New York March NYC Meet-Up

[Calzone]

Cal, good to hear that your getting ready, remember if you have any camera's
you can't pack I'll take them off your hands. 🙂

Bob,

Over the years I have downsized. Only the keepers remain.

I wonder when "Maggie" will do what she says? When will she find the time? When will she actually cull down?

Only recently did I have her process some of the stuff I have held for her in storage for over a decade. Pretty much I have been paying for over a decade for her procrastinations. It was over a decade ago that we last moved.

I see history repeating itself...

Men have shorter lifespans, and I think I know why... LOL. "Woman-Factor," I say.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Are we going to have another housing crisis? The DOW is off over 700 points. The 65-day moving averages look to get crossed today or approached closely. "Look-out below," I say. A selloff is beginning.

Augie

On this side of the pond and high latitude, there was almost no impact of covid on housing prices. Anyways I shouldn't care as I do house share (young and never home) and the progress would be to get an own rental in a well located place rather than buying.


If US falls into depression, the rest follow, that was my longstanding fear since 2018. Now here due to the "great lockdown". I didn't take anything for granted and warned for that possible recession, warned of being careful to those I know, and corona came. Some friends think I was a Nostradamus. Anyhow, if anything can go wrong, just prepare a bit. I don't check market news as there is not much I can do now.



Currently all I do is just save as much as possible. I don't buy "the city dream" of moving into the capital city, well, because I can't afford it 😛

 

[Calzone]

Jorde,

Interesting to note that just after we gave up on Beacon because of the overheated market and the bidding wars but "Maggie" noticed there has been a rash of listings of foreclosed properties surging recently.

These are not the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Government backed mortgages that presently are allowed a years worth of forbearance that ends in January 2021; these are among my estimated 3% to perhaps 5% of mortgages that I guess are in trouble that already are in foreclosure that are not government backed mortgages.

If my guess is in the ballpark 10% to maybe 12% of mortgages are in arrears. To me this is the time bomb, the fuse has been lite, but will it lead to an explosion/implosion?

The high unemployment numbers persist, and the lost income is just that. As I say, "The money has to come from somewhere," and eventually "Someone will pay for those loses."

I don't see the government bailing out the little guy, and at this point I can't see the government bailing out anyone because of the already high government debt.

The FED has kinda done everything it can do to keep the economy alive, but one analyst from a newsletter I get described our present situation of an aircraft gliding that is loosing airspeed and lift. Without further stimulus from Capitol Hill we will continually loose altitude, and it looks pretty deadlocked presently.

Will we crash land?

Evidently some people are loosing their homes, high unemployment persists, and most recently the U.S. stock markets are selling off. The Nasdaq is formally in a correction, the DOW and S&P are near their 65 day moving averages, and it seems retail investors (Robinhood speculators) are still bidding up the market.

How bad will this get? Then there is likely another wave of Covid...

What makes me feel that with Covid that the government will do a better job? Because I work in a hospital I will likely be among the first to get access to any vaccine, but even optimistically thinking not everyone will have access. The supply will be limited and the logistics are problematic, especially in a polarized and divided government.

My guess is that some people will be alright, but over time and perhaps in slow motion many will slip through the cracks, and disparity will worsen.

BTW I'm glad Beacon did not work out. Peekskill is a better choice. "Divine Intervention," I say.

Augie

 

[Calzone]

Yesterday "Iron Mike" my bike partner called me back. It has been 18 years or so since the last time we talked.

I had called him earlier in the week to do a check in and let him know that we will be riding again like in the old days.

Mike is about 5 years younger than me, and he is already retired. On his road bike he does 500 miles a week, or 12K miles a year, and this does not include the time in the saddle mountain biking. Pretty much he does the 12K in about half a year.

So there was a summer where I did 500 miles a week for a few months.

Anyways we are excited about mountain biking in Blue Mountain Preserve, and road riding in Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park.

