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Lomography unveils its first lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras
It's been a while since we've heard about Petzval lenses, but Lomography just unveiled an interesting (and much needed) model for the latest full-frame mirrorless cameras. The Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MK II Art lens works on Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon RF cameras, but it's definitely not your typical lens. It not only has an offbeat antique-y brass look, but lets you take dreamy photos with very unique, swirley bokeh. You can make the effect either subtle or strong, thanks to a bokeh lever with seven different settings.
DARPA creating software that won't need upgrades for a century
Software upgrades and outdated applications that don't work on new platforms are just a fact of life for people who use computers and other devices. DARPA, however, wants to change that by making software systems that can run for over a century without getting updates from their developers and despite upgrades in hardware. Pentagon's mad science department has recently announced that it has begun a four-year research to figure out what algorithms are necessary to create software that "can dynamically adapt to changes." The agency calls the project "Building Resource Adaptive Software Systems or BRASS," and it knows it won't be easy. In fact, DARPA's expecting to build everything from the ground up. In return, though, we could see a whole new list of programs with longer lifespans that are easier to maintain.
Lomography's Petzval lens ships to Kickstarter backers, pre-order it now for $599
If you ordered one of Lomography's Petzval lenses on Kickstarter for as little as $300, you'd be forgiven for feeling a bit smug right now. First off, you may get it soon since the first 500 have now shipped, and secondly, it's put the brassy glass up for pre-order to new buyers for a considerably higher price of $599. The starter package does include extras on top of the lens and cap, though: a Petzval Art Lens book, seven standard aperture plates, four experimental plates and a leather pouch. If you've got a Canon EF or Nikon F camera, that'll let you take artsy shots with whirly bokeh and vignetting like the 1840 original, but with the sharpness of modern optics. Lomography said that pre-orders won't ship until May due to limited Russian production and a backlog of Kickstarter orders. If that and the new price don't dissuade you, however, you can grab one here.
Nokia Star Trek Communicator is simply awesome, sadly just a prototype (video)
Nokia had a little product placement going on in the latest Star Trek movie, you know that already. But did you also know that those crazy Finns made a few never-released prototypes for a most bodacious tie-in handset? That "Starfleet Communicator" above is said to be one of only 14 units built by Nokia, intended to simulate the iconic voice comms devices of the original TV series. Hardware-wise, it's based on the somewhat less exciting N76 and comes with an external LCD and a trifecta of lights on its front, both protected by a big and heavy brass grill. It's a fully functioning phone, too, replete with preinstalled chirps when flipping it open. Check it out on video after the break! [Thanks, Randall]
EXOvault case wraps your iPhone in cold, hard steel
Do none of the gazillion iPhone cases currently on the market suit your fancy? Are you still looking for a holster that's really built to take abuse? Look no further, as the handcrafted EXOvault is an all-metal sheath that can be ordered in aluminum, brass or titanium. Beyond that, details are surprisingly scant, leaving us to assume "what you see is what you get." Be sure to make clear what kind of iPhone you have when ordering, and be extra sure to have $95 / $95 / $300 (respectively) in liquidated funds available before pulling the trigger.[Via Boing Boing]
World of WarCrafts: Garden art
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts.If you're looking to enhance your home away from Northrend, you might find these WoW-themed glass and brass garden sculptures to be right up your alley! Constructed with solid brass, these stakes are said to be wind and water proof. FeralGlass offers a variety of punctuation, including yellow, gold and blue question and exclamation marks.
Vintage mechanical spectacles take you way back
We've seen eyewear of just about every variety, and while we wouldn't necessarily recommend crafting your own over seeing an optometrist, Y4G3R's mechanical spectacles are probably better to look at than through. The brass-clad glasses resemble a mishmash of steampunk and modern DIY prowess, and while you may have seen a set similar to these worn in movies from decades ago, the mechanics here are likely superior. According to their creator, the "temple arms retract and the ear hoops pivot under for compact(ish) storage," and furthermore, "the bridge is spring loaded, extending another few centimeters when worn." So if you're curious to see just how neatly a pair of homegrown specs can plicate, click on through for the aftermath.[Via Wired]
