Supporting Your Photography With the AAO

Discussion in 'Off-Topic' started by MParker, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. MParker

    MParker

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    Agree but one of my points in an earlier post was (is) what a nice photographer's tool the AAO would be if it had a CF slot built in. 1024x768 and higher can be done on the AAO though.
     
    MParker, Mar 11, 2009
    #21
  2. MParker

    vanaao

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    hey yeah, i'm another supporter of this forum

    I'm also a photographer, more of a hobbyist trying to make a bit of money off it. I shoot just about anything non-human with a Canon Rebel XT and I also have a Canon 70-200mm f4 L, Canon 100mm macro, the original 18-55mm kit lens (trying to sell) and the newer 18-55mm IS lens. I also should be getting a 28mm JML Optical lens in the mail sometime, as I ordered one off eBay for $10, for experimentation. I've found that my Canon backpack for my camera equipment has enough room in the front pocket to put my AAO in it, which is awesome!

    My AAO is the 8GB SSD version with Linpus Lite on it. I've upgraded the RAM to 1.5GB and also have switched out the wifi card for an Intel 4965 AGN card. I use the 3-cell battery and a supposedly 9-cell battery that i bought off ebay (that my AAO recognizes only as a 6-cell). A pair of 320GB external 2.5in hard drives and a handful of USB drives and SD cards rounds out my electronic collection of stuff for the Acer.

    I am using GIMP in linpus for image edits or screenshots, but would like to find some better software. I am also running Windows on VirtualMachine and use that for image viewing and potentially editing. I'm a college student, so while school is in session, there isn't a whole lot of time for taking photos and test-driving the AAO as a larger photo-viewer.
     
    vanaao, Mar 17, 2009
    #22
  3. MParker

    Tamrac

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    For this reason.... I may be buying the ensanely expensive Sony Vaio P, for the reason that it's smaller, thinner, and with a whopping 1600x768 8inch LCD. :shock:

    The trustly AAO will still be one of my gadgets and will still be around in my collection hehe. :D
     
    Tamrac, Mar 19, 2009
    #23
  4. MParker

    jamesgott

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    I have a AAO 120 gig/3 cell/ white that I just bought. I like it so far, but I was trying to install the Canon camera utility on it so I could use it for timelapse and other things. It won't let me install because "the screen resolution is not high enough" or something to that effect. Any workaround for this?

    Aside from that I am a photography major in my third year. I have a Canon 5dmkII with the 24-105L lens...What a great setup. I can't exactly afford any more lenses right now because I just dropped 3500 on this kit 2 weeks ago. I have an Epson SP1400 - a great printer, but ink is pricey, and it uses 6 cartridges so it adds up fast. For editing I have store bought HP desktop and a 32" widescreen TV as my monitor - I love it. Its not a very high end TV though, so it has its limitations ie moire and subtle flickering at times. I use PS CS4. I love it 10x more than CS3.

    Anyways, this is my first post on this forum. I hope to get some useful information about the laptop.

    James
     
    jamesgott, Mar 21, 2009
    #24
  5. MParker

    KiNG

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    if your using the windows xp version of your aspire one, you and override the default resolution.
     
    KiNG, Mar 21, 2009
    #25
  6. MParker

    wanderlust

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    I bought an A150 before I set off on my trip (in India at the mo), changed to OS to XP and upped the RAM to 1.5gb.

    I mainly bought it to use as a storage medium for the images from my newly aquired canon 1000d (with a sigma 18-200 OS lens).

    I'm new to the whole "RAW" thing but it seems like its the best option. What do you suggest as software for me to pick up? I've tried using my photographic forums but the people there only have experience with desktops etc, not compact little blighters like the AAO!

    Whats the best way to go about working with the RAW files? I'd be looking at downloading them to my netbook and then backing them up to a dvd which I'll mail home(so if,god forbid, anything happened to my 'One I'd have a back up). Its after that that I need the advice....

    I'd like to be able to have a bit of a play with a few of the picks while I'm away but wont be trying anything too ambitious until I'm home infront of my desktop. I'd like to find some software so that I can view the RAW files on here and then be able to do some editing. Whats a good option with a reasonable footprint? I'd like to have something decent so that I can use it on my desktop when I get home, so the price isnt the main concern if the software's ticking all the right boxes.