We plan on hooking up in the spring.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Pretty easy to recycle cardboard boxes if you live in a luxury building for moving. So much buying online and shipping. I'm starting a collection for packing up.

One problem is that space is getting constrained, and our small 650 square foot apartment is starting to resemble a warehouse.

Also know that even though "Maggie" is retired from academia every day is a busy day. It is doubtful that leaving an urban city will be much of a handicap.

So I have been looking at cars. I think a Subaru WRX is a cool car for me, but to be practical the hill-billy in me wants to just buy something mucho old for no money to have as a beater or disposable car or truck for utility.

A beater would be great for trips to NYC where I can be carefree about parking it on the street, and I can abuse it as a utility vehicle for lugging building materials and gardening supplies.

Like my Paul Smith clothes I would want to save a cool car like a WRX, it would get babied.

There is a possibility of getting a free vehicle. There is a deal pending, and it would be mucho cool to get something for free. "Maggie" would have to promote the brand and feature it in our lifestyle.

So pretty much my getting "slaved" as a photographer looks like will have a huge benefit and a payoff.

BTW I want a manual tranny. This way Maggie can't drive whatever I get. "Don't tell Maggie." This is key to keeping an old vehicle going: one driver.

So now I have a 20x24 inch print washer to pick up in New Jersey. I have two depots out on Long Island (friend's houses) where I have vintage guitars and amps stored; in my office I have hospital furniture like a hamper, wheeled computer stand, doctor's stool...; I have one bike stored in the basement of my building; other bikes, amps, a darkroom; tools, and building supplies in public storage.

Oh, I forgot I have 4 Altec Lansing speakers and a rolled up canvas painting I did stored at Iron Mike's house on Long Island. Mike has been storing this stuff for over two decades. Dave and Cris have been storing my vintage music gear for over a decade.

How homeless is that?

So pretty much not only am I a hill-billy but also a bit of a creative gypsy who has stashes all over the tri-state area.

Augie

 

[Calzone]

Down to the wire.

Buying a house is a huge hurry-up and then wait.

Applying for a mortgage is a chore of endless items that have to get processed. The whole process is a frantic proceedure in the beginning, but towards the end there s all this waiting that makes me anxious.

Call me a brute, but I am not so patient. "Hurry-up," I say.

My bank has to perform an appraisal and then the town of Peekskill has to do an inspection that leads to a new Certificate of Occupancy.

After that it is just waiting for a final closing date.

So my prediction is that "Maggie" will not get a chance to cull-down, or sell all the clothes, shoes, bags that she doesn't need or want. Again her excuse will be, "I'm too busy."

At this point it is laughable. Believe me when I say I am the organized one.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I've always been of the mindset that I want my partner to be able to use whatever tool, ride whatever bicycle, or drive whatever car that I can. The reason being that sometimes, things just need to get done and one of us is busy. It's more convenient that way and in case the zombies come, she can put the pedal to the floor confidently, instead of relying on myself or another for help.
As for a good utility vehicle that can also do duty in the city without being a burden, nothing beats a 1/4 ton truck with a bed cover.
Phil Forrest

 

[Prest_400]

Oh, I forgot I have 4 Altec Lansing speakers and a rolled up canvas painting I did stored at Iron Mike's house on Long Island. Mike has been storing this stuff for over two decades. Dave and Cris have been storing my vintage music gear for over a decade.

How homeless is that?

So pretty much not only am I a hill-billy but also a bit of a creative gypsy who has stashes all over the tri-state area.

Augie

I recall a quote that said, minimalism is for the rich. Space is a disadvantage of city sized housing. Wish you luck with the move but sure it is enjoyable when you have all the space you want.


My family will have to downsize and sell out the house I grew up in, for sure, in some years. Not looking forward to the move.
And then, it's good to store stuff, it will be useful in the future!


More on topic of the forum, in my current city there is darkroom equipment given away or very cheap every so often. A lab from the university had a couple enlargers and darkroom sink to give. I wish I could take it for some future house plans, but that is way into the future and good luck storing it in the meantime.


