New Camera - Canon 6D - full sensor, higher noise free ISO, GPS, and wifi

Besides smartphone cameras I have a Canon SD100 w GPS and Canon 7D, but after my Canon SD100 had a warranty covered failure losing a GPS tagging camera made me think about the Canon 6D which I decided to go ahead and get.  The main reasons I wanted it were the full sensor vs. an APS-C, higher noise free ISO settings (there is not a built in flash in a 6D), GPS built in, and wifi.

One of the things a full sensor makes it easier to do is blur the background to focus on a subject which the flowers in the center pop.

Higher ISO let's me crank things up. I shot this at ISO 1600, 80mm, f/7.1, 1/250.  Focus isn't quite there as this was only the 2nd day with the camera. :-)

The high ISO also means the video in low light works really well.  Here is a screen scrape from a video.

GPS tagging is really handy and I believed in the feature 13 years ago when we tried to tell people at Microsoft that GPS tagging of images would be big.  Huhh??? was most the reaction back then.

What's the wifi good for?  Wireless remote control of the camera from an iPhone or Android phone.

This is when I am so glad I am able to use MarsEdit.  Writing this blog post would be totally painful in a browser app.

Aug Skiing at Mount Hood, OR

One of the few places you can ski year round is Mt Hood, OR.  Here is what the are looks with in the spring, but you can still ski in August.

On the drive, I would check out the high voltage power lines, but not point them out to the family as I wasn't supposed to work.  Mt Hood is close to The Dalles, and a bit further to Prineville. 

Here are a few pictures of the kids skiing.

A snow field comes within walking distance to the lodge.

This is not your spring skiing with shorts and t-shirts.  The kids are suited up as falling on the ice hurts.

While the kids are on the mountain we get a few hours to enjoy the summer.

TSA Pre is great, my experience through SEA and PDX

I fly much more than I would like to.  And, many of you fly even more.  As we all experience Security can be the biggest pain.

TSA Pre is a new program to help the frequent travelers like us.

TSA Pre✓™ is a pre-screening initiative that makes risk assessments on passengers who voluntarily participate prior to their arrival at the airport checkpoint.

TSA Pre✓™ includes U.S. citizens who are members of existing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs including Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI programs as well as eligible airline frequent flyers.

If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening, information is embedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA reads the barcode at designated checkpoints and the passenger may be referred to a lane where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include no longer removing the following items:

• Shoes
• 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
• Laptop from bag
• Light outerwear/jacket
• Belt

Pre TSA works for me in SEA and just yesterday I went through PDX.

Q. Where is TSA Pre✓™ available?
A. Certain frequent flyers from Delta and American Airlines and certain members of CBP's Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS, who are U.S. citizens, are eligible to participate in this program, which could qualify them for expedited screening at select checkpoints with the following airlines:

Alaska Airlines – Portland International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

I went through Security this week in under five minutes at both SEA and PDX.  Woot!

I have one more trip to PDX in two weeks and then no more travel until Sept.  Time to take a break from all this data center travel.