    I've seen various versions of Elements and CS2-4 getting good feedback as well as Lightroom.

    As an aside I'd also like something thats good for organising my pics as I'll be shooting a lot while I'm on this trip. And maybe something thats good for viewing - as it stands at the mo, my pics aren't being rotated so when I look at them I have to rotate each and every one, which is sooo annoying! (am I being a bit simple - is there an easy way of resolving this)

    Thanks for both your time and your patience! :D
     
    wanderlust, Mar 24, 2009
    #26
  7. MParker

    MParker

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    I bought my AAO for the storage and viewing capability. Post processing is a side bonus. I installed a1ctl, a utility that provides high resolution displays, fan control, and a couple of other things. It's free. If I really wanted to seriously edit images I'd at least hook up a big external hi-res monitor. Picasa from Google is free and has a fair RAW editor and an organizer. PS Elements 5, 6, or 7 is a good choice too. What I would not recommend is too much serious post processing on the small screen.
     
    MParker, Mar 24, 2009
    #27
  8. MParker

    wanderlust

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    [/quote]

    I bought my AAO for the storage and viewing capability. Post processing is a side bonus. I installed a1ctl, a utility that provides high resolution displays, fan control, and a couple of other things. It's free. If I really wanted to seriously edit images I'd at least hook up a big external hi-res monitor. Picasa from Google is free and has a fair RAW editor and an organizer. PS Elements 5, 6, or 7 is a good choice too. What I would not recommend is too much serious post processing on the small screen.[/quote]

    I was pondering installing a1ctl in case there were any fan noise issues, but so far it seems fine.

    Whats the main difference between the various versions of elements? Is there one that is better suited to use on here or should I just look at the latest? Which do you use for your post processing? (I dont intend on doing a lot of post processing on here its just that it will give me a chance to learn a little while I have some free time whilst on the road)
     
    wanderlust, Mar 24, 2009
    #28
  9. MParker

    bdavison

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    I too am glad that this forum was opened.

    My primary reason for purchasing a AAO was as a quick in-the-field backup and storage device for my camera. Im shooting nikon, so I loaded nikon viewNX, and transfer onto my AAO.
    The AAO is perfect for photographers. Its small enough to fit in my camera bag, and is so small and light, it can go with me anywhere.
    I can do dumps from my Nikon DSLR to the AAO via either the SDHC card right in the slot or via USB connection.

    It also works great as a preview option for clients. Just dump the picts and run it as a slideshow for them to view.

    The internal wifi is great too, because I can upload pics to the website from just about anywhere. This is good for clients too because they can have almost instant access to the photos.

    Have any of you used the wifi sd card with the AAO, and dumped pictures directly to the AAO via wifi in the camera? I havent tried this, but if it works well, it would be fantastic.

    My AAO has rapidly become my favorite accessory to my camera. This thing rocks...and yes. I typed this on the AAO.
     
    bdavison, Mar 25, 2009
    #29
  10. MParker

    vanaao

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    I'm curious about that too, I shoot with canon and I know there is such a thing as the wifi dump directly, but ditto the question, has anybody tried it?
     
    vanaao, Mar 25, 2009
    #30
  11. MParker

    ua928

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    What AA1 can do

    Fellow photographers,

    I am a pro stock shooter and I have been using a 120gb AA1 since September `08 all round the world. Computer is now self-upgraded in March 09 to 500gb with a 2.5 WD Scorpio 5400. I am delighted with it’s new capacity, wi-fi ability and processor AND especially its size for travel. Hence, airport security checks are fairly easy (producing unit for scanning and replacing it in luggage), as compared with a 12 inch Dell I had which only just fitted my small backpack outer compartment. AA1 works well enough for internet when out of range of wi-fi for those using internet with a USB-connect GPRS/Edge unlocked phone (or similar) with appropriate software.

