Sony DSC-F828 full spectrum hack

Just recently learned about this and I know I'm VERY late to the party :D

I've been a long time fan of infrared photography and was actually deciding to get a full modified full spectrum camera from ebay.

Then my A700's AF drive got busted and triggered me to check used A-mount cams. Surprised that there are still a lot of them being sold. I can opt for a full frame (FF) A850 (D)SLR or the FF SLT A99. Decided that I dont need FF and will settle for an APS-C SLT w better low light ability - an upgrade from A700 will do.

Wondered if I can get a full spectrum body so I searched for 'Sony + full spectrum'. At this point I encountered the Sony DSC-F828 which is a bridge camera from 2003 AND it has this full spectrum (FS) hack using a (strong) magnet. Putting the magnet near the tripod mount will trigger the switch to FS. Switch it OFF to reset. Very cool indeed.

Long story short I got one locally and here's a sample:

Left is the 'visible light' (VL) version and on the right is the FS.

The advantage of a full spectrum camera is that you can add infrared filters like the R72 (720nm) without affecting the cam's meter. With a normal camera adding an R72 will darken the scene and register a longer exposure. With a FS, it will almost not affect the (light) metering. Apparently the 850nm does affect the metering but only by 2 to 3 secs depending on the scene.

Here's a sample of FS vs R72:

Very pleased with the F828 and FS hack. I just recently purchased the 850nm and will post when I get more sample shots.

But apparently all is not well with the F828.

One of the feature that makes F828 stand out from the competition during its release is the 28-200 (f/2.0-2.8) Carl Zeiss T* zoom lens. Almost constant! With the electronics getting old and stressed over time though, it is bound to have issues. I just discovered that the zoom will not take proper pictures when set to 3.1x (~86mm). And this is common with the model.

Tonight I played more with the zoom and noted the effect starting at 3.1x and here's a sample with MrBombay the cat

So just expect this issue if you're getting one or own a unit.

BTW, I might get an Axx SLT cam soon :D

 The Fuji Feather track bike and Formula hub

2 years ago I was looking for a fixed gear when I saw a used Fuji Feather track bike.

It was advertised as a single speed and I just assumed it will be easy for me to convert it to fixed gear.

I was wrong 😅

Apparently the fixed gear side of the hub is splined. It's my first time to see this type of mount. I then researched and learned that this splined mount is currently used in bike's disc brake system and is called 'centerlock'.

I didn't want to replace the hub to keep the bike as stock as possible.

So upon learning how it's called I was again positive that I can find the sprocket/cog for this hub.

I was wrong - again! 😂

Took me some time to find 2 alternatives:

1. The disc hub from https://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopdisc.html that cost GBP35++ - sold from UK and ebay

2. The exact "formula" cog that is only sold in Indonesia - advertised as "Taiwan Formula Cog"

How crazy is that - a Japanesed bike with a hub from Taiwan that is only sold in Indonesia 😜

I alson sent an e-mail to Fuji (US) asking for the splined cog but they said it wasn't availble. Major disappointment :P

Based on the 2 available options - I decided to DIY my cog with a centerlock disc brake mount and a cog from a single speed conversion kit.

I painstakingly drilled 3 holes on a solid steel cog and hoped for the best that they will align on the 3 holes (of 6) on the centerlock adapter.

Long story short, I was able to build my cog.

Once, during a long ride - the bolts on the DIY cog loosened and I had to call for SOS so I can go back home 😆 Stress and vibration can actually loosen bolts so learning from this, I put a considerable amount of thread locker on the 3 bolts. This solved the issue.

But I still desire for the splined cog on the hub which apparently was made by Formula(?): https://theradavist.com/formula-hubs-centerlock-spline-fixed-hub/.

I know people from Indonesia (office/work related) and I just hoped then that I can ask them to order for me online and wait for some people to travel JKT-MLA 😁

After 2+ years the wait was finally over and now my Formula hub is reunited w a Formula cog 😎

The DIY centerlock rotor adapter and drilled cog with the Formula cog (15T)

close-up

The Formula centerlock/spline hub

fits nicely

used a spare new lockring

let the lockring push the cog inside

installation complete

The Sony XDR-S3HD Radio (3 yrs after)

I have a REL Quake lying around after building a speaker setup w 'dual or stereo subwoofer'. Almost sold it but decided to 'fix' it.

Was very surprised it paired well (size and sound) with the S3HD radio :)

I'd listen to these pair when I'm in the mood to listen to music while W'ingFH.

Since the radio came from US and has a 110V PSU, I actually bought a step down transformer that I use with it. REL plugs straight to the outlet since its 220V.

Didn't know it will cause me trouble one day when I wanted to listen to the setup and after I plugged the REL and step down transformer straight to the outlet - I also plugged the S3 PSU to the outlet forgetting about the transformer *facepalm*. 110V PSU RIP T_T

 I went to some local repair shops to inquire about salvaging the transformer w rewind but they all pointed me to Raon (Manila) which is quite far from me. And I doubted they can do it for me since it's already burned/shorted. PLUS I'm not sure what are the voltage output of the PSU since the online service manual says ~10v/~5V and 12V/7V. Yes, the PSU is dual voltage. Something that surprises some people :D

So I started looking for a dual voltage power transformer but they are mostly available only from the likes of Digikey and Mouser where one has to order php2K to get free shipping. While the transformer I need only cost around php600 - I presently didn't have other electronic related stuff to order. So I kept searching lazada and shopee... also went to ebay, amazon, etc etc... but to no avail T_T

Based on the google results, I then decided to make my own dual voltage supply from a single transformer based on circuits using power transistors that converts voltages to distinct output based on the transistor code e.g. LM or AN 7812 = 12V, LM or AN 7805 = 5V.

So I bought the parts from my fave local elex shop: OHM using the diagram from https://www.circuits-diy.com/12v-5v-dual-power-supply/. Quite surprised the parts are really very affordable.

Then proceeded to arrange them on a generic pcb - my 'first' time to actually build something without a premade pcb! So I was very careful and made sure I am following the circuit diagram. 220V is not a joke :D Long story short - I was able to make it work using 12V and 6V supply. Unfortunately, the 6V rail gets really really hot so I abandoned it.

I was then thinking I'm really forced to get the dual voltage from digikey and just get some stuff to reach php2K to get the free shipping. But before I proceed with the purchase - I really  wanted to make sure I'm getting the correct output. I actually sent an email to XDRguy (David Stambaugh) and he said 12.7V and 7.2V. Unfortunately for some reason, there is no power transformer that converts to 7V! So weird. And I didn't want to venture into LM317s anymore :D

And so I was ready to order from digikey but I accidentally got the correct search words on shopee and found a dual voltage power supply:

"Adjustable Dual Double Double Output Dual Module Switching Power" :D

It's not even available in lazada. Kinda pricey but it's better than building from scratch.

Long story short I got the S3HD working again... and I really had a great 'adventure' from that 'mishap' - soldering 2 versions of the dual supply :D 

Just ordered a case for the new dual voltage power supply :)