Surveillance Cameras

A problem is that nearly all new IP Cameras try to sell a cloud service to get the bought functionality.

My old foscam outdoor is nearly inaccessible from a web browser after the latest update.

I now use motioneyeos on a raspi and/or the synology surv.station to manage the cameras instead of the expensive cloud or instead of multiple apps on my phone.

I had some trouble to send e-mails via smtp.

smtp.gmail.com

SSL Port 465 TLS Port 25 or 587

The solution is to go to your google account, security and allow not so secure apps. Done.

Pico_ducky „bad usb“

A fast and convenient way to automate some tasks is to create an „bad usb“ working as a HID (human interface device), typing in commands for you. eg. doing a backup or starting apps you need.

I did this on an rapberry pico.

Step 1:

  • Download CircuitPython
  • Plug your raspberry pi pico in
  • Copy & paste the downloaded .uf2 in the raspberry pi pico.
  • Unplug and plug your raspberry pi pico

Now your Raspberry pi pico will be the CircuitPython.

Step 2:

Step 3:

  • Delete the code.py file from raspberry pi pico.
  • Download the python file which will convert our payload. File Download Link ⇒ pico-ducky
  • Open the folder and copy & paste the duckyinpython.py file to the raspi pico.
  • Rename the duckyinpython.py file to the code.py.

OK, now load a payload on the raspi and watch.

But: it works as an englisah (US) HID, on a german language PC it will not work.

So I did this:

Go to the latest release page, look if your language is in the list.

Download the py zip, named circuitpython-keyboard-layouts-py-XXXXXXXX.zip

Find your language/layout in the lib directory

For a language de, copy the following files from the zip’s lib folder to the lib directory of the board.
DO NOT modify the adafruit_hid directory. Your files go directly in lib.
DO NOT change the names or extensions of the files. Just pick the right ones.
Replace LANG with the letters for your language of choice.

  • keyboard_layout.py
  • keyboard_layout_win_de.py
  • keycode_win_de.py

Modify the pico-ducky.py (later) code.py on the pi to use your language file:

At the start of the code.py replace these lines:

from adafruit_hid.keyboard_layout_us import KeyboardLayoutUS
from adafruit_hid.keycode import Keycode

With this lines:

from keyboard_layout_win_de import KeyboardLayout
from keycode_win_de import Keycode

And also replace this line:

layout = KeyboardLayoutUS(kbd)

With this line:

layout = KeyboardLayout(kbd)

Now — you have a ducky for a german pc…

chaotic firmware update Epson ET-2750

The regular firmware update of my printer ended in a seemingly bricked machine.

Neither in the manual nor in the online portal this problem was mentioned.

I found several posts in forums and groups, no solution was offered.

But … a long search session later there was one anonymus post which solved my problem:

Error message:

„Printer Mode

Set Jig

Push [OK] BT“

Unplugging the printer and various other voodoo doesn’t work, but I found a way to force it to technician mode.

Make sure the unit is off.

Then, while holding down the Home button, press the Power button for a few seconds. Eventually, you’ll get a screen with 4 options on it.

Go to 4, Normal mode.

On my machine, it defaulted to Japanese, which I don’t read like I suspect most of you don’t either. To Change the Language:

  1. You need to go the Gear icon (Settings) and hit OK on the control panel.
  2. Right arrow on the control panel once (to 2 / 10)
  3. Click OK
  4. Right arrow on the control panel 3 tunes (to 4 / 8)
  5. Find your language on the list by using the up and down arrows on the control panel
  6. Click OK

I had to reset my printer to work with my network by going to the WiFI Setup.

I then found the Print Network settings option on the printer and printed out the details so I’d have them when I finished setting up the printer on my PC.

Once that was done, I had to go to my PC (Windows 10-64 bit OS) and go to Printer Properties to find and install a „new“ printer.

Another way (epson recommendation) would be to use the utility at https://www.wic.support/download/

I never tried. I will rather buy a new printer if epson will not fix the annoying and repeating set Jig problem.