    The Atom proc. is well-able to run Photoshop CS3/Bridge and Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 at speeds I need for producing quickie jpgs – only drawback: the adjustment ACR RAW converter panel display has the OK/cancel control buttons below frame of 1024x600 screen and they cannot be scrolled or revealed on screen – therefore limited adjustment can be made to RAWs with visible sliders and hitting Enter after auto adjustments brings up an adequate image the `Shop – this is quite OK for me as I don’t file images for pro. agencies from the road often. I only store, make small 5- 800 pixel, long-side jpg 5 images and email attachments for my office partner’s reference and comments.

    As I use the unit for storage with third-party card reader units listed below, I back up to a USB Western Digital 500gb Passport. I also carry a Wolverine card-reader hard drive unit as a back-up in case of computer failure. I now have masses of browsing and storage space on AA1 computer and in back-up WD 500gb hard drive. Screen is small but quite good quality.

    I suspect on one outing to India, a hotel generator cut-in during a power outage and blew out the computer BIOS bringing on a black screen on boot and nothing else (although others have complained of the same symptoms in different circumstances on Macles* newsletter, who offers workable and lauded USB results) Photogs should charge computers full and then disconnect equipment from mains or power strip-surge board in areas where electrical supply is irregular, unpredictable etc. and especially where on-site generators kick-in whether you have major-joule surge strips or not.

    As for card-readers these modestly-priced small, adapter units work quite well for me in the computer USB ports (though I have a second adapter for the compact flash in case of bent pins – none yet, but I am careful) there is a slot in main AA1 body that accepts SD HC secure digital cards so I don’t carry a back up.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 ... eader.html

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 ... emory.html

    I suspect at a pinch you could send a limited number of wire images to pix agencies from this unit, but not too many – in that crunching DNGs thru 140mb-16bit to 50mg-8bit TIFs to for Jpg 10s might be a problem for the Atom proc. Jpgs from camera I’m sure would present no processing problem whatsoever. However again; for storage/travel packing, USB WD back-up, GPRS and wifi the AA1 can’t in my somewhat lengthy experience be beaten. And tempted as I am to look at a 10.2 Asus screen, keyboard and touchpad, I like the size of my modified AA1 and its 500gb capacity.

    Together with a brace of EOS 1D Mk IIIs (16-35/2.8: 70-200/2.8 IS + 1.4) and a Panasonic DMC LX2 Lumix I find this gear adequate – very portable with a couple of ND/tint filters and small tripod/ballhead, it is all-round versatile. If you wish to process and supply professional wire pix from the road consider this combo carefully – whether it will do with limited specs just what you want. However, for someone who flies a lot, lugs his own gear and stores and backs up many, many images, transmitting only small jpegs, this unit-combination could not be much better – except perhaps, the mains power feed where charger unit and three-pin plug is a little chunky .

    I would like to thank several forum members who advised on small but important issues which helped me complete the successful computer capacity upgrade: notably quick-thinking “melhiore” – thanks mate – mine was such a dumb-ass oversight – but it can happen to any body first time round…….


    Regards
    ua928
     
    ua928, Mar 27, 2009
    #31
  12. MParker

    NCPictures

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    Greetings all!

    I am buying my AA1 for ingesting pictures, and adding Metadata, then off to an external hard drive for real use. I may do a little work on them through Elements, or CS3, but no real big plans on major work.

    Nice to know there are others like me out there. I look forward to sharing a few more tips as we go along.

    Any galleries that people have out there.... links would be great!.
     
    NCPictures, Apr 2, 2009
    #32
  13. MParker

    MParker

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    I keep a few images here:
    http://www.pbase.com/cameraguy21773
     
    MParker, Apr 2, 2009
    #33
  14. MParker

    mistakewasbuyingacer

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    Look here: http://nodadev.wordpress.com/pc-projects/a1ctl/

    "a1ctl is a program able to control the fan speed of the Acer Aspire One netbooks, and do some useful other things."
    - ...
    - fast screen resolution changes, with 1024×768 scrolled and downscaled modes (XP only)
    - ...
     
    mistakewasbuyingacer, Apr 16, 2009
    #34
  15. MParker

    mistakewasbuyingacer

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    Look here: http://nodadev.wordpress.com/pc-projects/a1ctl/

