https://jimchungblog.com/2022/10/20/a-lost-era-and-lifestyle-that-cannot-return/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/659621838_1504223101046948_5478000149019972126_n.jpgVilleneuve seated in the WD1 CanAm car. Of the five times in competition, the car DNF'd 4 times. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/screen-shot-2023-04-29-at-6.39.21-pm-copy.jpgScreen Shot 2023-04-29 at 6.39.21 PM copySchecter driving WR5 in the 1978 Canadian GP. The iconic geodesic dome designed by architect Buckminister Fuller for the American Pavillion at Expo '67 is visible in the background.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/screen-shot-2023-03-27-at-3.11.47-pm.pngFormer World Champion Derek Hunt at Monaco in 1979, as shown above the car features nylon sideskirts with ceramic runners to seal against the roadservice in this era of ground effects cars pioneered by Lotus the season before. The accelerated movement of air below the car caused negative pressure allowing downforce and high cornering speeds without the aerodynamic drag of a bigger rear wing. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/countachskifinal2b.jpgCountachSkiFinal2bEddie is getting a little bored with his time in Toronto, it's not Tokyo. I suggested he embrace the winter and we go for a day of local skiing. The highways are bone dry and the temperature is pushing double digits so its safe to run the Countach on its summer tires. No problems even in the parking lot! Except he won't let me drive.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/countachskifinal2..jpgCountachSkiFinal2.Eddie is getting a little bored with his time in Toronto, it's not Tokyo. I suggested he embrace the winter and we go for a day of local skiing. The highways are bone dry and the temperature is pushing double digits so its safe to run the Countach on its summer tires. No problems even in the parking lot! Except he won't let me drive.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/finalwolfcountachjimb.jpgFinalWolfCountachJimbMy friend Eddie Okado paid me a surprise visit at my new place in Toronto. He's visiting his sister here for the next few months and then attending the Amelia Island Concours where Lamborghini is the featured marque in 2023. What better opportunity to display his very rare Walter Wolf Countach and repatriate it for a few months to its home and native land.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/finalwolfcountachjim1.jpgFinalWolfCountachJim(1)My friend Eddie Okado paid me a surprise visit at my new place in Toronto. He's visiting his sister here for the next few months and then attending the Amelia Island Concours where Lamborghini is the featured marque in 2023. What better opportunity to display his very rare Walter Wolf Countach and repatriate it for a few months to its home and native land.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/finalwolfcountachjim.jpgFinalWolfCountachJimMy friend Eddie Okado paid me a surprise visit at my new place in Toronto. He's visiting his sister in Toronto for a few months and then attending the Amelia Island Concours where Lamborghini is the featured marque in 2023 so what better opportunity to display his very rare Walter Wolf Countach and repatriate it for a few months to its home and native land.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/walterwolfcountachjim.jpgWalterWolfCountachJimMy friend Eddie Okado paid me a surprise visit at my new place in Toronto. He's visiting his sister in Toronto for a few months and then attending the Amelia Island Concours where Lamborghini is the featured marque in 2023 so what better opportunity to display his very rare Walter Wolf Countach and repatriate it for a few months to its native land.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/walterwolfracinggroup.jpgWalterWolfRacingGroup(appearing from left to right) For the 1977 season Walter Wolf promoted Harvey Postlewaithe to Chief Designer, South African Jody Scheckter as their sole driver and Peter Warr from Team Lotus as Team Manager – along with a small team of only 80 people. Walter Wolf Racing was the only self sponsored F1 race team and Wolf spent $2 million of his own money to finance his F1 journey with the few sponsors barely covering tire/fuel/oil. Even with dollars adjusted to 2022, this pales in comparison to how much Team Red Bull spent in 2021 and now stand accused of exceeding the annual team budget cap of $145 million and facing a $7 million fine from FIA.2026-03-29T15:43:40+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/about/2026-03-25T12:07:02+00:00weekly0.6https://jimchungblog.com/2026/03/24/this-is-saburo-sakai/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/title.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/saburo5.jpgSaburo5Early in 1942https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/saburosakai3.jpgSaburoSakai3Lieutenant Saburo Sakai https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/saburosakai2.jpgSaburoSakai2This is Saburo Sakai.2026-03-25T02:35:47+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/08/31/the-cold-warrior-who-became-an-acrobatic-pilot-twice/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/screen-shot-2026-03-16-at-8.37.37-am.pngScreen Shot 2026-03-16 at 8.37.37 AMArtwork courtesy. of Peter J Robichaudhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/graph.jpgScreenshot¹ Canada has been called out by the Washington Post for being a laggard NATO member for not contributing 2% of GDP toward defense spending.  Currently we spend about 1.4%.  Most surprising is that Germany only spend 1.57% so they too fail to meet the target.  We certainly did spend much more at the height of the cold war but the fact is defense spending has never been a domestic political issue that captivates voters and perhaps term limits are needed to make politicians less motivated to stay in office and more focused on governing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gordyak.jpgGOrdYakGord in Austria, 1982 where he was the first Western pilot to fly the Yak-50. Clearly he enjoyed the flight and the experience stayed with him for many decades. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gordflatspinsmall.jpgGordFlatSpinSmallGordon's flat spin.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gord2.jpggord2In 1964 began training at CFB Cold Lake to fly the new Canadair manufactured F-104 Starfighter. This aircraft was chosen to form six new squadrons of low level nuclear strike fighters stationed at two Canadian bases in Germany with about 22-24 aircraft per squadron. Gord was assigned to 442 Squadron in Baden-Soellingen.   Each plane carried a single thermonuclear bomb that remained United States property. Canada was the first country to build a working nuclear reactor outside of the US in September 1945 using heavy water as a moderator but chose to pursue peaceful application of nuclear technology like the global exports of radioisotopes for cancer treatment since the 1950s.  Most pilots were assigned at least two targets, all of which were shared with others and other NATO forces since important targets were visited with multiple strikes. Top Secret folders for each target contained detailed route maps, intelligence and location of enemy defences. Pilots continuously studied and learned these details and were often snap tested on every aspect. Similarly the Americans would also insist on regular exams onhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cne5.jpgCNE5https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cne1.jpgCNE1https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cne2.jpgCNE2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cne3.jpgCNE3https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cne4.jpgCNE4A spontaneous wave of applause arose from the CNE lakeside crowd when the announcers revealed that Gord was 81 years old!!2026-03-16T12:52:16+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/10/03/discovering-wildlife-in-torontos-don-valley/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/discovering-wildlife-in-torontos-don-valley.jpgDiscovering Wildlife in Toronto's Don Valleyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/jimindigochapters.jpgJimIndigoChaptersThe masked author taking a step for the first time into an Indigo/Chapters bookstore, nearly 9 months after the book's release date due to Covid restrictions in Toronto. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/img_20210623_104240595.jpgIMG_20210623_104240595And finally I was very moved by the sentiments expressed in this thank you card after dropping off a copy at my accountant's office.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/indiebookaward.jpgIndieBookAwardIn addition to winning the Book Excellence Award in the Photography Category, the book was an INDIE Book Awards finalist in its main category and a winner for best nonfiction book cover design.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/screen-shot-2021-05-09-at-9.55.05-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-05-09 at 9.55.05 PMA recent review from Online Book Club.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/screen-shot-2021-03-07-at-7.15.57-pm-e1762870189313.pngScreen Shot 2021-03-07 at 7.15.57 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/screen-shot-2021-03-07-at-7.13.32-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-03-07 at 7.13.32 PM2026-01-21T17:58:53+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/04/14/the-siege-of-malta-1942-part-1/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/screen-shot-2025-04-13-at-10.27.18-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-13 at 10.27.18 AMOn June 9th, eight Macchi 202 of 151a Squadriglia led by Capitano Furio Niclot Doglio with Maresciallo Ennio Tarantola, being one of his wingmen. When 11 Spitfire VCs from No 249 Sqn – led by Flt Lt Norman Lee – scrambled to intercept the approaching formation, Niclot Doglio’s Macchis immediately engaged them and damaged Beurling's Spitfire. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/screen-shot-2025-04-13-at-10.38.50-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-13 at 10.38.50 AMThe month of April sealed Malta with the infamous reputation of being the most bombed city in history, aside from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Axis flew over 10,000 missions and dropped 7,000 tonnes of bombs over an island a tenth the size of Greater London. Enemy planes flew over Malta for 380 hours or two continuous weeks. With everything reduced to rubble the loss of easily identifiable targets made children playing soccer or funeral processions new targets. Hospitals which had their roofs painted with large Red Crosses hoping to spared by an honourable enemy were summarily destroyed. The population sought safety by digging hundreds of tunnels underground in the soft limestone of Malta.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/screen-shot-2025-04-13-at-10.46.47-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-13 at 10.46.47 AMBeurling continued his bravura performance on July 27th at dawn leading seven Spitfires to intercept seven Ju88s and over 40 Macchis and Bf-109s.  He went after a flight of four Macchis and closed behind the rear plane flown by experienced Faliero Gelli with two kills.   After his plane was hit and went into a nosedive, he managed to crash land onto a farmer's field and survived.  Beurling then hosed Doglio Niclot's plane from end to end and it exploded, killing the ace instantly.  About to fire on his third Macchi, he spied two Bf-109s streak beneath him and dove underneath them to open fire from below causing one to burst into flames and the other to limp home badly damaged.  He landed to refuel and reload and then took out a Bf-109 flown by German Ace Karl-Heinz Preu with five Spitfires to his name.  He sent another Bf-109 back to Sicily trailing black smoke.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/foxhenhouse-max-1000x1000-copy.jpgFoxHenHouse-max-1000x1000 copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mcnair_in_color-drphks.jpgmcnair_in_color-drphksOn April 23rd, McNair managed to take off on the pock marked Takali runway with three rookies in tow.   The four of them intercepted a Ju88 and they all opened fire simultaneously to dispatch it to the next world.  On the next day, McNair downed a Stuka, a Ju88 and damaged two Bf-109s, all in under 4 minutes.  At the end of the month only seven of the new Spitfires were still serviceable and with five Hurricanes gave Malta a grand total of 12 fighter aircraft.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/screen-shot-2025-04-12-at-8.51.28-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-12 at 8.51.28 PM2025-12-25T14:40:19+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/12/05/magnum-p-i-and-the-watch-he-wore/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/chronoports.jpgChronoports-   Keen eyes will observe that my watch displays the days in French.    That makes sense.  Magnum could have picked up his watch at the PX in Saigon.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/magnum.jpgMagnumI opted for the “Chronoports” version designed by a watch enthusiast and made by MWC as an MOQ order with Swiss Ronda 517 movement, German made Monnin style case – a flat rounded cases devoid of sharp bevels on the lugs and with a flared crown guard, popularized by the early Heuer dive watches of the 1970s.  120 click unidirectional bezel. Apparently early versions (like this onw) had an issue with the spring bars coming out of its shallow lug holes and later versions promised to comes with fixed bars.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screen-shot-2024-11-23-at-10.53.56-pm.pngScreen Shot 2024-11-23 at 10.53.56 PM2025-12-21T12:22:58+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/12/08/how-good-or-how-bad-is-a-brand-new-250-chinese-soprano-saxophone-compared-to-a-3200-yamaha-instrument/2025-12-18T01:55:36+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/12/16/behrens-rotary-watch/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screen-shot-2025-12-15-at-6.36.34-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-12-15 at 6.36.34 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251215_181640.jpgThe watch does have the ability to display the date but it is often very difficult to read, despite the slot cut into the hour rotor. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251215_183842.jpg20251215_183842There is a 2025 edition of the Rotary Watch with an updated face with more attractive numerals and a rotor embossed crown. But the new watch loses the original's exhibition backcase.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/behrens.gifThis watch is from their Inventors series.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/behrenscase.gifBehrensCase2025-12-16T12:26:48+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/10/24/the-astounding-mercedes-benz-c111/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/535030922_122151987380800536_7374537353329177481_n.jpgCW311CW311https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/c111girlcrop.jpgC111GirlCropNovember day at the beach (in Toronto).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/c111girl2.jpgC111Girl2The last Toronto beach day in November. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ciiic.jpgCIIIcMore speed with the fall colors.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251023_191714.jpg20251023_191714The C111 first appeared in Playboy in August 1972 and here it reappeared in November 2019 issue. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251023_191834.jpg20251023_191834https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251023_191923.jpg20251023_191923Car 33 was built in March 1970 as the 3rd car of the second series of C111 and fitted with the 4 rotor KE404 engine. After testing, it was relegated to the Mercedes Benz Museum until January 2024 when it was the first of the rotary powered C111 returned to running order and appeared at Pebble Beach. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/c111c.jpgC111CMy version of the C111 shot during the change in fall colors.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/screen-shot-2025-10-22-at-8.18.57-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-10-22 at 8.18.57 PMCar 5 became the exhibition car at the Frankfurt Auto Show during second week of September 1969.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/screen-shot-2025-10-22-at-11.59.47-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-10-22 at 11.59.47 AMFour prototypes were made, each one incorporating more refinements as the team worked evenings and Saturdays in order to meet the Frankfurt Auto Show's debut in September taking into real world driving experiences like ensuring that a stick of butter would not melt if placed in the luggage compartment which was suspended above the engine. This was accomplished by insulating it with an aluminum fleece sandwich material. Cars 3 & 4 underwent minor modifications to allow them road certification but the 3 rotor M950 engines failed to reach a lifespan of even 6000 km, with an average failure rate at 3700 km as determined by sudden high oil consumption or loss of power and compression. 2025-11-20T19:17:50+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/11/09/the-tragic-sinking-of-the-lisbon-maru/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/images.jpgimageshttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/132444.jpg132444https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screen-shot-2025-11-09-at-10.48.48-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-11-09 at 10.48.48 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screen-shot-2025-11-09-at-10.47.54-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-11-09 at 10.47.54 AMJapanese soldiers picking off the survivors in the water. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screen-shot-2025-11-09-at-10.49.52-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-11-09 at 10.49.52 AMThe undisturbed wreck of the Lisbon Maru was discovered some 36 km away from the last coordinates recorded by the Imperial Japanese Navy. You can see the structurally compromised stern section has separated from the hull after the torpedo hit. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screen-shot-2025-11-09-at-10.49.20-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-11-09 at 10.49.20 AMThe never forgotten kindess of Chinese fisherman rescuing the fleeing British POWs from the water. 2025-11-17T02:12:11+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/07/22/a-sherman-tank-named-bomb/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bomb6-copy-1.jpgBomb6 copy"Those ... are tiger tracks." Colorized image of "Bomb" from August 1944, somewhere in Normandy.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bombvillage1small.jpgBombVillage1(small)https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bomb2.jpgBomb2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bomb3.jpgBomb3https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bomb6-copy.jpgBomb6 copy"Those ... are tiger tracks." Colorized image of "Bomb" from August 1944, somewhere in Normandy.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bomb1-copy.jpgBomb1 copy"Those ... are tiger tracks." Colorized photo of Bomb somewhere in Normandy, 1944.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bomb1.jpgBomb1Those ... are tiger tracks. Colorized version of "Bomb", somewhere in Normandy, 1944.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/screen-shot-2024-07-21-at-7.40.34-pm.pngScreen Shot 2024-07-21 at 7.40.34 PMA unknown Canadian Sherman tank in late June 1944 near Caen.  Some tank crews believed that bogey wheels and tracks carried as spares but mounted on the front provided extra armor protection.  Some crews used sand bags and famously General George Patton, who was a stickler for appearance and demanded his men fight wearing their regulation neckties, reprimanded a tank crew for the unsightly mountain of sand bags growing on it.  To which the tank commander replied, "With all due respect General, I'm the one fighting in this tank."   Patton was of course correct, none of these materials made any difference but only added weight and stress to the tank's suspension and transmission.  They had to be made of high tensile strength steel to stop an AP round and their presence negated the real benefits of sloped armour entirely.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/screen-shot-2024-07-21-at-2.15.07-pm.pngScreen Shot 2024-07-21 at 2.15.07 PMA unknown Canadian Sherman tank in late June 1944 near Caen. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/screen-shot-2024-07-20-at-1.02.08-pm.pngScreen Shot 2024-07-20 at 1.02.08 PM2025-11-06T02:19:17+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2017/01/01/how-to-make-your-own-cooled-dslr-for-way-less-than-late-season-jays-ticket/2025-11-02T15:43:46+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/09/02/shooting-the-canadian-international-air-show-from-lake-ontario-with-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/554403117_122251863248175349_3542051422137965821_n.jpgBut before she could become the aviatrix that would earn her strangely enduring fame, the world was struck by the Spanish Flu, an unusually virulent strain of influenza that also killed young adults and not just infants and the elderly.  A third of the world became infected with a mortality rate of 10-20%.   Covid showed how modern air travel can rapidly spread epidemics.  Covid also showed us the incredible efficacy of mRNA vaccines and how rapidly the epidemic was contained in the West.  If the Spanish Flu had hit today in a world with no vaccines, upwards of a billion deaths could be expected.  Earhart was heavily stricken and hospitalized for a month and then took a year to fully recover.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/polaris2-1.jpgPolaris2This is the CP-140 Aurora used for many decades in antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and drug smuggling interdiction by Canada and now facing pending retirement. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nanchang1.jpgNanchang1The Nanchang CJ-6 is a Chinese designed and built two seat trainer from the 1960s https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/northernstars.jpgNorthernStarsThe Northern Star aerobatic team flying Pitts Specials, each one with a custom nose nacelle. 400mm f/4.5, ISO200, 1/250 s.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250831_124711-copy.jpg20250831_124711 copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250831_124711.jpg20250831_124711Looking west to Mississauga downtown to show we were surrounded by watercraft watching the airshow.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cf18-4.jpgCF18-4https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cf18-5.jpgCF18-5https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cf18-3.jpgCF18-3The underside has been painted with a fake canopyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/girl.jpgGirlAnd a final reminder that the telephoto lens sees all. This sunbathing woman likely thought nobody would bother her solitude in the middle of Lake Ontario. Until she heard the jeering catcalls 2025-10-21T21:35:33+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/09/29/sydney-valpy-radley-walters-ww2-tank-ace/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/assault2.jpgASSAULT2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/whitmann.pngWhitmannhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/wittmann_tiger_007.jpgWittmann_Tiger_007Tiger 007 penetrated by armour piercing shells that killed the crew and then set off the ammunition resulting in an explosion that blew off the turret to land upside down.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/monty-1.jpgMontyRad being awarded the Military Cross for his actions in Buron by Monty himself! He had lost 11 tanks but seven were recoverable and repairable. Three crewman dead and five wounded. Overnight seven tanks and crews arrived to put A Squadron strength to 11.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/screen-shot-2025-09-28-at-9.21.50-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-09-28 at 9.21.50 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lunch.jpgLunchRad is the one not wearing his unit beret. He was now 23 and would be promoted to Major post D-Day at age 24. As a health care provider, I recall the feeling of being that age and making life changing pronouncements to much older strangers and strangely having my words accepted without argument. I suspect imposter syndrome also affects young officers who under war time conditions get swiftly promoted up the ranks. Rad took a more collegial approach to command decision making because he knew that in an army of citizen soldiers, each man brings with him a unique background of life experience that could prove decisive in determining the path forward.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/monty.jpgMontyRad being awarded the Military Cross for his actions in Buron by Monty himself! He had lost 11 tanks but seven were recoverable and repairable. Three crewman dead and five wounded. Overnight seven tanks and crews arrived to put A Squadron strength to 11. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/assault2mono.jpgASSAULT2monoMy forced perspective recreation of this historic event. 2025-10-04T19:57:14+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/06/14/the-forgotten-war/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2025-08-05-at-10.12.36-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-08-05 at 10.12.36 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/491523205_675814451811590_43318948357786177_n.jpg491523205_675814451811590_43318948357786177_nLadies on the Bren manufacturing line in 1944 at the John Inglis Factory in Liberty Village, Toronto.