welcome
Welcome to a new issue of shipping news, my occasional newsletter of things of interest.
Typical headings include analog, apple, cool tools, film and TV, in the garden, history, localism, nature, pen and paper, reading and writing, software and technology. And the interplay between them all. Amazingly, this is issue 20.
Thanks to everyone’s who been reading, and liking and making comments and suggestions. I hope you enjoy something in this issue.
analog - the case for a big-arsed DSLR or any ‘real camera’
It’s no surprise that the iphone is now the most popular camera in the world. After all, don’t they say that the best camera the camera is the one that you have with you at that very moment when you need it?
But, there’s an argument too that a piece of equipment that is designed for just one task; in this case taking photos, is always preferable to a multi-tool.
I bought a Canon 60D about twelve years ago. I don’t use it all that much. I took it on a walking holiday in Scotland where the 1.2kg bounced against me every step I took (mistake) but I always take it out for a photo-walk or an occasion I really want to photograph like a Christmas Day, or a driving holiday.
There’s something clear and purposeful about taking photos with an actual camera, especially one with an old fashioned viewfinder which helps in framing the shot. That’s beside the fact that the lenses and light input are better. I use my iPhone 95% of the time, but I don’t think I’d give up my chunky digital SLR for those times when I want a ‘real’ camera in my hand.
There’s also just the tiniest new shoot of an idea that digital cameras are back, in the same way that other tools have found new devotees long after the mass market has gone elsewhere.
cool tools - my desktop weather station
Ages ago I bought a Digoo Weather Station from Amazon and it’s been quietly doing its thing on my desk ever since.
It comes with an external monitor so you’ve always got the internal and external temperatures as well as a range of other information including time, moon phase, maximum and minimums, barometric pressure and a pictorial forecast.
Everyone likes talking about the weather, right? I bought one of those for my ‘bad santa’ present at Christmas a couple of years ago and it was very popular!
I can’t find this exact model on Amazon any more but there’s plenty very similar from around $56AUD.
in the garden - bok choy
This summer I planted a punnet of bok choy alongside the tomatoes and they’ve gone gang-busters. It’s not been a great year for the roses, but the bok choy has done well.
Wikipedia says:
Bok choy, pak choi or pok choi is a type of Chinese cabbage cultivated as a leaf vegetable to be used as food. Varieties do not form heads and have green leaf blades with lighter bulbous bottoms instead, forming a cluster reminiscent of mustard greens.
Great in stir-fries, I’ve also used it in a barramundi red fish curry and a chicken traybake. It’s like everything with a veggie garden; when it all comes into crop at once, you go looking for new and tasty ways of eating it. Good value, and a nice alternative to broccoli for a change!
There’s some starter recipes HERE and Recipe Tin Eats Bok Choy in Ginger Sauce HERE
vinyl - a Kallax revival
Recently, the table I’d been using to store records started to collapse under the weight of a sudden profusion of prog-rock. I’d bought three metal storage boxes at a vintage place a few years ago and they were the ideal size for vinyl, but heavy, and something had to give.
So, I began thinking about how to re-organise the vinyl collection and, inevitably, I eventually came around to the ubiquitous Kallax shelving from Ikea.
Kallax is legendary among record collectors, as this Ode to Ikea Kallax would testify.
And why not? Each cube in the the large range of Kallax units measures 13” x 13”, which is slightly larger than the standard 12” vinyl record sleeve, providing a snug yet spacious fit for vinyl and the size ensures records can be stored upright, as recommended to prevent warping. The Kallax is budget-friendly compared to custom-built storage solutions. It’s also highly customizable with add-ons like drawers, doors, or baskets; I’ve even seeem some with added on ‘feet’ to lift them up. The Kallax is designed to handle heavy loads. Each cube can hold up to 29 lbs (13 kg), making it ideal for vinyl.
The system I’m planning to install is a 4x3 unit for $179AUD. I figure I can fit two systems in the space and that should house my entire collection for under $400AUD.
There’s plenty of inspiration online, like ‘How to Hack Kallax so it looks cooler.’ and Hacks and Ideas for Vinyl Record Storage.
And, if your budget is bigger than mine, here’s A Guide to Record Storage beyond Ikea
I’ll put a photo in a future post, when it’s all done.
Can't wait to check out your new storage system for vinyl! Looks impressive - i'll be checking the cataloguing too.....
I love my Olympus OM-1 Mk3 … like you, I take it for “photo walks”. There’s something really cool about the deliberate decision to go out and engage with the scenery or wildlife (birds!) in this way.