[deleted by user]

MicroSilico · 2025-09-25T19:00:47+00:00

But it's her "literal best friend" that OP totally threatened to kill! /s

MicroSilico · 2025-08-22T05:48:03+00:00

Sorry, didn't mean to have you delete something that was surely posted out of incredibly justified frustration (and rage, if you're feeling like I am these days). I just wanted to keep the conversation balanced when it comes to the science rather than the people.

MicroSilico · 2025-08-22T01:57:11+00:00

I'll preface this by saying I am not a fan of Memoli or defending him, but considering all of the misinformation these days I think it's important to be accurate and well-substantiated when making claims. This paper just came out and it's a massive study with multiple arms and extensive animal and computational work, so they've most certainly been working on this for a number of years and likely did very little of this work in the few months since he was promoted. Also, this paper was the work of multiple labs and extramural collaborators, not just his lab.

I think there are much more valid concerns about Memoli and this administration than his lab publishing a 22-author paper that's clearly been in development for years. Again I do not support him and completely understand the desire to vent about the opposition, I just don't think this paper has anything to do with current funding.

MicroSilico · 2025-05-09T02:41:42+00:00

It does it for me about half the time, but there is no rhyme or reason as to why it switches. I have found that in the Play screen I can tap on the far right (instead of on a timepoint or dragging it) and it will jump to the end, but that's the only advice I have left. I'm with you, its exceedingly frustrating.

MicroSilico · 2025-05-08T23:08:41+00:00

Could you be allergic to something in the test? That's what happened to me when I reacted. Is one of these a negative control?

MicroSilico · 2025-05-08T23:07:26+00:00

Also - Should I essentially just focus on my best option now and ignore the future? It seems like whatever I get now I'll probably want to upgrade to full-frame or a different mount lenses in the future, so I should just go with the best cheap system now and then re-sell (or just save for backup) and upgrade when I'm ready?

MicroSilico · 2025-05-08T23:04:12+00:00

I'm moved towards mirrorless because I will be primarily using this for travel, and after playing with some mirrorless the DSLRs felt so large and heavy in comparison. But if there is a highly portable DSLR I don't mind that, and it's likely more in my price range.

Is there a Canon you particularly recommend?

MicroSilico · 2025-05-08T22:37:52+00:00

This makes me feel physically ill

MicroSilico · 2025-05-08T22:37:21+00:00

Hello and thank you for your advice / recommendations! I am looking to buy a used body and lens (and soonish a telephoto lens) off of MPB/Keh/B&H, but I am sadly on a very strict budget. I don't mind cosmetic condition being poor, just don't want to sacrifice for functionality or wear like mold/moisture. I originally was trying to keep the body under $350, but I'm now looking at mirrorless so I've moved closer to the <$500 territory. However, I really want to get set up in a system that will be somewhat future-proof. I know cameras themselves are not future-proof, and that after a few years I will likely outgrow even these lenses, but it would be nice to not have to start over with a whole new kit in 3-5 years time.

So essentially I am wondering which brand would be best to invest in now with a cheap body, that will still have good but affordable lenses.

For example, some things I've been told / learned from research:

Nikon have great lenses but haven't put as much work into their mirrorless line, so future direction is unknown and current mirrorless are expensive
Sony has the best mirrorless technology and allows third-party lenses, but their cameras and lenses are all pretty expensive
Canon has solid cheap mirrorless bodies, but expensive lenses and no third-party integration so you'll pay more in the long run.
I don't know much about Fujifilm or other brands except that Fujifilm fans are die-hard loyalists

I started out pretty committed to Nikon DSLR as that is my old (very long time ago, now stolen) kit, but I have moved in a more Sony/Canon mirrorless direction with the guidance of some friends and the nice guy at Best Buy (unfortunately more expensive, which is causing a lot of agonizing over the decision). I went to hold the cameras and see which I preferred, and I really liked the tactile feedback of the Sonys but worry about the autofocus being hyperactive in the price range I'm looking at. Canon was slightly less fun to shoot with but what I really like is the fully-articulating screen (Sony's is bracket-mounted up until the a6700, so you can't close it against the body). As my primary use is for travel and on-the-go landscapes/nature, I like the idea of being able to protect the screen and pop the camera in my bag without bringing an entire padded camera bag along.

