My Little Badger article is up on AllOutdoor.com

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Oleg Volk

A review of this unusual carbine.

Posted in rifle | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

My buddy Scott

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Just a snapshot from the last weekend.

Posted in interesting people, rifle, weapon | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Lucid L5 6-24×50 scope updated

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I put a Lucid 6-24x scope on the JP SCR11 precision rifle. The scope has a well-considered bullet drop compensating reticle and so works well for precision shooting. My sole complaint with it was the abrasive feel of the turret knurling. That just got fixed.

The machined ridges have been replaced with rubber insets, equally non-slip but much easier on gloves or fingers.

The optics and the controls remain the same as before.

The scope is sharp, bright, has no visible distortion and has a very generous eyebox even at 24x.

Posted in rifle, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Updated Lucid HD7

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I keep a gen.2 Lucid HD7 on a .458SOCOM rifle. I like everything about it except for the uncapped turrets. The 3rd generation HD7 just arrived and it has capped turrets.

This sight uses one AAA battery, turns on in auto mode but has manual brightness adjustments as well.

It is threaded for Killflash grid.

The choice of four reticles is useful for different weapons, perhaps a circle-dot for shotgun or chevron-BDC for medium range rifle.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Please recommend a computer repairman in Nashville, TN

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Oleg Volk

One of my main computers (PC) just stopped working. I left them room briefly, and it was off upon return. Won’t respond to the power button in any way. I’d like to have it fixed ASAP.

Since it is a rather complex workstation with multiple internal RAIDs, I’d like suggestions on competent repair options. Speed is important, so it the quality of the repair. I had to have the motherboard replaced last month, but the symptoms were different then. It could be something as simple as a bad power supply or something more complicated.

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 14 Comments

The lens sees what the eye doesn’t

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Oleg Volk

I made a panoramic collage of the countryside near Biel in Switzerland. Only upon review at home did I notice an interesting detail.

(Click on the preview to load the full panorama. The area of interest is marked on it.)

Due to the extreme distance, it’s hard to tell the range size, but it’s most likely the standard 300m practice range for the reservists. Typical of the Swiss approach to gun safety, the road to the range comes very near the lane of live fire. I’ve seen ranges where the approaches are in a depression between the shooting position and the targets, too — not shielded from the shooters by any kind of physical barrier. At the same time, at least one range near Lucerne prohibits scoped hunting rifles because they are “probably unsafe and definitely not permitted by the insurance contract” while Sig 550 rifles are permitted.

PS: The other item I should not have left at home — a polarizing filter for the lens.

Posted in training, weapon | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Traveling light…almost.

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Oleg Volk

(Photo by Tatyana Volk)

Since the weight and the bulk of the camera and lenses were a problem during my trip to the Eastern Europe the previous year, I tried to pack light for the Swiss trip. In the end, I took just one camera body, Canon 5Dmk2 without the battery grip. That saved both weight and bulk. I brought the 24-70/2.8 which proved adequate for most tasks, even though it wasn’t as fast as the primes I used to take along. More than 80% of the images were taken with the second lens, 70-200/2.8 IS II. I paid for the newest version of this lens and was glad that I did. The image quality is exceptional and the stabilization definitely helped. My only complaint was that the IS switch is too easy to bump into “off” position by accident.

Having the ability to zoom proved invaluable, as often I had neither the ability to move further or closer, nor the time to switch lenses. I’ve never been a fan of zooms due to the optical compromises involved, but apparently high-end zooms work well enough. Losing the macro capability turned out to be a non-issue for the subject matter involved. I did bring a portable flash and it came in handy a few times. I did not bring a folding reflector — forgot it at home — and felt the lack of it badly.

We had two Panasonic G2 bodies with 20, 30, 45 and 60 lenses as well, so I had a backup option in case of 5D2 failure.

Posted in author, camera and lens | Comments Off on Traveling light…almost.

Travel by muscle power

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Oleg Volk

In Switzerland, bicycles are very popular. Everyone rides them, from kids to the retirees.

Razor scooters are also popular.

On the plus side, that keeps everyone physically fit. Supplemented by public transportation in case of bad weather, these options work pretty well.