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2025-04-21-at-5.51.37-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-21 at 5.51.37 AMLadies on the Bren manufacturing line in 1944 at the John Inglis Factory in Liberty Village.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2023-06-13-at-6.45.02-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-06-13 at 6.45.02 PMBrigadier General John Rockingham was called back from retirement in his civilian job as union negotiator for BC bus drivers to assume ultimate command of the Canadian Army in Korea. Here he is speaking to company and platoon commanders of 1 PPCLI.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2023-06-13-at-6.47.55-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-06-13 at 6.47.55 PMThis is Sgt. Tommy Prince of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. A highly decorated WW2 veteran of the famous Devil's Brigade, a joint US/Canadian commando squad that performed miracles in combat against the Germans. Tommy was so proficient at sneaking into German camps at night undetected that he would often leave calling cards beside sleeping soldiers which unnerved and demoralized German troops on learning the opponents they were facing. Tommy was so widely respected that his words along those of Stone calmed the fears of some of the younger members of 2 PPCLI upon learning that they have been left cut off and along to defend Hill 667.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2023-06-13-at-6.48.12-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-06-13 at 6.48.12 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/title-1.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2023-06-12-at-1.39.08-pm-copy-1.jpgScreen Shot 2023-06-12 at 1.39.08 PM copyThe Canadians also ditched the British style helmet and chose to wear toques or berets or nothing at all.     Predictably, their winter gear was first rate and the Korean winter would prove surprising to even seasoned Canadians.   But the boots were heavy and noisy and American footgear was immediately sought out.  Here, the Canadian Army got it right with the Bren light machine gun, likely the finest weapon of its type to arise from WW2.  And also likely manufactured by the John Inglis Company in Toronto who were contracted to make 12,000 guns.  Postwar the company turned to making home appliances like dishwashers.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2023-06-12-at-1.37.07-pm-copy-1.jpgScreen Shot 2023-06-12 at 1.37.07 PM copyOwing to its unfortunately geography, Korea has been subjugated by either China or Japan over the past several centuries but was able to develop a distinct language and culture. During the Yalta Conference in February 1945, FDR secured Stalin’s promise to enter the Pacific War and the Soviet Union was invited to occupy the northern half of Korea (north of the 38th parallel) to help administer the surrender of Japanese forces stationed there. Stalin interpreted this as permission to occupy North Korea as one of his buffer zones, set up a puppet state and indoctrinate its people for the next five years that the US alone was standing in the way of national Korean reunification. The first elections were held in the South Korea in 1948 with a hundred seats left vacant in the legislature for candidates of the North to occupy but the invitation was ignored. By 1950 both the Soviet Union and the US had withdrawn most of their troops. The Communists in China had emerged victorious in its long civil war against the Nationalists and gratefully returned some 70,000 combat hardened ethnic Korean soldiers to North Korea. On June 25th, 1950 the North invaded with 135,000 men and armored support and easily over ran the unprepared troops of the South and began invading Seoul.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/screen-shot-2023-06-12-at-1.36.13-pm-copy-1.jpgScreen Shot 2023-06-12 at 1.36.13 PM copy2025-08-06T02:20:27+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/08/04/using-the-astrhori-18mm-f-8-probe-lens/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250803_213043.jpg20250803_213043https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250803_085045.jpg20250803_085045https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/p8032618.jpgP8032618This is my dual forced pespective project featuring the only surviving Canadian Sherman Tank of WW2. "Bomb" of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers is encounter German resistance while clearing a French town in Normandy during August 1944. Taken with the Leica 15mm f/1.7 lens.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/fish.jpgFIshUnderwater wildlife photos are possible using the lens' built in LED lights powered by a USB source.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cabbagewhitebutterfly.jpgCabbageWhiteButterflyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bee.jpgBeehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/redadmiral.jpgRedAdmiralhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/monarch.jpgMonarchWhite Cabbage butterfly, unknown Honey Bee, Red Admiral butterfly and Monarch butterfly. Is it easy to obtain anywhere from 1:1 to 2:1 macro image scale as the lens casts a small shadow and seems less threatening that the camera body and photographer itself.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bomb3.jpgBomb3This lens is also well suited for scale model diorama projects because it allows much closer than a typical nonmacro lens and allows you to physically penetrate deeper into the diorama to give a personal POV.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/toad.jpgToad2025-08-05T09:37:55+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/04/24/what-old-motorcycles-say-about-life/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/rc30atrcmiller-copy.jpgRC30atRCMIller copyA recreation of thirty years ago. I'm aboard my 1989 Honda RC30 at the RC Miller Water Treatment Plant in Toronto. Likely the most exotic motorsport vehicle I will ever own ... and unfortunately no longer own.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/jimsteermanr60us-e1745580592674.jpgYI DIGITAL CAMERAThe bike, me and the iconic Stearman Training Biplane made by Boeing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bmwr60usblacks.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mine.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWithout any semiconductors, the old bike can withstand the electromotive pulse that accompanies a nuclear detonation. THen it can carry you old of the city despite the highways being jammed and littered with abandoned cars. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/r60usmeetss1000rr.jpgR60USmeetsS1000RRA fellow biker on a modern BMW S1000RR and I trade stories. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/jimdgr.jpgJimDGRMe and the bike after a Distinguish Gentlemen's Charity Ride.2025-07-29T21:28:50+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/09/18/james-bonds-first-watch/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/title2.jpgTitle2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gruenbond.jpgGruenBond"You're booked on the 7 o'clock flight to Kingston, which gives you exactly three hours, 22 minutes." "Miss French shouldn't take that long, Sir."https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gruenfaces.jpgGruenFaceskkkkhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/title.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screen-shot-2023-09-04-at-2.43.03-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-09-04 at 2.43.03 PMThe Gruen Precision with the 510 movement Gruen was once one of the largest watch manufacturers in the US and established itself in Cincinnati, OH in 1894. By 1922 they also built a facotry in Biel/Bienne Switzerland which supplied the company's higher quality movements to be incorporated in the US assemblage. Soon annual gross sales exceeded 5 millions dollars and the company became the largest US watch company. The Gruen family sold off their last interest in 1953 but the name continued to manufacture watches into the early 1970s with the Swiss factory closing in 1977 and the building now used by Rolex. This model is around 1962 with the 17 jewel movement.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bonds.jpgBondsCareful observation appears to reveal the same dress gold watch worn in several James Bond movies but the resolution is too poor to definitively identify the manufacturer. At this period there were several watches available that were very similar to the Gruen Precision.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/connery.jpgConneryIt is theorized that Connery wore his own personal watch and a very similar watch is seen in photos taken well offset from the James Bond movies.2025-05-16T06:07:18+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/05/06/george-stewart-dfc/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mossie2015.jpgMossie2015This Mosquito is owned by the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach and was originally built in Downsview as a fighter/bomber Mk XVI and disposed of as surplus in 1948. It would spend the next 30 years on a farm in Alberta before becoming an asset of the Canadian Museum of Flight & Transportation and then MAM acquired it in 2004. It was restored as the only flight worthy Mosquito in 2012 by specialists in New Zealand with George providing considerable consultation. In fact George flew this plane during Hamilton Skyfest 2014 which I was unable to attend and this shot occurred the very next year in 2015. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mosquitotitle-1.jpgMOSQUITOTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mosquitotitle.jpgMOSQUITOTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/groupphoto.jpgGroupPhotoNovember 1944, #23 Squadron RAF with Flying Officer George Stewart sitting astride the Mosquito.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hankou1.jpgHankou1Hankow airfield with Mosquitos sharing space with Mitchell bombers. George in civilian guise with unnamed Chinese pilot. Click images for full screen view.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mosquitohankow.jpgMosquitoHankowCanadian built Mosquito with Nationalist Chinese markings. The Mosquito was both a versatile and fast aircraft with speeds approaching 440 mph with the largest dual stage supercharged Merlin engines. Its bomb bay could carry 4000 lbs of bombs depending on the variant or it could be configured as a photo reconnaissance or fighter role.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/georgechina.jpgGeorgeChinahttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/georgepaul.jpgGeorgePaulGeorge & Paul in front of their Mosquito.2025-05-01T17:19:48+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/04/15/the-siege-of-malta-1942-part-2/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hendrik-aviationart-malta-ace-small.jpghendrik-aviationart-malta-ace-smallOn October 14th, Beurling was hit in the finger and forearm from the dying rear gunner of a Ju88.  Two Bf-109s jumped on his tail and he ignored his wounds and shot one down in front of him but the two behind him shattered his canopy and he dove to escape.  He could not resist shooting down another Bf-109 but his friends retaliated and a cannon shell sliced off the bottom of his right foot and another hit his left elbow.  His plane was on fire and he knew he was too wounded to carry on and bailed out into the sea. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/screen-shot-2025-04-14-at-9.52.56-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-14 at 9.52.56 AMThe U-73 slammed four torpedoes into the old Eagle and shockingly she rolled over and capsized in only 5 minutes taking over 130 men with her while more than 900 of her crew were saved by destroyers.  https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/screen-shot-2025-04-14-at-2.51.03-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-04-14 at 2.51.03 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/rt0003-1.jpgrt0003https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/rt0003.jpgrt00032025-04-25T15:03:57+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2025/02/08/omega-moon-swatch-mod/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tintinspeedmasterswatch2.jpgTintinSpeedmasterSwatch2So, the real deal Swatch died suddenly. I guess it had been running in its box for nearly 3 years and that apparently is the lifespan of this thing. So I purchased a Chinese clone with the PE50 movement and redid the graphics to improve its visibility and appearance.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tintinswatch.jpgTintinSwatchThe completed mod. The case is not an authentic Speedmaster case, that would cost more than a thousand USD. It is a Chinese made stainless steel replica built to fit a VK63 movement with a 40mm case back diameter. The full sized stem for a swiss ETA G10.212 movement was shortened by about 4.5 mm to allow it to fit the screw down crown. The movement is held in place by wrapping about a 0.75 mm thickness of black tape around the periphery to keep the movement centered and not mobile.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tintinmoonswatch.jpgTintinMoonSwatchThe completed mod. The case is not an authentic Speedmaster case, that would cost more than a thousand USD. It is a Chinese made stainless steel replica built to fit a VK63 movement with a 40mm case back diameter. The full sized stem for a swiss ETA G10.212 movement was shortened by about 4.5 mm to allow it to fit the screw down crown. The movement is held in place by wrapping about a 0.75 mm thickness of black tape around the periphery to keep the movement centered and not mobile. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tintindialface2.jpgTintinDialFace2Not dial paint quality BUT when viewed with the naked eye at normal magnification it is still convincing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/dialface.jpgdialfaceNot dial paint quality BUT when viewed with the naked eye at normal magnification it is still convincing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/title.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fiskars.jpgFiskarsThe design can be printed with an ink jet or laser printer onto water transfer decal paper. I used a Fiskars circle cutter to cut the inner circle since that must be done accurately and cleanly owing to the great visibility on the dial. The outer circle perimeter will be hidden by the lip of the dial face. I had to modify the circle cutter so that it would cut circles smaller than its original design limitations. I went through four circle cutters and this is the best one for this particular task bar none.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-31-at-9.48.02-pm.pngScreen Shot 2025-01-31 at 9.48.02 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-30-at-8.38.23-am.pngScreen Shot 2025-01-30 at 8.38.23 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250129_192308.jpg20250129_192308The design can be printed with an ink jet or laser printer onto water transfer decal paper. I used a Fiskars circle cutter to cut the inner circle since that must be done accurately and cleanly owing to the great visibility on the dial. The outer circle perimeter will be hidden my the lip of the dial face. I had to modify the circle cutter so that it could cut circles smaller than its original design limitations. I went through four circle cutters and this is the best one for this particular task bar none.2025-04-21T12:44:58+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/12/27/my-kind-of-town-toronto-is/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/furinsnow-1.jpgFurinSnow Snow returned with a fury this winter in Toronto despite my hope that this particular season was waning here. But this does allow us to complete the Vespa series with high drama. Towering banks of cleared snow provide the natural backdrop for our model dressed modestly in mink and our Porsche 996 Turbo has had a respray in white … via post processing of course.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/furinsnow.jpgFurinSnowSnow returned with a fury this winter in Toronto despite my hope that this particular season was waning here. But this does allow us to complete the Vespa series with high drama. Towering banks of cleared snow provide the natural backdrop for our model dressed modestly in mink and our Porsche 996 Turbo has had a respray in white ... via post processing of course.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ducati2crop-1.jpgDucati2CropThis stretch of Dundas Street has an unusual curve as it approaches the Filmores and a leaning motorcycle is its best profile. So much dynamic is on display in this still shot. And you have to be a rider to understand how to pose a motorcycle rider correctly. Entering a curve, the rider shifts her weight to lower the center of gravity giving the bike greater stability as it leans through the corner, critical since encountering a greasy road surface at this angle might cause the bike to slip and crash.2025-02-23T03:45:20+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/02/03/a-tale-of-a-race-winning-rx7-chassis/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mazdagtuwatercolorjpg.jpgMazdaGTUWatercolorjpgPaul Fuijhara painted this watercolor and gives us yet another look at #92 in the 1983 seasons with Trinity Racing BUT in white and not the recognized red paint scheme!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/369791328_758774186052148_1885435289484479309_n.jpg#92 at a recent Daytona Historic Racing event.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jimkent92.jpgJimKent92The author and #92 Kent Racing in earlier, happier times.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/92gtu.jpg92gtuAs of January 2022, #92 is being showcased at the head office of Hagerty in Traverse City, MI.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dickgreerrx784.pngDickGreerRx784First sighting of new #92 with Dick Greer at the Michigan GTU race on September 14, 1984.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dickgreerrx7.jpgDIckGreerRx7Appearing as #82 for the Dick Greer Racing Team at the 1989 Daytona 24 Hours.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/firestonead2.jpgFirestoneAd#2According to the ad, it looks like they actually raced on the S-660 radial tire this time around.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/firestone82.jpgFIrestone#82"Kent Racing" is visible right beneath the 82 on the hood although the car was entered under the auspices of the Trinity Racing Team .https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/slotcarphoto4.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/slotcarphoto3.jpgSlotcarPhoto31981 IMSA GTU Champion, #92 Kent Racing Mazda Rx7 races the Le Mans winning prototype Mazda 787B at a historic demonstration race this afterrnoon ..... in my basement.2025-02-19T14:03:55+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/12/02/the-secret-5000-rcafs-top-secret-remains-classified-until-2045/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/title.jpgScreenshotScreenshothttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-shot-2024-12-02-at-9.52.32-am.pngScreen Shot 2024-12-02 at 9.52.32 AMThe overlapping East Coast network of radar stations that were vital in detecting and sink several marauding German U boats hoping to take advantage of complacent convoys leaving Halifax harbour. Perhaps the most vital role of the radar system was the detection and localization of downed aircrews in the Atlantic so that they could be rescued. Some radar sites were in such wild and remote areas that personnel were granted $100 budget for personal provisions since the sites would not be resupplied for more than a year. Everything had to be built from scratch and powered by diesel generators.2025-01-27T20:43:17+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/10/25/make-your-own-tamrac-zipshot/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/title-1.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/zipshot2.jpgZipshot2Zipshot2 leaning against my portable full sized tripod which takes at least a minute to get all the segments extended and tightened.2024-12-24T10:37:54+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/09/30/the-vespa-series/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/jeep2finalb.jpgJeep2FINALBA homage to Sucker Punch and Tintin, this also highlights a typical autumn day in the city's forests.  The Pursuit.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/comparison.jpgFrom left to right: https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/magnum.jpgScreenshotTom Selleck wearing the Chronosports Sea Quartz 30 diving watch. Early versions were only labelled Quartz 30. The open crown is common practice during filming to keep the hands from moving and possibly interuppting contiuity during successive retakes.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/screen-shot-2024-11-23-at-4.33.35-pm.pngScreen Shot 2024-11-23 at 4.33.35 PMThis eBay seller likely won't get this price, but good examples do go for well over $1500 USD. The Momentum for well under $300. The Chronoports for about $100 more when new.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/57a4bff593812343f08bde150c09128e.jpg57a4bff593812343f08bde150c09128ehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/jeepfinalsmall.jpgJeepFinalsmallA homage to Sucker Punch and Tintin, this also highlights a typical autumn day in the city's forests.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/jeepfinal.jpgJeepFinalhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/porscheposter-copy.jpgPorschePoster copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/title2.jpgtitle2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/title-1.jpgtitle2024-12-10T17:12:41+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/07/02/shooting-a-tire-photo-contest-with-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/toyotirescontest2023.jpgToyoTiresContest2023https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/fransrx3big.jpgFransRx3BigThe 1976 Mazda Series III Rx3 at Fran's - the all night restaurant in he heart of downtown Toronto. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/title2.jpgtitle2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/title.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/toyo1c.jpgToyo1cI found a Maisto 1:18 Ford Mustang GT with a RTR (ready to rock) wide body kit with a wonderful Toyo Tires windshield banner and wearing Toyo Tire Proxes as can be easily identified by its distinctive asymmetric tread pattern. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/toyofinal.jpgToyofinalSo this is my final version, and I defy anybody not knowing to suspect that this is not the real thing. The real building and street light reflections are things that no Photoshop artist could ever anticipate to implement. The cobblestone pavement and tram give the image a distinct European vibe. The selective use of background blur sell the idea that the speeding Mustang GT was shot from the open back of a lead vehicle. I selectively lightened the nose of the car to reveal the detail of the dual radiator grills and the famous bucking mustang badge. And if you carefully, you will even see a smiling driver enjoying the ride. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/toyo917kd.jpgToyo917KdBut maybe I'm overthinking the concept. Not everyone knows the Lelouch film. I'm about to throw out my Porsche 917K racecar from the 1970s Le Mans victories when I realize that she still has one more race left in her. I buy some water transfer decals and decorate her windshield and rear flank with Toyo Tire sponsor stickers. I originally thought I'd stage the scene on a highway but shooting from even the shoulder with hundreds of cars speeding past is very dangerous and sure to attract the attention of the police. I chose a quieter an slower city street that featured a streetcar and shot from the spaces between parked cars. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/toyo1.gifToyo1When one desaturates the colour from an image, the result is quite often dynamically flat. You have to exaggerate the contrast in general and highlight specific areas that have natural contrast. It's important to increase the contrast of the Toyo Tires windshield banner. And also to make the tread pattern of the driver's front tire visible, the light colored paint on the side view mirrors, front splitter, and side graphics. In the final iteration I lighten the interior of the cabin so more detail is visible, add front and rear light beams and light up the cloudy night sky.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/toyo917k.gifToyo917KI had already punched up the contrast of the darker upper body paint work, the next stage was to make the car number circle brighter and whiter, emphasize both Toyo Tire decals, lighten the cabin to improve visibility of the driver and darken the seams between all the body panels to further imply that the doors actually open, and the rear and front nose sections lift off. Finally I increase the brightness and crop the image to give the impression of the car driving off the right lower corner of the image. 2024-10-28T23:14:37+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/09/23/an-truly-affordable-rotary-engine-themed-mechanical-watch/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rotorwatchfinal.jpgOBLVLO Rotor mechanical watch with forest orange epsom calf leather straphttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rotorwatch2.jpgRotorWatch2With green and orange NATO strap.