[Konvas] Film thickness? (off-topic)

[Rick Garbutt]

Just a very couple of quick notes, Adam -

> The funny thing is that I was reading it as .3000", but, somehow (and
> don't ask me how), I was thinking it was .3000 millimeters. Aha -
> there's my brain - sitting on the floor beside the trash can... [picks
> brain up, wipes the dust off it, reinserts it back into head].

I take mine out at night, and keep it in a glass of water by the bed.
Trouble is, one morning, I confused it with the dentures...
 
> Of course, the same kind of mix up (US units vs Metric) has sent a
> multi-million dollar research satellite crashing into Mars. So, I'm glad
> I'm not the only one that gets occasionally confused.

The person that "never" makes mistakes is either a liar or not doing
anything.  I try to bury mine before anyone notices they're there...

> 
> Rick,
> Thanks for the seriously informative reply (and welcome back from
> Burning Man!).

I'm glad it didn't come off as too professorial (it didn't, did it?) and I'm
right glad if it shed some light.  Burning Man was a hoot, though I suffered
automotive hell and then some both going and returning.  Alas, no photogenic
clouds at all, so I didn't even thread a roll of film into the time-lapse
camera.  C'est la vie.

> I have two of those DC speed controllers from MPJA. The one is sitting
> right here in front of me, but I'll have to figure out where the
> directions are since I don't want to miss-wire anything. Since it
> requires an 11V to 28V DC current, I'm assuming I can use a standard 12V
> battery, correct?

Yes.  If memory serves, you should be able to get the instruction sheet as a
download from the MPJA site.  If not, a polite eMail might sucker them into
sending one to you as a JPEG.
> 
> Well, I'm off to dreamland. Gotta get rested for my big night tomorrow
> teaching my (new) class: "Introduction to Film". We basically watch
> movies and discuss them, their meanings, and that kinda such. Last week
> we watched "Ed Wood" with Johnny Depp - what a great film for those
> interested in movies, eh? This week we're going to discuss, among other
> things, the early Soviet/Russian films and their cutting edge techniques.

Funny:  I teach my first class this semester at SAIT (Southern Alberta
Institute of Technology) tomorrow; my 2nd semester doing this.  (You'd think
they'd know better...)  They were wonderful folk to work with, and I'm going
to see if I can get this year's crop of students to address me as "your
Majesty" .....naaaah, probably not.  Tomorrow, they're actually shooting
FILM (cheers all 'round; waves banner.  Meanwhile, in Rochester, NY,
handkerchiefs dab at eyes...)
> 
> BTW: I figured this FASTAX manual would be needed/cherished by a few
> people other than myself - so I'll try to photocopy it over the next few
> days/weeks and send it to you and anyone else that wants it (I know its
> not Russian made, but maybe I'll post it on konvas.org somewhere).
> Honestly, if it was thinner, I'd copy it now, but it has a LOT of juicy
> info inside.

Following one of my other favorite mantras, to wit:  "No one ever gives you
any extra marks for doing anything the hard way..." may I make a (I hope
constructive) suggestion?  Especially as I'm one who stands to benefit?

Why not simply scan the manual, and render it as a .pdf file?  FAR cheaper
than photocopy; probably as good or better reproduction, free to send as an
eMail attachment, and, frankly, about the same physical labor.  Just a
suggestion.  Whichever way it goes, my huge and vast thanks in advance.

Very best to all,
Rick Garbutt, soc