The Rancilio

Simon Pollock February 24, 2019

I’ve had this old Rancilio Silvia V3.0 for a few years now, and if it had a coffee counter on it, I’d say it’s done its time… Anyway, one of the things that has happened to Silvia is that she’s rusted out! Good Italian steel? My old Alfa Romeo was a rust bucket, too, I still miss it…

Yeah, she looked good from a distance, but up close, well…

Anyway, Silvia, she she’s rusted, she’s had her boiler replaced once, she needs a new over-pressure valve, but I want to keep her going, so I’ve started this project to rebuild her, slightly differently to what she originally way. There will be updates along the way for any of you that are interested, and for those of you that are not, here’s a collection of some of my cups of coffee from around the world.

Yeah, so, the start of the renovation (Can you renovate a coffee machine?) was the taking it apart and starting work to cut out some rust… Enough with words, pictures.

Yep, coffee machine porn… Well, rust porn, I dunno.

Photos with the Sony a7R Mk2 and the lovely FE f/1.4 35mm

I have undercoat and top coat on order, along with an over pressure valve and some replacement bits and pieces.

More next week, maybe, or the week after!

Back where there's nowhere to stay

Simon Pollock December 3, 2018

I used to record songs when I was stuck for creativity, not for anything other than my own amusement / enjoyment etc, but there was that one time that I recorded a Neil Young track for my mum and dad, and dad, and after dragging out these old tracks tonight (I sent one to a friend for a laugh, hi Brittany, yes, I covered Britney!) I felt like sharing this one.

I only have one mum (more than one biological mum would be a bit tricky I suppose) but I have a couple of dads, and this can be for all of them I reckon. Not for the lyrics or the song particularly, or the song meaning, just for the memories of when they were young, sitting around listening to Neil and carrying on. For the vibe.

Here’s to the mum and dad’s in my life.

The Sony RX0 gets a sweet update

Simon Pollock January 9, 2018

Sony announces new expanded multi-view shooting capabilities for the compact RX0 camera

Tldr: You can connect 100 RX0 cams together and make fun stuff, controlled by your computer.

Now, the long version....

New wired and wireless multi-camera solutions enable more flexibility and creativity

SYDNEY, 9 January 2018 – Sony, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, today announced new wired and wireless multi-camera solutions for the versatile RX0 that enable more flexibility, creativity and operability for today’s creators.

The RX0, announced at IFA 2017, brings the advanced imaging quality capabilities of Sony’s acclaimed RX camera line-up to a robust, waterproof1, ultra-compact body measuring approximately 59mm x 40.5mm x 29.8mm (WxHxD)2 and weighing just 110g3. The miniature dimensions and all-around versatility of the new camera make it a powerful tool when used either as a single unit or when combined together with additional RX0 cameras in multi-angle, multi-view shooting situations. For flexible mounting options in tight spaces, the camera features a complete symmetrical lens position and an image flip function, adding to its wide range of creative potential.

The compact RX0 camera offers two different types of solutions for multiple camera shooting and control, which include a wired solution for precisely accurate camera synchronisation and control, and a wireless solution for added convenience and flexibility.

New RX0 wired multi-view shooting with Camera Control Box

Sony has announced a new accessory Camera Control Box (model CCB-WD1) that connects to the RX04 and enables PC control with web browser5 via wired IP (internet protocol) connection. By converting control signal to IP, camera settings can be reliably controlled6 from a single connected PC from any location. A wired connection of Camera Control Box also allows for much seamless control and synchronisation of multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and Camera Control Boxes – up to 100 units7 in total – enabling creators to produce high quality movie effects like “bullet-time” or virtual reality, or to shoot high profile events from unique angles.

When using multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and camera control boxes, settings of all connected cameras can be changed simultaneously. In this configuration, the cameras can also be set to all start/stop recording at the same time. Additionally, a video sync function is also available, allowing frame timing to easily synchronise between cameras frame by frame. This reduces any time gaps between cameras and supports the process of stitching multiple images together to create special effects.

Files can also be transferred directly to the connected PC8, with the ability to assign and change file names to avoid any confusion when dealing with multiple cameras. In total, up to 1007 separate RX0 cameras and CCB-WD1 Camera Control Boxes can be linked together for a live-view multi-camera feed. Additionally, via Camera Control Box, shooting settings, shooting methods and more can be freely programmed by the user.

Improved wireless multi-view shooting with new PlayMemoriesTM Mobile application

Sony’s latest version 6.2 of its PlayMemories Mobile application expands the multi-camera control capabilities when paired with the RX04. With the new version of the mobile application, users will be able to link their smartphone or tablet to up to 50 RX0 cameras via an access point9 to control them simultaneously10. In addition to the current ability to change key camera settings, all connected cameras can be turned ON/OFF together11, and users have the ability to control and shoot by separately assigned camera ‘groups’.

The new PlayMemories Mobile application version 6.2 will be available in Australia at the end January 2018.

The new CCB-WD1 Camera Control Box will be available in Australia from February 2018.

Download Sony's presser just here

Oh, Bike. A contemporary display of waste.

Simon Pollock November 3, 2017

A ten minute walk in most directions around Richmond will reveal many of the new silver / yellow peril that has bestowed upon the streets (gardens / rivers) of Richmond. oBike, a way for people to not own their own bikes and to pay a deposit and then ride about with their soy double decaf half skinny in the front basket (needs cane and flowers, imo) I'm not against oBike, not at all, though I do think the rollout could have had a little more finesse.

This will be an ongoing series called "Oh, bike" Shot on Sony a6500 and 50mm f/1.8

If you spot a wayward oBike, message me so I can photograph it, or call these guys:

Service support
cs.au@obikeinc.com
Hotline Number
0452 512 453 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm)

My Sony lenses and a lesson in tethering...

Simon Pollock October 31, 2017

I had to drag my old Canon 30D out of the archives today, I had to do some work for a client (Tamron Aus) who only had EF mount lenses to go, so I spent the day using the old beast, and while it has many happy memories, it made me realise exactly why I love my Sony cameras and lenses... Connectivity, flexibility, size and weight to a point.. Anyways, I thought I'd share my lens lineup for those of you here on this bloggin' journey...

Oh, and there's no "lesson in tethering" that was for me! It was the first time I used CaptureOne Pro 10 to tether and DAMN it's easy... "plug.. plug.. oh, a Sony a7rmk2, sure.. click done" - SO good. More on this soon. #MyCaptureOneJourney

On with the lens-fest

Inexorably lit by the Aputure COB 120D with a 7" Grid on't front..

That's my quiver of lenses, they do pretty much all I need right now. I find myself most typically wandering about with the 35 1.4 or the 55 1.8 on the Sony a7RMk2 or the 50 or 55 on the Sony a6500, it's a crop camera, so they're about 80mmish...

So, tomorrow we'll have a look at these lenses individually, so if lenses really bore the whatsit out of you... Maybe go wash the car instead? We shall look at what photos these are good at taking (As long as the person holding the camera knows what to do)

Fin and I went for a wander today, here's a photograph of him in his favourite hiding spot, which also reminds me of 'A Clockwork Orange' ...he just needs a crazy looking knife.

More soon... (Join my newsletter, it's epic... *click here*)

The Rancilio

Back where there's nowhere to stay

The Sony RX0 gets a sweet update

Oh, Bike. A contemporary display of waste.

My Sony lenses and a lesson in tethering...

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