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/screen-shot-2024-09-23-at-12.06.18-am.pngScreen Shot 2024-09-23 at 12.06.18 AMIf you thought that was an unbelievable scenario, try this example of ridiculous China lies. A zoo in Guangdong province tried to fool visitors with its panda exhibit by painting Chow Chow dogs to look like pandas. Really.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/rotorwatch.jpgrotorwatchhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/title.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/movement.jpgmovementThe watch uses a 21 jewel, 21,600 bph movement with a 48 hour power reserve. Cracking open the back confirms that this is indeed the venerable Miyota 8215. Much like Behrens, OBLVLO has designed and fabricated a custom stack of geared components to place on second/minutes/hours posts. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/dial.jpgdialFit and finish are what you would expect for such an inexpensive watch.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/lumes.jpgLumesThe watch bears a passing resemblance to the Behrens Rotary watch with a retrograde movement of the hour indicator as it transitions from Noon to 1 PM or Midnight to 1 AM. The lumes are better applied here than on the Behrens watch.2024-10-08T12:24:41+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/09/24/the-death-of-the-car/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vespa2b.jpgVespa2bThe model is highly poseable and with convincing hidden joints. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vespabalzacfinalgaussian2.jpgVespaBalzacFinalGaussian2Our model is seated outside of Balzac's coffee house, located in the Distillery District. This massive complex of building and cobblestoned roadways washttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/akira2.jpgAkira2This is n homage to the famous Japanese Manga AKIRAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vesparoythomson.jpgVespaRoyThomsonOur Akira modelhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/fleeinghanuman.jpgFleeingHanumanOur models finds herself fleeing the disturbing statue of the Hindu monkey God Hanuman,.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/casaloma5d.jpgCasaLoma5dThe new VW Beetle is found with our model and her Great Dane outside of Casa Loma, a real castle. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/casaloma3.jpgCasaLoma3Life clearly has been good to our model who now drives a Porsche 996 Turbo. Large scale carhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/beachporsche.jpgBeachPORSCHEFinally, we find our model with her other dog, a Belgian Mallinois, on the beach at Scarborough Bluffs, also the site of a famous scene in the Daniel Radcliffe movie The F Word.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/screen-shot-2024-09-24-at-9.35.31-am-1.pngScreen Shot 2024-09-24 at 9.35.31 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/screen-shot-2024-09-24-at-9.35.31-am.pngScreen Shot 2024-09-24 at 9.35.31 AM2024-09-25T16:30:06+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/08/25/the-most-famous-canadian-photo-of-world-war-2/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/tanks-copy.jpgA better example of an earlier image. This appears to be a Sherman Firefly conversion with the British 17 pounder gun retrofitted. At full strength Squadron C would have four Sherman Fireflies and these were effective against Tigers and Panthers unlike normal Shermans. Most would identify the rectangular addition to the rear of the turret as one of the modifications moving the radio outside of the turret to give the ground crew more room in operating the larger gun. But tank crews often added outside storage to their tanks. This is just a normal Sherman because the bow gun is still present (deleted in the Firefly because that crew position is eliminated to allow more room for storage of the larger shell ammo), and the much longer gun barrel is not visible even from this angle. The shorter 75mm standard gun barrel might be hidden by the turret. Across the street is a barrel with a muzzle brake that might belong to a Firefly or a destroyed German tank. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/map.jpghe Allies enjoyed complete air superiority and flew thousands of ground attack sorties with impunity against the exposed Germans who desperately attempted to escape to the East before being enveloped.   The fighting ability of the German Army had diminished along with their stores of fuel and ammunition and their morale further crumbled by being forced to hide during the day lest they provoke the fury of an air attack with which they had no defense.  The German commander of the southern flank wrote while stuck in a traffic jam, “It was a debacle.  Some cars had lost their windows and doors.  We saw one carrying officers with no front tires and another with only three wheels.”   Joyous French citizens watched on in amusement as the once proud German army disintegrated.  “Even the SS was no exception, the 1st SS Panzer Division had never fought so miserably, the fighting morale of the German troops had cracked.”https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/coloricon.jpgBy noon things had quieted down in the town and Currie was back at the intersection when two Jeeps with members of #1 Canadian AFPU drove up after hearing a rumor that the Americans would be arriving to link up with the Canadians.   Here they spent two hours shooting stills and 16mm film of B Company of ASH and Currie controlling the village and taking German prisoners.   The most iconic moment was the sudden appearance of a BMW R75 motorcycle with sidecar containing a German officer wearing a peaked cap and goggles leading a halftrack full of soldiers.  After recovering from his surprise, Captain Sigfried Rauch dismounted and regained his arrogant Aryan attitude while surrendering the entire column with no loss of life. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/tankslide.gifTankSlide3.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/bikeslide.gifBikeSlide2.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/surrenderslide.gifSurrenderSlide1.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/secondsurrenderslide.gifSecondSurrenderSlide1.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/tanks.jpgTANKS4.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/prisoners.jpgPRISONERS5.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/panther.jpgPANTHER6.2024-09-07T12:26:25+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/06/23/the-bikeriders-a-movie-review/2024-06-24T20:48:15+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/05/29/the-unexpected-rx7-at-monte-carlo/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1979montecarlorallycrop.jpg1979MonteCarloRallyCrop#157 caught ascending the Col de Turini. AGAIN gotcha! 1:43 Kyosho diecast model shot on Monte Carlo diorama and over Lake Ontario at the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto at sunrise.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside.jpgInsideThe mystery deepens! This photo was taken in late 1978 and clearly shows the Halda Tripviewer in place. The switchgear pertains to the lamp installed for map reading and Clarion also installed a full stereo cassette head unit although there is no mention if any music was ever played during competition. At some point the computer was swapped out before the car reappeared in the 2009 MCRH.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shipping.jpgShippingThe Rx7 was air shipped to Paris on Jan 10th and arrived intact on its palette and is skillfully unloaded with a fork lift. Can you imagine the shipping cost? Return to Japan after the rally was by sea transport.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/goto.jpgGotoGoro magazine was owned by Clarion and knew no journalistic boundaries in promoting its parent company through the Monte Carlo Rally experience. "Entry #157 Team GOTO dominates Opel, BMW and Porsche" may have technically been true in that the Rx7 did beat an Opel, a BMW, and a Porsche entry that may have crashed and did not finish the race. In the next issue the title reads "Team GOGO wins Monte Carlo" implying it beat the first place Lancia Stratos pictured below when the win was a Class win.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mazdaposter.jpgMazdaPosterHowever Mazda really was the marketing winner here. For zero expenditure, they were able to promote both the Daytona winning Rx7 and the Monte Carlo Rally Rx7 on a poster that was displayed at all Mazda dealerships in Japan. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/montecarlorallynight-1.jpgMonteCarloRallyNightThe Night of Long Kniveshttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/montecarlorallynight.jpgMonteCarloRallyNighthttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1979montecarlorally2.jpg1979MonteCarloRally2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1979montecarlorally.jpg1979MonteCarloRally#157 caught ascending the Col de Turini. AGAIN gotcha! 1:43 Kyosho diecast model shot on Monte Carlo diorama and over Lake Ontario at the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto at sunrise.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rmch2009_218cmd1_007.jpgRMCH2009_218CMD1_0072024-06-08T12:41:15+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/05/21/the-mazda-rx500-anomaly/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/183-thickbox_default.jpg183-thickbox_defaultThe diecast model was modified with custom made decals, LED headlights and panel gaps painted. A 1:43 driving figure was also inserted.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rx500b.jpgRx500BRX500 racing on the Mazda Miyoshi Proving Ground.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rx500a2.jpgRX500a21:43 Spark model shot in forced perspective ... Gotcha!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/clay.jpgclay.Clay modelling of the RX500. A 1:5 scale model was used for wind tunnel testing and a 1:2 scale mock up unveiled in January 1970, giving only precious few months to manufacture the actual running prototype.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/restore.jpgRestore10A engine opened showing blown coolant seals. The RX500 had laid forgotten and under dust for decades hidden in a Mazda warehouse before the 2008 restoration.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/title.jpgTitle2024-05-22T16:38:05+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/02/15/the-1982-mazda-rx7-gto-race-car/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/deerparkservicesmall-1.jpgDeerParkServiceSmallDeer Park Auto Service ... for all your rotary needs. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/deerparkservicesmall.jpgDeerParkServiceSmallhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1983mazdarx7_imsa-gto.jpg1983MazdaRX7_IMSA-GTOThe real thing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240326_093358.jpg20240326_093358The most difficult modification was the headlight conversion to replace the aerodynamically penalizing popup lights. I bought a plastic kit for Ryosuke Takahashi's 5th stage modified Fc as it appears in the Japanese manga Initial D and used its headlight conversion kit as well as the internal roll cage on this model.  The original white painted light covers still fit and that's how the team would normally race the car in short IMSA races where headlights are not needed.  They would also delete the windshield wipers if rain was not imminent.   The decals are a great alternative for things that simply can't be painted.   The air intake grills for the cabin at the base of the windshield are impossibly narrow but I just designed a decal for them and they turned out much better than attempting to paint them.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240326_093339.jpg20240326_093339This is my final model building venture as I always wanted a model of this car but nobody has ever built one ... until now. It is modified Rx7 SA 1:24 plastic model kit with the widened fenders handcrafted from Tamiya slow cure epoxy, The too small original tires and wheels have been replaced with the larger gold mesh BBS rims (although I do think they might be a bit too big).  Does anybody know what the race sponsor sticker ULTRA refers to?   I had to make that one from scratch since I could not determine what company it belonged to so there is no Internet record of its logo.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/racingbeatgto2-1.jpgRacingBeatGTO2The most difficult modification was the headlight conversion to replace the aerodynamically penalizing popup lights. I bought a plastic kit for Ryosuke Takahashi's 5th stage modified Fc as it appears in the Japanese manga Initial D and used its headlight conversion kit as well as the internal roll cage on this model.  The original white painted light covers still fit and that's how the team would race normally race the car in short IMSA races.   The decals are a great alternative for things that simple can't be painted.   The air intake grills for the cabin at the base of the windshield are impossibly narrow but I just designed a decal for them and they turned out much better than attempting to paint them.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/racingbeatgto2.jpgRacingBeatGTO2The most difficult modification was the headlight conversion to replace the aerodynamically penalizing popup lights. I bought a plastic kit for a Ryosuke Takahashi's 5th stage modified Fc as it appears in the manga Initial D and used its headlight conversion kit as well as the internal roll cage on this model. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/racingbeatgto1.jpgRacingBeatGTO1This is my final model building venture as I always wanted a model of this car but nobody has ever built one ... until now. It is modified Rx7 SA 1:24 plastic model kit with the widened fenders handcrafted from Tamiya slow cure epoxy, The pathetically small original tires and wheels have been replaced with the correct gold BBS rims. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240226_204617.jpg20240226_204617My miniature paint booth ... which I set up in one of my locker spaces in my condo building since I no longer have a garage to work in. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240225_183320.jpg20240225_183320There is a whole new category of paint strippers that are ecologically safe. No fumes, noncaustic and safe to handle. The only downside is that they do take more time, I had the model in for 24 hrs before the paint peeled out effortlessly.2024-05-14T21:53:19+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/03/31/wankel-engine-themed-watches-for-rotorheads/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/graph-copy.jpgScreenshotScreenshothttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/blank.jpgblankThe ZR012 made by the company known as C3H5N3O9.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bulovawatches.jpgScreenshotOn the left is the relatively rare 1960 Bulova gold plated Assymetric President's model. They can be had for about $200 USD, cheaper in non running condition which is ideal since I'm only interested in the rotor shaped watch housing. On the right is a cheap modern Bulova quartz watch which happens have the same dial face diameter. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/graph.pngGraphhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dash.jpgDashWe need a modern battery powered movement for use as a car clock and I lost the original clock to the priorities of a boost gauge. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bulovamod.jpgBulovaModThe project is to put the modern quartz movement into the vintage watch case. The vintage Bulova had not been serviced in decades and the dried lubricants made it impossible to dislodge the movement. I had cut some grooves in the periphery and could rotate the movement partially but had to cut through the movement right through the dial face before getting enough purchase to rip the offending thing out of the case. Next I cut off the lugs.2024-03-31T21:45:11+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/12/15/the-first-bonneville-rx7/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/chute.jpgCHutehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ngk.jpgNGK2024-03-31T21:33:52+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/12/19/the-group-b-rally-rx7/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cl84ad.jpgCL84adThe US Navy invited the CX-84 for an east coast demonstration and sea operations trials and the CX-84 flew nonstop on external tanks to Washington DC and landed on the Pentagon's tight 100 square foot helipad in front of an audience of high ranking military and government officials.  On February 22, 1972 the CX-84 demonstrated the ease at which it landed and operated from the bucking deck of the USS Guam at sea and in windy conditions. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jumpingrx7unloadedmonos.jpgJumpingRx7unloadedmonoSAnd now with suspension unloaded.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jumpingrx7full-copyb.jpgJumpingRx7full copy(b)50 megapixel high resolution image from OM-1 and Leica 9mm f/1.7 lens. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pc161246a-copysmall-copy.jpgPC161246a copy(small) copyModel setup roadside (see inset) for forced perspective image and interior being light painted to improve visibility of driving figures (Navigator and Driver).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jumpingrx7sharpcropmono.jpgJumpingRx7(sharpcrop)monoDetractors claim I only spend three minutes with Photoshop to create these illusions. And that I steal images from the Net. Because I shoot the model in situ, I get real reflections of the surrounding trees on the windscreen that you cannot fake. And because the model is shot against the real final background, I can roughly cut the car image out and transplant it on the background without the tripod platform and with me lying in the middle of the road. When you try to closely cut a stock image and transplant in into a foreign background it never looks convincing because the transition between https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jumpingrx7full-copy.jpgJumpingRx7full copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pc161246a-copysmall.jpgPC161246a copy(small)Model set up roadside for a forced perspective image. Here I'm light painting the car's interior to enhance the visibility of the race figures.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/screen-shot-2023-12-19-at-2.26.16-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2023-12-19 at 2.26.16 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231218_074807.jpg20231218_074807https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231204_123454.jpg20231204_123454Rare Otto 1:18 scale Group B Rx7 resin model. The manufacturer was cheap and decided not to detail the actual headlights of the auxilliary light pod. I had to cut it off and transplant one from a 1:18 Lancia Stratos. Some 1:18 driving figures were placed inside to enhance the illusion.2024-03-31T21:33:06+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/01/02/the-lambo-on-the-wall/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/torontoatatwbinoculars.jpgTorontoATATwbinocularsThe view through Rebel Binoculars.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/torontoatat-copy.jpgTorontoATAT copyAlthough this is anecdotal evidence of climate change, I had to wait until late March and the official start of Spring here in Toronto before enough snow fell and actually stayed for me to attempt this image. Shot in Riverdale Park with the downtown city core showing in the distance and OM1 and Leica 9 mm f/1.7 lens. Exactly a week earlier, it had been 20 C. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shadow.jpgshadowUsing a desk lamp aimed from the altitude and direction of the morning sun, I can see what the shadow should look like and duplicate it post processing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/countachski.jpgCountachSkiThis early rendition has the shadow of the car too small as compared to the other cars in the parking lot. Part of the problem is my platform is too narrow to capture the full shadow of a low winter's Sun, but I suspect the small size of the model fails to capture a convincing shadow anyway. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/snow.jpgsnowI had to build a layer of snow onto my platform and thin it out to make it match the parking lot compressed snow texture. The ski conditions were excellent but unfortunately it has been many years since I've skied. And that was at Whistler/Blackcomb, Mount Hood in Oregon and Mount Tremblant in Quebec so real mountains, not the small manufactured hills in Ontario.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/car.jpgcarTo further the illusion, I'm using some vintage skis and poles from a 1970s era GI Joe when action figures used to be 1:6 scale and not the tiny ones they are today. A 1:10 scale Yakima roof rack rounds out the illusion and the raised door prevents too much scrutiny.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/countachskifinal2b.jpgCountachSkiFinal2bAfter a few weeks, I can see Eddie is getting a little stir crazy. After all, Toronto is no Tokyo. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/finalwolfcountachjimb.jpgFinalWolfCountachJimbMy friend, Eddie Okado, is from Yokohama, Japan and also is the proud owner of the original Walter Wolf Countach. This car is the prototype that set the example of how all later Countaches would appear and be equipped. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/parkingspace.jpgParkingSpaceI begin by taking an image of a parking space in my building. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/staples.jpgStaplesSince I couldn't take the image from directly overhead, I had to correct for perspective and had it printed out at my local Staples in a 1:8 scale, to match my Countach model. 2024-03-24T08:44:34+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/03/02/shooting-a-complete-solar-eclipse-with-m43-and-how-to-process-the-data/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/screen-shot-2024-03-02-at-12.03.28-am.pngScreen Shot 2024-03-02 at 12.03.28 AMUsing Apple Image as shown, note that Offset must be at 128.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/skynewscorona2small.jpgThe 1/400 s image is blended into the 1/100s image and the result of that is blended into the 1/4 s image to produce with final composite corona image.The 1/400 s data is blended with the 1/100s date. This is then blended with the 1/4 s data to produce this final composite image of the solar corona. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/screen-shot-2024-03-01-at-10.34.09-pm.pngScreen Shot 2024-03-01 at 10.34.09 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shorteststackcentersubtract.jpgshorteststackCentersubtractThe Blur images are subtracted from the original images.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/screen-shot-2017-09-07-at-5.00.56-pm.pngScreen Shot 2017-09-07 at 5.00.56 PMThe ideal focal length to shoot a total solar eclipse with a m43 sized sensor is 500mm. This gives you a high magnification view of the sun as well as enough room around the sun to see the solar corona. You could use the Sigma 500mm f/4.5 on the left but that would require a large telescope equatorial mount to carry. Or the very compact 500mm Olympus mirror lens on the right which can be easily carried by much small star tracker style mounts. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/multiplycompared.jpgmultiplycomparedFinally, the Original image is multiplied by the Subtracted image again using the Apple Image function. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/blurcomparison-copy.jpgblurcomparison copyThe solar corona's brightness is radially symmetrical in the first order. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3exposuresofsun.jpg3exposuresofsunFrom left to right, stacked images taken at 1/4, 1/100 and 1/400s. 2024-03-07T12:48:59+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/05/15/digital-motorsports-painting/2024-02-17T14:16:42+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/10/08/the-leica-freedom-train/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/screen-shot-2023-10-10-at-10.14.51-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-10-10 at 10.14.51 PMThis Leica O series camera is up for auction on October 7, 2023. This is one of about 22-25 prototypes that were made for testing before the Leica I model was finally introduced for commercial sale. Expect this camera to sell well north of $1 million.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/screen-shot-2023-10-08-at-9.46.32-am-copy.jpgScreen Shot 2023-10-08 at 9.46.32 AM copyMy little collection of Leicas. Unfortunately none of them are what a real Leica purist would consider a real Leica. For decades, some of the best post war Leica lens designs were manufactured in a Leica factory just north of Toronto but even those lenses are not as respected as those Made in Germany.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fakeleica-1.jpgFakeLeicaThis is a fake Leica, likely a converted Russian FED or Zorki which began as a copy of the Leica. No Leicas ever came painted or with bronzed controls. There were also never any commemorative 1936 Berlin Olympic editions. And there were never any Nazi symbols engraved on any Leicas, including the Nazi Eagle.  