That, and a trashy old volvo (I am in their homecountry) to run around the country.

Again her excuse will be, "I'm too busy."

Cal

Oh how I've grown to dislike that quote recently. "Woman factor" included there. 😛 Somehow that phase gets used a lot around my social circle lately.

 

[Calzone]

I've always been of the mindset that I want my partner to be able to use whatever tool, ride whatever bicycle, or drive whatever car that I can. The reason being that sometimes, things just need to get done and one of us is busy. It's more convenient that way and in case the zombies come, she can put the pedal to the floor confidently, instead of relying on myself or another for help.
As for a good utility vehicle that can also do duty in the city without being a burden, nothing beats a 1/4 ton truck with a bed cover.
Phil Forrest

Phil,

Last time "Maggie" got her license renewed she told me that she barely past the vision test. In fact the guy allowed her to take the test three times.

Also because she is a "digital influencer" she has distracted thinking.

As king of the 2 hundred dollar cars, fact is that vehicles don't like having more than one driver. Also know that I will be ultimately responsible for any vehicle and its maintenance.

In the past some here have suggested a station wagon. I owned a quarter ton Jeep Scrambler, but I think I outgrew the truck and SUV phase. Basically I started it back in the mid eighties. Also there is comfort and handling in a car.

I looked into the 2019 VW Beetle "Final Edition" speculating that since it is a cult car, has a loyal following, and might have enduring collectability. I'm thinking long term where I might own and drive something I buy for decades.

I found a 2015 Golf Station Wagon that I figure I could add 100K miles to the 57K on the odometer.

Also I don't expect to be driving all that much. I like walking anf biking too much. Pretty much the car would be used only for garden supplies and building materials.

I found an Audi A6 wagon from 2011, 300 HP at 5100 RPM only 57K miles.

Then there is an Audi A8 wagon from 2008 that has only 53k miles with 350 HP at 6800 RPM with a 4.2 liter V-8. This was a $75K vhicle when new. Depreciation is rather savage, but at one point this was the best in the luxury class.

So call me an old man, but I want the comfort and handling of a station wagon.

Anyways the Beetle has my old hippie style, but the old Audi's have comfort in mind. Hopefully not too much comfort that I fall asleep at the wheel. LOL.

Anyways I'm favoring the larger size and heavier weight of the big Audi's over the VW Golf wagon. Because of physics the larger vehicle generally wins. I remember when my Jeep T-bone a Hyndai Excell at walking speed. I had the right away and the Excell decided to make a left. A four door care instantly became a two door. The impact was so gentle, but the roof caved in because the Jeep bent the car like a banana.

Then the driver took off, I pursued, and it ened up being some kids joyriding their parents car while they had a chance.

Calvin-August

 

[Calzone]

Oh how I've grown to dislike that quote recently. "Woman factor" included there. 😛 Somehow that phase gets used a lot around my social circle lately.

Jorde,

I really dislike "I'm too busy."

All the rushing around is no way to live.

One of the reasons why I get so much work done is that I'm in no rush.

Have you ever noticed how people who say they are so busy actually never complete what they started, and how often they would rather talk about work and problems rather than doing the actual task at hand?

Like I say, I get a lot of work DONE because I just do it.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Hill-Billy Calvin-August's Short-List: 2015 VW Golf Sportwagon TDI (turbo diesel) 150 HP/236 foot pounds, 6-speed auto, front-wheel drive; 2011 Audi A6 Avant Wagon Quartro 3.0T, 300 HP, 6-speed auto, turbo 6 cylander, AWD; 2008 Audi A8-L (longer version) 4.2 liter V-8, 350 HP/325 foot pounds, 6-speed auto, AWD.

All have around 55K miles, are ballpark priced, but the A8 when new was a $75K vehicle.

How suburban are station wagons. I have two to select from.

