Free (good) EXIF viewer + a few pics

[bvar22]

I found this great EXIF viewer, and decided to share. Its FREE, and very easy to use.
I use FireFox and XP. The viewer installed easy, and works great. You can access the EXIF data on any pic posted at DU (or elsewhere) by simply right clicking on the image. It also comes with an EXIF editor.
You can download it FREE here:

http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/

If using FireFox, you need to also download the FireFox extension.





I day tripped to a funky little known R X R (RailRoad) museum in the St Paul area.
It is underfunded, unpublicized, off the beaten path. It is only open one day per week, and gets few visitors.
I stopped in to snap a few pics.
There was no one there except for a few old retired railroad men who volunteer their time to keep the place open. They were friendly and helpful. One gentleman was 92 years old, retired as the TOP engineer of the Northern Pacific line.
They have some wonderful stuff in there, but the poor funding is obvious. There is a layer of dust over everything, and most pieces are in sorry disrepair.

All pics Nikon D200 50mm F/1.8 AF

ISO 400 1/4s F11


ISO 400 3/4s F11 (notice the extension cords and Christmas tree lights.)


ISO 400 1s F11

I only had the one lens with me, and the museum was impossibly tight for 50mm (X 1.5eq). Across the Ends or Head-On were really the only shots possible with this lens in that crowded space. I am just getting used to working without a zoom, and everytime I picked up the tripod and started inching backwards to frame a shot, I would run into something. I ordered a Sigma 30mm F/1.4 AF so I can get a little closer next week.

It was really kinda sad. These old coaches and engines were made with care and craftsmanship. The polished hardwood, brass fittings, stained and etched glass windows are all that is left from a former time when people had the time to care about what they were making. Now it is all covered with dust, and falling apart from lack of funds and attention. One of the retired Railroad men was "up" on digital cameras and computers. He invited me back next week for a tour of "the back lot" (closed to the public) where they have some "good stuff" for "picture takin".



The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[NV Whino]

1. That first shot is a stunner

have fun on the back lot. There's a railway museum on the way to Sacramento. I've been threatening to stop for years. Gotta do it. Sacramento itself has a wonderful railway museum. I went to the opening of it many years ago. They had some of the old steam engines running that day, including the Rocket, which they had brought over from England just for the opening.

[bvar22]

2. Its a mock up.

Its made mostly out of wood and plumbing supplies.
It was used in parades.
It is well done, and fooled me at first.

There is a huge RailRoad museum (well funded) in Duluth, MN. (2 hr drive)
They have a number of well preserved steam locomotives.
I'm heading that way soon! :)

[NV Whino]

3. No kidding!

It looks great. I did notice the wooden cowcatcher.

[F.Gordon]

4. Besides the great photos.....

I bet you made that his day (the railroad dude). Hope you take him up on the offer to snap the "good stuff". I have this "disease" where I don't see "things" because even a seemingly old benign item can speak volumes in terms of history.

And I have problem with the way things move today. So damn fast that we have all but ignored the moments in time that got us here. I'm ramblin'... thanks for the link and great pixies!!!

Oh, if you're usin' a tripod you could snap at ISO100. I love available light snaps.. Flash is for wimps. :7 The Sigma sounds like just the ticket....fast!!!...great for close quarters... will (they say) be more realistic in terms of how the eye "sees". I want to get the Canon version this summer if the check book says yea which at this point is dubious at best.

[bvar22]

5. The old R X R dudes were wonderful, and have a story to tell.

This place begs for a few good pics, some copy, and a submission to our local weekly (City Pages) which specializes in 2-4 page articles on "local interests".
http://www.citypages.com/databank/25/1215/article11975.asp

Thanks for the tip on the ISO. There are so many more settings and options to keep track of. I am still way behind this camera.
I got the Sigma 30mm F1.4 yesterday and snapped off some test shots.


1/15 F1.4 The only lighting was a single incandescent in the hallway, and very late twilight through storm clouds outside.This lens sucks up the light.

The 30mm (x1.5) DOES closely match what I see with my eyeballs.
I MUCH prefer available light to FLASH.


Did you look at the EXIF viewer in the OP?
It is a gem!