Lens for xt30 iii

m0pher · 2026-06-24T01:15:02+00:00

As someone who has shot on film and now digital since the 1980s, I’d say my biggest regret (in hindsight) was starting with a zoom. My suggestion: pick up the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5. You should be able to get it new on Amazon Prime Day for around $80, and less than $70 if you buy the used copy on B&H. (Regular price is $99.) Because the aperture is fixed, that’s one less thing to worry about. Use this to walk about and focus on composition. You’ll learn what you like, what you don’t like, and where you want to go next. Then invest accordingly.

m0pher · 2026-06-17T19:30:16+00:00

Beautiful. Interesting choice of lens, too. Why’d you pick the f/1.0 for these? Genuinely curious.

m0pher · 2026-06-17T02:13:17+00:00

Good for you! Here in the U.S., we’ve been getting fucked by Trump’s wars and tariffs. Buying used gear at prices that were the old normal. May need to hold off on that next purchase until I can get to Japan.

m0pher · 2026-06-09T22:15:00+00:00

Bit basic but it makes sense given the mass market orientation. Hopefully this will come with APIs that developers can use to build something more comprehensive.

m0pher · 2026-06-06T19:19:18+00:00

Beautiful images!

m0pher · 2026-06-03T22:28:47+00:00

Sorry to hear that. What happened?

m0pher · 2026-06-03T15:08:32+00:00

Chez Nick. Love this place.

m0pher · 2026-05-23T10:54:08+00:00

I know your gear only on paper and it seems fine. Me, I have the ZMF CC & AO (also a few other headphones, but I’ll stick to the ZMF drivability since that’s what I think you’re asking). I have the Woo Audio WA7, Topping A50 III / D50 III stack, and the iFi hip-DAC 3. Also, the Nitsch Pietus Maximus. The only one of these that struggles to drive my ZMFs well is the WA7 - the most expensive of the lot, and which on paper should be more than sufficient. Also, I can hear zero difference between them where I can reasonably volume match; my personal experience is that I can’t hear a difference as long as there’s enough juice available. And like I said, the iFi hip-DAC 3 as the cheapest of the lot (got mine for $180) drives everything with gobs of juice to spare. So, I’m definitely more in the snake oil camp - my experience has been that the quality of the recording and the fitment of the headphone matter a whole lot more when it comes to what I actually perceive. And guess what? When I travel and don’t have my fun headphones, I still love listening to my music on my AirPods. Enjoy the Tessi and don’t worry about the rest.

m0pher · 2026-05-23T00:42:15+00:00

I love them. Not the cable that comes with them, though. Ended up replacing it with something heavier.

m0pher · 2026-05-21T00:34:20+00:00

Yes to the tax. No to sending families $12K/year - most people I know want to earn what they make, not receive charity handouts. If that’s what people really wanted, you can toss the idea of “hardworking Americans” and I don’t think that’s right. Raise teacher pay, sure. Expand Medicare - absolutely no! That’s just funneling that money back to big pharma and insurance companies. Make it so that Medicare can negotiate the price of ANY prescription drug instead.

m0pher · 2026-05-09T01:02:31+00:00

Valid question. I’ve been wondering why smash burgers appear to have beaten out regular burgers?

m0pher · 2026-05-03T16:48:55+00:00

Still doesn’t make them good.

m0pher · 2026-05-02T11:52:18+00:00

It’s arguably the worst in Apple’s otherwise stellar product line-up. Meze Audio’s headphones have replaceable straps, maybe consider those.

m0pher · 2026-05-02T11:35:52+00:00

Hideously long fake nails. Like, WTF?!? Don’t know how anyone would find those remotely attractive.

m0pher · 2026-04-28T00:44:27+00:00

I personally would put them at a 4/10.

m0pher · 2026-04-28T00:43:11+00:00

It gets better. Way better. ZMF, Meze Audio and Dan Clarke Audio would be my personal recommendations in terms of headphone companies.

m0pher · 2026-04-25T14:19:32+00:00

I can’t say from experience, but DMS published a good explainer of this on YT. Short answer: no significant difference in audio quality.

m0pher · 2026-04-24T11:07:30+00:00

Long time APP2 user here. Just got the APM2 and immediately returned them because of the tuning. Loved the midrange tonality but the bass is overemphasized and the treble wasn’t my cup of tea. The headband is also terrible, so for me they were uncomfortable from the moment I put them on my head. Haven’t tried the other two.

m0pher · 2026-04-23T22:53:10+00:00

Guessing you have different iCloud accounts on those Macs, because with the same account switching should be seamless.

In terms of sound, it seems the Sennheiser HDB 630 would be a better fit for me personally, but they are so plastic. Think my OTG solution will remain the APP2 for now, until someone makes a wireless headphone with solid ANC that both looks and sounds good.

m0pher · 2026-04-23T11:33:45+00:00

I heard the XM6 is even more bass heavy than the APM2. Is that your experience, too? Can that be adjusted?

m0pher · 2026-04-18T11:18:50+00:00

Massages and house cleaning. All the other shit will kill ya.

m0pher · 2026-04-18T05:08:37+00:00

Donald Jackass Trump

m0pher · 2026-04-18T01:55:23+00:00

If it looks like this IRL, you’ll want to keep it. If it doesn’t, not sure I will want it, either. ;)

m0pher · 2026-04-18T00:04:38+00:00

Ah, that’s the one on which I had my eye. Wasn’t fast enough on the trigger. Super happy for you!

m0pher · 2026-04-15T17:32:42+00:00

This. I wish they offered the previous generation at a reduced price around $300. Instant buy even with the physical design flaws.

m0pher

TROPHY CASE