Aardvark Daily

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Random ramblings

It's the end of the week so today I thought I'd just engage in some random commentary on random events that caught my eye recently.

Firstly, I'm not "a camera guy" or fanatical photographer, although I do rely on cameras for my living. I have a DJI Osmo Pocket 3, a Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder, a Sony camcorder and an assortment of action cameras that I use to collect photons for my YouTube videos.

So to me, a camera is a tool, not an altar of worship.

However, I do understand that for some, it is the camera itself that is the holy grail, not the footage you can produce with it.

With advances in sensor and processing technology, the specifications for modern cameras continue to improve in leaps and bounds -- at least on paper. Every new model boasts better low-light performance, more accurate colors and gazillions more megapixels.

Despite these advances, there's now quite a trend towards using older cameras to get retro-style images and video.

If you have a "point and shoot" stills camera or an old tape-based camcorder that's still in good working order you may be surprised to find that its value has jumped significantly of late. People are paying a premium to buy these things and create social media footage that is genuinely bad.

Go figure!

New cameras are also skyrocketing in price of late and I was pretty shocked to spot a new Sony pocket camera with a price-tag of (sit down, take a breath, steady yourself)... $9,000.00

I shirt you not. Nine grand for a camera you can pop in your pocket and which doesn't even offer modern video formats such as 4K at 50/60 frames per second.

It also has no pop-out screen and fixed 35mm lens.

I guess if you're someone that really wants this camera then you'll pay the price -- but I honestly think that money would be better spent getting some psychiatric help.

On another topic... I got (yet another) letter from New Zealand's CAA yesterday.

They're asking for my "assistance" in dealing with an aviation related concern (ARC) involving a drone flight included in one of the many videos I've made highlighting the problems within our local council (the South Waikato District Council). It's a very cleverly worded letter that makes no accusations and even addresses me on a first-name basis.

Given that CAA charge almost NZ$400 an hour for their services, I wonder what my hourly rate should be for providing such "assistance". Since I clearly know more than them on this matter, surely my time is even more valuable than their own.

I made a video about this and present that video as my response:

Fair enough?

Finally, I see that automaker Stelantis has finally realised that they should read Aardvark more regularly and that doing so could save them a lot of wasted time and money. In a press release, they have informed us that they are abandoning hydrogen technology. for use in their vehicles. Perhaps they should have read The Great Hydrogen Fuel Myth, a piece I wrote almost 20 years ago but is as true today as it was back then.

Carpe Diem folks!

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