Project X-343B-WC (Lian Li Cube) Completed [WARNING: Lots of Pics! 56K Beware]

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Originally Posted by mjassbong

That's the one I have. I had the 24-105 f/4L IS prior (an excellent walk-around lens with great range) but I find myself shooting more in low light and needed something faster. I ended up almost breaking even by selling the 24-105 to buy the 24-70. Getting into dslr photography is a very expensive hobby, especially if you're shooting a Nikon or Canon. There is a tendency or urge to collect assortment of lenses which will make a HUGE dent on the checkbook. The upside is these quality glasses don't depreciate much, unlike our other expensive hobby - the PC and the constant upgrades :D Is your wife on the Nikon camp?

Great find on the optical bay extension. I bought most of the stuffs for this build from PPCS and missed this one.

I got the Akasa Paxmate II here: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/akpanorekit.html

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mjassbong,

Yes, she's with the Shiite enemy (Nikon) lol That hobby is killing me, forget computers. Computers are downright cheap compared to camera stuff. And don't be fooled that lenses are "buy once" items... if you are heavily into it, every freaking lens that comes oout... you gotta have it. You know some simple Nikkor AF-S zoom lenses can cost like 8800 SLI (geeks dimension costs in terms of computer hardware lol), and that's not even a telephoto or macro. Silly thing like a tripod.. oh.. it *must* be carbon fiber !.. if its heavy, guess who gets to carry the damn thing around.. :) And I love the justification too... "when I get a gig (usually a birthday party for some rich family), I get to earn about $500 for three hours of work"... "ya... never mind that your latest DX upgrade.. body only... cost me how much??" lol :)

Hey.. did you use one or two orders of Akasa Paxmate in that case ? It says that its "extremely difficult" to remove, which worries me a little because I tend to over-do things and then find out that I would need to remove some lol

On your optical box, do you use an eSata, USB2 or 1394/2 connection to the computer ? I dig Plextors.

Where are you.. So Cal, S. Barbara, Monterey, SF/Valley, Sacramento/Reno, Portland, Seattle ?

I know I spend alot of time here as well:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

And yes dslr photography costs WAY more than computers...

here is what I have now:

Bodies: 30D & XTI
Lenses: Canon 50 f/1.8..Canon 100-400L f/4.5-5.6..Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5
Misc: 580EX..Better Beamer..4 & 8gb Ridata 150X CF..Opteka Battery Grips..Kenko 1.4 TC..UV Filters..Lowepro Slingshot..Tripod

OK. I stand corrected. Nikon does have a 28-70 f/2.8 AF-S lens. It costs only $1350 hahaha

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...AF_S_Zoom.html

Info for the Asus Striker Extreme memory support group.. for those moments where you feel all your hair is falling out from the four sticks of memory blues :)

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us

More than you would care to know about the Striker Extreme

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us

Have you tried bios 1301 ? I have had luck with bios 1102.

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Originally Posted by IanY

Septim,

Unfortunately it hasn't gone very far so far. Hard H20 is hooking me up with a custom fabrication shop because I am not very satisfied with either MM or LL's solution. In fact, I find MM a little hard to work with. The custom shop will get me the case that I truly want, but that takes time. Incidently, Hard H20 has a 36 inch cube done already... yes, its four times the size of a typical MM or LL case. Forget stacking. This one's stacked and double wide, and also one piece, not joined together by some silly rivets. Its going to blow the doors off conventional thinking.

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Can't wait to see pics of this badboy :D
Am getting dizzy just thinking of its possibilities with a case this size. The phrase "The Mother of all Watercooling" should sum it up :ROTF:

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Originally Posted by IanY

mjassbong,

Yes, she's with the Shiite enemy (Nikon) lol That hobby is killing me, forget computers. Computers are downright cheap compared to camera stuff. And don't be fooled that lenses are "buy once" items... if you are heavily into it, every freaking lens that comes oout... you gotta have it. You know some simple Nikkor AF-S zoom lenses can cost like 8800 SLI (geeks dimension costs in terms of computer hardware lol), and that's not even a telephoto or macro. Silly thing like a tripod.. oh.. it *must* be carbon fiber !.. if its heavy, guess who gets to carry the damn thing around.. :) And I love the justification too... "when I get a gig (usually a birthday party for some rich family), I get to earn about $500 for three hours of work"... "ya... never mind that your latest DX upgrade.. body only... cost me how much??" lol :)

Hey.. did you use one or two orders of Akasa Paxmate in that case ? It says that its "extremely difficult" to remove, which worries me a little because I tend to over-do things and then find out that I would need to remove some lol

On your optical box, do you use an eSata, USB2 or 1394/2 connection to the computer ? I dig Plextors.

Where are you.. So Cal, S. Barbara, Monterey, SF/Valley, Sacramento/Reno, Portland, Seattle ?

