Category: Cool

Holga Digital

Digital Holga 

This is a cool idea, but I don’t feel like dropping mega bucks on a digital film back right at this moment. I want to see what the images look like though.  

The only DIGITAL HOLGA available in the WORLD! Skillfully modified to work with any Imacon Ixpress digital back, (not included) this Digital Holga sets a new standard of creative photography. Complete with Continuous Elastomer Retaining Devices (rubber bands) to hold your Holga securely in place, and a detailed Instruction Manual, the Digital Holga is ready to unleash your vision. A Hot-Shoe adapter and a Sub-Mini to PC cable is needed to make it all work. A "Holgaroid" Viewfinder is also a helpful accessory.

[via ektopia] 

Holga Digital

The TrekPod Hiking Staff

 

I’m going to have to get myself one of these. It’s a hiking staff that incorporates a collapsible tripod in it’s lower end. Provides useful support for you when your out walking and in a few seconds it turns into a light duty tripod for capturing the moment with your camera. You can get a variety of heads for it including a ball joint, standard screw mount and something that’s new to me, a magnet mount. I guess you screw a magnet into the tripod socket on your camera and just click into place.  

[via Red Ferret]

TrekPod 

30 Foot Tall Walking Robot Elephant

Giant 30' tall robotic elephant

As part of a Jules Verne celebration in France (back in November ’05), a 30 foot tall robotic elephant was constructed. The ears, head and trunk move about an will even spray water on the crowd as it walks (yes walks) down the street. You have got to see the video to believe it! The event called Royal de Luxe also had some other Verne inspired images like the moon capsule that was fired out of a giant canon, giant marionettes, more images can be seen here. I’m wondering how this totally missed me until now, it’s a stunning display of engineering magic.

[via Red Ferret]

Robot Elephant 

Schlieren Shock Wave Photos


For years I have been fascinated by shock wave photos (Schlieren effect). This is an outstanding article on how new techniques are helping scientists understand the dynamics of everything from explosives to how materials are processed.

[via Netorama] 

American Scientist Online – High-speed Imaging of Shock Waves, Explosions and Gunshots

More Japanese Robots

 

This is worth reading. The integration of robots into society is best seen in Japan. I don’t know exactly what the cause is but whatever it is, it could be the way of the future.

Kiyomori surely catches people’s eyes but is it something worthwhile to talk about when there are already other humanoid robots that can stand on two feet?

we make money not art: Whatever You Imagine, Including Kiyomori