Joe tells me that the A6 is no longer available in the U.S. Hmmm...

The VW diesels have a cult following and are kinda famous for dieselgate. VW and Audi I believe are no longer making diesels. Hmmm...

The A8 is a flagship model and some rate it as best in class. I love the 350 HP, but it does not have the "grunt" of my Corvette engine I had in my Jeep Scrambler that had 400 foot pounds of torque. Don't forget I once owned a Checker Limo that had a foot longer wheelbase. To upgrade to a S8 is basically some rims/tires, suspension, and bigger brakes.

The Golf diesel engine is likely good for 300K miles, but I would likely need a spare tranny. Hmmm...

An A6 Station wagon is not so common, and the larger size offers comfort and utility.

Which would you choose? BTW I want the German engineering, but I don't want Mercedes or BMW because VW and Audi offer the best value.

Cheap-cheap-cheap.

Also know I intend to keep and drive till dead or no longer repairable; 100K miles added to odometer; to last at least a decade of service (I don't intend on driving that much, and in fact could last 15-20 years because I intend on walking a lot and biking a lot).

Cal

 

[fiddle]

I like the Avant, Ive had an A4 wagon, loved that damn car.... But, I always prefer Audis, especially old ones, so my opinion is pretty one sided.... lol

 

[Calzone]

I like the Avant, Ive had an A4 wagon, loved that damn car.... But, I always prefer Audis, especially old ones, so my opinion is pretty one sided.... lol

Fidel,

A station wagon would be new for me. I think it was you who promoted the idea a while back. Now it looks like a possibility.

Also know that a Subaru WRX could be part of the herd I assemble. "Don't tell Maggie.

The Golf is a little small, and the A6 has twice the HP.

Diesel would be something new for me.

The A8 reminds me of my Jeep (big motor) and my Checker Limo. BTW the production of Checker Limo's was only about 200 vehicles, in other words they were rare cars. A Scrambler can be viewed as a stretched CJ7 with a foot longer wheelbase.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

My mom had a Volvo S70 turbo AWD that was a fantastic car but had a bad transmission, which cost more than the car itself. Audis have almost the exact same transmission. Turbos and automatic transmissions don't work well unless you're talking Freightliner, Mack, or Kenworth.
I wouldn't choose anything other than a Mercedes diesel. Back in 2015, I bought a Jetta diesel with less than 150k miles, and learned that the injector ports are weak. That car was a fun little thing to drive but it had a DANGEROUS problem with a leaking injector, which ended up melting the injector shroud just above the combustion chamber. It would run on then redline and I had to kill the engine the emergency diesel way: sticking a wood block in front of the air intake. Using aluminum against steel in an extremely high pressure, high temperature location is asking for trouble. The head warped slightly but there is no putting slagged metal back into the place where it was. Cars are the same as cameras, remember. VW may look like a better deal, but cheap is cheap for a reason. In the end you get better value out of the more expensive option. There is a reason that Mercedes diesel engines are known to go for a million miles.
If I weren't shopping for a Mercedes, I would only get a Ford diesel. Heavier, less problems with the power and "performance" of the Chryslers. Then again, I have a personal issue with Chrysler diesel engines. In a HMMWV, they can't get out of their own way. There is a reason that we were being fought against by people driving Toyota Hilux and Mercedes diesels in Iraq. They worked extremely well, were reliable, provided a lot of torque and speed when needed, and were plentiful.
The best bet is either a Mercedes diesel or a Toyota, but good luck finding one of those in the USA. Last I saw an early 2000s diesel Landcruiser for sale on Long Island, it was going for over $60,000. I could have eight W123 Mercedes cars for that much and would be able to drive around the earth a thousand times.

Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

My mom had a Volvo S70 turbo AWD that was a fantastic car but had a bad transmission, which cost more than the car itself. Audis have almost the exact same transmission. Turbos and automatic transmissions don't work well unless you're talking Freightliner, Mack, or Kenworth.
I wouldn't choose anything other than a Mercedes diesel. Back in 2015, I bought a Jetta diesel with less than 150k miles, and learned that the injector ports are weak. That car was a fun little thing to drive but it had a DANGEROUS problem with a leaking injector, which ended up melting the injector shroud just above the combustion chamber. It would run on then redline and I had to kill the engine the emergency diesel way: sticking a wood block in front of the air intake. Using aluminum against steel in an extremely high pressure, high temperature location is asking for trouble. The head warped slightly but there is no putting slagged metal back into the place where it was. Cars are the same as cameras, remember. VW may look like a better deal, but cheap is cheap for a reason. In the end you get better value out of the more expensive option. There is a reason that Mercedes diesel engines are known to go for a million miles.
If I weren't shopping for a Mercedes, I would only get a Ford diesel. Heavier, less problems with the power and "performance" of the Chryslers. Then again, I have a personal issue with Chrysler diesel engines. In a HMMWV, they can't get out of their own way. There is a reason that we were being fought against by people driving Toyota Hilux and Mercedes diesels in Iraq. They worked extremely well, were reliable, provided a lot of torque and speed when needed, and were plentiful.
The best bet is either a Mercedes diesel or a Toyota, but good luck finding one of those in the USA. Last I saw an early 2000s diesel Landcruiser for sale on Long Island, it was going for over $60,000. I could have eight W123 Mercedes cars for that much and would be able to drive around the earth a thousand times.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

As a follow through on why a Volvo diesel I bashed. is that my friend Steve was given a boxy Volvo with a diesel, but that car had wonky pollution controls and was nothing but problems. I was an 80's version. This seems to be the most practical because of its utility and size.

Truth be told I have Joe's vote and Fidel's vote for the A6 Wagon. Also the A8 is favored just because of Calzone Factor.

Cal

 

[Nokton48]

Hey Cal,
The XRay films are workin' for me. What a hoot.

MINR XRay Test 1 210mm Componon F22 Two Pops C171 by Nokton48, on Flickr

18x24cm Kodak MIN-R Mammography film cut into 4x5s. Sinar Norma Broncolor C171 with Broncolor Pulso Beauty Dish. Two strobe pops with Sinar Norma Shutter, multiple pops are no problem. Schneider chrome Componon lens at F22. Lisco Regal 4x5 film holder Legacy Mic-X film dev 8 mins at 68F Aristo 8x10 #2 RC print Multigrade dev This is fun 🙂



HRU Makiflex Std Mic-X 240 f4.5 Tele-Arton by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Makiflex Standard camera 240mm F5.5 chrome barrel mount Schneider Tele-Arton at F22. One pop of Broncolor Pulso C171 monolight strobe with Broncolor Pulso Beauty Dish. No fill. 8x10 Fuji HR-U XRay film cut into 4x5s straight Microdol-X replenished in a tray development by inspection under custom red light. 4x5 Lisco Regal holder. 8x10 RC Aristo #2 Multigrade dev Omega DII with diffusion Omegalite head.



HRU Fixing Step Dental Clips 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've decided to use these Dental Clips I bought on Ebay, to hold down two sheets in the Cesco flat bottomed trays, and keep them off the bottom, and keeping them from moving around (which scratches!) Here two sheets are in the TD4 Fix

 

[Calzone]

Hey Cal,
The XRay films are workin' for me. What a hoot.

