, 2011, 04:24:38 PM...I'll need to look into starting up a similar sort of festival this summer north of the border...
North of your border? Wouldn't that place it in the frozen floes of the Arctic Ocean? ;)
Global warming has changed things lately...:)
Unfortunately retro computing is ignored by just about everybody these days. I don't like it either but its hard to change peoples conceptions. Recently a radio station I listen to CHBM in toronto did make mention of a new commodore look a like reported on the web but treated it as a bad joke and quickly made a laughing stock of it. Unprofessional to say the least but people don't know better.
Truth is companies like commodore and their ilk did most of the innovating in the early micro years, far more than the current crop of manufacturers dominating the industry. Without companies like Commodore, Atari and a number of others the idea that computers should be affordable for everyone would be an unknown concept but instead would simply be an overpriced commodity.
I do support the idea of some kind of event though but it will be a hard sell, most of the retro events I've seen in past few years are attended by the same people who are already in the hobby. We should try to come up with something that would be noticable to a wider audience. I often run into people who once owned and used commmodore, atari or other computers now considered retro so there are a scant few around. Something visible to the public and showing that we retro computer users are not lunatics would be a very good idea.
I think part of the reason why retro computing events are largely ignored is because those who tend to organize and attend such events get so hung up on the details, they miss the bigger picture. For example, when the Commodore 64 came out, it impressed those of us who learned on a PET and owned a Vic 20, and soon after the PET was considered a boat anchor, and the Vic 20's only redeeming quality was that its keyboard could be used in a Commodore 64. The 64 gained a lot of momentum, found its ways into a lot of homes, and became a pop culture icon. Notice that today it's the beige rounded C64 that gets the attention and not the sleeker white wedge-shaped version. People don't care that other machines were technically superior; all they remember was playing Summer Games and Jumpman with their friends, and that the Commodore 64 was the cool computer that all the cool kids had.
A modern retro computing event seems to want to cover all the computers, so it becomes more of a retro computer museum event. To most people, that's like lining up all of the popular MP3 players over the past 10 years at one event, when all they really care to see is the iPod. It's true, the wider audience is really that shallow. It's why the Atari Flashback 2 did so well. They want to see the icons of the era, and the TRS-80 Model 100 that showed the orders at the McDonald's they worked at as a kid isn't that icon.
Honestly, I think a retro computing event is too much of one thing to hold the attention of the wider audience for very long. Imagine if there were a retro photography event. Yes, Retro photography is real, and there are quite a few people that are into it, but the events tend to involve only those that are already into retro photography. To the wider audience accustomed to cheap, sharp digital, it's a lot of musty old equipment that isn't going to be worth the trouble.
If we really want the broader appeal; say, to grow the value of our classics over time, we need to be more receptive of modern technology wrapped in a retro shell. Consider the Fuji Finepix X100:
(http://7.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/fuji-x100-360.jpg)
A very retro-looking shell, which functions a lot like the retro camera it emulates, but inside it's a thoroughly modern digital camera with no place for film. A number of big camera manufacturers are bringing high quality retro reproductions with a modern twist to market, and both retro photography enthusiasts and modern photographers alike are buying these cameras. I'd love for Pentax to catch on and release a full sensor digital that accurately reproduces the simplicity of the K1000, but I digress.
Recently, a company brought to market a modern PC running Linux wrapped in a Commodore 64-like shell. This is what I would consider the retro computing equivalent of a "High quality reproduction with a modern twist." Unfortunately, this has been meet with heavy criticism from those who are already into the retro computing scene, due to the fact that it's not really a Commodore 64. I think we should be more receptive of this type of thing if we want the interest of the wider audience; just as someone who buys a Fuji Finepix X100 may be more inclined to become interested in retro photography after buying the Finepix just for its style, so might someone who bought one of those modern C64's may wish to get into retro computing.
Quote from: Paul on May 16, 2011, 06:20:07 AMIf we really want the broader appeal; say, to grow the value of our classics over time, we need to be more receptive of modern technology wrapped in a retro shell. Consider the Fuji Finepix X100...
It seems like a fine camera. However, since I am predominantly into film, I look into upgrading. For example, I want more lenses for my Bronica GS-1 or even replacing my Nikon N80 body with that of a Nikon F5.