Umkehrentwicklung Fotopapier

nach Rüdiger Hartungs Mitteilung in „facebook“


1 Papierentwickler normal bis etwas höher verdünnt (für schwache Kontraste)
2. Rotes Blutlaugensalz 40 Gramm pro Liter an.
3. Klärbad 90g Natriumsulfit in einem Liter Wasser.
4. Ein Blitzgerät zur Nachbelichtung (oder Lampe)

  1. Fotopapier mit dem Dia 2 bis 3 Blenden überbelichten. Falls das Endergebniss (Positiv) noch zu dunkel ist, noch mehr überbelichten.

2. Erstwicklung. Ausentwickeln. Es entsteht zunächst ein Negativ. Wegen der Überbelichtung ist dies sehr dunkel.
– kurz in Wasser abspülen –

3. Bleichbad. Mindestens 2 Minuten. Es bleibt ein Restbild stehen. Wenn sich absolut nichts mehr tut,
-kurz mit Wasser abspülen-

4. Klärbad. Auch mindestens 2 Minuten. Zum Ende hin wird das Restbild etwas flacher, milchiger.
– in Wasser mit Bild nach oben legen-

5. Nachbelichten. Blitz mit kleinster Leistungstufe und ca 1m Abstand.

(Variante : Wer eine Schwefel/Sephiatonung macht, kann sich die Nachbelichtung und Zweitentwicklung sparen, das erledigt der Schwefeltoner zusammen).

5. Zweitentwicklung im selben Entwickler (wer die etwas besser steuern möchte, kann 1+1 verdünnen).

5. Fixieren, wässern.

Bei Licht Ergebnis beurteilen.

Finetuning.
Falls das Positiv zu hart oder zu dicht ist:
(Das Bild muss sehr gut gewässert sein nach dem Fixieren. Fixierreste plus Bleiche frisst Lichter unwiederbringlich weg!)

Nochmals bei Licht in die Bleiche (ggf. stärker verdünnen 1+5) und so lange bleichen, bis die Schatten so sind, wie man sie haben möchte und dann schnell in Wasser und bewegen. Die Lichter werden dann mit sehr stark verdünntem Erstentwickler (1+10) zurück entwickelt. Ggf. wiederholen. Dann nochmals fixieren und wässern.

Geht praktisch schneller, als es hier den Anschein hat.

Pinhole – macro

I am thinking of doing some pinhole macro work.

Looking the internet up I found some interesting thoughts

If you draw a ray diagram you may see a problem if you bring it very close to your subject, and your film sensitivity curve isn’t narrow.

For one thing the material in which the hole is made would need to be very thin, or you’ll get some odd vignetting.

But also remember that pinhole does a very poor job of focusing different wavelengths to the same plane. As the subject gets closer to the pinhole, that issue should get more noticeable: rays containing all the colours will need to approach the pinhole from more extreme angles.

Hence my suggestion to use a film with a narrow sensitivity curve… it’d be best if it were sensitive to a single wavelength

Seems I will have to do some tests myself

Minox 9mm Film Development

Instructions for the 8x11film- Reel for JOBO Tank System 1500

With this reel your existing 8x11mm negative and slide films can be developed using the JOBO 1500 developing tank. It is based upon the small and medium format reel for the JOBO 1500 system (DuoSet 1501) and was developed jointly by 8x11film in co-operation with Minox GmbH. This is the first genuine alternative to the original MINOX daylight developing tank that is no longer in production.

The product from JOBO have a reputation for extreme dependability and easy of loading and our transformation of the spiral does not change anything. Please read the instructions carefully to learn from our 12 months experience and testing to get the most out of this product and avoid damages to the spiral parts.

The development of an 8×11 film reel to use in the inversion tank has several advantages over the discontinued Minox daylight developing tank. 35mm and roll film can be developed with the same solution and at the same time depending on the choice of JOBO tank several reels can be loaded at the same time.

