Tools And How To Use Them

Tools And How To Use Them
An Illustrated Encyclopedia
by Albert Jackson and David Day
Alfred A. Knopf, 1979

Comments:  For the mechanically inclined tools are objects of both necessity and delight. The urge to possess them to excess -- pejoratively known as tool lust -- transcends gender, but men especially more often seem to be in its grip. Most men would never admit to having too many tools and will readily acquire another with only the slightest hint of its potential usefulness. I suffer from this affliction myself and that probably explains why I was enticed by this book many years ago.

Though hardly a definitive work, it does cover a very broad range of tools, including many obscure ones. As the title implies, each tool is profiled with varying degrees of background information such as its history, intended uses, specific terms, variations of type, accessories, and basic tips for use. Although the mastery of most tools can hardly be learned from a brief description, the text generally provides enough information to make a serviceable start. One of the most appealing aspects of the book is the hand drawn illustrations of each tool and the techniques to use it. Relying on drawings rather than photographs gives the book an artistic feel that is more visually pleasing to peruse, and also better conveys each tool archetypically, rather than as a specific brand.

I've owned this book for over 30 years. In addition to being a useful reference it has been an entertaining source of periodic general reading. For anyone with tool lust, it's a wonderful way to feed your need.

Copy Notes:  Softcover, second printing, with over 1,500 illustrations

Unsung Merits of the Canon G11

I recently purchased a Canon G11 to have a camera more convenient for casual use — to get better image quality than my iPhone, but easier to carry than a DSLR — and I've been quite pleased with this model so far. It has an excellent sensor, offering very good high ISO performance, and is arguably among the top performers in its class. It's more than capable of producing high-quality files for my two intended uses: medium-sized prints and for the Web. There are many reviews of the G11 available online and I have no interest in covering all that ground, but it does have a few overlooked features that I find particularly useful and that are worth comment.

First, it has a hot-shoe. Few point-and-shoots in this class have one, but they can be quite useful. In addition to the obvious advantage of being able to add more dedicated flash power when needed — something I rarely care about — it also allows me to sync an off-camera flash using a radio trigger. I carry a small flash and radio trigger combo in my kit for when I want to add light to a dark corner of an architectural shot. I don't need it often, but when I do it's the hot-shoe that enables this creative option.

The hot show is also useful for leveling the camera, typically when shooting stitched images and panoramas. I carry a small lightweight two-axis level that slides into the hot shoe for this purpose. I normally use it when I mount the camera on top of a hiking staff tripod, but it can also be useful when shooting handheld with the LCD screen.

Another unique feature that I find very useful is the threaded conversion ring adapter. By adding an accessory extension tube the G11 can be used with virtually any filter, including a polarizer. I mainly use it with a Cokin P holder and a graduated neutral density filter for shooting outdoors. This isn't done nearly as easily, if at all, on other similar cameras.

The articulated LCD is another feature that has turned out to be quite useful. I sometimes shoot at high or low angles, or with the camera mounted remotely, on an extension or a magic arm. Being able to adjust the LCD monitor for easier viewing at odd angles has proven to be very advantageous.

Finally, there's a remote terminal plug. When mounted on a tripod this allows the shutter to be trigged with less vibration by using a wired cable release, or to be triggered using a radio trigger when the camera is mounted remotely. Again, not something I do often, but having the capability provides creative options that are just not possible otherwise.

For these and other reasons, I'm  quite keen on the G11. In addition to its high image quality, it has all the basic controls that I want in "pocket" camera, with a few unique features that greatly extend its creative usefulness. It's a very capable little camera for the professional photographer.