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
I'm more of a Pentax fan myself; I still have the K-1000 and 28mm lens I started out with in the early 80's, along with the F1.7 50mm, all manner of filters, close-ups, and attachments; P3n body, 35-70mm and 70-200mm zoom lenses I bought later to supplement it. Often I feel like I should shoot more film; I've built up my Pentax collection to include the MX body (another Pentax cult classic), as well as a more modern MZ-6 body which came with a brilliant 28-90mm kit lens. I also acquired a 17mm fisheye which is absolutely stunning. The problem is, these lenses fit and work fine on my modern digital Pentax K-x (which came with its own versatile 18-55mm kit lens), and my K-x can go into full manual mode complete with TTL metering (I configured the "Green" button for DOF preview, which engages the meter). The only drawback is the fact that the sensor size isn't a full 35mm frame, which means I'm not utilizing the entire lens right to the edge. I still get the vintage feel of turning the aperture and focus rings and even gray-carding my light readings, and I can shoot hundreds or even thousands of shots without investing in the expense of having the pictures developed. With the "Digital Darkroom," I get more control over the end result than I ever could with film.
This one was shot this weekend with the old 200mm zoom lens:
(http://pquirk.com/gallery/skylon.JPG)
Here's one taken with the old fisheye:
(http://pquirk.com/gallery/casino.JPG)
Thanks to digital processing, I was able to turn what would have been mediocre shots into something a little more stunning.
Do you have an on-line gallery, Robert?
Quote from: Paul on May 16, 2011, 11:37:06 AMI'm more of a Pentax fan myself; I still have the K-1000 and 28mm lens I started out with in the early 80's...
I was tempted to get a Pentax long ago, but I tended more toward the Olympus OM-1 (though I never got one).
QuoteThanks to digital processing, I was able to turn what would have been mediocre shots into something a little more stunning.
Heh, I nearly always get a CD of photos along with my film processing. Then I can load that CD into the Powerbook or iMac and enhance them.
QuoteDo you have an on-line gallery, Robert?
No, I don't. Do you have a recommendation for a good one?
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 03:55:19 PM
I was tempted to get a Pentax long ago, but I tended more toward the Olympus OM-1 (though I never got one).
My K-1000 was a gift from my father. He bought it gently used; he needed the 50mm lens, and the purchase came with the 28mm and 50mm; he later gave me the 50mm when he moved to an autofocus 50mm lens. It was worth it, because it's the all metal K-1000. I made sure to photograph my first born son with that exact camera and lens, so you could say I've become very biased towards Pentax.
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 03:55:19 PMHeh, I nearly always get a CD of photos along with my film processing. Then I can load that CD into the Powerbook or iMac and enhance them.
I did that a few times when my SLR's were still film-only. DSLR's have come down so much recently, why not cut out the middleman?
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 03:55:19 PM
QuoteDo you have an on-line gallery, Robert?
No, I don't. Do you have a recommendation for a good one?
I usually put my stuff on Facebook or on my own web host, but a lot of photographers seem to really like Flickr. I have a little-used account there that I'll probably start using a bit more. I also suggest photo.net for getting a critique of your pictures, and I've always liked dpreview.com's forums and reviews if you ever think of switching to digital. You really should think about it, Robert. Switching to a digital DSLR body, that is. It's quite liberating; especially if you're into experimental photography like I am. Consider this image of a dandelion, shot with a 28mm lens switched end-for-end with an adapter:
(http://pquirk.com/gallery/dandelion.JPG)
It took a dozen shots just to get it right, then further processing in the "Digital Darkroom" to take it that one step further. The whole process, from initial photograph to finished product, took less than an hour. With film, assuming I'd attempt such a wild project, would have taken at least an entire roll of film (remember, no checking to see how the last image turned out), and the time and expense of processing and burning a CD full of bad dandelion shots.
Quote from: Paul on May 16, 2011, 06:25:39 PMDSLR's have come down so much recently...
Not for the ones I am interested in -- the full frame Nikon D3x or Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III. With prices that high, it pays to stick with 120mm film which has more resolution (or even 4 x 5 film which has even more).
Quote...why not cut out the middleman?
I'll do that when I get a film scanner later this year.
QuoteI usually put my stuff on Facebook or on my own web host, but a lot of photographers seem to really like Flickr.
What is the maximum size of a photo that can be placed on Flickr? (Isn't it a small size?)
QuoteIt's quite liberating; especially if you're into experimental photography like I am.
No, I'm not into experimental photography.
As for beautiful cameras, here is the Voigtlander Bessa III, retro simple yet modern, using the stunning resolution of 120mm film.
(http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/images/bessa_iii.jpg)
Now that would be a sweet camera to own,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 07:06:24 PM
Not for the ones I am interested in -- the full frame Nikon D3x or Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III. With prices that high, it pays to stick with 120mm film which has more resolution (or even 4 x 5 film which has even more).
Ah. You mentioned earlier that you were thinking about getting the Nikon D5, which is a 35mm.
