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Apple III motherboard gets bizarre ‘fix’

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April 15: Today in Apple history: Apple scrambles to fix doomed Apple III April 15, 1981: Apple CEO Mike Markkula defends the struggling Apple III with a surprisingly straightforward admission. The comment comes even as the company pushes an unorthodox “fix” for the Apple III motherboard, which tends to overheat due to a questionable design.

“It would be dishonest for me to sit here and say that it’s perfect,” he tells The Wall Street Journal, after critics blast the new computer for its overheating motherboard. Apple’s official solution to the problem? Ask users to drop their Apple III from a height of 6 inches, thereby hopefully reseating the chips.

Apple III: Apple’s first flop

Apple introduced the troubled Apple III, which would become Cupertino’s first official flop, in May 1980. On paper, the Apple II’s doomed successor should have been a massive success. For the first time, this wasn’t a computer singlehandedly built on virtually no budget by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Instead, it was the work of a committee of talented engineers working for a well-funded company.

Unfortunately, this meant the computer suffered from a confused identity. Everyone harbored their own ideas about what it should do. The result: “feature creep,” and a project that took longer than it should have. And, of course, that overheating Apple III motherboard.

An Apple computer built for business

From Apple’s perspective, one of the imperatives of the Apple III was that it should be a business computer. Although sales of the Apple II showed no signs of slowing down, and the Macintosh project was just getting started, Apple wanted a computer that would appeal to companies. The IBM PC was already heavily rumored, and Apple wanted to construct a machine that could shoot it down.

The original Apple III boasted a 2 MHz SynerTek 6502A processor, 2KB of ROM, 128KB on-board RAM and four slots for peripherals. It ran twice as fast as the Apple II and was Apple’s first computer to come with a built-in 5.25-inch floppy drive.

The computer could emulate the Apple II, but came with its own Sophisticated Operating System. Cupertino pronounced it “soss” (like “Apple sauce”). Instead, people referred to it as “S.O.S.” when the full scale of the Apple III disaster became apparent.

Big problems from Day 1

An advertisement shows the Apple III in all its (relative) glory. The ad doesn't mention the overheating Apple III motherboard, naturally.
The Apple III in all its (relative) glory. The ad doesn’t mention the overheating motherboard, naturally.
Photo: Apple

A few big problems accompanied the Apple III rollout. Production delays meant that volume shipments of the computer did not begin until March 1981.

The price, which ranged from $4,340 to $7,800, proved another sticking point. By present standards, a fully kitted-out model cost nearly $27,000, adjusted for inflation.

Apple III’s motherboard overheats

The Apple III’s motherboard problem took the cake, though.

Steve Jobs insisted that the computer not feature a cooling fan. He also dictated the Apple III’s size and shape, without concern for what this would mean for electrical engineers. This resulted in the overheating motherboard, and Apple’s “just drop your computer” workaround.

Apple did do more than this to try and make good, however. It promised to swap out bad Apple III models for new ones, no questions asked. It later launched an upgraded Apple III, which arrived in December 1981.

Sadly, by that point, it was too little, too late. By the end of 1983, months before the Macintosh 128K launched, Apple had sold only 75,000 Apple III computers.

To put that number in context, the Apple II — which the Apple III  was designed to replace — sold close to that number every month at the time.

Were you an Apple III owner? Did you experience an Apple III motherboard problem? Let us know in the comments below.



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Featured

Ricoh GR III gets a dreamy successor, but it’s not the GR IV I was hoping for

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Attention, Ricoh fans! There’s a new Ricoh GR series compact camera – in fact, there’s two. Sadly, there’s no GR IV in sight, but new ‘HDF’ versions of the GR III and GR IIIx. And what’s different about these new models? It’s all in their new filter. 

The new Ricoh GR III HDF and a Ricoh GR IIIx HDF have a newly-developed, built-in highlight diffusion filter (HDF) instead of an ND filter, but are otherwise identical to the original versions. (OK, the shutter button is a dark silver rather than black, but that’s about it.)

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News

Sony a9 III the first still camera with a global shutter

Sony a9 III First still camera with a global shutter

Imagine taking photographs with a camera that can freeze the fastest action without a hint of blur. Sony’s latest creation, the a9 III, is a camera that does just that. It’s the first of its kind to include a global shutter, a feature that’s about to change the way you capture the world. This camera is designed for those who don’t want to miss a millisecond, whether it’s a bird in flight or a car zooming past. It’s a tool that promises precision and speed, but it comes with a price tag and some considerations you should be aware of.

A camera global shutter is a technology used in image sensors for cameras that captures the entire image frame at once. This is distinct from the more common rolling shutter, which captures the image progressively, scanning through the frame either vertically or horizontally.

Let’s dive into what makes the Sony a9 III stand out. The global shutter is a leap forward from the mechanical shutters you might be used to. Mechanical shutters work by opening and closing to let light hit the sensor, but they can cause problems when you’re photographing fast-moving subjects. You might have seen photos where straight lines appear bent or objects look stretched out – that’s rolling shutter distortion. The global shutter avoids this by capturing the entire image at once, so everything looks just as it should.

Sony a9 III global shutter camera

With this new shutter, the a9 III can reach shutter speeds up to an incredible 1/180,000 of a second. If you’re into sports, wildlife, or any kind of action photography, this is a big deal. It means you can freeze motion like never before, without any blur. And if you’re shooting a sequence of movements, the camera’s high frame rate ensures you won’t miss a thing.

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But, as with any technology, there are trade-offs. The a9 III has a 24-megapixel resolution, which is great for many purposes, but if you’re looking to make huge prints or crop your images a lot, you might find it limiting. And while the camera performs well in many situations, its low-light capabilities might not be as strong as some other models, like the more affordable Sony a74.