After the fall of the Soviet Union, increased tourism in Russia meant more gullible customers hoping to buy a rare prewar Leica II, especially a limited edition Olympic model for cheap.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/screen-shot-2023-10-07-at-7.27.29-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-10-07 at 7.27.29 PMThe Leica II model, circa 1931. This was likely the camera gifted to every Jewish employee sent abroad which could be easily turned into cash when and wherever needed.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/yimi-1.jpgYiMiThis looks like a modern Leica digital camera, but is a thinly disguised Chinese Yi M1 with a Leica red badge afixed. The lens is a real Leica lens, as branded by Panasonic for their higher end m43 lenses - the DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 2024-02-10T13:33:19+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2024/01/24/the-canadair-cl-84-dynavert/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/screen-shot-2024-01-24-at-7.51.53-am.pngScreen Shot 2024-01-24 at 7.51.53 AMAfter only one year, on December 9th of 1964 the prototype CL-84 made it debut onto a snow covered tarmac.  Powered by a pair of 1400 bhp Lycoming engines driving 14 foot propellers with lightweight foam filled four bladed fiberglass blades.   The left propeller rotated clockwise and the right one counterclockwise to cancel out the other's torque effect.  The wingspan is shorter than a conventional aircraft but a longer span would have imposed weight and drag penalties and reduced performance.   The wing could tilt from 2º to 102º with full span trailing edge flaps functioning as ailerons.  The variable tilt horizontal stabilizers with elevators and vertical endplate fins was programmed to move from zero to 30º along with the wing tilt to remain within the propeller slipstream and minimized longitudinal trim changes.  When the wing was fully tilted for vertical flight mode, the tail returned to full horizontal position.  The 7 foot dual contra rotating tail rotor provided precision pitch control during hovering.  During horizontal flight, the tail rotor was declutched, and aligned fore and aft to reduce drag.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/titleimage-recovered.jpgTitleImage-Recoveredhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/titleimage-copy.jpgTitleImage copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/62-6.jpg62-6The chief difference in the 62-6C design lies in the the fixed position of the horizontal stabilizer and the placement of the rear rotor on top.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/designs.jpgDesignsThe CL-62 series of designs showed the greatest promise with the 62C making the final five by a NATO selection committee in 1963.  62-1 had four engines driving three bladed propellers with a single top mounted two bladed tail rotor to provide control in pitch during the transition and low speed flight.  62-2A has eight engines, grouped in pairs around each propeller.  62-3 had 4 engines grouped in pairs along the fuselage midline powering 8 bladed large diametered ducted fans mounted outboard and able to pivot in unison.  The 62-4 had conventional wing and twin turboprop engines for horizontal flight with V/STOL lift effected with 16 turbojets in four clusters of four.  62-5 was the most radical with seven jets per wing with no protrusions to affect the leading surface and jet exhaust venting over full trailing edge plug ailerons acting as nozzles to direct thrust for vertical or horizontal flight.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/weaponspod.jpgWeaponsPodTesting the CX-84 as a gunship with midmounted GE 7.62mm minigun pod. Greater than 80% target hits were recorded in hover mode and adequate suppressive fire could be maintained during rescue operations without the need for a turret mounted gun by precise directional and wing tilt controls. Unlike a helicopter, depressing the nose of the CX-84 does not cause to move forward.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cl84a.jpgCL84aA pair of CX-84s with one carrying two external auxillary fuel tanks.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cl84b.jpgCL84bhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/titleimage.jpgTitleImageCL-84 conducting trials on the carrier USS Guadalcanal, which also retrieved the space capsules Gemini 10 and Apollo 9. In the distance is a Russian spy vessel which trailed the carrier the entire time.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cl-84flight.jpgCl-84flightThe CL-84 lifts off the USS Guam in a number of flight trials for the US. The CL-84 astounded onlookers as she climbed in a right handed victory roll. 2025-11-02T23:21:53+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/11/25/on-safari-in-kenya-with-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cheetahvehiclesmall.jpgCheetahVehicle(small)Or is he really stalking careless humans who don't realize a wild predator could conceivably jump into that open car?https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/leopardwalkingtowardsyousmall.jpgLeopardWalkingTowardsYou(small)The leopard begins stalking a nearby herd of topi.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/leopardroarsmall.jpgLeopardRoar(small)The leopard roars. Or is he yawning. It depends on the narrative you wish to spin.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/leopardsleeping2small.jpgleopardsleeping2(small)Any gambler will tell you that luck runs in streaks. A second sighting was reported about another sleeping leopard but this one was awakening. These guys have a much stronger affinity for tree dwelling than the other big cats and display their lifting strength by taking their kill carcasses treetop to be consumed there.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/leopardsleeping1small.jpgLeopardsleeping1(small)Over the radio we heard the rare sighting of a leopard sleeping in a tree. Since a 2018 study of over 12000 candid leopard photos estimated a population of only 52 in the reserve, this was a truly rare opportunity. My guide had also not seen any leopard for the past 5 months. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bigearssmall.jpgBigEars(small)But surprisingly it is the gentle Elephant that has accounted for about 200 Kenyan deaths over the past seven years. Increasingly there are conflicts between humans and elephants as elephants invade, destroy and consume the planted crops of farmers. If the humans show aggression defending their property, the elephants will respond. Or it could be as simple as a human just being in the way and unfortunately trampled. The ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa commencing in 2020 could be the pressure pushing this interaction but that affects only the Eastern regions of Kenya.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/orangebreastedbushshrikesmall.jpgOrangeBreastedBushShrike(small)This Orange Breastedf Bushshrike has caught himself an interesting lunch. The caterpillar appears to mimic the coloration and appearance of the acacia tree and could almost pass for a small budding branch. Its antennae might even resemble the thorns that protrude from this iconic tree.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/elephant2small.jpgElephant2(small)But surprising, its the gentle elephant that is responsible for more deaths, some 200 Kenyans have died in the past years. They ruin farmer's crops by simple walking through their fields https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/oxsmall.jpgOx(small)The African Ox is a mean spirited animal and will specifically go out of its way to target and kill a human.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/hyenasmall.jpgHyena(small)A spotted hyena cooling off into a roadside puddle.2023-12-03T12:21:56+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/05/04/how-to-survive-a-toothache-for-a-week/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jimsendo.pngJimsEndohttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/perfectendo.pngperfectendoAs a general dentist, I also frequently perform root canals. But it is very difficult to perform this procedure on yourself - although at least one dentist has accomplished this ..... somehow!2023-10-26T13:35:25+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/05/24/drone-photography/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/title3-3080257587-e1684924762890.jpgTitle3https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/title2.jpgTitle2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/title-1.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/title.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/droneowlcrop1.jpgDroneOwlcrop(1)My first real flight with the Skydio 2 using the 12.3 megapixel camera from a Sony 1/2.3" sensor and a full frame equivalent 20mm lens. In a situation with good light, the results are good and far better than anything obtained with the OM-1 and telephoto lenses. Despite having no experience flying a drone and the trepedition of crashing and losing a relatively expensive piece of hardware in the bog, I only had difficulty finding the nest and not flying it at all. Every tree and empty nest starts looking the same when you are in the middle of it, but the drones sure ability to avoid crashing into trees made flying incredibly easy. In hindsight this is indeed the drone for photographers to buy since you don't need to acquire the skill of flying. As a wildlife photographer I will not disturb this nest again, the baby owls were clearly frightened by the strange and sudden appearance of the drone but the views were extraordinary!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/greathornedowl2023.jpgGreatHornedOwl2023OM-1 with Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 and MC20 and TC-1.25X at f/11. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/greathornedbaby.jpgGreatHornedbabyUsing my adapted Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 monster yielded similar results.  Here we are experiencing the resolution limits due to the diffraction of light limited by the diameter of the telephoto lens being used.   I could prove this phenomenon by dragging my 11 inch diameter Celestron Schmidt Cassegrain telescope with a focal reducer to get the same 800-1000 mm focal length and shooting it with the OM-1, but .... I'm too lazy and since the nest is some 20 feet above ground level I am still faced with that restrictive angle which prevents clear visibility of the young owls.   There is only one solution - drone photography.2025-03-07T10:41:51+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/01/15/the-return-of-the-rotary-engine/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/30evmotor.jpg30EVmotorView of the new power plant as seen from the front of the car. The e-SkyActiv R-VE powertrain must be able to fir in the same body fram as the conventional gas powered MX30 to reduce costs and there is simply not enough space to bolt on a 3 or 4 cylinder ICE on the end. Only the thin single rotor 8C rotary engine fits and most efficient power generation is said to be 2300 rpm.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/rxgt3streetb.jpgRXGT3StreetbAn exciting new development for rotaryphiles, Mazda has been seen testing its concept RX-GT3 sports car in public.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-15-at-4.25.27-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2023-01-15 at 4.25.27 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-15-at-4.25.27-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-01-15 at 4.25.27 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mx-30_e-skyactiv_r-ev_ext_11_l.jpgmx-30_e-skyactiv_r-ev_ext_11_lThe MX-30 R-EV will have a very small 18 kWh battery pack with only 80km of range but a single rotor 830 cc rotary Wankel engine (8C) weighing only 100 kg and 8 cm thick with a conventionally size 50 L gas tank giving a further 600 km of range by strictly operating to recharge the battery pack.    The generator can also supply 1500W of pure electricity for those who need power off the grid.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2022-12-14-at-10.37.32-am.pngScreen-Shot-2022-12-14-at-10.37.32-AMThe rotary engine is direct injected with peak power at 4700 rpm.  There are two side housing intake ports, the secondary port can be opened to prolong the intake stroke under high power demand situations.  The location of these ports confirm that the engine will not be used under high rpm situation but spend its time in the low end and running under conditions of maximum fuel efficiency and minimum emissions production.  The rotary engine eccentric shaft is connected to a generator on one end and a small electric motor on the other end which will deliver positive or negative torque to the spinning rotor.  In effect this will give variable timing to the engine under varying degrees of load to keep those emissions under control.  At low rpms there is positive assist torque (to shorten intake timing) and at high rpms there is negative assist torque (to prolong intake timing).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-10-at-8.23.48-am-1452105349-e1673817841330.pngScreen Shot 2023-01-10 at 8.23.48 AM2023-10-03T13:25:23+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/09/21/motor-fan-illustrated-sept-2023-issue/2023-09-25T02:03:21+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/06/03/advanced-forced-perspective-motorsports-projects/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/toyotirescontest2023.jpgToyoTiresContest2023As you can see, my image made the top 20 finalists in the 2023 Toyo Tires Photo Contest. I did not win the Grand Prize but felt more than honored to be included in the top 20.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55r.jpg55vs55RShot on the day of the annual IMSA race at Mosport, but sadly now without Mazda as a competitor, it seems fitting to imagine a race that will never happen. Between #55 and ... #55 - both winners in their own realms.  The RT-24P DPi has a 600 bhp inline 2L, 4 cylinder turbo engine and won the 2019 Sahlen's Six Hours at Watkins Glen and the 787B with the 900 bhp 2.6L, quad rotor engine won the 1991 Le Mans (detuned to 700 bhp).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55q-1.jpg55vs55Qhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55q.jpg55vs55QI can't decide which version I prefer (although clearly the signature that is narrow and tall looks better)!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55p-1.jpg55vs55PI can't decide which version I prefer (although clearly the signature that is narrow and tall looks better)!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55p.jpg55vs55PI can't decide which version I prefer!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55o-1.jpg55vs55OShot on the day of the annual IMSA race at Mosport, but sadly now without Mazda as a competitor, it seems fitting to imagine a race that will never happen. Between #55 and ... #55 - both winners in their own realms.  The RT-24P DPi has a 600 bhp inline 4 cylinder turbo engine and won the 2019 Sahlen's Six Hours at Watkins Glen and the 787B with the 900 bhp 2.6L quad rotor engine won the 1991 Le Mans (detuned to 700 bhp).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55o.jpg55vs55OShot on the day of the annual IMSA race at Mosport, but sadly now without Mazda as a competitor, it seems fitting to imagine a race that will never happen. Between #55 and ... #55 - both winners in their own realms.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55l-1.jpg55VS55LShot on the day of the annual IMSA race at Mosport, but sadly now without Mazda as a competitor, it seems fitting to imagine a race that will never happen. Between #55 and ... #55 - both winners in their own realms.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/55vs55l.jpg55VS55LShot on the day of the annual IMSA race at Mosport, but sadly now without Mazda as a competitor, it seems fitting to imagine a race that will never happen. Between #55 and ... #55 - both winners in their own realms.2023-08-27T14:29:25+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/11/26/royal-canadian-air-force-tribute-watches/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2023-08-23-at-11.31.57-am.pngCaptured P-47 42-75971. It is assigned to the 332nd FG, 301FS and named "Ruthless Ruthie". It captured by the Luftwaffe on 29 May 1944 and, recoded as 8+6, was operated by Zirkus Rosarius. It has been flown by KG 200 as T9+LK. Recaptured by US forces at Göttingen. Note the P-51 fuselage on the upper right .https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pereginec4crop.jpgPeregineC4crophttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rcafww2watch.jpgRCAFWW2watchAt the same time the eBay search tool also returned some very inexpensive quartz watches produced by Eaglemoss, a company that frequent readers of this blog will duly recognize.  Apparently some time ago, Eaglemoss produced an entire range of several dozen watches, each a tribute to the the actual watches worn by soldiers from different countries during WW2.    As you can see the design has been quite faithful to the real thing, which would have been a Waltham manufactured 16 jewel mechanical watch made in the US.    Handheld high resolution image  Zuiko 45 mm f/1.8 OM-1  ISO 1600  1/50shttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2022-11-26-at-10.37.28-am-1.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-26 at 10.37.28 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2022-11-26-at-10.41.48-am-1208217091-e1669506690910.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-26 at 10.41.48 AMThere was forum chatter more than decade ago about Christopher Ward producing this watch specifically for RCAF pilots only featuring the RCAF Flight Wings logo in unknown but limited numbers.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2022-11-26-at-10.37.28-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-26 at 10.37.28 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rcafww2watchcrop.jpgRCAFWW2watchcropAt the same time the eBay search tool also returned some very inexpensive quartz watches produced by Eaglemoss, a company that frequent readers of this blog will duly recognize.  Apparently some time ago, Eaglemoss produced an entire range of several dozen watches, each a tribute to the the actual watches worn by soldiers from different countries during WW2.    As you can see the design has been quite faithful to the real thing, which would have been a Waltham manufactured 16 jewel mechanical watch made in the US. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2022-11-25-at-12.07.38-pm.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-25 at 12.07.38 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2022-11-25-at-9.11.06-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-25 at 9.11.06 AMThere was forum chatter more than decade ago about Christopher Ward producing this watch specifically for RCAF pilots only featuring the RCAF Flight Wings logo in unknown but limited numbers.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/screen-shot-2022-11-25-at-11.55.12-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-11-25 at 11.55.12 AM2024-03-31T19:31:29+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/03/05/shooting-butterflies-with-the-e-m1x/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/monarchinhyacinth.jpgMonarchinHyacinthThis shot was taken several years later, August of 2023, and in the wild, not at a butterfly conservatory. The flowers planted at a public park attracted a small cadre of monarchs and this was taken with the OM-1 and Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 at 150 mm. In MF mode, I chose the background of hyacinths and slightly defocused closer where some monarchs feeding on flowers closer to me might fly across the FOV. Using Procapture I watched the viewscreen for hours and triggered the capture with a remote whenever something flew across the screen. I got some captures in decent focus, some in good focus but not near the center, and this perfect outcome.2023-08-13T15:03:22+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/08/06/exploring-the-heuer-autavia-villeneuve/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/heuerad2-2.jpgThe problem was that I had to replace the set bridge. The watch has been serviced and I have been enjoying wearing it on a daily basis. Here's a faux vintage ad that I made to celebrate the model.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/heuerad2-1.jpgThe problem was that I had to replace the set bridge. The watch has been serviced and I have been enjoying wearing it on a daily basis. Here's a faux vintage ad that I made to celebrate the model.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/heuerad2.jpgfieldThe problem was that I had to replace the set bridge. The watch has been serviced and I have been enjoying wearing it on a daily basis. Here's a faux vintage ad that I made to celebrate the model.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/heuervintagead.jpgThe problem was that I had to replace the set bridge. The watch has been serviced and I have been enjoying wearing it on a daily basis. Here's a faux vintage ad that I made to celebrate the model.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/handschanged.jpgHandschangedHands and dials successfully swapped after grueling precision. But the simplest thing I can't get done is seating the crown back in! Off to the watchmaker it is. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rareautavia77363-1.pngrareAutavia77363Very similar to this early 7763 sample.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/screen-shot-2022-07-25-at-3.24.46-pm.pngScreen Shot 2022-07-25 at 3.24.46 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/screen-shot-2022-07-25-at-8.51.40-am-copy-1.pngScreen Shot 2022-07-25 at 8.51.40 AM copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ebayfakeautavia.pngebayfakeautaviaFakes abound on eBay, despite assurancies of authenticity. Again the dial is a glaring fake although apparently certain French brands made by Heuer had this type of imprinting. But then they would not be labelled Heurer and also by French law would require the additional line "Fab.Suisse" above "Swiss" and certainly not the "Swiss Made" shown.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/roxy.jpgroxyThe Roxy Diving chronograph is in excellent shape, a German brand established in 1935 as a subsidary of Castan and Kotalik of Pforzheim but long defunct. 2023-08-06T18:10:24+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/07/03/the-soundbrenner-core/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screen-shot-2023-07-24-at-8.18.57-am.pngScreen Shot 2023-07-24 at 8.18.57 AMIn November 2021, this apparently very rare and very early Omega Speedmaster with a tropical dial went to auction and fetched over 3 million Swiss francs. The winner was a bidder from China. The ruling class of China has long been investing its money in foreign real estate (like the Vancouver area) and is now diversifying into collectibles like art and vintage watches were ostensibly the West would find it difficult to seize those funds like they have been able to freeze the bank accounts of Russian oligarchs. But this watch should never have sold for this outrageous sum - even if it had been real. Omega determined that it was indeed a Franken watch and three employees were fired and criminally charged with fraud.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/soundbrenner.jpegOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screen-shot-2023-07-02-at-6.54.10-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-07-02 at 6.54.10 PMAt the same time, I read about a relatively new watch offered by Seiko, the Seiko Metronome. As you can tell by the watch face, the red tipped hour hand reciprocates when in metronome mode and the watch also issues a tone to allow tuning your instrument to Concert A or Bb. I was instantly intrigued ... until some further research confirmed that is is Made in China. And for the MSRP of only $199 USD, that is the only way this watch could be made for so little. Mind you, this is a quartz watch, NOT a mechanical watch ... which would cost several tens of thousands with these complications.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/title.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA2023-07-25T12:28:59+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/03/12/holy-schmoly/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/screen-shot-2023-06-14-at-8.22.14-pm-copy.jpgScreen Shot 2023-06-14 at 8.22.14 PM copyJames Dean at age 24 just a few hours before being killed in a car accident with his 550 on September 30, 1955.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bmw50yearsb-1.jpgBMW50YearsBI've given up the idea of staging this photo idea in the real world since it would involve carrying all my gear on the bike to ride to the site and shooting at a traffic intersection would be out of the question since none exists that would be safe enough to stage. So I've dug out my Schuco 1:10 BMW 1960 R60/2 model and had a 1:10 figure custom made to go with it.  Since it was a fairly long exposure with the setting after sunset, I was able to paint illuminate the figure and models with a flashlight to fill in engine details and figure faces that would otherwise remain underexposed.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bmw50yearsb.jpgBMW50YearsBI've given up the idea of staging this photo idea in the real world since it would involve carrying all my gear on the bike to ride to the site and shooting at a traffic intersection would be out of the question since none exists that would be safe enough to stage. So I've dug out my Schuco 1:10 BMW R60/2 model and had a 1:10 figure custom made to go with it.