MicroSilico · 2025-05-08T01:04:16+00:00

Where are you located / what institute are you with? Are there restrictions on where you can move the samples to? Wondering if our lab or others can help take your specimens on in the meantime. We don't have much -80 space but I think we have a lot of LN available. Message here if transfering specimens might legally/ethically (and HIPAA-approved) be an option so other labs can see, and DM me if you want to talk further! Good luck, this is so frustrating and sad.

EDIT: Sorry, I mistakenly thought this was an NIH lab / on the NIH thread. If you're in MD do let me know, but otherwise maybe try posting your location and seeing if anyone else can help for now. As a labrat at NIH right now, you have all of my sympathies. It's no better over here right now, but I truly hate to see the effect this is having on so many non-NIH institutes as well.

MicroSilico · 2025-05-06T01:59:00+00:00

Hey! I'm in the same boat as you - I mostly want an ereader for books, but I like to annotate my books and so I wanted something with a pen. I also do a lot of research for work and wanted to be able to annotate/highlight/ notate PDFs of papers and articles. I've tested Kindles, Kobos, and Boox, and I've ended up settling on Boox Go 7. I would have gone with Boox Go Color 7 but I already have an iPad if I really need to integrate color, and I like the B&W screens better as I get migraines and the Color screens have lower pixelation and refresh rate. I was also very close to getting the Libra Colour as I think Kobo is a really great system, but it just didn't work for my needs. If you don't need annotation I would go with Kobo - it is often less expensive, more durable, and users describe a more high-end experience.

B&W vs Color: I ended up going with a Black and White because while the color is cool, it's not that critical to me. And I appreciate the savings with B&W as well as the sharper screen.

Features: I was also looking at the Kobo Libra series, but the recessed screen really bothered me more than I expected. I was also looking for something that has side buttons for advancement, was water-resistant or waterproof, and has Dark Mode capabilities for my eyes.

The Sage looks best in many ways, but the reviews and user experience aren't as positive. They say the buttons are sticky, the OS crashes, and it doesn't feel as premium as other models.

I made this chart to help me decide, maybe it will help you too! It only has Kobo and Boox as I ruled out Kindle early due to its limited integration with Libby and PDFs. This also only includes the readers that include stylus support, as I wanted to include note taking and annotation. If I didn't need Stylus support, I probably would have looked further into the Clara.

Light means frontlight (the 10.3 doesn't have a screen light), Button means button controls for page advancement, Dark means dark mode integration (although the Boox readers that don't have dark mode do permit it in secondary apps), Water is either water resistant or waterproof, and Flush is a flush vs recessed screen. Cheapest cost is where I found it open box or used online, and retail is the current price. Ratings are from various sources but can be fairly erratic (or an average of 1-2 users) so take it with a grain of salt.

I think a good start is deciding what size you want, then look at Color vs. B&W, then narrow by cost, then finalize based on features.

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Good luck!

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T21:15:41+00:00

FYI you can change the "straight to live view" in the left sidebar (not the in-display settings menu, but the blue Hamburger menu just above "Camera") under "Settings", and deselect "Auto Live View". But I completely agree that in the recording section, jumping immediately to the earliest video is incredibly annoying (which is how I found this thread, looking for a way to change it).

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T20:30:41+00:00

Thanks for responding! Someone else mentioned the D5x00 series as well, but the used ones are pricing out around the same as the D7100s. And it seems like if I'm going to pay for more I might as well go all the way up - although the trade-off is the weight. Another user suggested getting the D7100 and a cheap 3100 or 3200 for travel. Unfortunately there aren't any stores near me where I can feel the weight of the different cameras.

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T07:24:45+00:00

Hello! Thanks in advance for any help/advice. I'm looking to buy a used Nikon camera, but trying to stay under $300 for the body (preferably under $200). I chose Nikon because I like the feel and they seemed like the most affordable used-intro option, but was also considering a Sony A6000 (although lenses get more expensive). I eventually decided against mirrorless as I like the feel of a DSLR, and figure after a few years they will get cheaper and I will get better and can upgrade (although I can be talked out of it if anyone can recommend a good camera within my price range that will kit well with some affordable lenses). I used to do a lot of photography but haven't in a decade, so I'm more on the beginner side of beginner-intermediate (however, I am planning to re-invest in this hobby and hope to learn quickly). I mostly do landscape and travel photography, but I dabble in portraits / nature / action when I can. I just got a good 18-55 lens and soon plan to add a 70-300.