When it comes to focusing on your subject, the a9 III has an advanced autofocus system. It’s designed to keep your subject sharp, even in challenging conditions. But there’s room for improvement in other areas, like the user interface and how the camera connects with smartphones. These aspects could be made simpler, which would make it easier for you to share your photos and manage your workflow. Sony explains a little more about the technology :

“The α9 III features the world’s first1 full-frame stacked 24.6 MP2 CMOS image sensor with a global shutter system. Unlike a rolling shutter sensor that records images sequentially from the top row of pixels to the bottom, the newly-developed Exmor RS image sensor exposes and reads all pixels simultaneously so the camera can capture fast-moving subjects with absolutely no distortion. Combined with a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second (1/16000 second during continuous shooting)3, the α9 III is a game changer for professional photography.”

Pricing and availability

Now, let’s talk about the cost. At $6,000, the Sony a9 III is a serious investment. It’s not likely to be the first choice for hobbyists or those watching their budget. But for professionals who need the very best in speed and accuracy, it could be worth every penny. Looking ahead, the a9 III’s global shutter is just the beginning. This technology is expected to trickle down to more affordable cameras, which means more photographers will be able to take advantage of its benefits. The ability to capture images without distortion, even at high speeds, is something that could soon be within reach for many more photography enthusiasts.

Sony a9 III  specifications:

  • Camera Type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor: 24.6MP Full-Frame Global Shutter
  • Processor: BIONZ XR and AI Processing Unit
  • Continuous Shooting: Up to 120 fps raw
  • Flash Sync Speed: Up to 1/80,000 second
  • Video Capabilities:
    • UHD 4K video up to 60 fps
    • 4K up to 120 fps with no crop
    • 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording with All-I encoding
    • 16-bit raw video output via HDMI
    • S-Log3, S-Cinetone, and other Picture Profiles
  • Design Features:
    • C5 custom button addition
    • Adjustable continuous shooting mode via menu
    • Enhanced grip and ergonomics
    • Dual CFexpress Type A/SD card slots
    • USB-C port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s)
  • Display and Viewfinder:
    • 3.2″ 2.1m-dot 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen LCD
    • 9.44m-dot 0.90x OLED EVF with up to 240 fps refresh rate
  • Connectivity:
    • Ethernet port
    • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Additional Features:
    • Voice memo function
    • IPTC metadata support
    • Image burst group display
    • Weather sealing with shading curtain for sensor protection
    • Optional VG-C5 Vertical Grip
  • Future Firmware Updates:
    • Enhanced continuous shooting and workflow features
    • Addition of C2PA technology

So, what does this all mean for you? If you’re someone who values being able to capture action without compromise, the Sony a9 III is a camera that could transform your photography. It’s a significant step forward, offering a glimpse into the future of camera technology. But it’s also a camera that requires careful consideration of its capabilities and cost before you decide if it’s the right tool for your photography journey.

Filed Under: Camera News, Top News





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News

Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057 for Nikon Z mounts

Tamron 150-500mm F5

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057 for Nikon Z mount is a remarkable lens that offers a blend of compact size, high image quality, and advanced features. This lens is designed for full-frame Nikon Z-mount cameras and offers a wide zoom range, making it a versatile choice for photographers of all levels.

One of the most striking features of this lens is its compact size. Despite offering a focal length of 500mm on the telephoto end, the lens measures just 212.3mm long with a maximum diameter of 93mm. This compactness is maintained even when extended to the 500mm telephoto end, making it a convenient option for photographers on the go.

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 lens is equipped with the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) high-speed linear motor autofocus mechanism. This advanced feature ensures high speed, high precision, and quietness, making it ideal for shooting both still photos and video in low-noise environments. The lens also features TAMRON’s VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, which provides excellent image stabilization and reduces image blur caused by camera shake.

Tamron 150-500mm F5 camera lens

The lens boasts remarkable image quality, thanks to its special lens elements. It features 25 elements in 16 groups, including one XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), five LD (Low Dispersion), and two Hybrid Aspherical lens elements. These elements work together to control aberrations and deliver exceptional image quality throughout the zoom range.

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 lens also offers a telephoto-macro feature for close-range shooting. It has a minimum object distance of 0.6m at the 150mm end and 1.8m at the 500mm telephoto end. This feature, combined with the Nikon Z mount version’s Linear/Non-Linear switch, enhances manual focusing and allows photographers to capture stunning close-up shots.

The lens is compatible with Tamron Lens Utility Software, which allows users to customize their lenses directly from a computer. This feature adds an extra layer of convenience and flexibility for photographers, allowing them to tailor the lens to their specific needs.

Tamron 150-500mm camera lens

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 lens is designed to withstand the elements. It features a weatherproof construction, with moisture-resistant features and a special coating on the front lens that repels water and oil. This makes it a reliable choice for outdoor photography in various weather conditions.

Additional features of the lens include a lens hood with a flexible, protective front portion, a FLEX ZOOM LOCK mechanism, and an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount. These features enhance the lens’s usability and convenience, making it a well-rounded choice for photographers.

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD A057 for Nikon Z mount will be available from Tamron retailers in the UK and Ireland from November 2023. It is priced at £1249.99 in the UK and €1399.99 in Ireland, offering a balance of high performance and value for money.

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 lens for Nikon Z mount is a compact, high-quality lens that offers a range of advanced features. Its VXD autofocus mechanism, VC image stabilization, special lens elements, and weatherproof construction make it a versatile and reliable choice for photographers. Whether you’re shooting close-up shots or capturing images at the telephoto end, this lens delivers exceptional image quality and performance.

Source : Tamron 

Filed Under: Camera News, Top News





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