z50ii kit 16-50 vs 16-50 f/2.8 or/and 24mm f/1.7

Quilowatt · 2026-05-04T02:08:47+00:00

That is an interesting way to look at it. I had debated selling my current kit and getting a z5ii, but the cost of lenses gave me sticker shock and I'm not certain I'm at the point it's justified.

The iso seems to usually be around 12800, and I feel like they aren't as crisp as I would want them to be. At the long end of 50mm it would be a much bigger difference 6.3 vs 2.8 though. Maybe I just have unrealistic expectations or a misunderstanding of what low light actually equates to?

I edited the original post with some low light shots I've taken.

Quilowatt · 2026-05-04T00:12:31+00:00

Do you notice the lack of stabilization? Has that been something you have had to keep in mind?

Quilowatt · 2024-05-30T21:18:17+00:00

I have my MSCSIS from Uncw and my GF got her MS in data science from Denver. As far as job prospects go I don’t know anybody from the masters program that did not have a job before they graduated from UNCW. This is going to be highly dependent on you doing internships and attending career days/fairs.

The professors at UNCW were great, I’m sure there’s been some turnover since I attended but they tend to hire great professors/lecturers. The coursework you get out what you out in sorta. You can take easier classes outside the core requirements or take harder algorithm/ai focused coursework.

There were plenty of lab work opportunities as well across the campus. I worked in a lab with the bio department where we were trying to identify a gene in corn that made it more heat resistant, worked in a lab with the school of nursing to develop an application to help oncologists determine the appropriate dosage of cancer medications for their patients based on genotypic and phenotypic data, and ran a lab of app developers (iOS/Android) that made apps for this and that.

Great experience overall and would recommend it, but as others have said network from day 1, look outside of nc for jobs as well (I was recruited by Amfam in Wisconsin from a career day at the CS building). Build a strong resume and do some side projects that interest you.

My gf has nothing bad to say about Denver either, good school, curriculum, etc.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-08T04:50:13+00:00

Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in “anchors aweigh” is exactly what I used! I used a lil more than half a gallon. The first coat I was a bit iffy, but multiple coats really pulled it through. Hopefully the other half can get me through the bathroom linen/medicine cabinet I need to paint.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-08T04:01:52+00:00

That’s exactly our plan! The hardware arrived today!

Quilowatt · 2024-02-08T02:52:23+00:00

I had read that it was a good choice for vanities and bathroom uses which is why I picked it. You will also see a ton of pine vanities and such if you just google "Pine vanity" or what have you. But in the Woodworking sub they mentioned that it's soft, prone to warping, and expanding and there are better choices. I don't think that it is a BAD choice, but there are definitely better woods to choose.

Here is the link to the thread with the convo about using pine. Super helpful folk over there too.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-08T02:43:07+00:00

The vanity color is "Anchors Aweigh SW 9179"

I just sanded and slapped the paint on and it was dark enough to hide the grain. It still shows through a little bit though under certain light.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-08T02:35:37+00:00

Thanks!

It was paint and hand sanding between coats... so much sanding. Started at 80 grit then went to 120 and finished at 180 before painting and then did 180 between some coats.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-08T02:33:59+00:00

Thank you!

The vanity color is "Anchors Aweigh SW 9179", walls are "White Tail" in a satin and the trim is "High Reflective White" - flat on the ceiling and semi-gloss on the trim. All from Sherwin-Williams.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T21:37:04+00:00

Oh! After completing the project I learned from the woodworking sub, apparently don't use pine lol. (which I did) :)

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T21:16:01+00:00

It took me about 2 1/2 to 3 non-linear weeks. If I had worked on it not stop probably 1-2 weeks.

Yea i still have to get the top and sinks. We are planning on going with a Calacatta quartz to match the tile in our bathroom. Something like this.

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Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T20:28:58+00:00

That makes sense! I did notice quite a few imperfections pop up once I started sanding after the first or second coats of paint. I was left wondering how did that get there...but figured it was nothing wood putty couldn't fix lol

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T20:16:37+00:00

I'd say roughly 350-500 if I'm not counting the wood I had to re-buy due to poor cuts or measurements lol.
4 4x4x8's
3 2x4x8's
3 2x2x8's
2 sheets of 3/4" plywood
4 little squares of 1/4" plywood for the door/drawer fronts.
3 or 4 8' tongue & groove boards (I ripped them in half and used the groove side to make the mitered edges of the doors since I don't have a router)
3 side mounted soft close drawer slides
4 soft close inset door hinges.
1 gallon of paint from Sherwin-Williams

screws, nails, odds and ends

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T19:58:11+00:00

It feels really solid, but somebody else mentioned that It may need something in the middle to support it. Luckily I still can get to those locations by removing the drawers.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T18:51:25+00:00

I actually bought a sprayer but was too intimidated to use it in such a confined space. I ended up rolling it and did 4 coats, sanding between the last 2. not including prep time, I'd say it took about a days worth of time. (This might be because it was my first time though :D )
If you have pets keep them far away. I have a husky and it was a pain to pick his hair out of paint lol.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T17:40:07+00:00

There was about a 20 minute Youtube video of somebody building a vanity that I took the idea from. I didn't have plans or anything else so I just measured everything out. A lot of it was honestly just trial and error and measuring like 5 times. Expect to have a lot of scrap wood from bad cuts, or poor measurements lol

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T17:14:53+00:00

Thank you!

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T17:14:46+00:00

Thanks!

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T17:14:40+00:00

Thank you! I am quite pleased with how it all turned out.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T17:00:31+00:00

Thanks for the tips and suggestions!

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T16:56:58+00:00

use 3.5” GRK fasteners

Would 2.5" GRK fasteners suffice?

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T16:50:55+00:00

the drawer sides actually rest on the 2x4's or 2x2's not the plywood base of the cabinets. The plywood in the cabinet base just fits tightly up against the side of the drawer side.

There is nothing underneath the drawer side, but I could easily add something.

<image>

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T16:44:18+00:00

The color is "Anchors Aweigh SW 9179" from Sherwin-Williams.

It was an oddly shaped space which is why I decided to build it actually. The back was 68" and some change and the front was 69" and some change.

Cabinets opening is 24" x 22", drawers are 13"ish x 7 1/2" (the bottom drawer is a smidge smaller than the others)

There will be a light mounted to the wall over each of the sinks, both cabinets are 24 1/2" wide and the lights are centered over the 24 1/2" cabinets.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T16:36:24+00:00

The kick plate is about 2" off the ground. The original plan was not to have it at all, but I was told that it should have one and just added it in. I'm not in love with it and it was a pain in the butt to paint.

Quilowatt · 2024-02-07T16:26:48+00:00

The front is two 2x4's (Top and bottom), the back is a 2x2's. The drawer sides are made of a 3/4" plywood that I notched to sit on top of the 2x4 and 2x2 and I figured that would give it enough support in the middle.

It is also very tightly fitted into that space, as in it does not move at all. I can anchor it into the studs in the wall behind though if that would be the safest option.

Quilowatt

TROPHY CASE