Thanks guys. Power lines are just black nylon thread. The nylon thread is tougher than cotton thread and has far less fuzzies to collect dust. I CA the thread to the insulators on the cross arms. The CA takes really well to the nylon thread. It is tedious work but well worth the effort. Scott
Does me eye deceive me, or is that map unit one of the units I painted? That earlier scheme CN unit looks great too! Nice work!
Well I downloaded the trial version of Helicon software, and then went out and bought a new camera . The following shots are taken on my layout. This is layout under construction, but served well to determine the effective depth of field with the new software. For those that are interested these shots were taken with a Panasonic 5 MP Lumix DMC FZ20 with the aperature set at 5.6 and mulitple shots utilizing different focal points. This camera is great for layout work, and allows you to manually focus with a lens ring as you snap the shots. Nice intiutive controls mean all these shots were taken without having to access the menu screen I had the bought the FZ30 which is an 8MP camera, but found it not as good for work around the layout. The shorter lens on the FZ20 and a better body design makes it a better camera for use around a layout.
Basically you take multiple pictures changing the focus plane on each one. The software then combines all the images into one picture that has an incredible depth of field. The more pictures you take, the better the transition becomes. Of course you can't have any camera movement between shots. The Helicon software is easy to use. Selcet the pictures you want to complile and the click on the run button, and it all gets done.
Dan, That is great stuff. I've seen some of Verne's pics (and others) and this is truly an impressive piece of editing software. From what I've seen of it I'm sure it's well worth the purchase price for the full install. Can you post a unedited version for comparison? ...er maybe in the Photog forum. I should poke around my Nikon's menu and look for a manual focus setting.... [ September 25, 2005, 04:13 AM: Message edited by: BALOU LINE ]
Scott, great pictures from a great layout. That's N scale?? Dan, this software works good. But you need to own a suitable camera. With my Olympus Camedia C-3000 Zoom I've no chance. You need at least a tripod and a tele shutter release, I've only a delayedaction shutter release (correct word??). Here's my last picture. Would you like to be a hobo? Click for a bigger pic. Happy toooot Wolfgang
You manually focus the camera on a different spot for each exposure. i.e Focus on the background, take a shot, focus on a building, take a shot, focus on the locomotive take a shot, focus on a foreground building, take a shot, focus on the telephone pole take a shot. The software then compiles all the shots into one, only keeping the data that is in focus. It stitches it all together and presto you end up with a great depth of field. I leave my camera set on Aperature priority at about 5, and then manually focus on different points.
Yes my apologies to my paintjob idols - Hemi (who custom painted my C44 CN unit - 1 of 2 units) and Jon Landry (who painted my AC4400 in the CN heritage scheme). Both guys did a fantastic job and I will be forever grateful.
Some very exceptional pictures this week. Congrats to all. Makes me jealous. Did a did a bit of work on the pick-up of this ConCor U50. Was not very good. Better now but not where I want it to be yet. Also painted the trucks to get rid of the silver, SP had them gray.
Since Scotty is working & I'm just watching the Yankees, YES it's N scale. His layout was featured on the cover & in the Dec.2001 edition of Railroad Model Craftsman. Scott's work (when he gets to it ) is fantastic !!!!!!! . He's very meticulus to detail. He has done some engines for me,& let me tell you,they look great.
Dan: Those photo's are very nice composite shots. I'm going to try the software myself next week. I'll be using my Nikon Coolpix 4300. Stay cool and run steam....
SNFF 9 25 05 Hi, all, Been really busy (again). Regardless, here's what's new with me: 1) Ballasting turnouts and Glendale Junction continues on the N scale Santa Fe Peavine line. More photos soon. 2) I was able to visit a couple of clubs and layouts on recent business trips. I'll post the photos from these tours as soon as I get them organized and labeled (which may take a little while). (Permission has been granted for public web site posting by the layout owners, as always). 2a) One of them was the Bay State Society of Model Engineers, in the Boston area. Here's a shot of their N scale layout: 2b) Also coming will be an organized photo tour of K10 Model Trains' HO 60' x 80' layout, inside the following warehouse custom-built to house the layout, this is in the St. Louis area: Amazing what some of us creative model railroaders and their friends can create! Thx all, have a great week.
Hi Folks, Greats shots as always! Here's a quick shot of some recently constructed rolling stock and the continuing overpass/rataining wall project. Progress has been slow due to a lack of hobby time lately.. Have a great week!