    "a1ctl is a program able to control the fan speed of the Acer Aspire One netbooks, and do some useful other things."
    - ...
    - fast screen resolution changes, with 1024×768 scrolled and downscaled modes (XP only)
    - ...[/quote]


    Forgot to add the sig:
     
    mistakewasbuyingacer, Apr 16, 2009
    #35
  16. MParker

    adrianaitken

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    Guys, you goto Display (in Control Panel or right click desktop) , select settings tab, click advanced button,click Monitor tab, uncheck the Hide modes tickbox.Click on the General tab, select 1024x768 on the slide bar.Click OK. Now when you move the mouse to the bottom of the screen, the bottom 168 pixels scroll in. In ACR etc you can now see the OK/Cancel buttons etc.
    No need for other programs.
     
    adrianaitken, Apr 17, 2009
    #36
  17. MParker

    LordBelly-Cloth

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    Greetings all - I just got the AAO configured to support my workflow. This one's a pretty reasonable set-up for Nikon DSLR and compact shooters. The key is Nikon View 6.2.7. Yes, it's out of support and unless you have it on CD or archived somewhere, there's no legal way to get it. But this works very nicely as the linchpin of my workflow because it gives a reasonable ingestion, categorization and JPEG editor with a semi-RAW capability (i.e., I can edit WB and a few other characteristics, then convert to JPEG). And it's not too bloated, unlike the follow-on products TransferNX and ViewNX. The only limitation is that this will work for cameras from the D200 down, in terms of chronological order. Any DSLR that uses PictureControls or whose RAW file is not supported by NV 6.2.7 won't work here. In those cases, you must use Transfer and View.

    The rest of the flow is PSE - good enough for what I need, with my plug-ins for sharpening, noise and effects. Not too bad with a single hi-qual JPEG from a 10MP camera loaded only is consuming about 300 or so MB while editing. I have a slim factor HDD and a DVD-RW for nearline storage.
     
    LordBelly-Cloth, Apr 18, 2009
    #37
  18. MParker

    mistakewasbuyingacer

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    That's true, but if you are reacting to my suggestion then I think you've overlooked the words
    "fast" and "downscaled" in the programmer's description. Fast - to change the resolution using
    a1ctl: click the icon in the tray, move the cursor to the desired resolution, click again.
    Downscaled: no need to scroll down for the last 168 pixels (unless you want to and choose
    scroll mode), choose downscaled mode instead and get a small but perfectly formed 4:3 image
    with no scrolling is required. a1ctl has a few other uses as well - if the fan is too noisy you
    can probably quiet while still maintaining the CPU at an acceptable temperature - this also
    extends battery discharge time; if you are just viewing images on battery power you can also
    cut the CPU speed in half - marginally longer transition time between shots but significantly
    extended battery discharge time; similarly, if/when you are not using them, you can disable
    the wifi &/or ethernet &/or webcam, again to extend battery discharge time. Like, you can
    do a moderate amount of image processing using Microsoft's "Paint" program, but hey - is
    life that long?
     
    mistakewasbuyingacer, Apr 21, 2009
    #38
  19. MParker

    ccwh

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    I have profiled the LCD screen, because the color temperature is too cold by default.
    I have 2 Canon DSLR. I use my AAO to empty my CF cards, some time with an USB cable, some time with an USB card reader.
    I shoot in RAW and i use Lightroom 2.3 who is working really well on the AAO. I use Photoshop 7.0 too. :)
    For specific pictures i use EOS Capture connected to my DSLR + Shutter voice. These programm's are working well too. :)
    My AAO is a lot of time in my photo bag, the first time was in China. I was able to edit my pictures and send some JPEG using internet. :D
    The major lacks of my AAO are the low memory (max 1,5 Go) and no CF reader.. :(

    AA1CTrl from Noda is great if you want to display 1024x768 but, the refresh is a little slow. ;)
     
    ccwh, Apr 25, 2009
    #39
  20. MParker

    noobeeJF

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    hi all.. like most on here, mainly using the AAO for on te fly viewing, minor tweaks etc, but managed to produce this on the AAO using GIMP and pretty pleased with the results considering i was sitting in back of car at time.. :roll:
     
    noobeeJF, Jun 1, 2009
    #40
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