The totally off-topic thread

[coriander]

A few pages ago we were talking about cameras and I recommended considering the Sony RX-100. Whilst it does your regular snaps beautifully, it also does high ISO shots incredibly well, the JPGs looking as good as if not better than those out of my Nikon D7100. As an example of this here's a shot with my RX-100 III taken during Disney's Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom, Orlando this year: I set shutter priority and 1/100th second and let the camera do the rest. It took this at ISO 3200 and f2.2. All I have done is resize the 4800 x 3600 pixel original to 1280 pixels wide for this post. I can post the OOC shot to my dropbox folder if anyone's interested. This image quality is why my Sony is in my pocket most of the time when I'm out and about.

 

[Bindibuys]

Fabulous shot, can't wait to get my RX100 III in full swing. I bit the bullet and purchased the Panasonic FX200 last weekend while I was in Parramatta, yet to read the instructions, but the camera shop said I had one of the best - if not the best - pocket camera in the RX.
Now to get carry bag.

 

[Pushka]

Fabulous shot, can't wait to get my RX100 III in full swing. I bit the bullet and purchased the Panasonic FX200 last weekend while I was in Parramatta, yet to read the instructions, but the camera shop said I had one of the best - if not the best - pocket camera in the RX.
Now to get carry bag.

Oh good on you! Make sure you look at Graham Houghton's youtube videos. Very helpful indeed.

I am off to Europe next month and Alaska next year. Alaska being the reason I bought it and getting in plenty of practice.

Because I like to post on the forum I've used my phone and the App which is why I haven't used a proper camera in a while. So I sourced a bluetooth device that you inserted the sd card into and send the photos to the phone. Perfect.

 

[Bindibuys]

Thank you Pushka for the reminder of name for youtube videos.
We are 6 weeks Turkey/Egypt/Israel/Jordan next year, the FX200 is to get close-ups of patterns (i.e ceilings/mosaics etc) which we then use as the "background" for our photo books, then the Sony RX images for the main features.
Going to the Highland Games at Aberdeen (NSW) on the 4th, so hope to use both cameras as practice.

 

[Pushka]

Thank you Pushka for the reminder of name for youtube videos.
We are 6 weeks Turkey/Egypt/Israel/Jordan next year, the FX200 is to get close-ups of patterns (i.e ceilings/mosaics etc) which we then use as the "background" for our photo books, then the Sony RX images for the main features.
Going to the Highland Games at Aberdeen (NSW) on the 4th, so hope to use both cameras as practice.

Egypt is another on my bucket list!
I like doing photo books too - I use Momento software. Expensive but finished product is wonderful. So far have done several travel ones, one for my mother's 80th where I scanned in all her old photos of her parents and grandparents (very old B&W photos), marriage certificates and birth certificates etc. No children's weddings yet though!

 

[whatmeworry]

What happens when you stab a battery. Looks like I can't embed as file is a gifv.

http://i.imgur.com/JEJgpRE.gifv

 

[amaroo]

Another quarter - another electricity bill.

I turned those black beauties on ~ 2 years ago .... so far they've covered around $6,500 in electricty usage and deposited around $5,000 direct into my bank account :mrgreen: Not bad considering the warranty on the inverter is 10 years and 25 years for the panels.

 

[knasty]

Amaroo what KW system is that from? My issue with solar is we'd need to go to a smart meter with time of day billing. We use the bulk of our power in the peak period and I'm thinking I'd need a big system to ensure we weren't drawing from the grid at peak times.

 

[chelzmalee]

If it was more than just me I'd definitely consider solar. At the moment my bills are ~ $100/qtr so not really worth it.

 

[Bindibuys]

If it was more than just me I'd definitely consider solar. At the moment my bills are ~ $100/qtr so not really worth it.

Swap you my bill, usually between $600 - 900 per quarter.

 

[kpc]

A few pages ago we were talking about cameras and I recommended considering the Sony RX-100. Whilst it does your regular snaps beautifully, it also does high ISO shots incredibly well, the JPGs looking as good as if not better than those out of my Nikon D7100. As an example of this here's a shot with my RX-100 III taken during Disney's Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom, Orlando this year: I set shutter priority and 1/100th second and let the camera do the rest. It took this at ISO 3200 and f2.2. All I have done is resize the 4800 x 3600 pixel original to 1280 pixels wide for this post. I can post the OOC shot to my dropbox folder if anyone's interested. This image quality is why my Sony is in my pocket most of the time when I'm out and about.

I initially had the RX100 I (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....dvice-re-compact-camera-43237.html#post686903) ;when this was stolen (pickpocketed most likely) in Santorini 2 years ago, I immediately bought the RX100 II as a replacement...very happy with this camera.

 

[amaroo]

Amaroo what KW system is that from? My issue with solar is we'd need to go to a smart meter with time of day billing. We use the bulk of our power in the peak period and I'm thinking I'd need a big system to ensure we weren't drawing from the grid at peak times.

7KW feeding a 5KW inverter .... they call it overcooking. The system never generates more than the inverter limit however, you reach the max earlier and stay there longer.

Without the FIT (Feed in Tariffs) my system wouldn't go close to covering our electricity consumption let alone provide a few thousand extra $ per year. I sell a KW for 0.52c however, it only cost me 0.26c to buy it from the grid .... guess which one gets maxed out under that scheme.

This image gives you an idea how the inverter can be pushed harder for longer. Both systems have the same inverter however, the darker shaded unit has more panels.

If it was more than just me I'd definitely consider solar. At the moment my bills are ~ $100/qtr so not really worth it.

With that usage - I agree.

 

[knasty]

Got you. Generous FIT makes it a no brainer. For me with 8c FIT I still don't think it's worth it. My bill's only 450ish per quarter, in part thanks to the 20% discount offered By AGL over standard NSW prices, so I think I'll have to stick with that for a while.

 

[Pushka]

Swap you my bill, usually between $600 - 900 per quarter.

Same here. . Old Tudor drafty house with high ceilings.

 

[JohnK]

Note to self:

"You cannot drink half a bottle of gin in 2.5-3 hours and expect to be conscious over the next 4 hours."

Sad indeed....

 

[robd]

Note to self:

"You cannot drink half a bottle of gin in 2.5-3 hours and expect to be conscious over the next 4 hours."

Sad indeed....

That would depend on the size of the bottle, wouldn't it?

 

[Bindibuys]

Same here. . Old Tudor drafty house with high ceilings.

I don't have an excuse, I built the house 22 years ago with my father. (fastest tek screwer in the west - keep it clean..... ) No air-con, no dishwasher, but a husband that leaves every light on for hours when not needed, and won't give up his water bed.

 

[QF WP]

husband that leaves every light on for hours when not needed

Seems like we have similar spouses - I go around behind her (and the kids) turning off unwanted lights, lest we get mistaken for a Xmas Tree. Helps keep the bills to manageable levels and why our usage is low, compared with our suburban peers

 

[Flashback]

Seems like we have similar spouses - I go around behind her (and the kids) turning off unwanted lights, lest we get mistaken for a Xmas Tree. Helps keep the bills to manageable levels and why our usage is low, compared with our suburban peers

Whereas my spouse is the opposite to that - doesn't believe in standby power so everything (along the lines of TV, kitchen appliances, etc) gets turned off after use

It's a habit that I've now formed, probably because if I don't I'll get yelled at!

 

[Pushka]

Our power cost is heating in winter. The bill almost doubles.