A lot of my friends buy cameras based on the number of megapixels and then expect higher quality images.  Image sensor size (actually sensor density) has a much higher correlation with image quality than the number of megapixels.  Larger sensors capture images with less noise and greater dynamic range than smaller sensors.  Wikipedia has a great graphic that illustrates the size of sensor found in most common cameras (click for original graphic size).  Sites like dpreview.com offer statistics on image density.  Consider sensor density when buying your next camera.

Image sensor format – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My Nikon D70 had been sitting around unused (because I’d bought the Nikon D300) so I decided to convert it to become an infrared camera using a kit from Lifepixel.  Feeling in an adventurous mood, I decided to do the conversion myself instead of having Lifepixed do it for me.  Much to my surprise I was successful.

One of the things Lifepixel will do for you is adjust the focus so that the camera focuses correctly for infrared.   I decided to investigate how hard it’d be to adjust the focus for infrared myself and I found Leon Goodman’s article on the internet.  It still intimidates me a bit (most particularly taping the mirror up with cellophane tape—what kind of residue will that leave?).  I’ll let you know if I get adventurous—meanwhile the link to the article is below.

Camera Focus Article

Flying somewhere? Can you use your cell phone while driving? Do you have to use a handset? Is it all just illegal. What happens when you crash you car. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association has a useful chart that oulines cell phone laws by state. The chart is available at:

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html