Archive for September, 2007

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 – vs Leica V-Lux 1

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

For those of you who love photography and SLR’s  - here is a good option.  Leica has a fantastic camera that acts like an SLR with removable lenses.  The Leica V-Lux 1 is an amazing camera that has a tremendous 12x zoom (equivalent to 35mm to 420mm on a 35mm film camera). What is more you can shoot video which my wonderful D200 cannot.  Its a great compromise for those who want SLR quality but not the hassle of changing lenses and the limitations of shooting video.  Don’t get me wrong – it won’t do what my D200 will do but it is a great camera. http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/compact_cameras/v-lux_1/

But wait, there is more.  Don’t spend the money on a Leica branded camera.  Get the Exact same camera from Panasonic – with the Leica lens.  The Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FZ50 is the same camera for half the price (well, maybe not half but hundreds less Yes – Leica purists will say its not the same due to quality control but the Panasonic is an amazing camera.  My Mom and Pop got one and took it on a Safari in Africa – amazing shots.  More at http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/fz50/index.html   

 

 

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Posted in Photography | 1 Comment »

Exchange Rates Graph (American Dollar, Canadian Dollar)

Monday, September 17th, 2007

Exchange Rates Graph (American Dollar, Canadian Dollar)The Canadian’s are coming, the Canadian’s are coming. I expect to see more of our friends from the north as tourists this winter in the south as the Canadian dollar is now on par with the US dollar.  Pretty interesting we can’t make fun of their money anymore.  And the Euro is the new dollar everybody wants.  George – you need to start thinking about something other then the the war in Iraq.  Work smart, not like an ogre with a sledge hammer. If Israel can zip in and blow up Syrian nuclear facilities then get out, why do we continue to dump so much cash into Iran.  I’m all for removing the lunatics but we can’t forget our economic future either. 

Posted in Politics | No Comments »

Boom!

Saturday, September 15th, 2007

YouTube – Boom! Daniel’s friend John on his skateboard

Posted in Family | No Comments »

Forte Financial

Friday, September 14th, 2007

Forte FinancialConsulting company to look into.  

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Take a moment today – to remember

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Remember Sept. 11, 2001.  The other day Maia (my 12 year old) was doing an assignment on this terrible event for school. She had hit the site September 11 Digital Archive and was reading some stories and/or pictures to find one that most “moved” her. I came down to see her crying and Daniel (her brother) not really understanding what was wrong.  She had read a story about 11 firefighters that had died in the rescue attempt and she was devastated.  I love my children and can only protect them for now but give them what they need to make it in the world – whatever world its like when they are in my shoes.  I hope we all do what we can to change things so this never happens again, whether its at a national level if you have the power or in your home teaching what is right and wrong – to change your world. Peace. 

Posted in Family, philosophy | No Comments »

me

Monday, September 10th, 2007

 Jim Charanis

jimmyc

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YouTube – iMovie 08

Sunday, September 9th, 2007

Here you go – a video on the web. Complements of You Tube and iMovie. Created on my new Macpro, with an iSight camera. It is my first Videoblog installment. A review of the new imovie 08 part of iLife. It really is I = movie now. Rather its iVideo.   The new iMovie loses stuff so you will need Adobe Premier or Apple Final Cut Express to do real video editing but it adds consumer workflow that lets you create movies and share them anywhere easily.You can use it like a word-processor for videos. I will probably use my copy of Final Cut Express or better yet – they let you keep iMovie 06 so I’ll use that to edit videos and this to publish. This really is a great publishing tool.

Posted in Software, Technology | 1 Comment »

New AirPort, old network, great article

Sunday, September 9th, 2007

Macworld: Secrets: New AirPort, old network, Page 1This is a great article on how to setup a new Wireless N router/WiFi network with your old one.  The big why?  Because if you put an old Wireless G or B device on this new network it will slow everyone down.  This approach lets you do both.  

Posted in Gadgets, Technology | No Comments »

What keeps you up at night – again

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

I wish I could write what I’m feeling right now. Previous related posts: what keeps you up at night Or better yet:  the ground is dark..  Lets just say my passion and my patience at “work” are at odds right now.

Posted in Business, Poems and stories, philosophy | No Comments »

Stop-Motion Video Shorts with DJ

Monday, September 3rd, 2007

Daniel is computer animation.  Took a class this summer in camp. He also wants to use his Lego Bionicles to do it.  I told him about stop motion and his friend has done it with a small camera.  I found JoJo’s website and this might do the trick for him.   Photojojo » How to Make Stop-Motion Video Shorts with Your Digital CameraIt gets better – with my nikon and my new mac-pro this will be a breeze.  I have Final Cut Express and it has Blue and Green screen filters built in.  As described on Final Cut Pro QuickTips via Digital Media Online this is very possible to do. We can do the stop motion as JoJo suggests but on a green screen and have it on any background we like.  Here is a cool site from a DIY site that describes a low-budget way to make backdrops. And another Down and Dirty Greenscreen. Researching paint color to just paint a wall revealed you just want to get as close to true green or blue (like on the test pattern on the TV). 

Posted in Gadgets, Photography | 1 Comment »