The same temperature and duration of processing follow those supplied by the manufacture of the film and of the developer. The same techniques for temperature control, inversion, tilting and processing that apply to conventional film can be followed.

With some skill and care is possible to develop two 36 exposure MINOX films on one reel. However we recommend that separate reels are used for each film to avoid the films moving and overlapping during the developing process. This is particularly a problem with films that have a strong tendency to curl. These may not be successfully developed at the out edge of the spiral.

The development in the rotation processor becomes possible with the 8×11 film spool but only with drastically lowered rotational speed. This is because the exposed area the negative strip, despite the large clearance between the adjacent parts of the spiral or helix can come into contact with it aided by the constant linear direction of flow of the developer in connection with turbulence at the outside edges of the spiral – both can lead to different velocities of flow and thus creating locally different effects of the developing chemistry. This phenomenon does not occur if the rotation is accompanied by tilting (please note however the tips for the coil of the film as well as for the movement of the tank during the process!). The use of the 8×11 film spool with the combined tilting rotation (e.g. JOBO Autolab) is under test.

Assembly: Preparing the spool for use in the JOBO tank

The spool is composed four parts, as shown in the photograph: 

Part A.: the lower reel flange with the collar for the central column to anchor the upper flange in place.Part B.: the upper reel flange Part C.: the bayonet locking collar Part D.: a plastic locking pin, which serves as fixture for the upper spiral to prevent twisting during loading and development.   

First of all set the upper reel flange (B) on the centre tube fixed to the lower reel flange (A, picture left). The position of the bayonet pins are not symmetrical and the upper reel will have to be turned to slide into place. The upper reel flange must ultimately rest on the lower reel flange.

The bayonet locking (C) is put on in the same way. It will slide on in only one way, no force is needed. The narrower slots must be downwards towards the lower reel flange. Rotate clockwise, looking down, to firmly lock into place.

(G) The bayonet locking should not be twisted up to the end of the slot. It is sufficient to turn it so that the pins are centrally placed within the slots. (G)

The illustration left shows the correctly locked reel. The openings of both flange halves are positioned to face each other accurately (illustration right).

Insert the plastic locking pin (D) into the hole in the base of the lower flange. The pin head is flat one side, this points out towards the spiral so that it lies flush when fitted. In this position it locks the upper flange. Push the reel over the centre tube, thus the head of the pin is prevented from falling out. The reel is now ready for action. 

Loading 8×11 film

(GThe JOBO developing tank is not for daylight loading, therefore all following steps up to locking the box with the transferred film must take place in absolute darkness! (G)

Remove the caps of the MINOX film cassette. These held in place by small clips. Carefully use a thumbnail to lift the caps away and pull off. If the film has not been wound through it may be easier to take both caps off.

Cut off the end of the film with the keyhole with sharp scissors and round the corners. If the corners are not rounded the film can hook itself then moving along the spiral.

Tip: Use a clean porcelain plate as a dust free container to layout all the small articles and aid in finding them by touch. Take the prepared film in the left hand and the spool in the right. Feel for the reel opening the right thumb and slowly slide the negative strip with the rounded off end into the groove. By holding the negative strip with thumb and index finger (as shown) push the film completely into the reel.

(G) It is recommended that the film be pushed completely into the reel. The fact that the reel has a narrower part tapering towards the centre exposes the edge of the film and so you can continue to hold the film along the edge and push towards the middle. Thus there are fewer pressure points on the film material with the spiral. With films of extreme coiling tendency this helps, along with small rotation and agitation of the tank to prevent under-development of the edges of the negative. (G)

Still in the dark insert the reel into the tank. Push on the lid and firmly push down the sealing and clamping ring. If done correctly the remaining steps can be done in daylight. It is advisable to practice these steps with out film in the daylight until you are confident of doing the same process in the dark with the film to be processed.