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/title-1.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/photo1.jpgphoto1https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/photo2.jpgphoto2I paste the flatter yellow stripe from the actual parking garage floor to cover the transition to the model platform.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/photo3.jpgphoto3A large area of the floor in front of the parking space is copy and pasted back onto itself, then transformed with the warp command to cover the anterior transition of the model platform.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/photo5.jpgphoto5The dark seam of the last image manipulation is healedhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/photo7.jpgphoto7The darker regions of the model platform are selected, feathered and curves used to adjust lightness .https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/photo8.jpgphoto8Unfortunately, there is still snow on the ground in Toronto so it will be at least a month before I can shoot the image in a more convincing setting. This is just a trial run to determine the last of the errors in my approach. Using a 1:10 scale highly detailed Schuco S1000RR model. I had to partially dissemble the fairing to install a pair of mini LED headlights powered by a 5V lithium coin battery. The rider is a rare Tamiya 1:12 motorcycle figure.2023-06-15T00:29:03+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/12/27/me-and-my-arrow/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/screen-shot-2023-04-29-at-7.23.06-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-04-29 at 7.23.06 PMCanada's acrobatic flight team "The Snowbirds" fly in formation over the full scale CF-105 replica. In the Summer 2023 edition of the excellent publication Aviation History, https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/rcaflieger.jpgRCAFliegerI made this version by picking up a used Laco 42mm Basic Pilot's watch for less than half price and placing a water transfer decal of the RCAF roundel from a 1:72 scale aircraft model kit.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20230212_155144.jpg20230212_155144I made this version by picking up a used Laco 42mm Basic Pilot's watch for less than half price and placing a water transfer decal of the RCAF roundel from a 1:72 scale aircraft model kit.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20230212_130117.jpg20230212_130117The Laco has a snap on back but no indent along the periphery to place a bladed instrument to twist it open. I had to buy this device and it was the only way to open the back ... but it worked!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/huntingthebear-1.jpgHuntingTheBearhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mach3arrow.jpgMach3ArrowErik Simonsen imagines the appearance of a Mach 3 Arrow already under consideration by Avro engineers, with highly modified variable intakes and increased vertical stabilizer sweep along with the latest Orenda engines. Additional internal fuel capacityand drop tanks were among the methods to increase operational range to 1000-1500 miles.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/laco_augsburg_black_42_slider1-v1570053984961-copy-1.jpgLACO_AUGSBURG_BLACK_42_SLIDER1-v1570053984961 copyI made this version by picking up a used Laco 42mm Basic Pilot's watch for less than half price and placing a water transfer decal of the RCAF roundel from a 1:72 scale aircraft model kit.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/arrow1-1.jpgArrow1The formal unveiling of the only full scale replica of the CF-105 Arrow in the Fall of 2006 as fabricated by former Avro engineers and craftsmen. Located at the now defunct Toronto Aerospace Museum in Downsview Park, Toronto, only a few kilometers from the original factory.  My then 9 year old son performing for the camera.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/jetliner.jpgJetlinerIn 1952 Howard Hughes spent 6 months with the Jetliner in California and initiated a plan for Convair, an American aircraft company, to begin production of the Jetliner in the US by 1954 to supply his airline company, TWA.  The US government disallowed the plan, claiming Convair needed to focus on its military commitments.   Similarly in Canada, the government claimed Avro needed to focus on production of its subsonic fighter, the CF-100 Canuck, for the Korean War conflict but the CF-100 only became operational in 1953, well after the war's end.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/su.jpgSUThe oddly familiar lines of the Sukhoi SU-24, introduced to the Soviet Air Force in 1975.2023-05-23T11:19:06+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/04/24/reviewing-the-yongnuo-yn455-camera/2024-07-23T09:31:14+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/03/08/pixii-camera-true-monochrome-performance-with-a-bayer-layer/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/painting500-copy.jpgPainting500 copyI wanted to test the cameras with a colour subject that had irregular transitions. The order from top to bottom is OM-1, OM-1 50 MP mode, and Pixii. The standard OM-1 example shows an interpolation error of having a black line painted over the perimeter of the red clothing and finally the oversampling 50 MP mode pays dividends because this error is not present. Since oversampling means the true RGB value of each pixel is known, interpolation is not necessary and such an error does not result. The Pixii somehow managed not to produce this error at all! https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/painting500.jpgPainting500I wanted to test the cameras with a colour subject that had irregular transitions. The order from top to bottom is OM-1, OM-1 50 MP mode, and Pixii. Interestingly both OM-1 examples show an interpolation error of have a black line painted over the perimeter of the red clothing despite the 50 MP mode oversampling the pixels such that the true RGB values of every pixel is now known and no interpolation should be needed. The Pixii somehow managed not to produce this error! https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/500greyprint.jpg500GreyPrintFrom top to bottom, Pixii and Phase One. The monochrome examples are more similar in this example because the brush stroke of the painting tend to disguise the noise that we saw in the earlier example with the colour guide. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/500comparo.jpg500comparoFrom top to bottom is Pixii, OM-1, OM-1 50 MP mode, Phase One. The three Bayer layered cameras appear to be noisier than than the Phase One monochrome camera under high magnification - which is to be expected. A monochrome camera should have higher signal to noise ratios is all its pixels and interpolation can introduce not just errors but noise into the image.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/lenses.jpgLensesDespite the outer flange diameter of the m43 lens mount being very similar to the Leica M39, its unlikely an adaptor exists that will allow unhindered operation of the rangefinder focusing window since its proximity is so close.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cover.jpgCoverhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/topbottom.jpgTopBottomThe camera is a manual focusing rangefinder, which is in keeping with the Leica esthetic - right down to the the ventral battery compartment that bears a strong resemblance to the vintage Leica access for film reloading. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rangefinder.jpgRangefinderThe main deficiency is the placement of the rangefinder focusing window. This position doesn't allow the use of adaptors and non Leica M39 lenses because the flange of the adaptor has to be wide enough in diameter to support these lenses and thereby blocks this window. Even some wide barreled native Leica M39 lenses will block this window which really questions the original thinking behind this design. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/monocomparo.jpgMonocomparoThe Phase One was shot with a Schneider Kreuznach 80mm LS f/2.8 lens also providing similar field of view as the other lenses. Again monochrome performance of the Pixii and the OM-1 are very similar and the only obvious difference in performance is that color tiles #1 and #2 are distinctly different in the Phase One's true monochrome image.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/colorcomparo.jpgColorcomparoAll images shot at ISO 800 and f/2.8 but Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 in the Pixii and Leica 15mm f/1.7 for the OM-1. All were shot about the same distance away from the target given the similarity in field of view of both lenses. Despite the pixel oversampling that occurs during the OM-1 50 MP high resolution mode, the images of all three are very similar in quality with no discernable interpolation errors, even along the transition edges.2023-04-25T00:06:08+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2023/01/24/the-ignominious-hmcs-bras-dor/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/title-1.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-23-at-6.09.30-pm-copy.jpgScreen Shot 2023-01-23 at 6.09.30 PM copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-23-at-6.09.43-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2023-01-23 at 6.09.43 PMCross sectional view of the HMCS Bras d'Or. (2) are the drive props driven by the diesel engine with the hull immersed. (1) are the specially developed supercavitating propellors driven by the Pratt & Whitney jet turbine during hydrofoil operation costing $750k to develop and manufacture ... and ultimately sold as scrap.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-23-at-7.24.21-pm-copy.jpgScreen Shot 2023-01-23 at 7.24.21 PM copyBell and his wife Mabel died soon afterwards in 1922, but their sizeable estate made it possible for Baldwin to continue his hydrofoil research and development for the next two decades.  It was an idyllic existence for an inventor with house servants and assistants and an annual $10k budget to spend entirely at his discretion but he never attained commercial success.  Baldwin lacked the practical experience of working as an engineer in the real world and although he did achieve notable innovations, his progressed as much as he blundered and he died early in 1948.  But the work of others is always built upon the work of those who came before and both Bell and Baldwin were instrumental in bringing HMCS Bras d’Or to life. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-23-at-7.35.05-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2023-01-23 at 7.35.05 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/screen-shot-2023-01-23-at-6.12.22-pm.pngScreen Shot 2023-01-23 at 6.12.22 PMA mock up of what an operational HMCS Bras d'Or could have looked like. A VDS sonar is carried at the stern with ASW torpedo tubes, missile launchers alongside the superstructure, a forward mounted 3 inch cannon. The slightly bulbous bow forefoot incorporates a small sonar array for hullborne use. The appearance is very similar to the Italian Navy's Sparviero class hydrofoils that are used for coastal patrols.2023-01-26T01:39:08+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/08/07/rebirth-of-a-12-f-13-classical-cassegrain-telescope/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cassegrain_atco_scopes.jpgCassegrain_atco_scopesA couple of restored ‘60s era telescopes. (left) 12” Ealing f/13 Classical Cassegrain,   (right) ATCO 80mm f/15 refractorhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-8.29.47-am-1.jpgScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 8.29.47 AMIn 1968, a pair of brand new 12" and 24" classical cassegrain scopes were being installed in the brand new observatory domes on the brand new campus of York University, located in the NW corner of Toronto.  The scopes were made by a company called Competition Associates which started life as a mechanic's garage servicing high end sports cars owned by well heeled Harvard University students.  The owner had acquaintances with people at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC who commissioned him to build a tracking camera platform.  A telescope making subsidiary was born.  Ealing Corporation of UK with a history of making microscopes bought the company and marketed the scopes as the Ealing Educator/Research series.   The entry level 8" scope was priced just under $3000, apparently competitive for the era when that amount of money could easily buy a new car.                                                                                              The scope featured a large fiberglass tube, a cast iron tracking base with Byers gears, Timkin tapered roller bearings driven by synchronous AC motors.  The 12" scope at York University served with distinction until 1999 when it was replaced with a Meade 16" SCT.   It passed through several hands, shedding components until only the optics remained when they found me.  I was happy because that gave me the freedom to re-imagine what this scope would look like in the 21st century.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-8.29.47-am.jpgScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 8.29.47 AMIn 1968, a pair of brand new 12" and 24" classical cassegrain scopes were being installed in the brand new observatory domes on the brand new campus of York University, located in the NW corner of Toronto.  The scopes were made by a company called Competition Associates which started life as a mechanic's garage servicing high end sports cars owned by well heeled Harvard University students.  The owner had acquaintances with people at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC who commissioned him to build a tracking camera platform.  A telescope making subsidiary was born.  Ealing Corporation of UK with a history of making microscopes bought the company and marketed the scopes as the Ealing Educator/Research series.   The entry level 8" scope was priced just under $3000, apparently competitive for the era when that amount of money could easily buy a new car.                                                                                              The scope featured a large fiberglass tube, a cast iron tracking base with Byers gears, Timkin tapered roller bearings driven by synchronous AC motors.  The 12" scope at York University served with distinction until 1999 when it was replaced with a Meade 16" SCT.   It passed through several hands, shedding components until only the optics remained when they found me.  I was happy because that gave me the freedom to re-imagine what this scope would look like in the 21st century.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-8.20.46-am.jpgScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 8.20.46 AMAll these telescope designs are referred to as Cassegrain variants. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-9.05.07-am.jpgScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 9.05.07 AMThe scope features a 4 vane spider suspending the secondary and attached to the primary via three carbon fiber strut poles, 1 1/8th" diameter. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-8.51.24-am.jpgScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 8.51.24 AMEquations make determining the length of the baffle tube and the size of baffles easy and precise. The baffle tube in Cassegrain/Gregory type scopes are crucial and should be well designed since they are prone of having stray light washout the contrast of the image at the eyepiece.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-8.22.10-am-1.pngScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 8.22.10 AMIt is entirely possible that Cassegrain arrived at his design independent of Gregory's published work.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-8.29.47-am-1.pngScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 8.29.47 AMIn 1968,https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-10.57.56-am-1.pngScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 10.57.56 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/screen-shot-2022-08-07-at-10.57.56-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-08-07 at 10.57.56 AM2023-01-15T16:23:59+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/11/20/shooting-polar-bears-with-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/blank.jpgBlankAn unexpected surprise several weeks after the trip. Even in the sub Arctic, you cannot escape the roving eye of the phone camera. I'm the one in the back, right in the corner.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/momcubstorm.jpgMomCubStormAnother Mom and her single cub (typically cubs are born as twins) emerging from the storm.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/momonecub.jpgMom&OneCubAnother mom and her one cub (typically she has two).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/distantsparsunset.jpgDistantSparSunsetI had to crank the ISO to 3200 since these two sparring males happened at sunset when conditions were getting very dark. At 1/40s, 400mm f/4.5 there is simply too much movement and noise to get a sharp image. Hopefully we'll encounter another male pair tomorrow morning.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/a8softimagebeartrio-1.jpga8SoftImageBearTrio"Who Farted?" A mom and her two yearling cubs. The use of TC20 boosted the focal length to 800mm at f/9 with the Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro telephoto lens. This along with the severely overcast skies with dim daytime lighting and the occasional gust of wind spreading snow particles produced distinctly soft images. I stopped using it shortly afterwards.2023-01-26T17:23:37+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/05/19/m43-focus-speeds-on-eos-adapted-lenses/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/banner.jpgbannerhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/metabones..jpgmetabones.One of the unintended discoveries is that the Metabones adaptor do not mount on the new OM-1 body due to a very slight change in the clearance of where the EVF (or where a pentaprism in a DSLR would be located) resides over the lens mount.  The EOS-m43 adaptor required some slight filing to clear the structure during rotation, the Speedboosters would require considerably more alteration to fit due to the thickness of the metal and proximity to its control dial and with the new sensor it is unknown if there is actual clearance internally for the optics of the Speedbooster.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/screen-shot-2022-05-17-at-10.22.28-pm.pngScreen Shot 2022-05-17 at 10.22.28 PMTarget was an apartment building 400m distant. Lenses were set at maximum aperture, bodies to ISO 800 and 5 cross AF point pattern in the center. The first number indicates the minimum distance scale reading the lens had to be preset in order for AF to be confirmed. If the distance was set any further from infinity, the lens would hunt and then freeze without getting close to true focus. 2023-10-11T11:26:22+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/05/24/phase-one-iq260-achromatic-digital-back-a-medium-format-heavy-weight/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stawberrymoonfinal-copy.jpgStawberryMoonFinal copyStrawberry Moon at dawn on June 15, 2022. Here the Moon is about 5 above the horizon and although one can stretch the image to induce some coloration, its artefactual and not actual. Simply too much ground haze (pollution) and poor seeing to be able to separate the very faint color data.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/phaseonemoon.jpgPhaseONEMoonPhase One RGB Moon June 10, 2022.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/coloursupermoon2016.jpgColourSuperMoon2016The Super Moon on November 14, 2016 taken with the E-500 Monochrome DSLR showing real lunar surface colors.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/banner-3.jpgbannerhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/banner-2.jpgbannerhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/blackswan.jpgBlackSwanBlack Swan, IQ260 Achromatic back on Phase One 645DF body, Mamiya 300mm f/4 lens. 1/320s, ISO 200.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/beaver2.jpgbeaver2Beaver. IQ260 Achromatic back on Phase One 645DF body, Mamiya 300mm f/4 lens, 1/125s ISO 1600. Shot at twilight dusk I got unbelievably close to this beaver before it noticed me and dove to the bottom of the stream with a thundering slap of its tail. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cityrgbcrop.jpgCityRGBcropToronto Downtown at sunrise. Q260 Achromatic on Phase ONE 645DF body and Schneider Kreuznach 80mm LS f/2.8 lens. 1.1s, ISO800 https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cntowercomparo.jpgCNTowercomparoCN Tower. (left) IQ260 Achromatic on Phase ONE 645DF body and Schneider Kreuznach 80mm LS f/2.8 lens. 1.1s, ISO800 (right) Leica 25mm f/1.4 43rds lens on OM-1 body 1/8s, ISO 640. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/citycomparo.jpgcitycomparo100% crop of images comparing IQ260 (upper) to 80MP image of Leica 25mm f/1.4 on OM-1 body (lower). The IQ260 still wins.2023-08-01T22:13:18+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/10/10/double-stacking-teleconverters-mc-20mc-14-and-a-cheap-alternative-to-the-zuiko-140-400-f-4-5tc-1-25x/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/title-1.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/gbh150-400.jpgGBH150-400The autumn colours reflected in the pond also highlight the unusual kink in the neck of the Great Blue Heron. 500mm, ISO800, 1/1600s f/5.6 https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/gbhhead.jpgGBHHeadMy favourite local bird comes walking right across my position amongst the reeds. 316mm, ISO 800, 1/1600 s f/4.5 https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/p1150448.jpgP1150448https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/title.jpgTitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/photo2.jpgPhoto2The MC-14 (left) has an extra pin that prevents it from seating on macro extension tube adaptors. With a dremel, you need to remove a channel of plastic to allow that pin to rotate before it can seat and lock correctly with all the electrode surfaces. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/mtf1.jpgMTF1Zuiko 150-400 f/4.5 (TC-1.25x) test at 150mm, (upper left), 188mm (lower left), 400mm (upper right), 500mm (lower right).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/mtf2.jpgMTF2Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 (TC-1.25x) tested at maximum focal length from left to right: 560 f/5.6 (TC-14), 700mm f/8 (TC-14 & TC-1.25x), 800mm f/9 (MC-20), 1000mm f/11.2 (MC-20 & TC-1.25x). https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/mtf3.jpgMTF3From left to right: Zuiko 300mm f/4 + MC14 (420 mm f/5.6), Zuiko 300mm f/4 + MC20 (600mm f/8), Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 + Metabones Speedbooster (560mm f/4), Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 (800mm f/5.6). https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/mtf4.jpgMTF4Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 lens tested from left to right: with MC-20 (300mm), and MC-20 + MC-14 (approximately 500mm).2022-10-19T17:18:09+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/09/12/om-1-at-the-airshow/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/title.jpgThunderbirds Stacked formation featuring the F-16 Fight Falcon aircraft.Thunderbirds Stacked formation featuring the F-16 Fight Falcon aircraft.2022-09-13T21:26:22+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/02/26/1970-omega-constellation-reference-166-058-168-044-calibre-1001/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/screen-shot-2022-02-27-at-8.55.03-pm-copy.jpgScreen Shot 2022-02-27 at 8.55.03 PM copySo I think I did ... OK. I probably need to invest a full service and hopefully that won't bring any unpleasant surprises.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/screen-shot-2022-02-27-at-8.55.03-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2022-02-27 at 8.55.03 PMSo I think I did ... OK. I probably need to invest a full service and hopefully that won't bring any unpleasant surprises.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pianowatch3.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"and he plays piano in the dark" ........ which is when the Constellation is best seen.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pianowatch-2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"and he plays piano in the dark" ........ which is when the Constellation is best seen.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dialmoy-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhich is why the value of this watch is significantly lower than a watch made only a year earlier.  I got it for much less than $700 USD.  It would have been even cheaper if it sported a square dial since the availability of Omega factory square crystals is now nonexistent and there are no third party manufacturers to fill the void.  As another strike against this watch, calibres 1001 and 1002 are generally to be avoided unless it has been well maintained by previous owners.  Calibre 1011 is when most of the issues had been addressed and experts feel the movement after this was as good as any other on the market.   It is interesting to see the design as an almost total repudiation of all the design cues instigated by Gerald Genta² in the 1960s.  Gone are the dauphine hands, the pie pan face, the gold baton hour markers with oynx inserts.  