On the down side, larger Swiss cities are not friendly to cars. Parking spots are few, many streets are one-way only requiring massive detours. In good weather and for people with little to carry, that’s fine. Not sure that would work well for traveling with a hundred kilos of photo gear in inclement weather…being able to bring studio lights, stands, prop guns and more by myself all in one trip pretty much requires a personal vehicle. I am also not sure how riding in the rain works for people who wear glasses.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

A bear cub in Berne

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Oleg Volk

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Studio space needed near Hermitage (East of Nashville)

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Oleg Volk

(Reposting: had no replies at all when I inquired in April)

My home studio works great for product photography and portraits, but it’s too small for groups of people. The dome ceiling limits where I can place lights, and the overall length makes separating foreground lighting from the background difficult. So I am looking for studio space.

It doesn’t have to be a real studio, just a room at least 6 yards by 5 or larger, with the ceiling no less than 9ft high, preferably higher. I won’t have to apply any permanent modifications, the backdrop would be two stands with a roll of seamless paper. Ideally, the walls would be either a neutral tone, white, black or gray. Does need to have electrical power outlets. It also needs to have some climate control to be usable year round. And it has to be somewhere near Hermitage. An unused commercial storefront or a warehouse would work well.

Any leads, suggestions or advice on this would be appreciated. Full time access would be preferred, but I can also deal with bringing lights and stands with me and setting up fresh every time as needed.

Posted in advice requested | Tagged , | Comments Off on Studio space needed near Hermitage (East of Nashville)

How to make news?

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Oleg Volk

How do people channel their front-page tips to the journalists working for reputable news outlets (such as Wall Street Journal)? As we know, Harry Markopolos could not convince Wall Street Journal to work on exposing Mr. Madoff.

Let’s say, there is a solid lead about something more significant than slowing down air traffic nation-wide but less anti-Constitutional than monitoring everyone’s email. What would be a good way to offer such a material, provided it is well substantiated?

Posted in advice requested | Tagged | 9 Comments

Redhead with a KSG

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Posted in shotgun, weapon | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

This is my burka. There are many like it…

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Soviet “Ameba” suit often used by snipers during WW2. Mosin 91/30 rifle with 3.5x PU scope.

Posted in rifle, weapon | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Addressing a common misconception

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Joe Huffman’s blog tracks examples of what he calls Markley’s Law, the tendency of anti-freedom people to equate gun ownership with penis envy.

Dismissing this affectation would be the simplest course of action, but the delusion seems common enough to address. The same people who object to guns “because they are penis extensions” usually don’t have problems with vibrators and other sex toys, so the genital reference isn’t a put-down in itself. They are trying to shame people into giving up their property and reducing the effectiveness of their own defenses, which brings their true motives into question.

If their theories about compensation are correct — a rather far-fetched assumption — wouldn’t most men carry micro-pistols in .22Short just to highlight their ample endowment in other areas? You know, that might explain the popularity of the super-short Boberg XR9-S.

Posted in pistol, rifle, rkba, self-defense, weapon | 10 Comments

Chris Cheng talks about MP5 submachine gun

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Posted in weapon | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Because they are fun!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Submachine guns have many practical uses. They are also plain fun. This man picked one up for the first time in his long life. Like driving a car or riding a bicycle, the pleasure comes from being in control of a well-designed tool. Unlike riding a bike or driving, this pleasure is denied in many states and severely restricted on the federal level…and that’s just wrong.

NFATCA is among the groups trying to reduce the federal and state impositions. So is the NRA-ILA. You can do your part by supporting them, also by educating people around you on the value of modern arms for self-defense and other, more fun uses.

Posted in rkba, training, Uncategorized, weapon | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Friends in Switzerland

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Posted in interesting people | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Where to find a good forest trail in Minnesota?

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Does anyone know about any predominantly coniferous forests or parks, with trails suitable for  hiking, within 100 miles from Twin Cities, Minnesota? There should be either public access or a possibility to negotiate access with the owner.

Posted in advice requested, nature | 9 Comments

Cats of Berne

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Oleg Volk

The biggest challenge with this cat was staying far enough away to focus. It was very friendly.

And this illustrates the importance of cropping to the semantic content.

Posted in beast | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Just in case you are hungry

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Oleg Volk

Swiss food.

Posted in food | Tagged , , | 5 Comments