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 07:06:24 PMI'll do that when I get a film scanner later this year.
You must have more free time than I do.
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 07:06:24 PM
What is the maximum size of a photo that can be placed on Flickr? (Isn't it a small size?)
Apparently, no: http://www.flickr.com/help/photos/
Quote from: RobertB on May 16, 2011, 07:06:24 PM
No, I'm not into experimental photography.
As for beautiful cameras, here is the Voigtlander Bessa III, retro simple yet modern, using the stunning resolution of 120mm film.
It certainly is very retro, Robert! I wonder if we'll ever see a camera like that with digital guts.
As for resolution, I've noticed that the current APS-C sensors at around 12 megapixel already surpass larger 35mm film once you get to ISO 400 and beyond (the faster 35mm film is noticeably more "Grainy"). I wonder at what point a sensor like the Kodak KAF-39000 surpasses the medium format film it's designed to emulate?
One of the things I've become accustomed to with digital is the fast turn-around time: I can take a shot, and within minutes, have a print (like a Polaroid) or, for stuff I want to throw up on the web, it also happens within minutes with zero expense. Also no need to wait until the roll is finished if I only took one shot.
(http://pquirk.com/gallery/Pepsi.jpg)
Quote from: Paul on May 17, 2011, 03:37:50 PMYou mentioned earlier that you were thinking about getting the Nikon D5, which is a 35mm.
I mentioned the Nikon F5 body. The top-line Nikon and Canon digital cameras would fit my needs, but they are way out of my price range.
QuoteI wonder at what point a sensor like the Kodak KAF-39000 surpasses the medium format film it's designed to emulate?
Hasselblad uses 50-megapixel (on the low side for medium format) and 60-megapixel sensors on their cameras.
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
As soon as I receive my paycheck on May 31, I start buying my film/video supplies for my trip to Europe. I've decided to bring my Bronica GS-1 120mm (6 cm. x 7 cm. negative) still camera and of course the Canon HV-40 hi-def camcorder. The last time I brought a 120mm film camera to Europe was back in 1995 and 1996, and it was the smaller Bronica ETR-S (6 cm. x 4.5 cm negative). In the intervening years, I had brought the Nikon N80 35mm film camera. But not this time! The Bronica, big and bulky, gives a satisfying clap of its large reflex mirror every time I hit the shutter button. I only have the standard 100mm lens for the Bronica, so no zooming in and out for me. In the future, I'd like to get a wide-angle 50mm lens and a telephoto 200 or 250mm lens for it.
I'll have to buy several rolls of Kodak Portra or Fujicolor 120 or 220 film. As for the Canon HV-40, I'll buy Sony mini-DV videocassettes in bulk. Cheaper to buy over here in North America rather than in Europe.
By the way, did I mention that the Canon HV-40 also takes digital still shots at 3.1 megapixels and saves to a micro-SD card? :)
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
P.S. A few months ago I briefly flirted with the idea of bringing the Graflex Supergraphic 4 x 5 film camera. However, idea of bringing a bunch of bulky film holders for the 4 inch x 5 inch negative film turned me off.
That's quite impressive, Robert. I've always been one to want to travel light; in the mid 90's, I stopped hauling my Pentax cameras with me for the convenience of single use cameras. When digital finally came down in price, the Fuji Finepix A201 was my go-to travel camera; at 2 megapixels, a 64MB card held a (then) impressive excess of 130 pictures in "Fine" mode. I started bringing a camcorder along when I got my diminutive Canon ZR-1. I always found the point-and-shoot cameras came up short in dim lighting and had no zoom, and replaced them with the Kodak DX6490. Of course, even that comes up short with wide angle shots and hand-held low light shots.
I've since replaced the ZR-1 with the Kodak Zi8 HD camcorder, which travels very light and delivers great HD video. On my last trip two weekends ago, I packed my Pentax K-x with every lens, my ZR-1 camcorder, and my Fuji Finepix XP10 water/shock/dust/freeze proof camera. I started testing with the Finepix XP for all video and photographs, imagining how wonderful it would be to travel with a single indestructable camera that does it all and fits in the palm of my hand. Technically, it can, with a 5x zoom, image stabilization, and HD video capture; but with a wide angle limited to a 35mm equivalent of 36mm and an ISO range that stops at 800, both its wide angle and low light capabilities were very limiting. It was a great camera for in the water and for sneaking into places, so it had its place. Meanwhile, nothing beats the Zi8 for videography convenience. Unlike my cameras, it compresses the video on the fly, so I can fit significantly more HD video on an SD card.
