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Home Television Update

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Our home televisions continue to evolve. Developments seem to be moving swiftly. I’ve been reading about the newest and the not-quite-ready televisions we will be putting in our homes soon. This is a summary of what’s in store.

Higher resolutions are coming to our homes. 8K TV prices are dropping at an impressive rate and they’re bringing greater resolution and larger screen sizes. OLED models have brighter screens and lower energy consumption. Mini-LED TVs are benefitting from RGB Local Dimming. The result is greater brightness with excellent color accuracy. Now we can check out the onset of flexible screens with their unusual designs. Televisions may soon coordinate with virtual reality and related tech.

Then there are improvements in wireless technology, no more cables from your TV to deal with.  All this is happening before a background of improved sustainability and an emphasis on being eco-friendly.

The Minolta SRT 201 SLR Film Camera

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This video walks through the details of the Minolta SR-T 201 Film Camera. The featured camera was purchased in 1977. Your first impression of the camera would be the small size but heavier feel compared to today’s DSLR cameras. This camera contains more metal and less plastic than modern DSLR cameras. In this video we’ll look at the various dials and controls as well as the film loading and film travel methods. We’ll look inside the front to see the mirror that lifts out of the way when we push the shutter release. We’ll look at an MC Minolta Celtic 50mm, F 3.5, marco lens and an MC Minolta Celtic F 4.5, 200mm telephoto lens. We’ll also review controls for depth-of-focus preview, delayed shutter release, flash hot shoe, ISO and shutter speed settings and battery controls. We’ll look at the viewfinder, the tripod mount, focal plane synchronization and lens interchangeability.

Getting Hooked on Photography

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I don’t remember when or how I first got hooked on photography. I know my first camera was a Kodak Instamatic 126. 126 referred to the size of the film which was in a plastic cartridge.

One day I was walking in town and passed a store window with some interesting objects on display. The store was a family run optician practice. Those gadgets had dials and what looked like a lens. I thought they could be a type of camera I’d never seen. I couldn’t quite decide what I was looking at. I had to know more.

I walked into the shop and spoke with an old guy who probably owned the place. He explained that those gadgets were 35mm SLR cameras. To me they seemed to be a type of device sent from another planet.

He explained how they worked but I didn\’t understand much of what he was saying or what it had to do with taking pictures. He showed me a Japanese Ricoh and a German Leica. They had a weight to them and a metallic feel.

There were orange and white numbers marked on a large lens barrel and a small housing at the top. Looking down through the lens I could see it was amazingly complex with many components hiding down there.

He explained that the lens was composed of 6 high quality glass elements that were organized into groups. The groups functioned to manipulate light rays of various properties to all come to focus at one place. Impressive!

Then he showed me where the flash would attach, where the camera body attached to a tripod and how the lens could be removed and changed for other lenses with other optical capabilities.

Then he showed me the price tags. Being a small business, I understand now that to make money he had to charge close to full retail. I couldn\’t imagine how to justify paying that much for a camera. My Instamatic had cost less than $25.

I read magazines such as Modern Photography and Popular Photography to find out everything I could about those 35mm cameras.

I had to get myself a 35mm camera. All those SLRs were way too expensive for my budget. Eventually, I compromised with the purchase of a Konica 35mm rangefinder with an F1.8 lens. It wasn’t a Leica, but to me Konica represented a quantum improvement in photographic capability.

American Cars of the 1960s

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When I was in grade school when I got my first sighting of a blue 1957 Chevy Bel Air driving by. A few years later a bright yellow Buick Rivera passed within two feet of me and remained in my daydreams for weeks. I graduated from high school in 1966, so I have a personal connection to these vehicles. It was about 1968 when I bought my first car, a 1965 Oldsmobile F-85 with a 225-inch V6 engine. It cost $895 and ran great for a few years until I was passing a semi on the four lane and a radiator hose split wide open. After that it still ran ok for a few years, but it made a loud tat-a-tat-a-tat sound.

As I discuss my warm memories of these cars you should keep in mind that American cars weren’t required to have seat belts until 1968 even though many had them earlier. There was no fuel injection, disc brakes or ABS. Also, the typical car had rear wheel drive. So, here we go.

The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 was a high-performance muscle car, highly sought after for its rarity and power. Famous for its \”suicide doors\” and luxurious design, 1961 Lincoln Continental was a symbol of American elegance. The 1963 Buick Riviera combined luxury and muscle, this car\’s sharp design and robust engine make it a collector\’s favorite. The 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coup enjoyed racing success and had limited production numbers. The 1964 Pontiac GTO was likely the first muscle car. It set the trend for high-performance vehicles. These cars, among others of their time, are noted for their design, performance, and historical significance.

Let’s Focus on a Few of My Favorites

The 1966 Pontiac GTO offered several engine options, all based on the standard 389 cubic-inch V8. A 4-barrel carburetor version produced 335 horsepower and featured three 2-barrel carburetors, delivering 360 horsepower. A mid-year high-lift camshaft and Ram Air induction model brought even better performance. The GTO became a standout model showcasing aggressive styling, a range of high-performance engines, and features like the \”Tri-Power\” carburetor. The GTO\’s success in the 1960s paved the way for other muscle cars, solidifying it’s place in automotive history.

The Ford Mustang was introduced in 1964. It became an instant classic with its sporty design and affordability. The Mustang of the 1960s was a game-changer in the automotive world, introducing the \”pony car\” class. Launched in 1964, the Mustang was an immediate it. This car was sporty but affordable. The 1965 Mustang GT and the iconic Shelby GT350 added performance-oriented options to the lineup.

The previously mentioned 1963 Buick Riviera combined luxury and muscle.

The 1960s were a golden era for American automobiles, producing many iconic and collectible cars.