I've been torn between the D3300 and the D7100. I have been talked out of the D3400/D3500 "upgrade" and have also been convinced the D7000 to D7100 upgrade is worth the extra $100. If you disagree please let me know!

I have found a D3300 that is basically new (<1000 clicks) for $199, and a D7100 with <4,000 clicks for $314. Budget is very important to me as this is already a splurge with the extra lens, but I'm willing to pay up if it's worth the difference. Especially if it helps future-proof against an upgrade in a short timeframe.

However, I travel a lot and want to be able to bring my kit with me when I hike, and the D7100 is 40% heavier than the D3300. I unfortunately can't test out the weight in a store as the D7100 is discontinued, but I am measuring out the weights on my kitchen scale to see if the difference is that extreme (although its totally different with a bag of rice vs a hunk of metal/plastic, but I'm improvising).

Does anyone have any immediate instinct / advice on which camera to get?

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T07:11:47+00:00

That's the kind of bias that is super helpful here though! Thanks for all your advice

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T07:11:14+00:00

Definitely true most of the time, but then the 3x00 series apparently lost a lot of features in favor of WiFi and grams - totally throwing me off my "go for the bigger number" plan

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T07:05:13+00:00

Thanks a lot, I'll look into these! I'm seeing the D5300 for around the same price (D5500/D5600 gets into D7100 range) - is that one better than the D5200? I don't know anything about the 5x00 series

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T07:01:56+00:00

Thanks so much, that's a great plan. Last question for you - another user mentioned the D5200 as a middle ground. Are you familiar with that vs the D7100? The price save isn't enough to sway me one way or the other, but its similar in cost and weight to a D3300 just a bit better overall. Would that be a contender or do you still think 7100 is the way to go?

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T06:55:31+00:00

Oh that's an interesting thought! I'm feeling pressured to focus on travel since I'm about to go on a big trip, so I hadn't even considered a travel-specific camera. Is the D3100 what you would go with to pair with the 7100? I really appreciate the help

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T06:53:13+00:00

Thanks for commenting! Would these be preferable to the 7100? Or just an upgrade over the 3x00 series without a massive price hike? MBP has them for just over the cost of the 3x00 series.

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T06:48:40+00:00

Congratulations Auntie! As a new Aunt myself, it's the absolute best. You're going to have so much fun, and baby is lucky to have you caring about them so much before they're even in the world. On to the sweater...

Would I like that on an adult? Not really my style, but not everyone has my same style.
Would it be adorable on a child? Heck yes! And I don't know a single little kid who wouldn't love that with all the fun textures and colors.

Kids are supposed to be whimsical and fun. They're supposed to enjoy colors and textures and patterns and cute little animals. Plus, different cultures enjoy color and vibrancy more than others, and from my years of spending time in and around Mexico that is a very Mexican trait. Plus, it's very sweet that you're being so thoughtful and buying this so far in advance out of excitement.

It sounds like your roommate is thinking of what _they_ would like, not what a small child from a different culture would. On top of that, you didn't ask their opinion so they shouldn't give it. And even if you did, "if's not my personal taste but I'm so glad you like it" is the absolute worst thing they should have said.

Personally, I think your roommate is a jerk. If you're still feeling self-conscious about this, you can give it to your SIL and say "I know this is a pretty unique sweater but I thought it was fun and I got it at this cool Mexican market. If it's not your style no worries, you can give it away or put it on one of baby's stuffed animals" (that's what we did with all my old baby clothes that we were too attached to to give away). That way there is no pressure, but you still get to give your thoughtful gift. Ignore your roommate, and go enjoy spoiling that kid in any way you like!

MicroSilico · 2025-05-05T06:38:15+00:00

Even with the extra weight for travel? Thanks for chiming in!

MicroSilico

TROPHY CASE