I found myself reaching for my Pentax K-x with the 18-55mm kit lens after the second shot I took with the Finepix. The speedy autofocus and complete lack of shutter lag were very welcoming; as was a zoom that offered me quick and accurate response with the twist of the barrel. With an F1.7 50mm lens and an ISO that went up to 12,800, combined with an in-body optical image stabilizer, flashless handheld in even the lowest light was possible. I switched to my 17mm fisheye prime lens to get that extra little bit on the wide angle shots, and used my 50-200mm zoom when I needed to get closer.
Consider this quick handheld snapshot of the lobby of the Hilton hotel:
(http://yxxgeg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p-lEjTgLyEjPxtNW4U-BhAVrNM3IOlFabNWqWuaBBWsIpcIys3Fpjz0wriHRGNqdezC5jxpQYh5Gc642GOk_WwyN7Gi_TUnbU/IMGP8159.jpg?psid=1)
This would have been impossible with a point-and-shoot, but easily within the capabilities of the K-x without coming close to the maximum ISO (ISO 3200 for this shot).
I should think that the DA L 18-55mm kit lens would suffice for my wide angle shots, and the DA-L 55-300mm would be a better choice for telephoto shots. On my next trip, I will also see if the video capabilities of the Pentax K-x are a good match. If I could get away with the K-x and two zoom kit lenses, I think I'll have found my happy travelling medium.
I went to Mike's Quality Cameras today to buy a pack of 220 film, and I was hoping that they'd have a soft-sided carrying case for the Bronica GS-1. The only ones they had were priced at $100 and $150! And I wanted one around $30 to $40. Oh, well, I'll have to make do with the case I have.
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
Major photography day today! I use the get-on, get-off bus tour and photograph the famous places in and around Barcelona.
Writing from Spain,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
No time to take any photos on the hop-on, hop-off bus today. Basically, I took the bus to cruise the sites for photography shoots. I took lots of video, though. Tomorrow I will use the bus to stop off at La Familia Sagrada church and film the wild architecture there.
(http://a2.cdn-hotels.com/images/themedcontent/en_GB/Custom%20POI_La%20Sagrada%20Familia.jpg)
I'll have to stand a long way back, because the Bronica has a standard lens and not a wide-angle lens. :)
Then I'll go up to the top of the mountain overlooking Barcelona, an area called Tibidabo which has the science museum, Cosmocaixa.
Warm-to-hot during the days here, cool at night,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex
Oh, there were a series of almost mishaps today. First, I took the city bus to the Barcelona Bus Turisme stand in Plaza de Espanya. I must have waited there about 20-25 minutes and noticed the Turisme buses by-passing the stop. I took a closer look at the information printed on the stand. Way at the bottom, it said in Spanish and in Catalan that the buses would not go there during that holiday time, June 24-26. (Last night was the Noche de San Juan celebrations, and Friday the streets were relatively empty because of the day off.) Ack! I informed the others waiting with me of that info, and then I took off walking to the next Turisme stop, several streets away according to the map I had. The map was not the most accurate, and I missed a stop, walking farther than I had to, but I made it to the Estacio de Sants (train station). But not before being accosted by a pair of thieves who almost made away with my camera bag. (That's another story...). I took the Turisme bus from the train station, and it took me around its circuitous route to Plaza de Catalunya where I changed to another Turisme bus. That took me to La Familia Sagrada.
Hundreds and hundreds were in line to get in the church. It was already 4 in the afternoon, and I was running out of time. I decided not to wait in line but would only take exterior photos and do some souvenir shopping. Several people noticed the giant Bronica I was holding; maybe the old-timers even recognized it. One young woman asked me to take her picture with her little digital camera, after observing how I handled the Bronica in shot after shot. (Maybe, she thought I was a professional...)
Afterwards, hungry and thirsty, I stopped off at the buffet restaurant across the street from La Familia Sagrada. For 10.50 Euros, I treated myself to goodies, like gazpacho, seafood paella, a type of ham in orange sauce, spaghetti carbonara, watermelon, cake, and plenty of Pepsi.
Quote from: me on June 23, 2011, 03:55:20 PMThen I'll go up to the top of the mountain overlooking Barcelona, an area called Tibidabo which has the science museum, Cosmocaixa.
No time. By the time I would get to Tibidabo, it would be close to 7, and there would be the 10-minute walk up to the science museum. When I got out of the restaurant, it was already 6, and Turisme buses would close at 8. I had to make it back to Plaza de Espanya by 8, or else I'd be stuck in the middle of the city. I hopped on the next Turisme bus, went past many stops, connected to the next Turisme bus, and finally got back to Plaza de Espanya. From there it was a relatively short walk to the city bus stand and my bus, number 46.
More fireworks like last night!
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex