Nikon ... Oh no not again

Just when dpreview.com enthusiastically uses the words "Gold Standard" in its review of the Nikon D750, there is a cacophony of internet chatters of what reminiscent of the oil spots of the old Nikon D600 not so long ago--the Nikon D750, at least quite a number of them, demonstrably exhibits some blocked flares in Live View and in pictures when shooting towards the light.  Personally I think it's a problem.  I can begrudgingly live with its square eyepiece, its top 1/4000s shutter speed and less than stellar buffer.  But this is not something a consumer signs up for, for paying $2,300 or $230 and got some weird blocked flare.  And I don't believe it's a feature or any acceptable by-product of shooting in sub optimal conditions.  If one thinks one does not have this problem or it's not a problem, I say more power to you but just don't go around and belittle folks who have this demonstrable problem.

Parts Direct from NikonUSA

Sometimes I think I live in a dream state.  I don't know if what I experience is real or not.

I just noticed that Nikon USA is selling parts directly online.  You can go ahead replace a tripod mount, a zoom rubber ring of your favorite lens with genuine parts directly from NikonUSA.

Lee Jeans and other thoughts

#lee #leetheultimatejeans #madeinusa #madeintheusa

A photo posted by laichungleung (@laichungleung) on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:56am PST

These two jeans bear the same 200-0147 designation and look almost identical.  The newer one seems to have slightly longer belt loops and wider leg openings.  It could be because the newer jeans are not worn nor washed after manufacture, no shrinkage yet.  The faded one has the scovill zipper while the new condition pair has the talon 42 zipper.  I am actually surprised to see a Gap hang tag there.  I witnessed Gap selling Levi's in the late 80s but never Lee.  Apparently at some point in time somewhere a Gap carried Lee jeans 200-0147.

Lee 200-0147 with talon 42 zipper.  Notice the belt loop on the right, it actually looks or is longer.  Is it an anomaly or a genuine design that accommodates the extra thickness of the belt going through the second time?  If so, I can really appreciate the thought goes in there.  It's fascinating.

Is the six belt loops construct better than five?  I am not sure.  Maybe it causes less stress on the belt.  But it somehow lessens if not destroys the symmetry.  Taylor Stitch jeans.  Worn and washed many times.  I don't know what people are thinking when they insist not washing their raw denims.

I like the seven belt loops and the cross bar tacks on the back pockets of Lee jeans.  Most other jeans, except for really big waist size only use five belt loops which in my mine is not optimum but not a deal breaker.  Some jeans even go for six, with the two in the front, two on the hips and two in the back, and none in the middle!  Again, not a deal breaker.  What I find disturbingly appalling is a slanted belt loop in the back, as if it is some real clever design, do they do this so they can sew the loop easier without the folded layers of thick fabric?  I have no idea.  The 200-0147 is not made of selvedge but I like the material, dye and the subsequent fade which is very distinct from Levi's 501.  I can say not all selvedge is the same or good.

Another New York Mystery

These news and sundry items kiosks dot the Manhattan streets and subway stations.  I always think to myself where is the bathroom?   One time on the number 7 train platform in Grand Central,  I peeked in I think I saw bottles of cream soda that's not in cream soda bottle perfectly lined against the side wall.   Another time, a man inside the kiosk with his left hand down in front of his torso told his customer to hold on a sec ....

Living Together

Leave the toilet seat up

Clean the toilet bowl

Clean the wash basin, absolutely no hair

Remove shower debris from the bathtub or shower drain, absolutely no hair

Prepare meals

Clean the dishes

Clean the kitchen sink, absolutely no food debris on the sink strainer

Load and unload the dishwasher

Do laundry and fold them

Turn or leave the light off or on

Fill up the gas tank

Drive the kids to school

Grocery shopping

Open the mail

Pay credit card, mortgage, car ... bills

Sort the recycle from the garbage

Take out the garbage and recycle

D7000 為藝術犧牲

相機殺身成仁，為藝術犧牲，善哉。

2014 Long Island Cyclocross in Kings Park

I couldn't ask for a better first cyclocross shooting experience.
There were some valuable lessons learned.  My camera is not exactly water proof or resistant after 4 hours in the rain, LL Bean wading jacket is neither despite its Gore-tex designation (granted it's 4 years old).  Good thing I had another pull-over kayak paddling jacket worn underneath.  I was able to keep body dry the whole time which I think is important.  People buy expensive gears for very good reasons if you were to shoot in all conditions professionally.  Me ain't professional, toward the end of the shoot, my camera LCD was blown and the AF acted somewhat erratically.  My makeshift double zip lock bags rain cover couldn't save my camera in the end.  It was too dark for me to shoot anyway.  The venue was the abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

Arista

December 1, 2014