Curious Drake

Macap MXK

Vince — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:46:51 +0000

I bought Macap MXK grinder. My espresso setup made a LEAP forward. I had tons of problems with premature blonding which I attributed to alleged excess of pressure in the Rancilio Silvia (and Audrey in my case) machines. Turned out it is not the cause. The cause is in the poor grind. The 63mm conical grinder makes all the difference. Next step is a machine upgrade, but at this point, it can wait. I am learning the ropes on the Macap. It will take me a while…

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Finally! my 7D on-camera flash finally gave in

Vince — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:10:47 +0000

On-camera flash on my 7D had intermittent problems, now the problem is permanent. This is a good news for me, getting even with the Canon service center; in the past rejected with a smile implying a con, failed to reproduce the problem on the spot, surely you’ve experienced this embracing feeling, I would have my satisfaction now, rejecting the repair no longer possible, proving that the con is Canon service center, set up in a way allowing them to dismiss an intermittent problem without making a proper effort in reproducing a problem, exhibiting a disturbing pattern, finally having my camera repaired and, hopefully, working properly in a few weeks.

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Rancilio Audrey Group Head

Vince — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:08:26 +0000

Today I disassembled my Audrey with the intent to install pre-infusion mod and to clean the group head. I did not install the mod though. I realized that my mental picture of the mod is not matching what I found in the machine.

I am looking for a place to attach the water shock absorber. I have a couple of ideas now. I can connect the shock absorber right at the high pressure nozzle of the pump. It would give me an opportunity to connect a pressure gauge. That would force me to replace or modify the high pressure tube, which, to my surprise, is made out of heavy plastic. The plastic holds 15 bar pressure. Impressive! Another possibility is to attach it to the input of the OPV valve. It is a less attractive option because of the lack of space around that area.

The second option is an Allen screw that looks like a screw on the E61 head. It might be there for the same reason too. If it it the case, then I should be able to use it either for a water temperature gauge mod, or use it for the pressure gauge and shock absorber.

I also disassembled the shower head and discovered that it is a bit different. I think it is a simpler design than on the Silvia.It might be less efficient as well. I have not way test that. I do not have a SIlvia.

I am posting a few pictures of the Audrey head here.

Three-way Solenoid Valve

Three-way Solenoid Valve Label

Assembled Shower Head

The difference between the Silvia and Audrey is visible on the following picture. On the Silvia, the shower head has a removable disk below the shower screen. On the Audrey, the disk is not removable. The small black dot on the right of the deep part of the head is the water orifice.

Shower Head with the Screen Removed

Finally, a little bonus for phone junkies like me. I used the Audrey water container as a light modifier for taking the pictures above. I am using a Nikon SB 28 with a PocketWizard Plus II, You can see the flash at the top of the picture and the Wizard in the left bottom corner.

Audrey Light Modifier for Off-Camera Flash

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Rancilio Audrey Pre-infusion mod

Vince — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:26:00 +0000

Next facelift for my Rancilio Audrey will be a pre-infusion mod. There are two ways to do that. Simplest way is to add a couple of water hammer aresters (kudos to JeepinGeo @ coffeegeek.com).

JeepinGeo also posted a Youtube video of this setup (I assume it is the same guy and the same setup) in action.

The second way is to add a programmable timer to the pump electrical circuit. It is a bit more difficult because it requires a relay, power source, wiring, etc. It sounds funny too. On the flip side, it is still simpler than this one:

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The lengths we go for it…

Vince — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:05:38 +0000

The E61 group design was created by Faema in 1961. Since then it has become a golden standard. The design is still very modern. Many high-end semi-automatic machines are using it still. Manufacturing capabilities have improved, gasket material, finish, and electronics are much better, but the design is still the same.

Just to understand the workings of E61 group head great guys on the web created a few drawings showing interal design.

…and even a thermal model of the E61 group head.

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When you thought is cannot get any better…

Vince — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:27:17 +0000

There is no limit to espresso perfection. A better machine does make a difference. I think I have a nice blend of espresso beans. I usually pull the shots in on my Rancilio Audrey. Today I tried the same blend on the Quick Mill Andrea. It is definitely better. It tastes more blended and floral notes of the Yogercheffe are more pronounced. Is it worth about 1000 dollars price difference? Probably not. But what the heck… I still want the new setup now.

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Well, Canon did not take my camera

Vince — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:37:13 +0000

Canon service center did not take my camera for repair. They told me that there is nothing wrong with it. I could not reproduce the problem on the spot. I guess I have to wait until the problem develops more.

I mentioned that I am toying with the idea moving to Nikon, and they answered: “It is always an option”. I guess they do not really care. It is discouraging. You pay two grand for a camera, a few more thousands for all the glass and flashes and then you get blank eyes and boiler-plate answers. You might also move to Nikon for all they care… It sucks!

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No, it does not work

Vince — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:47:16 +0000

The Canon 7D repair saga continues. It was not fixed first time! It goes back to the shop today. My camera still has the flash miss-fire problem. Isn’t is wired? Dear Canon, do it right this time, please. Or else… I was about to switch to Nikon, but then 7D came out and I decided to stay with the brand. Canon, do not waste the last chance to keep a loyal customer that started with Canon AE-1 many many moons ago!

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Playing with Olympus E-520

Vince — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:01:14 +0000

Olympus E-520 is a really neat little dSLR. It is all plastic, but does not feel flimsy. In addition, Olympus has great menu structure. It is easy to navigate, contrary to the most of the reviews that I have read. It does have highlight clipping problem, but it is still manageable. I would readily carry this camera with me over my bulky Canon 7D. Oly’s image quality is not as high, but it is good enough when you choose between convenience and quality.

Pretty good performance, RAW supports and all bells and whistles possible in a dSLR at a price point and convenience of a prosumer Point and Shoot. Here is a couple of shots made with this camera. Judge for yourself:

Outdoors, low light, on-camera flash

Indoors, off-camera flash

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The search is over

Vince — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:01:47 +0000

Why bother with a prosumer P&S camera if you can get an Olympus E-520 dSLR for $329 refurbished at B&H? I decided to go with a two lens kit that a managed to buy for 400 dollars. You cannot buy a used Canon G10 for that amount of money. Olympus offers so much more value! I am looking forward to playing with the camera more. This is my first digital Oly. I used to shoot an OM10 a little bit. The 520 is not much bigger than the OM10.

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