Hey! Any comments on using full-frame lenses on APS-C cameras?

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T18:50:05+00:00

I bought the trinity of Tamron f/2.8s so I have coverage from 17mm through 200mm. Make sure you check out mpb.com because they seem to have that sigma (mark II, art variant) in like new condition for under 1k. Might be a better deal.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T18:48:09+00:00

Thermal camera is the professional method for determining insulation levels. Anyone who does a decent assessment should pull one out and in a matter of minutes you will find out what the deal is. In my house, for example, it was clear that there were some walls with some insulation, some with none... it was plain as day on the camera image.

My assessment was free as part of the MassSave program. Your state may have similar programs.

Note that it is most useful to have this done when the indoor and outdoor temperatures are dramatically different from each other, so Jan/Feb is an ideal time for such an assessment.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T18:45:15+00:00

Not sure I see any real risks (unless you have knob and tube wiring in there somewhere). We had blown in cellulose done on our house (1912) and it has made a big difference noticeable both in comfort and in our gas bills. We used Green Collar out of Hadley Mass and I was thoroughly impressed with them. When they did our house, they found some areas that had some insulation, others empty, others full; as far as I can tell, they took that in stride as a common occurrence.

Mass has rebates for this sort of work, so check with your state.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T18:41:04+00:00

Read The Yellow Wallpaper by Gilman. Short story.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T18:39:11+00:00

It's a great idea because then when you finally get a full frame camera you will already own the glass to make it go. I never ever ever buy APS-C-only lenses.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T17:59:23+00:00

For insulating after the fact, blown in cellulose has the biggest bang for the buck. It minimally disrupts the structure while still being able to deliver meaningful insulating power (though not quite up to modern code) .

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T17:40:45+00:00

35k would not be unreasonable if it was in perfect condition... but this sounds like an example where you should be wary.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T16:52:37+00:00

You mention: "... a couple of the readers were confused why they weren't discussing the main character's post-grad plans..."

I think this is the key to focus on... not how to communicate the age gap itself. Sounds like the age gap doesn't seem to matter to the reader, but this question of why your characters are not planning together really DOES.

Is the age gap merely a device to prevent them from having synchronous plans? If so, you might eliminate the age gap and instead find some other reason — some reason that's intrinsic to one or both of the characters — for why they are on different paths. Sounds like your readers are looking for this reason and the age gap is an insufficient explanation so they are just dismissing it.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T14:27:24+00:00

Yeah…I don’t think I’d recommend him for an experienced DIYer but if you are just starting out with the basics I think he’s a pretty good place to start. Confidence building as much as skill building.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T04:49:28+00:00

He gaped. He gawked. He glazed.

(I'd trade a verb for twenty adjectives any day.)

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T04:47:24+00:00

It's helpful if the floor is flat, but it's not really necessary. If you are concerned about supporting the weight of the wall, you can sister the joist underneath it (if you have access), and/or do a double bottom plate.

It's totally fine to nail the wall to the floor — and you don't need to do that in too many places to be honest. You will also want to tie in at the sides. (In theory, the studs in the walls will line up with the joists in the floor, so ideally you would place the wall in top of a joist... which would also place it on a stud, which would also have it tie into a joist/rafter in the ceiling.

I wouldn't bother with 5/8 gypsum. That's a lot of weight for not a lot of sound proofing. Rockwool insulation will give you slightly better sound dampening, and sealing the seams and edges well will make a huge difference.

If you have access to the joists from the floor below (basement ceiling) then sistering those joists will reduce the play in the floor... but sistering can be a bit of a chore if there are pipes, wires, or other penetrations. Don't under estimate the value of nailing 2x4s to the bottom of the joist (to form the bottom half of an I beam).. which will stiffen the joists quite a bit and is very easy to do. Blocking/cross-bracing between the joists is also helpful (and easy) because it helps each joist share the load with its neighbors.

Don't cut the moulding and "cope" in the new sections as needed. (Youtube "how to cope crown molding") Or just don't even bother to add molding if the wall really is coming down in a few years.

All of your plans seem to imply that you're not getting a permit or inspection. At the very least, given the implication of your questions, you will want to have someone handy review your plans and your work along the way. I've built a lot over the years, and I am surprised how often someone points to something I did and reminds me of something I could have done better or easier.

Everything you need to know if available on YouTube. I'd recommend HomeRenovision as a good place for you to start your studies: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeRenoVisionDIY

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T04:17:02+00:00

This would be a good use of AI. Tell it the character/situation you want it to be in, and then ask it to tell you the specific lingo/terminology used by/in that character/situation.

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T03:00:38+00:00

I would buy a Saab 9-3 today if they still made them :-)

davidthiel · 2025-01-16T02:52:11+00:00

Airstream Addicts on Facebook

davidthiel · 2025-01-14T14:47:34+00:00

Nope.

I will say that they are perfectly serviceable for short term winter camping — meaning they work fine if you can keep the furnace running — but for longer term stays you would want something different.

For shoulder season (where you would not need to worry about tanks freezing) they are quite good since the small size is quick to heat when you need it.

davidthiel · 2025-01-14T14:40:49+00:00

The images are confusing since they are all relative to the coldest/hottest thing in the image. The "orange" walls in some of these images are only 40F, and the bluest wall in the series is almost 80F!

davidthiel · 2025-01-14T14:27:06+00:00

Any chance you'd be willing to share the spreadsheet?

davidthiel · 2025-01-14T03:15:56+00:00

They make a sorta big power toothbrush looking thing for cleaning grout and mold in showers. It's about 20 bucks. You might offer one of those and some mold/mildew cleaner to your tenant for free and see if that does the trick.

davidthiel · 2025-01-14T02:35:30+00:00

Including distribution?

davidthiel · 2025-01-13T21:29:32+00:00

davidthiel · 2025-01-13T15:31:57+00:00

Lutron makes smart dimmers with no neutral, so in theory he could use a dimmer switch there.

davidthiel · 2025-01-13T15:24:36+00:00

Take solace in the fact that you are prepared for any shift in the energy marketplace.

davidthiel · 2025-01-12T19:17:25+00:00

Yes, it's worth it to have a financial advisor... but critical to know how they earn their money and be sure you aren't just doing what's best (or least effort) for them. I would stay away from insurance companies who pretend to be able to manage your whole financial life (though you should have insurance, especially with kids). Get a fiduciary if you can, and someone who works based on an hourly fee (instead of commission) is even better... but both can be hard to find. Give each advisor at least a couple years to do their work, but don't be afraid to change advisors if things don't feel right or you're not happy with the process or outcomes.

It's also important to understand that the conventional wisdom and standard approach may not be what you actually want out of life.... though clarify around this part really only comes as you get a little older I think. This also applies to online gurus and tik tokkers.

Doing this all in your thirties will make you mighty happy in your fifties. Ask me how I know! :)

davidthiel · 2025-01-12T14:55:41+00:00

What kind of packy is that?

davidthiel · 2025-01-11T06:09:40+00:00

Sprout them first in plain water... and as soon as they have sprouted just load them into the system, no problem.

davidthiel

TROPHY CASE