They are now stick hands matched to large oynx hour markers with thin gold saggital and lateral inserts and a flat dial face.  Even the script is inverted, Omega is now in lower half of the dial while Constellation is above.   And no more star.   The MOY test confirms the originality of the dial when a line drawn from the center of the 12 o'clock hour marker through the center to the 6 o'clock hour marker also passes through the vertical part of the "E" in OMEGA, the first hump of the "M" in AUTOMATIC, through the middle of the "O" in CHRONOMETER and to the right side of the "Y"  in OFFICIALLY.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pianowatch-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"and he plays piano in the dark"https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dial1-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/back2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAInternal of the case back with S.F. representing the "Schmitz Freres" in Grenchen, Switzerland - the manufacturers of the case.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pianowatch.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dial1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA2026-03-04T11:32:24+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/07/17/shooting-astro-narrowband-with-medium-format-sensor-phase-one-iq260-achromatic/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/screen-shot-2022-07-26-at-11.05.00-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-07-26 at 11.05.00 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/filter3-1.jpgfilter3https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/filter3.jpgfilter3https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ngc7000canon-1.jpgNGC7000CanonTo demonstrate that the astro imaging deficiences lie with the camera body and not the Ha filterhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/iq260ngc7000.jpgIQ260NGC7000So here's first light with the IQ260Achromatic and the Omega Optics 65mm diameter Ha filter set up on my front lawn in urban Toronto. The target is NGC7000 (The North American and Pelican Nebula) using 30x2 minute unguided subexposures that used the Phase One's in body noise reduction that subtracted a true dark frame from each exposure by exposing the 2 minute frame twice each time. The camera has a ISO1600 ceiling so ISO800 was chosen. Clearly this sensor is not well suited for astroimaging applications, it has very strong electronic noise signal that may only be tamed and eliminated with strong thermoelectric cooling and seems very typical of older style CCD sensor designs of that era. As a result our nebula signal is barely recognizeable as its data cannot be distinguished from the background noise signal and to be fair this camera was designed to function optimally as a standard camera and not as astroimaging camera. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/filter2.jpgFIlter2(Right) How the AP 6x7 outer bayonet works as a clamshell to secure around a Pentax 6x7 lens flange (Pentax 6x7 to Mamiya 645 adaptor shown). https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/graphs-1.jpgGraphsMTF curves (MTF10 in red and MTF30 in green) from top to bottom: no field flattener, field flattener with backfocus distance of 99 mm, field flattener with backfocus distance of 108 mm.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/flatteners1.jpgFlatteners1The Stellarvue field flattener shown on the left is different from the Sharpstar clone with the inclusion of positioning screws that allow fine positioning tuning of the two optical elements relative to each other. I really preferred to purchase the Stellarvue product, even if it cost nearly a $100 USD more. But it was simply unavailable. The Chinese copy was available locally and I bought it.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/flattener2.jpgFlattener2Stellarvue advised me that it might be months before they hand assemble a new batch of field flatteners and they source all the components outside of the US.   Which explains why a Chinese company named Sharpstar Optics markets something that looks identical to the Stellarvue product (FF25L).  Intellectual theft in China is common and factories continue to manufacture a product outsourced by a foreign company and market it as their own product while severely undercutting the price. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/telescopeconnection.jpgtelescopeconnectionMinimum backfocus distance with field flattener, Phase One body, and AP Traveler.2022-07-26T15:06:33+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/01/21/1964-aston-martin-db5-continuation-model/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/db5dinner3small.jpgDB5Dinner3SmallIt has been a miserable winter with the final snowfall only a week ago! Still too early for flowers to bud or even grass to be green. So I have used some dollhouse scale grass turf to improve the climate. The backdrop is the historic McLean House which is one of the grand estates built in the Roaring 20's by the tycoons of industries but is now owned by the University of Toronto as part of Sunnybrook Hospital, the major trauma center of the country. The house was a popular venue for weddings and banquets but the Pandemic suspended business for two years and Sunnybrook has decided that the money it made for its foundation likely wasn't worth the expenditures to maintain the facility so it is now closed. Fortunately, my blond date is but a mannequin head mounted on a tripod.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/db5dinner2.jpgDB5DInner2https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/screen-shot-2022-01-29-at-9.22.43-am.jpgScreen Shot 2022-01-29 at 9.22.43 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/screen-shot-2022-01-29-at-9.22.43-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-01-29 at 9.22.43 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/p1010564.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe flip side of the using a larger model is that its heavy and difficult to transport and ensure stability when being posed.  You also need a correspondingly larger platform to place it on.   I had to manufacture a larger 4' x 3' cork board spray painted flat back as my ersatz asphalt onto which the DB5 was parked.  It required two tripods to support and was very awkward to change height and inclination.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/p1010588.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe flip side of the using a larger model is that its heavy and difficult to transport and ensure stability when being posed.  You also need a correspondingly larger platform to place it on.   I had to manufacture a larger 4' x 3' cork board spray painted flat back as my ersatz asphalt onto which the DB5 was parked.  It required two tripods to support and was very awkward to change height and inclination.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/db5machinggun2-2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd finally I quickly pop out of the car for a quick photo of the car after getting a coffee at Canada's best known doughnut franchise. The lineup at the drive through service was so long that it must have got on my nerves since I've deployed the machine guns and the front bumper overriders to hasten the traffic. FB members are aghast that my friend has allowed me to drive such a coveted vehicle in such terrible conditions. A small minority are happy to see the car being used for its intended purpose, and I agree. The designers and fabricators of even this car intended for it to be enjoyed and driven. There is no higher praise for an author than to see his/her books with cracked spines, folded page corners and comments written in the margins. To buy a book or car simply to speculate on future profits is the nadir of posing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/crop-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe only use of Photoshop (aside from basic manipulations like curve levels & color saturation and balance) is to create a driver's side window. The model doesn't have one in order to better show off the interior. I made one in case anyone wondered why one would have one's window completely cranked open in the winter.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/db5machinggun2-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd finally I quickly pop out of the car for a quick photo of the car after getting a coffee at Canada's best known doughnut franchise. The lineup at the drive through service was so long that it must have got on my nerves since I've deployed the machine guns and the front bumper overriders to hasten the traffic. FB members are aghast that my friend has allowed me to drive such a coveted vehicle in such terrible conditions. A small minority are happy to see the car being used for its intended purpose, and I agree. The designers and fabricators of even this car intended for it to be enjoyed and driven. There is no higher praise for an author than to see his/her books with cracked spines, folded page corners and comments written in the margins. To buy a book or car simply to speculate on future profits is the nadir of posing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/p1163779.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHere's an early attempt showing a misaligned platform. The transition from parking lot to model platform is best made along the yellow parking lot markings on one side. The margin on the other side is hidden by smoke and along the nose of the car is hidden from view by the bulk of the car. The rear margin is not visible in the camera’s FOV at all because I’m shooting a close quarters shot and not wide angle. The small platform also allows me to show my feet which improves the illusion. Typically when posing beside the car, one stands behind the bulk of the car so that the feet are hidden. Standing beside the car would result in the apparent amputation of the lower third of your body as the platform blocks the view. 2022-06-13T10:42:34+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/05/07/the-holy-grail-of-watches/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/img_20220508_164959056.jpgIMG_20220508_164959056https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/small-1.jpgSmallhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/small.jpgSmallhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tools.jpgtoolsTools of the trade. I borrowed my loupes from work with state of the art wireless LED headlight illumination. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timex1.jpgTimex1In 2017, Timex introduced their first mechanical watch in decades and modeled on a historic model from the 1960s.  Presented in two sizes to appeal to both vintage and modern watch wearers, the larger 40mm diameter Timex Marlin Automatic features a Miyota 8215 movement that should be compatible with our parts.  The loudest criticism at the time of introduction was the asking price of $250.  Now you can buy new old stock (NOS) examples from eBay at half that price.   Most importantly is that the watch is made by Timex’s Asian subsidiary TMX Philippines Inc. located in Lapu-Lapu, Philippines.  And not Made in China.  Miyota is of course part of  Citizen Group in Japan.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/silly1.jpgSilly1The watch commemorates a Monty Python sketch featuring John Cleese as a bureaucrat in the Ministry of Silly Walks.   Satirizing inefficient government departments everywhere, Cleese with ruthless British intellect & deadpan delivery dissects and disposes the silly walks proposed by private citizens seeking public funding. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/watchestwo.jpgwatchestwohttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/calipers.jpgcalipersThe only items to salvage are the original dial and hands.   The dial measures 34.5 mm and the diameters of the quartz movement hubs for the hours/minutes/seconds hands are 1.2, 0.7 and 0.17 mm.  This corresponds well to the standard Miyota mechanical movement hand hole diameters of 1.5, 1.0 and 0.2 mm.   While one could buy a movement and case piecemeal, the movement might need a custom movement ring or might be totally incompatible with the case.   Purchasing a fully functional watch also reduces the need to customize the stem or crown. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/miyota8215.jpgMiyota8215The dial pegs of the original watch don't correspond to the mechanical movement so they were clipped and sanded flat. The dial was about 2mm too wide so the circumference of it was also reduced and the dial crazy glued to the plastic movement ring. Obviously the date ring will not be in use simplifying attachment of the hands. The hour and minute hands are actually too small and I had to carefully ream the holes larger with some tapered diamond dental burs mounted to Dremel style rotary tool. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sillywalking.jpgsillywalkingThe silly walks can defy gravity at times.2022-06-12T12:20:26+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2017/01/02/the-joys-of-monochrome-photography/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/evoltcompared.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/picture2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAE-500 sensor assembly.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bunnyrisingchairuncropped.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOut pet dwarf rabbit sitting on a new chair that I had just finished making. E-500 and Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/chipmunk.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA friendly chipmunk meets me in the forest. E-500 and Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bwtank.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAM4 Sherman Tank from the Ontario Regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. Saw action in Italy and throughout France and the Netherlands after D-Day. E-500 with 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 capturing the firing of the 75mm cannon.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bmwr60usblacks.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMy 1968 BMW R60US vintage motorcycle captured in IR wavelengths only which gives objects and people perfect and unmarred complexions. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/chowchow2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe characteristic aloofness of the Chow Chow at an outdoor Christmas Market. E-500 with Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens.2022-05-24T14:53:41+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/07/02/pandemic-motorsports/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/p7040046.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis image documents the unwanted fireballs that occasionally developed! https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/p7040120.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAfter several attempts, the model began developing authentic soot marks reminiscent of that which coated the entire flanks of the real car after 24 hours of flat out racing. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/p1150372.jpgP1150372https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/final.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAClearly, this is what the original poster should have looked like. The rapidly spinning wheels are accentuated. The blur of the background and the road surface corroborate the sense of high speed. The exhaust fireball strategically illuminates the car convinces the observer that he must be seeing the real thing. You can easily imagine hearing the eardrum shattering wail of its exhaust note as it blasts past your position. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/thesetupo.jpgthesetupoI created the blurred panning background by visiting my favourite parking lot and taking such an image. This was displayed on my 27” iMac desktop computer at the proper image scale. The large bezels on the display were hidden by raising the treadmill and the image shifted downward until only the Armco barrier was visible, at the same level as the treadmill running platform. This also allowed the black edge of the plastic standing platform on the periphery of treadmill belt to become the empty space between the Armco and the ground. I ran some tubing through the engine compartment of the model to a spray can of contact cleaner. With the camera body carefully positioned and shooting automatically with an intervalometer, the computer display turned to its lowest brightness and all room lights shut off to eliminate reflections in the computer screen except one diffuse overhead light, I lit the tip of the tubing protruding from the exhaust bay of the model while carefully depressing the spray can. Too little and only the gas pressurizing the can would escape and a candle flame would result. Too much and the solvent would cause an enormous fireball that would threaten to immolate the treadmill and be just as unrealistic!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-03-at-5.06.21-pm-1.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-03 at 5.06.21 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-06-at-1.32.10-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-06 at 1.32.10 PMA final forced perspective image with me dressed for another track experience, this time with the 1981 IMSA GTU Champion, the #92 Kent Racing Mazda Rx7 race car. This car no longer exists but I recreated it with a Biante 1:18 model, painted all white and with custom made water transfer decals to replicate the race sponsors’ stickers. My helmet is positioned by a tripod to appear to be casually placed on the roof and I am leaning my body weight in the direction of the model to simulate leaning against the car itself. I had experts on FB astounded and fooled.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-06-at-1.30.16-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-06 at 1.30.16 PMRain effect was simulated with a spray bottle, a large industrial fan blew accumulated water off the cars as would occur at race speeds and canned air to blow off unrealistic large water droplets forming on the cars in between takes. Shot in a mostly dark basement with directed light to faintly illuminate car bodies as they would be from race track night illumination and the treadmill run at speed to give the model tires real motion to be captured. Along with leaving real tread marks in the rain.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-06-at-1.28.04-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-06 at 1.28.04 PMI reenact a scene from the famous 1971 Steve McQueen film, Le Mans. I am actually dressed exactly like his character from the movie and have used a third tripod to position my helmet as if it is resting on the sloped side contours of the Porsche 917K racer. A destroyed rear left tire completes the story.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-06-at-1.27.52-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-06 at 1.27.52 PMI staged this shot with another 1:18 Autoart model of the 1991 Le Mans winning Mazda 787B prototype racer. Le Mans is the ultimate motorsports race in the world and may have entered the general public’s consciousness with the recent movie, Ford vs Ferrari, about the events of the historic 1966 Le Mans race. At Le Mans, cars race for 24 hours stopping occasionally for driver changes, tires and gas. For a car to simply finish Le Mans is a feat onto itself. I chose a parking lot overlooking a ravine which motivated the owners to install both a fence and Armco barrier to prevent cars from driving over the edge. Even if people don’t know its name, when they see Armco they think racetrack. I had a small USB powered ultrasonic humidifier generating a foggy mist through a hole in my ersatz asphalt to simulate the characteristic exhaust of the 787B which burns oil and gas simultaneously by design. I dressed myself in my racing suit and helmet and suddenly I’ve been invited to Fuji International Speedway just outside of Tokyo for a rare test drive of this priceless icon.2022-05-21T11:42:36+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/12/22/the-glenn-miller-orchestra/2022-03-30T12:42:29+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/02/26/jims-10-inch-f-8-catadioptric-herschelian-schiefspiegler-telescope/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/p2274501.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/chieffirstlight.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFirst light with 10" unobstructed Herschelian Schiefspiegler.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/chiefcopernicus.jpgChiefCopernicushttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/chiefcorrectioncompared.jpgChiefcorrectioncomparedCrater Copernicus showing severe optical aberrations from the titled primary mirror (left) and showing sharp image with corrective optics in place and adjusted (right).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/chief-copy-copy.jpgchief copy copyhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/mirrorcellbase.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/secondarymirrorcell1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/secondarymirrocell2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOptical flat holder used to fold the long focal path and place the eyepiece midway where it can be easily viewed. Unlike Newtonian reflectors where the eyepiece is placed so high that standing on a ladder may be necessary to view through the eyepiece.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/chiefcorrectiveopticscloseup.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAClose up detail of the corrective optics. The separation and the tilt of the lenses can be altered. The lenses themselves can also be decentered relative to each other in both horizontal and vertical axes.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/chiefcorrectiveoptics.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA2022-02-26T12:26:21+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/12/01/1982-rx7-254i-le-mans-found/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/nikonrx7lemans.jpgNikonRx7LeMansPerfect juxtaposition of #83 in the pits and Moffat at the helm of #82.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/screen-shot-2021-07-01-at-10.40.05-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-01 at 10.40.05 PMThe car will debut to the public at Mobara Twin Circuit on July 7th!2022-02-23T14:06:45+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/02/20/jims-alternative-to-the-om-system-zuiko-digital-20mm-f-1-4-pro/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/vignetting.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAVignetting at f/1.4 and f/4 with the Zuiko on the left, the Leica on the right. Stopping down reduces vignetting and again it seems the Leica suffers from less of it. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/table-copy.jpgTable copyThe Leica is wider and heavier (likely because it has a stepper motor instead of an ultrasonic one) but exudes that Leica quality with an aperture ring and a distance readout window. Both lenses are Made in Japan bu the Zuiko benefits from 10 years of progress and an additional aspheric element to make a lighter and smaller optical package.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/lens-1.jpglenshttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/lens.jpglenshttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/mtfgraph.jpgMTFgraphThe MTF graphs of both lenses are very similar, Leica on the top row at f/1.4 and f/4. Zuiko on the lower row. The large peripheral falloff in sharpness is inaccurate. Instead of using my printed ISO11223 chart which is only A3 sheet sized, I projected a chart from a 35mm lithographically etched slide. The projected chart is very large, about 130 x 70 cm and is more accurate when testing shorter focal length lenses. However my slide projector cannot project sharp corners and sharp centers at the same time so the MTF curves show very exaggerated peripheral falloff in sharpness. Nevertheless both lenses exhibit very similar behavior. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/zuikosample.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe OM System Zuiko Digital 20mm f/1.4 PRO sample image.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/leicasample.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Leica D Summilux sample image. ISO 200, f/1.4 1/5 second. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ivory.jpgIvoryAgain very similar image quality, one might show a touch more contrast and sharpness. Which one?https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/oliveoil.jpgoliveoilWhich bokeh is more pleasing? This is a pin point source of light made by poking a pin sized hole through some heavy tape covering a flashlight. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/winelabel.jpgwinelabelAgain which bokeh is more pleasing. Which has more contrast and sharpness such that even through the blur, the winery trademark is recognizable.2022-02-24T08:12:02+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2022/01/15/biegert-funk-qlocktwo-watch/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/screen-shot-2022-01-16-at-9.16.35-am.pngScreen Shot 2022-01-16 at 9.16.35 AMOne of their creations displaye at the Porsche Museum in nearby Stuttgart.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/bf2..jpgB&F2.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/bf.jpgB&F2022-01-16T14:19:59+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/11/18/a-novel-hydrostatic-watch-modification-with-benzyl-benzoate/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/travelerziiirocrop.