MINR XRay Test 1 210mm Componon F22 Two Pops C171 by Nokton48, on Flickr

18x24cm Kodak MIN-R Mammography film cut into 4x5s. Sinar Norma Broncolor C171 with Broncolor Pulso Beauty Dish. Two strobe pops with Sinar Norma Shutter, multiple pops are no problem. Schneider chrome Componon lens at F22. Lisco Regal 4x5 film holder Legacy Mic-X film dev 8 mins at 68F Aristo 8x10 #2 RC print Multigrade dev This is fun 🙂



HRU Makiflex Std Mic-X 240 f4.5 Tele-Arton by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Makiflex Standard camera 240mm F5.5 chrome barrel mount Schneider Tele-Arton at F22. One pop of Broncolor Pulso C171 monolight strobe with Broncolor Pulso Beauty Dish. No fill. 8x10 Fuji HR-U XRay film cut into 4x5s straight Microdol-X replenished in a tray development by inspection under custom red light. 4x5 Lisco Regal holder. 8x10 RC Aristo #2 Multigrade dev Omega DII with diffusion Omegalite head.



HRU Fixing Step Dental Clips 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've decided to use these Dental Clips I bought on Ebay, to hold down two sheets in the Cesco flat bottomed trays, and keep them off the bottom, and keeping them from moving around (which scratches!) Here two sheets are in the TD4 Fix

Dan,

You are a clever devil. I love your results.

What did you rig up for cutting down the film?

Also know I think I will be doing my own form of crazy once I get a darkroom set up. I don'y think I can do a "Crazy Dan" darkroom, but I do think I will be developing mucho film and wet printing in a crazy manner.

Basically I should annoy people. LOL.

So I determined that behind my house it is public land and it tis Dickey Brook that runs behind my house. The decline is steep and the falloff about 20-25 feet. There is a spread of a wetland bog that is pretty extensive. I highly doubt that tis land could ever be developed. It would require mucho landfill. Basically a marsh of cat tails.

On the 1967 survey map there extensions of streets that are now basically dead ends. I expect that to remain so in the future.

Cal

 

[Nokton48]

Hopefully the water rolls down the decline during an uber heavy rain. That is our situation BUT STILL we've had standing water in our backyard just last year. The sump of course got continuous use, get a battery backup in case of outage.

You have flat bottomed Cesco trays? Dark red safelights? Tray Siphon? Gralab timer? That's really all you need. And a Beselar rototrim

I use Beselar Rototrim to cut the xray film, I save old expired sheets of whatever to set up "stops" using blue painters tape. So far I have not scratched a single sheet during the loading step. I even crank the film through the Graphmatics a few times under the safelight and examine for dust and scratches.

It dosen't seem to scratch at all until it gets wet. Then it is uber delicate but the dental clips are my secret weapon. No scratches at all if I am diligent. Also I expose two sheets of each in case one is damaged. At ten cents each I can afford to do this.

Tell Devil Christian he should get some XRay while it is still available. BTW Acufine adds a couple of stops. Might work with Diafine? 🙂

 

[Calzone]

Hopefully the water rolls down the decline during an uber heavy rain. That is our situation BUT STILL we've had standing water in our backyard just last year. The sump of course got continuous use, get a battery backup in case of outage.

You have flat bottomed Cesco trays? Dark red safelights? Tray Siphon? Gralab timer? That's really all you need. And a Beselar rototrim

I use Beselar Rototrim to cut the xray film, I save old expired sheets of whatever to set up "stops" using blue painters tape. So far I have not scratched a single sheet during the loading step. I even crank the film through the Graphmatics a few times under the safelight and examine for dust and scratches.

It dosen't seem to scratch at all until it gets wet. Then it is uber delicate but the dental clips are my secret weapon. No scratches at all if I am diligent. Also I expose two sheets of each in case one is damaged. At ten cents each I can afford to do this.

Tell Devil Christian he should get some XRay while it is still available. BTW Acufine adds a couple of stops. Might work with Diafine? 🙂

Dan,

I am pretty certain that the speed gain is about the same gain between Acufine and Diafine.

I would only do a Jim Marshall and only bump Tri-X one stop (800 ISO) and not be crazy aggressive with the ISO boost. Jim Marshall developed for 5 3/4 minutes using acufine.

The thing with Diafine is the compensating effect. I kinda get a HDR effect, but I'm shooting film.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

Phil....Hummers had GM diesels.-not Cummins "B" series in-line engines.