The developing of the film

You can develop your film now according to manufacturer’s instructions, (G) although we do recommend to deploy a particular motion technique of the tank (G), by which as even a washing of the film as is possible to be ensured during the process. This is necessary, since the film with the exposed negative area overlaps with the spiral of the reels and must also be well washed. In addition this helps to possibly carry away last bubbles of air stuck on the emulsion and is done in conjunction with the traditional inversion and taping of the tank.

Tilting agitation, as in holding the tank and rotating the wrist, is not sufficient. The developing tank should additionally be tilted and rotated so that the liquid is rotated around the vertical axis. This is similar to the movement of liquid in a cognac glass. This auxiliary movement needs to be performed from the beginning and along with the applied tilting rhythm.  

Tilting agitation, as in holding the tank and rotating the wrist, is not sufficient. The developing tank should additionally be tilted and rotated so that the liquid is rotated around the vertical axis. This is similar to the movement of liquid in a cognac glass. This auxiliary movement needs to be performed at the beginning and along with minimum every second applied tilting rhythm.

It has no large influence on the developing time (depending on the sort of developer and the time of development). You may have to adjust the development times accordingly.

(G) Tilting time intervals by more than a half minute should be avoided! (G)

The developing solution with this reel must be at least 150ml and the reel must be positioned full down on the centre tube. When developing with several reels at the same time (8×11 and 35mm for example) the 8×11 reel should also be placed completely down on the centre tube.

Now follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the use of a stop bath (to neutralize the developer) and fixer. The first washing is often done in the tank.

After the development process

The washing should follow a fixing bath, for which distilled water with a minimum (!) additive of wetting agent should be used. Lift the reel from the developing tank, let the drips run off. Holding the lower flange in the left hand unlock the bayonet with the right hand and a twist anticlockwise. Do not twist the top flange as the pin is still in place. It will lift off easily when the bayonet locking collar has been removed.

If you are using a large JOBO developing tank it is easier to remove the reels from the centre tube first by pushing the tube downwards. The film can now be removed to dry. Rinse all the reel parts off before the next use with warm water and dry these carefully before storing. 

We hope you have a successful start developing with the 8x11film-Reel but we are always grateful for suggestions and improvement. Technical specifications and guide are subject to change and correction. All rights reserved.

Last updated 31st August 2007.

Yours sincerely, Marcus Michael Dunkmann, 8x11film.com

Reflecta MF 5000 / Prime Film 120 pro

There were problems with shear endless initializing sequenzes.

I tried another computer (my laptop) with fresh install of cyberview X5 and short, direct connected USB cable, no such luck.

Trying with holder in, holder out, sometimes got a connection, sometimes not.

The german software site

https://reflecta.de/de/downloads/drivers2/~nm.50~nc.108/Driver-and-Software.html

had older versions than the US site:

https://www.scanace.com/sd.php?cid=2&pid=8&pcid=21

I made a firmware update to 1.37 – the scanner works again….

Reversal processing of photopaper

You need to overexpose the paper up to 3 stops, never underexpose.

Chemistry:

Paper developer, normal or thinner than usual

Rotes Blutlaugensalz, 40g/Liter water to bleach

Natriumsulfit, 90g/Liter water to clear

lightsource to flash the paper

Overexpose the photopaper up to 3 stops (if to dark, overexpose more)

Develop fully, paper will be rather dark.

short stop in water

Bleach. Minimum 2 min. When nothing more happens,

short stop in water

Clear. Minimum 2 min. Pic gets milky

Water Stop, put paper in with pic upside.

Flash paper: minimal flash or light. (if you do sepia or sulphur toning you do not need the flashing or the second development, the toner does work without these steps)

Second development, you can thin the developer 1:1.

5. Fix, long Waterbath

If pic isa to dark: In light bleach with 1:5 soluted bleach till the result is good and than stop in water. Again developing of the highlights in thin (1:10) developer, repeat if needed.

Another Fix and waterbath….

(This procedure was published from Rüdiger Hartung (great guy btw) in the facebook group Analoge Fotografie.)