Articles from SuperMarina

What to do with "extra" cameras...

nobody@ipernity.com (SuperMarina) — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:24:25 +0000

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With numerous cameras around, it might be obvious there are a few I don't use very often. Like my 100 year old Agfa 5X7 view camera. So far I have taken two photos with it, just to test things out. Neither turned out very well.

I'm not using my D70 much either. The only time I use it is when I need to use the IR remote, which does not work with the D200. In other words; not very often.

So when I today came across some information about a company called LifePixel, I decided it would be a good idea to convert the D70 to IR. It does not look that complicated, and $145 for the IR filter is not expensive compared to having Nikon repair something. The only problem appears to be finding a Phillips screwdriver small enough for those tiny little screws, and even that should be possible. I even used to have one once.

With so many cameras I think it is necessary to have one for infrared photography. And in IR, maybe Iowa will finally look like the alien place it really is?

The collector

nobody@ipernity.com (SuperMarina) — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:21:28 +0000

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A while back I overheard a conversation between two amateur photographers I don't know wery well. One was talking about buying a slightly used 30D from a friend, so now he would have two, plus the 20D and a 40D. His friend was asking why would he want so many almost identical cameras?

I cannot remember the answer exactly, but the gist of it was: "The more, the merrier."

So I thought a bit smugly to myself that at least I can manage with just one camera, which makes for less clutter and not so much to carry around. I prefer simplicity and an uncluttered life.

Maybe.

Today I went by the camera store for some small item or other, and walked out of there with a new Canon G9. I really do need it, as my Nikon D200 is simply too large for many situations, the D70 is almost as large, and my little Canon SD600 is a bit feature-challenged.

And all my other cameras uses film...

I own a total of 9 cameras, from an Agfa 5X7 view camera that is about 100 years old, to the G9 I just bought today.

There is the classic Nikon F, the Bronica that needs repairs, a Holga that probably needs more tape, and a Nikon F801s that I mean to get rid of.

That's not too much, is it?

At least I only have two computers that I use regularly. Or three, if I count my old iMac. The ones in the closet don't count; they'll be gone as soon as I can find a place to recycle them. Unless I decide to rebuild one. Or two.

I might as well admit I have 17 pairs of shoes. That's not much, these days...

Sunsets and location, location, location...

nobody@ipernity.com (SuperMarina) — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:35:03 +0000

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Yesterday's sunset was absolutely perfect. When I noticed this I was in my car, but I had my camera with me and I was stopped at a very slow traffic light and there was a rather interesting tree between me and the sunset. And nothing else but the tree.

So I got my camera out of my bag, but living in a construction zone has left my car rather dusty so to get a good shot I had to roll down the window. By the time I got that done, the sunset had turned into a dusty grey-orange mush and there was no point in taking the picture. Sunsets rarely last very long in Iowa.

I guess I was spoiled by growing up in Norway where sunset in the summer lasts for hours, and when the sunset is over the sunrise starts so one cannot really know which is which without checking the time and comparing it to the sunrise/sunset table. In the winter sunsets are rather short, just an hour or so...

A typical sunset in Norway in June may last from about 22:00 till 03:20, while in Iowa it will last from 21:07:17 to 21:07:24. It is definitely not the same. When photographing a sunset in Norway one may take the time to clean the lenses and adjust the tripod. In Iowa one just hopes the camera settings are close to right and that the autofocus works.

But maybe this is really a good thing? Photos of sunsets are rather repetitive and since almost everybody do them there's no shortage as it is either.

Why SuperMarina?

nobody@ipernity.com (SuperMarina) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:53:06 +0000

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I have often been asked about this; why do I call myself SuperMarina?

Well, to make a long (and probably very boring) story short, I just suddenly one winter day while driving to work discovered I had superpowers. Or more exactly, at lunchtime the same day I was writing an entry in my Norwegian blog and I wanted to write about the difference in drivers education standards between Norway, where I learned to drive, and Iowa, where I live now. But, being unable to be serious on any topic, after starting out writing about that morning's commute and my amazement at the large number of vehicles which had ended up in the ditches and the number of drivers who were just inching along at probably less than 30 mph even though driving conditions were quite good, I couldn't resist adding a line about suddenly realizing I have superpowers.

I do have superpowers. I can keep a car on the road even if it snowed a little the nigth before. Even if there is snow on the road! Amazing, huh?

I ended that original blog entry where I invented my superpowers with a little anecdote about the superhero SuperMarina using her superpowers to drive, on a winter day no less, to the coffee shop for some drinkable coffe. On return to her office, SuperMarina trips on a rug (of course, superheroes are always klutzy!), spills coffee on her pants, and realizes that the only superpower truly worth having is invisibility.

Well, I may not be completely invisible, but for a six foot tall woman with red hair, I have a pretty good ability to remain unseen in a crowd. So I feel I can justify my name without any apologies.