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA closer look!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/travelerziiiro.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd finally a colloboration between Germany and Hong Kong to produce the Ziiiro Jupiter. The ball bearings are moved by conventional hands tipped with magnets beneath the dial face. Inexpensive and impressively innovative, it just goes to show that anybody can afford to wear stylish watches that are not made in China. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/s-l1600.jpgs-l1600The choice of watch to modify is also equally important in order to accentuate the visual advantages of using oil. I chose a pair of white and black faced Junkers Bauhaus watches using the Rhoda 515 Swiss quartz movement. True to its namesake, the dial faces are elegant simplicity with a vintage hesalite crystal in a domed profile not possible with glass or sapphire. Hugo Junkers (yun’kers) was a famed German industrialist whose aeronautical company in the early 20th century was the first to produce an all metal aircraft (1915) and an all metal civilian airliner (1919) and a fully pressurized passenger compartment for high altitude flying (1930). His company is also responsible for the standard cantilevered low wing design we see in almost every modern aircraft today. He was also a leading proponent of the Bauhaus movement of design. This is where form follows function and fine arts meets industrial design and production techniques to produce timeless iconic examples of modern minimalism with soul. Junkers was a socialist and a pacifist so when the Nazis came to power, they forced him to give up control of his aircraft company and patents and placed him under house arrest. He died very shortly thereafter. Today, his great grand-daughter upholds the family name with a new company that manufactures German made mechanical and quartz watches with aeronautical and Bauhaus themes. It is possible to buy modestly priced and well executed watches not made in China. For those of you who don’t share my personal trade embargo against China, do try and stay away from tomatoes, cotton, and some clothing made in China. Those have been proven to to be harvested and made with slave labor and officially embargoed by the US government.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/junkerssax.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe other Junkers Bauhaus filled with silicone oil and running well past midnight and time for the club's last call for both alcohol and requests. Watches for under $300 USD with no compromises and made in the free world.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/junkers2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAJunkers Bauhaus with 3M Fluorinert oil. Starting at 50 ,55 , 60 and 65 .https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/citizenrefract.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe silicone oil filled Citizen watch shows clear resistance to total internal reflection at 55 and 60 of inclination.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/citizen.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABefore (left) and after silicone oil addition. The bubble allows the oil to expand with temperature increases without breaching the waterproof seal around the crown.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bottle-2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bottle-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bottle.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA2021-12-18T22:36:31+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/10/16/the-nttd-omega-seamaster-professional-diver/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/genesisoraston.jpgGenesisorAstonSome more m43 content: is that a certain famous secret agent driving very fast in his Aston Martin, or something else entirely? Lumix GX8, Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 at f/6.3, ISO800, 1/160s.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/meshstraps.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis unlikely pairing (probably the only one in the entire world) clearly emphasizes the vintage touches Omega strived to achieve with the new Seamaster. The earthy tones, the unpolished case, the mesh strap, the red second hand belies the passage of over 50 years!!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/bond.jpgBondDaniel Craig as Bond in No Time to Die. Bond has retired and is back in London to meet with M at MI6 for the first time in years. Always a connoisseur of quality, he drives the 1977 Aston Martin Vantage and has his Savile Row hand tailored suits always close fitted.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/face3compared.jpgFace3comparedIn this series of images, the replica image appears on the right.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/drno.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe new No Time to Die Omega Seamaster Professional Diver on top of a First Edition 1958 Jonathan Cape Publishing copy of Dr. No. The early Ian Fleming novels are rare since he was a relatively unknown author and excellent conditions copies command prices in excess of the watch!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/knobs.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe replica's screw down crown function and look just like the original. As does the Helium escape valve.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/backcompared.jpgBackComparedThe original uses the fantastic master chronometer designated 8806 Omega movement beating at 25,200 VPH. The replica is likely a Swiss ETA2824-2.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/face1compared.jpgFace1comparedThe bezel is also the same anodized aluminum as the dial face and both with fade and develop a patina with time. This is different from the ceramic bezel that comes with the standard Seamaster. Bezel detail on the replica is excellent and also features 120 clicks per unidirectional counterclockwise rotation. However, the replica comes with just a standard flat glass crystal (as confirmed with forehead temperature test) whereas the real watch has a domed sapphire crystal with purple antireflective coatings on the inner surface only. The dome introduces slight optical distortions which reproduce the vintage look of Omega's hesalite acrylic crystals.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/face2compared.jpgFace2comparedThe replica markers have the same grey Titanium look as the originals and the hands have that raw unfinished look with cutting marks left unremoved.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/lumescompared.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe replica accurately also applies arctic blue lumes to the bezel but the 12'o clock round marker should be the same neon green as the minute hand. This is all in keeping with a military watch where the minute hand must stand out from the rest of the watch. The glaring deficiency in the replica is that it uses an inferior luminous paint which fades quickly over a matter of minutes whereas the original uses Grade X1 Super-LumiNova which can keep the dial face visible for several hours (or at least until dawn!). The phosphorescent glow intensity and duration can be increased by multiple reapplications.2021-10-25T18:30:26+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/10/09/testing-the-voigtlander-29mm-f-0-8-super-nokton-for-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/lenschart.jpgLensCharthttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/flframe3.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA closer shot with the Canon FL 55mm f/0.8, 1/125s ISO 200. It is hard to determine any IQ differences from either the Canon EF or Voigtlander.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/gymnasticdance.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAVoigtlander Super Nokton, 1/320s, ISO200, f/0.8 I failed to register the name of this apparently well known dance couple who performed a fantastic demonstration routine.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/244685752_10226582355053463_855339410657741857_n.jpg244685752_10226582355053463_855339410657741857_nShooting the same FOV simultaneously with the Voigtlander Super Nokton and the Canon EF 50mm. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/frame1ef.jpgFrame1EFCanon EF 50mm f/0.8, 1/500, ISO200. But the E-M1X had no problems getting a good lock for facial focus. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/frame1v.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAVoigtlander Super Nokton, 1/160s, ISO200, f/0.8 As the dancers approach the front of the dance floor I don't have time to refocus. If I was just managing one camera and viewing through the EVF I probably would be able to do so.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/frame2ef.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAVoigtlander Super Nokton, 1/200 s ISO200 f/0.8 I forgot to bring any of the lens hoods so there is considerable glare from the overhead floodlights in some images. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/frame2v.jpgFrame2VCanon EF 50mm f/0.8 at 1/160s, ISO200. In the past I've had to shoot at ISO3200 when using conventional f/1.8 lenses in such a setting. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/frame3ef.jpgFrame3EFCanon EF 50mm f/0.8, 1/80s ISO200. Both lenses appear to give similar performance but the bokeh of the Canon appears more out of focus, more blurry than the Voigtlander. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/frame3v.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAVoigtlander Super Nokton, 1/125s, ISO200, f/0.8 its easier to attain focus when the dancers are travelling along the length of the back of the dance floor and then take a series of images but if they move more erratically as in Latin Dancing, it becomes much harder to get sharp manual focus images since there is always a slight lag between focus and shutter release. I also didn't care much for these photos because the people in them are too far away for my liking.2021-11-12T16:43:36+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/08/29/the-first-led-watch/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-30-at-5.56.04-am.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-30 at 5.56.04 AMThis one for about $1000, the stainless steel version for about $700.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/litorix.jpgLitorixBrand new unused and complete Litorix LED watch. From the $40 pricing likely marketed in 1976, just before the market collapse. The watch takes Rayovac RW44 or the modern Duracell 301/386.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/prototypeboard.jpgprototypeboardThree prototypes were delivered to Hamilton. One appeared on The Tonight Show and was destroyed by Johnny Carson. The second failed to work the next day during a press conference at the Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC and the third broke down after the presentation. Electro/Data simplified the circuitry to only 25 ICs and these modules appeared on the first 400 watches sold in 1972. Due to the high consumption of power of the LEDs the display could only be powered momentarily otherwise batteries would only last 20 minutes. Operating voltage had dropped to 3V allowing the use a pair of silver oxide button batteries. A seven segment numerical LED display was sourced to replace the HP display. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pulsarad.jpgPulsarAdI don't know if the watch was on The Tonight Show on May 6 or June 6th. Likely this full page ad that appeared in multiple publications has the date correct ... but it would be almost two full years before any watches could actually be purchased. The first 400 examples were in 18k gold as sold for $2100, some $150 more than a gold Rolex. That is over $13,000 in today's dollars. There are stories that the last two Pulsars in stock at Tiffany's were sold just before Christmas and received higher offers by frustrated customers on their way out the store. Celebrities and famous statesmen had or wanted a Pulsar watch. In 1975 a calculator watch appeared for $4000. Analog watch sales plummeted and for the first time in decades America became a watch manufacturing power again with Omega purchasing 30,000 LED display modules from Pulsar for their own watches. Pulsar was producing 10,000 watches and a 100,000 display modules per month with revenue of $25 million on 150k units in 1975.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-28-at-4.12.40-pm.jpgScreen Shot 2021-08-28 at 4.12.40 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-28-at-4.12.40-pm-1.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-28 at 4.12.40 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-28-at-4.12.40-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-28 at 4.12.40 PMThe original Hamilton Pulsar prototype as appeared on The Tonight Show.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-28-at-5.42.20-pm-e1630317942770.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-28 at 5.42.20 PMThe iconic 1957 Hamilton Ventura featuring the first electric component, a motor that replaced the need to rewind the spring. The boldly asymmetric watch case suited this new technology, but in 3 years Bulova would introduce its Accutron technology with the sales shattering effects of a sledgehammer.2021-09-28T12:25:27+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/08/31/another-pandemic-surge-another-airshow/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p51dside-1.jpgP51DSIdeP-51D Mustang "Quicksilver"  E-M1X Zuiko 300mm f/4 MC20  F/13 ISO64 1/160 shttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p51dside.jpgP51DSIdeP-51D Mustang "Quicksilver"https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/gordprice.jpgGordPriceAmazing local pilot is 80 year old Gord Price! Gord also flew CF-104 nuclear armed Starfighters of RCAF 442 Squadron based in Germany in the 1960s. It was his mission to attacked targets in the Warsaw Pact countries should the Cold War with Russia go hot. He was not expected to survive. E-M1X Zuiko 300m f/4 MC20 f/14 ISO64 1/100shttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p51quicksilver.jpgP51QuicksilverP-51D Mustang "Quicksilver" E-M1X, Zuiko 300mm f/4 MC20 f/13 ISO64 1/100 shttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/f35afterburner.jpgF35AfterburnerF-35A ventral surface showing long trailing thermal distortion. E-M1X, Zuiko 300mm f/4 MC20 ISO400 1/2000shttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/superhornets.jpgSuperHornetsSuper Hornets. ISO400 1/2500s The Thunderbirds also performed but I left early. These are some visiting Americans from Carrier Air Wing 8 of the USS George H.W. Bush.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/snowbirds3.jpgSnowbirds3Snowbirds. ISO400 1/6400shttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/snowbird1.jpgSnowbird1The RCAF precision flying acrobatic team, The Snowbirds. ISO400, 1/2500 s This is their 50th anniversary.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hercules.jpgHerculesC-130 Hercules. ISO64 1/100 s It's easier to get a full prop rotation image when there are 6 blades in each prop. Canada disappointed me last week with their tepid response in evacuating Canadian citizens and Afghan nationals with confirmed immigration visas. We can only carry 118 passengers in the C130 because there are only that many safety belts. Meanwhile the Americans crammed in nearly 700 people in their C17 Globemasters (albeit a much larger plane) by having them all sit on the floor. That is the much vaunted American "just get it done" character in action.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pittspecials.jpgPittSpecialsPitt Specials. ISO64, 1/250 s exposure.2021-10-13T11:26:45+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/06/21/shooting-m43-on-a-moose-safari/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rushingmoose.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABull moose hastily beats a retreat.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/dsc05584.jpegDSC05584That's John, Marg, and me on the hunt! Thanks to Lisa for taking this photo for me!https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/img_20210618_011545430.jpgHB4116When I learned how little space we had in the canoe's for gear, I jettisoned the Mac Airbook, the lithium power banks and all the battery chargers for space for an extra pair of shoes. Which was prescient since I needed an extra dry pair of shoes like nothing else.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/emioutex.jpgEMIOutexhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ronscanoe.jpgRonsCanoeThis is Ron, our pro photographer/guide. He gave us some tips like shooting at f/8 to maximize depth of field in case you missing focusing accurately on the moose. And to shoot at high ISO to get a fast shutter speed. I shot wide open at f/5.6 since the smaller m43 sensor ensured plenty of depth of field and although sensor stabilization means no need for high shutter speed, in can't overcome the rocking of the canoe even in calm waters so best to shoot fast. The best lesson I learned from Ron, is to not care at all about losing your camera. Look at him with his camera resting on top of his knapsack at a level above the seats. One big roll and the camera will go into the lake. Ron says this is the only way to be able to grab it and shoot it quickly, having it strapped around his neck will only hinder his paddling.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/mombaby.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThere was little that could top our first moose experience of the morning. Except perhaps a female moose with her weeks old newborn calf !! We could hear her speaking to her calf as she left the water and urged it back into the safety of the forest away from these strange creatures.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/mistmoose.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABeing the self appointed moose whisperer, I quickly located our second moose of the morning, a cow deep in the mist. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/maideninthemist4.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe spent an hour with her. She often looked directly at us before resuming her feeding. At this shot my canoe had closed to within 130 meters and some were even closer. When she was full, she calmly waded towards some of our canoes and climbed back on shore instead of moving away from us. It was the magical moment of the trip.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sundaymoose1dark.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI was on point and my guide, John, was paddling slowly at the rear of the canoe to give me all the opportunities to shoot. Marg was in the middle, an extremely brave 80 year old woman who did not let her reduced mobility hinder her participation in this frankly physically challenging trip. I was the first to spot this young female, a Maiden in the Mist. But no shouting allowed, you have to give the high sign to alert the others.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sunrisecanoe2.jpgSunriseCanoe2My fellow photographers entering the lake mist across the classically mirror calm water surface of early morning,2021-09-07T12:01:09+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/08/04/bulova-watches-part-2/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-10-at-9.51.40-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-10 at 9.51.40 PMThe magnetic basehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-10-at-9.21.25-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-10 at 9.21.25 PMThe Omega 2010 Vancouver Olympic watch. A Professional 300M Diver with special Red bezel and white face to reflect the colors of the Canadian flag and a Olympic Logo adorned second hand. Only 2010 pieces.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p1150412.jpgP1150412Even though it has a MSRP of $695, it can be found for much less brand new.  I found mine locally for sale online in used but never worn and complete condition for $240 USD.   This is the value of living in a city of 7 million, almost anything can be found for sale. Note the use of wedges instead of typical pushers suggested that they could be operable even while wearing thick spacesuit gloves.  My only criticism is the use of the Accutron tuning fork logo on the box, it really doesn't belong except on Bulova's new line of Accutron electrostatic powered motorized watches.  I'm especially happy that this watch was likely manufactured in Switzerland, as are most of Bulova's high end Precisionist watches, with Japan and Hong Kong accounting for other less expensive models.  That Bulova chooses not to manufacture anything in China is reason enough to support them, and I'm happy to see this legendary brand flourish in the 21st century with a lineup of attractive and modestly priced timepieces any watch enthusiast would be proud to wear.  Citizen certainly did a good job salvaging the valuable Bulova label and integrating it into the modern market.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/davescott.jpgdavescottFor years people speculated on what model Bulova chronograph was being worn based on the scarce photographic evidence available, not realizing that it was a prototype sourced outside of Bulova manufacturing entirely.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/img_20210804_184927901.jpgIMG_20210804_184927901Even though it has a MSRP of $600, it can be found for much less brand new.  I found mine locally for sale online in used but never worn and complete condition for $240 USD.   This is the value of living in a city of 7 million, almost anything can be found for sale. Note the use of wedges instead of typical pushers suggested that they could be operable even while wearing thick spacesuit gloves.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-04-at-3.29.14-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-04 at 3.29.14 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-04-at-3.30.28-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-04 at 3.30.28 PMDave Scott's Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph prototype with oversized velcro strap allowing the watch to be worn on the outside of the bulky spacesuit arm.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/screen-shot-2021-08-04-at-3.25.23-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-08-04 at 3.25.23 PMDave Scott's Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph prototype, wearing the original enlarged velcro strap that allowed the user to wear the watch on the exterior of the bulky spacesuit.2022-08-21T14:55:54+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/07/22/how-to-buy-a-toaster-not-made-in-china/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/p1150405.jpgP1150405Since the period plug was unpolarized and also ungrounded, depending on how its plugged into the wall receptacle there is a chance of having live electricity running through the nichrome wires and electrocuting somebody touching the wires even when its cold. The cord rubber was cracking and the plug was also very small as per the era and put one's fingers very close to the electrical prongs when being plugged and unplugged. Time to rewire the unit with a modern cord.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blank.jpgblankThe chronograph in action, followed by setting the alarm time and then reverting to real time.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/p1150396.jpgP1150396This is my T-35, the second model redesign after the original T-20 and produced between 1958 - 1967. The only difference is that a Sunbeam logo has replaced the decorative etched pattern on the chrome body. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/p1150388.jpgP1150388https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-19-at-8.16.27-am-1.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-19 at 8.16.27 AM The Toastmaster Automatic Toaster S131 (D) looks like it debuted in 1957. The model continued to use the same chrome 2 piece shell from the 1947 1B14 model but the bakelite handles were moved from the middle to the bottom of the unit. By the 1960s the models no longer sported the Art Deco curves of Mid Century Modern (MCM) but a boxy brushed metal appearance.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/screen-shot-2021-07-19-at-8.16.27-am.pngScreen Shot 2021-07-19 at 8.16.27 AMThe Toastmaster Automatic Toaster S131 (D) looks like it debuted in 1957. The model continued to use the same chrome 2 piece shell from the 1947 1B14 model but the bakelite handles were moved from the middle to the bottom of the unit. By the 1960s the models no longer sported Art Deco curves of Mid Century Modern (MCM) but a boxy brushed metal appearance.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/toaster.jpgToasterThe first automatic pop up toaster was invented in 1919 by Charles Strite and sold in 1925 as the first Toastmaster model. My Toastmaster model S131 shown on the left, the modern yet broken Breville on the right. Look at the full access to clean accumulated crumbs allowed by the Toastmaster and a view of construction quality. The Breville gives you a mostly useless crumb tray. The Breville is also so much larger and with so many buttons. 2021-07-25T15:01:14+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2018/09/06/secrets-of-motorsports-photography-revealed/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mazdahq4.jpgMazdaHQ4#86 Holman Moody fabricated race car for Z&W Enterprises Inc, first Rx7 to finish Le Mans and placed 21st in 1980. #77 Mazda DPI RT24-P won IMSA Mosport in 2019 #82 Mazdaspeed Rx7 finished 14th in the 1982 Le Mans and was the last factory backed Rx7 to contest Le Mans. All three models were of the much smaller 1:43 scale which makes it harder to produce the illusion since the camera must be placed even closer to the models.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/jimken92b2-1-e1623112501956.jpgJimKen92B2Another forced perspective image with me experiencing the fabulous 1981 IMSA GTU Champion #92 Kent Racing Rx7 race car. Using a modified tripod rig to suspend my motorcycle helmet and a white Biante 1:18 scale model of a Group C racing Rx7 from 1982. I completed the convincing illusion by applying custom made water transfer decals of the race sponsors of #92 Kent Racing. I then stood in the carefully correct position and leaned my body into the model to give the impression I was actually resting against the roof rain gutter of the car.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/jimken92b2-e1623105815413.jpgJimKen92B2Another forced perspective image with me experiencing the fabulous 1981 IMSA GTU Champion #92 Kent Racing Rx7 race car. Using a modified tripod rig to suspend my motorcycle helmet and a white Biante 1:18 scale model of a Group C racing Rx7 from 1982. I completed the convincing illusion by applying custom made water transfer decals of the race sponsors of #92 Kent Racing. I then stood in the carefully correct position and leaned my body into the model to give the impression I was actually resting against the roof rain gutter of the car.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/jimkent92-1-e1623017532125.jpgJimKent92Another forced perspective image with me experiencing the fabulous 1981 IMSA GTU Champion #92 Kent Racing Rx7 race car.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/jimkent92-e1623003323190.jpgJimKent92Another forced perspective image with me experiencing the fabulous 1981 IMSA GTU Champion #92 Kent Racing Rx7 race car. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/g90atspeed2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI decided to shoot the Genesis G90 with the same procedure as the Rx7 but with the E-M1.2, Laowa 7.5 mm lens and B+W 8 stop ND filter with 2 second exposures at ISO 64. The G90 is a big car with a big 5.0L V8 producing 420 bhp. I envisioned that if somebody revisited the Jason Statham franchise "The Transporter" they might use a G90 instead of an Audi S8.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nighttimeslotcar.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAForced perspective can also be used to make background scenes convincing in scale. Here the Ferris Wheel scene is being displayed on a flat screen monitor but had to be shot in forced perspective to appear relatively in focus with the slot cars as it would be in real life for such a big structure, even in the distance.2021-07-07T17:43:13+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/07/03/six-hours-of-the-glen/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/p6291166p-1.jpgMazda #77 shatters the Watkins Glen lap record to seize pole.Jarvis shatters the standing record by 2 seconds with a 1:29.639 lap to seize pole position for Team Mazda/Joest's third time this season. The Mazda RT24-P has the smallest engine in the field but has displayed impressive speed albeit beset with reliability problems. Photo by Jim Chung/PRN2021-06-13T11:54:00+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/06/05/unexpected-vintage-racing-rx7-metal-models/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bburago98b.jpgbburago98bThe cars were certainly well manufactured and well able to withstand the abuses of small children. I had great difficulty removing 40 year old stickers and ended up having to repaint the model before applying new decals so assuage my adult sensibilities.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bburago92.jpgBburago92A modern Biante 1:18 scale 1980s racing Rx7 as campaigned by Allan Moffat in the Bathurst series in Australia but now detailed as #92 Kent Racing Rx7.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bburago3.jpgBburago3Certainly one must keep in mind that these were manufactured for children, and now today's adult collectors.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bburago2.jpgBburago2As with all Bburago products, the car bodies are accurately replicated but the placement and choice of race sponsors' stickers are nonsense.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bburago1.jpgBburago1A pair of vintage Bburago #4118 Rx7s from the 1980s in original boxes. However the car was never painted yellow, only red.2022-11-28T23:57:46+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/05/26/what-is-the-zuiko-100-400mm-f-5-0-6-3/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/comparo1.jpgcomparo1Image quality comparison. Lower taken with Zuiko 300mm f/4 Pro and MC14 for 420 mm focal length @ f/5.6, ISO 800 1/1250 s. Clearly the 300mm prime is better.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/riverswallow.jpgRiverSwallowTree swallows are small birds that fly rapidly with sudden changes in direction. The Zuiko lens at 400mm was able to track this one and maintain a good AF lock with the new Birds targeting mode on the E-M1X anywhere it appeared in the EVF.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/unknownbirds2.jpgunknownBirds2400mm, f/6.3, ISO1250, 1/3200 s A flock of sandpipers.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/lens.jpglensThe physical resemblance between the Zuiko 100-400mm and the Sigma 100-400 is unmistakable. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/treeswallowzuiko100400.jpgTreeSwallowZuiko100400Tree swallows are small birds that fly rapidly with sudden changes in direction. The Zuiko lens at 400mm was able to track this one and maintain a good AF lock with the new Birds targeting mode on the E-M1X anywhere it appeared in the EVF. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/bokeh2.jpgBokeh2But somehow, the bokeh is unpleasant in this image. But why?https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/bokeh1.jpgBokeh1While I'm not a connoisseur of bokeh, in this example it is inoffensive.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/sharpnesscompared.jpgSharpnessComparedStabilization test of the Zuiko lens cropped at 100% scale with Great Blue Heron at a distance of 77m and 400mm focal length f/6.3, ISO200 and 1/200 s. 40 images were taken with lens stabilization and camera body IBIS on (top) and with lens stabilization turned off (bottom). Both showed a failure rate of 25%. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/zuikosigmamtf.jpgZuikoSigmaMTFMTF curves for the Zuiko and the Sigma lens, respectively. The top charts are 100mm f/5, the middle are 400 mm f/6.3 and the bottom are 200mm with MC20 f/12. Interestingly, the lens does better at the far end rather than the short end, which is typical zoom lens behavior. Both lenses exhibit very similar MTF curves which is what you would expect if they had identical optical prescriptions. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/screen-shot-2021-05-25-at-7.22.31-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-05-25 at 7.22.31 PMWhen it comes to telephoto lens (ie high focal lengths) there is little size reduction that can be realized by the m43 format. Fortunately Zuiko added no extra bulk to the Sigma design and in fact managed some small savings even with the addition of the very useful ARCA foot and collar. What is odd is that by the math, the front element of a 400mm f/6.3 should only be 64 mm in diameter. The Sigma front element has been reported to be only 61 mm in diameter yet Sigma chose to place a 67 mm filter thread while Zuiko chose the even larger 72 mm size when it seems unnecessarily large. 2024-05-28T13:15:46+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/03/01/shooting-a-pandemic-wedding-in-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9274113hybridcropp.jpgP9274113hybridcropPWe headed to one of the beaches along the shores of Lake Ontario for some final images.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9273079p.jpgP9273079pThe weather was still hot and beautiful the following weekend so we headed downtown to the University of Toronto to take advantage of some beautiful Victorian architecture. Unfortunately the pandemic worked against us because some gates and doors normally open were locked because the campus was closed.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9192995p.jpgJim Chung (c) 2020And at the very end of the night I pulled off this image by zip tying the flash inside the umbrella bracing and wirelessly fire. A groomsman emptied a bottle of water through a perforated lid and duct taped to a long extension pole. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9192261p.jpgJim Chung (c) 2020The zero gravity veil was achieved by having one of the bridesmaids lift it high over her own head before stepping out of the scene.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9192324p.jpgJim Chung (c) 2020https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9192335p.jpgJim Chung (c) 2020Some contrasting post ceremony shots of the newly married couple.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9190644p.jpgJim Chung (c) 2020The more mature bride and bridesmaids made sure I documented the hung wedding dress and the shoes, with a diffraction filter to accentuate the rhinestones. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p9191630hybridp.jpgJim Chung (c) 2020The groom and his groomsmen acting just like a bunch of guys would act except I crystallized it into a real memory.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/screen-shot-2021-03-01-at-2.01.02-pm-1-e1614633018415.pngScreen Shot 2021-03-01 at 2.01.02 PMFrom left to right, Olympus E-500 Monochrome DSLR with Leica 25mm f/1.4, Lumix GM1 with Laowa 7.5 mm, E-M1.2 with Sigma 85mm f/1.4 and Metabones Speedbooster (effectively 60mm f/1.0) & E-M1X with Sigma 20mm f/1.4 and Metabones Speedbooster (effectively 14mm f/1.0)https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/p1012790p.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA2021-06-12T04:44:12+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/03/09/vacuum-tube-watches/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bladerunnerstill2-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFor decades, little to nothing was known about Deckard's firearm despite frame by frame analyses of its short screen time. This is understandable since the plot is not about retiring replicants but the definition of life. Still it had seized the curiosity of fans because it looked like there was some sort of bolt action lever attached to a twin barrelled revolver with electronics. Finally in 2006 the original movie prop was found and sold at auction and fans could finally learn the truth. It is known as the LAPD M2019 Pflager Katsumata-D Detective Special. PKD in honor of Phillip K. Dick.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bladerunnerstill2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/spacer-2.jpgSpacerTurtle, by Hasselblad. https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/spacer-1.jpgSpacer The dark display can be energized by pressing a button or by triggering the built in accelerometer. Shown with stock metal band replaced with NATO style strap.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/spacer.jpgSpacer Time lapse video. The dark display can be energized by pressing a button or by triggering the built in accelerometer. Shown with stock metal band replaced with NATO style strap.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bladerunnerstill-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAFor decades, little to nothing was known about Deckard's firearm despite frame by frame analyses of its short screen time. This is understandable since the plot is not about retiring replicants but the definition of life. Still it had seized the curiosity of fans because it looked like there was some sort of bolt action lever attached to a twin barrelled revolver with electronics. Finally in 2006 the original movie prop was found and sold at auction and fans could finally learn the truth. It is known as the LAPD M2019 Pflager Katsumata-D Detective Special. PKD in honor of Phillip K. Dick.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bladerunnerstill.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/fvdwatch.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERANixoid VFD watch. To allow the USB rechargeable lithium battery to have a reasonable working period, the display is only momentarily energized when the time is sought by the wearer.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/nixiewatch.jpgNixieWatchEarly Nixoid nixie tube watch, as worn daily by Steve Wozniak. The stacked filaments of the ten digits are shown in the inset image. The smallest tubes are utilized in construction but to keep the size of the watch dial reasonable, typically the display shows only two digits - the hour and then the minutes are displayed sequentially.2021-04-19T12:34:23+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/03/21/is-the-hasselblad-true-zoom-a-model-for-a-new-compact-m43-camera-body/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rumor.jpgRumorhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/gbhhasselblad1.jpgHB4116First encounter with the Great Blue Heron this year. It may not have the best IQ but on balance it is likely the best cell phone camera around.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/chpimunk.jpgHB4116Chipmunk, Spring is finally here.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/turtlebyhasselblad.jpgHB4116Turtle by Hasselbladhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/screen-shot-2021-03-21-at-12.42.11-pm.pngScreen Shot 2021-03-21 at 12.42.11 PMMoto Mods with promising Zeiss Lens in 2018.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/screen-shot-2021-03-21-at-12.25.34-pm-e1616345333870.pngScreen Shot 2021-03-21 at 12.25.34 PMMoto Mods Development Kit. Somebody could hard wire a stripped Olympus AIR 01 camera to reduce the lens flange bulk protruding out of Moto Mod case and produce a real m43 cell phone camera. Maybe OM Digital could do this.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/telephotodistortion.jpgTelephotodistortionLittle distortion present at the 45mm focal length in RAW (left) or JPG (right) files.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/widefielddistoratio.jpgwidefielddistoratioPin cushion distortion evident at 4.5mm focal length in the RAW (left) and corrected in JPG (right).https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/stabilitymft.jpgStabilityMFTTesting the efficacy of the lens stabilization mechanism. I hand held shots of the ISO 12233 chart and dropped the ISO with each subsequent shot to lengthen the shutter speed with any significant change in MTF curve generation indicative of camera shake. From top to bottom: 1/200s, 1/150s, 1/100s, 1/50s, 1/13s showing about 4 stops of stabilization effectiveness.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/goose100cropcomparo.jpgHB4116Same image but 100% crop to show detail. The Hasselblad clearly showing much more noise and less detail than the GM1 with an inexpensive zoom lens. The Hasselblad images tended to be slightly overexposed but that can be controlled manually with exposure compensation (EV). 2022-04-05T00:16:47+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/09/14/shooting-m43-at-a-pandemic-airshow/2021-04-07T11:03:32+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2018/03/31/looking-for-the-perfect-smartphone-camera/2021-02-28T17:51:10+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2021/01/31/bulova-accutron-spaceview/2021-04-17T06:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/05/25/shooting-a-youtube-review-with-m43/2021-02-06T23:06:44+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/10/28/stc-duo-narrowband-astro-clip-in-filter/2021-01-01T16:42:00+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/11/03/stc-multi-spectral-astro-clip-in-filter-and-using-olympus-m43-bodies-for-astrophotography/2021-07-27T12:28:15+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/07/07/a-chinese-replica-heurer-monaco-up-close/2022-09-23T17:55:20+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/05/05/at-olympus-whats-old-should-be-new-again-a-retrospective-look-at-the-xa-and-lt1/2020-09-28T12:41:36+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/05/28/if-not-a-new-pen-f-olympus-body/2020-08-17T23:58:52+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/07/03/shooting-youtube-reviews-with-m43-the-pivo/2020-07-04T11:42:52+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/03/29/vintage-watches-the-last-word/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/citizen0100-600x400402x.jpgCitizen0100-600x400@2xhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/omega-advert-vintage-watch.jpgOmega-advert-vintage-watchhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/screen-shot-2020-03-09-at-9.01.46-am.jpgScreen Shot 2020-03-09 at 9.01.46 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/screen-shot-2020-04-03-at-6.35.47-am.pngScreen Shot 2020-04-03 at 6.35.47 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/citizenmonaco787b2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/citizenmonaco787b.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/screen-shot-2020-04-01-at-6.56.31-am.pngScreen Shot 2020-04-01 at 6.56.31 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/threewatchessmall-1.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/screen-shot-2020-03-29-at-12.44.16-pm.pngScreen Shot 2020-03-29 at 12.44.16 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/screen-shot-2020-03-29-at-11.56.26-am.pngScreen Shot 2020-03-29 at 11.56.26 AM2021-04-06T21:12:37+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/02/23/an-alternative-to-the-zuiko-150-400mm-f-4-5-telezoom/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/titlec.jpgtitleChttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/title.jpgtitlehttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sigma60-600titleb-2.jpgSigma60-600Titlebhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sigma60-600titleb-1.jpgSigma60-600Titlebhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sigma60-600titleb.jpgSigma60-600Titlebhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/bildschirmfoto-2019-01-24-um-13.21.30.pngBildschirmfoto-2019-01-24-um-13.21.30https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/foto_006.jpgfoto_0062020-03-11T23:07:24+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/07/11/how-good-is-the-new-zuiko-mc-20-teleconverter/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/screen-shot-2020-02-26-at-6.30.00-am.jpgScreen Shot 2020-02-26 at 6.30.00 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/deerindvp.jpgDeerinDVPhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/teleconvertors.jpgteleconvertorshttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/chart-1.jpgCharthttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/chart.jpgCharthttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mtfcurves.jpgMTFcurves2020-02-26T11:36:00+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2020/01/05/jims-alternatives-to-the-leica-10-25mm-f-1-7/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/screen-shot-2020-02-26-at-6.03.35-am.pngScreen Shot 2020-02-26 at 6.03.35 AMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/3lenses-1.jpg3Lenseshttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/3lenses.jpg3Lenses2020-02-26T11:06:32+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/09/21/shooting-a-concours-delegance-with-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1933fordcabrolethoodornament-1.jpg1933 Ford Cabriolet Hood Ornament2019 Cobble Beach Cars and Coffee "Greyhound" hood ornament over famed V8 grill badge Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1933fordcabrolethoodornament.jpg1933 Ford Cabriolet Hood Ornament2019 Cobble Beach Cars and Coffee "Greyhound" hood ornament over famed V8 grill badge Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1954siata200cs.jpg1954 Siata 200CSSiata was a Fiat tuning company founded in 1926 and postwar began making its own cars until bankruptcy in the mid 1970s. Siata had the coachwork made by Balbo for the final run of 11 cars, including this one. Photo by Jim Chung/PRN2020-01-05T05:40:08+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/08/29/shooting-m43-at-the-air-show/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/mig1.jpgMiG-15Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 entered active service in 1949 and shocked Western forces during combat in the Korean War. The MiG-15 could outclimb, out turn and fly higher than the North American F-86 Sabre. And unbeknownst at the time, many MiG-15s were flown by experienced Russian pilots, not North Koreans.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/yak50.jpgGord Price and his Yakovlev Yak50 PrototypeGord Price is a 77 year old acrobatic pilot who was a RCAF Starfighter nuclear strike pilot in Germany and later a commerial jet pilot for Air Canada.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/airbus-a400m-atlas.jpgRAF AIrbus A400M AtlasHeavy lift cargo plane, each wing has a pair of engines that counter rotates to the other wing.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hornetcondensation.jpgCF-18 Hornet Vapour ConeAs the fighter accelerates to supersonic speeds across a stormy Lake Ontario with 100% humidity, pressure drops along the aircraft as does temperature causing condensation of water wapour out of the air.https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vampireventralsmall-1.jpgDe Havilland Vampire MK 55Like the De Havilland Mosquito, the Vampire fuselage was made from plywood and the metal twin tail boom design was required by its single engine design. Betraying more of its 1943 design, the body is covered with dope impregnated aviation fabric and then painted silver. The Vampire was the first jet fighter of the RCAF and flew with 10 squadrons across Canada. 442 Squadron stationed at Vancouver International Airport had several aircraft painted in the aboriginal inspired black and red vampire face. Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vampireventralsmall.jpgDe Havilland Vampire MK 55Like the De Havilland Mosquito, the Vampire fuselage was made from plywood and the metal twin tail boom design was required by its single engine design. Betraying more of its 1943 design, the body is covered with dope impregnated aviation fabric and then painted silver. The Vampire was the first jet fighter of the RCAF and flew with 10 squadrons across Canada. 442 Squadron stationed at Vancouver International Airport had several aircraft painted in the aboriginal inspired black and red vampire face. Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/t33cockpitcrop.jpgSuperb closeup of Canadair T-33Thumbs up by passenger to the airshow crowds below. Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/trojanlanding.jpgT-28 Trojan US NAVYWith tailhook deployed for carrier landing. Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hamiltonparachuteclub1.jpgHamilton Sport Parachute Club and the CWHM C-47Three members of the club leave the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's C-47 at 2000 ft to initiate the annual Brantford Charity Airshow for 2019. Photo by Jim Chung/PRNhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/rcaf_c47.jpgCWHM C-47 transportStarting life as the Douglas DC-3 airliner, this became the iconic C-47 Dakota in WW2, the workhorse transport that did everything. This example was built in 1944 for 437 Squadron RCAF and saw action on D-Day. It carried 300 casualties and 460 POWs to safety and over 5100 passengers. Over its life it also lifted two hundred tons of freight. Photo by Jim Chung/PRN2019-09-09T19:22:12+00:00monthlyhttps://jimchungblog.com/2019/08/14/shooting-rogers-cup-tennis-with-m43/https://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/screen-shot-2019-09-08-at-9.45.06-pm.pngScreen Shot 2019-09-08 at 9.45.06 PMhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/p8114186p-2.jpgRogers Cup Final Serena Williams v Bianca AdreescuNot a sold out stadium with a Canadian in the finals, empty seats in the upper sections. It just doesn't look good. Photo by Jim Chung/Tennis Connectedhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/p8114186p-1.jpgRogers Cup Final Serena Williams v Bianca AdreescuNot a sold out stadium with a Canadian in the finals, empty seats in the upper sections. It just doesn't look good. Photo by Jim Chung/Tennis Connectedhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/p8095161p.jpgP8095161phttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/p8114242p-1.jpgRogers Cup Final Serena Williams v Bianca AdreescuPhoto by Jim Chung/Tennis Connectedhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/p8114792p-1.jpgRogers Cup Final Serena Williams v Bianca AdreescuThe photographers' scrum in anticipation of the awards ceremony. I guess this is the shot the Editors want, but it also the most predicatable, most formulaic and the most boring shot as well. Photo by Jim Chung/Tennis Connectedhttps://jimchungblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bianca1807.jpgRound 1 Rogers Cup 2019 Eugenie Bouchard v Bianca AndreescuBianca's backhard return shows raquet deformation in the 10th game. 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