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I hear you. These lenses are a novelty item. You can never have enough of it until you bought the entire collections. I told myself enough is enough after I collected 4 lenses. But I still don't have a wide angle and need one. Or is that a "want"? Speaking of carbon fiber tripod, I don't have it either, yet. :ROTF:

I ordered 2 sets of Paxmate and ended up using 1 1/2 of it for this case. The glue they use is very sticky and on most surfaces, it's very difficult to remove without making a mess. If you intend to use it, I'd suggest plan it carefully.

That Lian Li EX-127 has USB 2.0 connection only to the PC. With this new build, I utilized all the USB ports in the back, on a 5-port hub, and even 1 of the port on the 30".

Sunny SoCal is where am at :)

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Originally Posted by Grinch

I know I spend alot of time here as well:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

And yes dslr photography costs WAY more than computers...

here is what I have now:

Bodies: 30D & XTI
Lenses: Canon 50 f/1.8..Canon 100-400L f/4.5-5.6..Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5
Misc: 580EX..Better Beamer..4 & 8gb Ridata 150X CF..Opteka Battery Grips..Kenko 1.4 TC..UV Filters..Lowepro Slingshot..Tripod

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Very nice gears you have. The 30D is a great body and what I had initially. I couldn't resist the step-up to the 5D when my local Sammys camera shop had a refurb for $1800. It is basically a brand new body. I still miss the 30D 5fps compare to 3fps on the 5D. But once I look through the 5D viewfinder, I completely forget the 30D :D

Being where you are, I bet the 100-400L comes in very handy. How's the result when used with your Kenko 1.4? And have you considered upgrading to 580EX II? Am thinking about it.

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Originally Posted by IanY

OK. I stand corrected. Nikon does have a 28-70 f/2.8 AF-S lens. It costs only $1350 hahaha


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...AF_S_Zoom.html

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Yowzers! That's alot of dough, more than a Canon.

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Info for the Asus Striker Extreme memory support group.. for those moments where you feel all your hair is falling out from the four sticks of memory blues :)

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us

More than you would care to know about the Striker Extreme

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us

Have you tried bios 1301 ? I have had luck with bios 1102.

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I am on 1102 as well right now and seems to be working just fine. I may give 1301 a try after hearing the faster boot up time, better overclocking and 4GB support.

Err.. I suggest not jumping on the 1301 bandwagon yet. I hear a lot of gripes so far. Fools rush in where angels fear to thread lol :)

And for lenses, when you get into the telephoto stuff, which my wife thankfully isn't interested in (wildlife, investigative husband cheating on wife, celebrity snooping, etc.), we're talking $3000 to $5000 for one lens.

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Originally Posted by mjassbong

Very nice gears you have. The 30D is a great body and what I had initially. I couldn't resist the step-up to the 5D when my local Sammys camera shop had a refurb for $1800. It is basically a brand new body. I still miss the 30D 5fps compare to 3fps on the 5D. But once I look through the 5D viewfinder, I completely forget the 30D :D

Being where you are, I bet the 100-400L comes in very handy. How's the result when used with your Kenko 1.4? And have you considered upgrading to 580EX II? Am thinking about it.

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You are very very lucky to get a 5D for that great price, refurbished or not. At least you are smart and didn't pay retail... I hear the retail for a 5D is $3,800, body only?.... is the 1D still the bomb for Canon ?

And just to console myself and make myself feel a bit better.... the ambient temps in Sunny SoCal ain't so good for extreme overclocking temps.... there, I feel much better now :D

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Originally Posted by mjassbong

Very nice gears you have. The 30D is a great body and what I had initially. I couldn't resist the step-up to the 5D when my local Sammys camera shop had a refurb for $1800. It is basically a brand new body. I still miss the 30D 5fps compare to 3fps on the 5D. But once I look through the 5D viewfinder, I completely forget the 30D :D

Being where you are, I bet the 100-400L comes in very handy. How's the result when used with your Kenko 1.4? And have you considered upgrading to 580EX II? Am thinking about it.

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:eek: $1800.00...nice! The only reason I have not gone with the 5D is exactly what you said ..5fps vs 3..I take alot of nature/sports photos and need all the fps I can get...this is what I am buying next instead of the 5D..

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0702/07...s1dmarkiii.asp

10mp @ 10fps....ew la la very nice...:eek:

my 100-400 rarely leaves my 30D along with my kenko 1.4....here is a place where all the pics I have taken were with the 100-400 along with the kenko tc...

http://www.pbase.com/grinchy247/canon_100-400

keep in mind I have only been doing this since december 2006
:up:

Excuse me Mr. Grinch. Can you please enlighten me as to how you learned advanced Digi photography so darn fast? I live with my wife and I don't understand half the crap that she (and her circle) says when it comes to photography, and my skills are distinctly lacking.... I use auto focus cameras lol

I am involved in a local photography club...and I read the hell out of:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

other than that ALOT of practice...*-)

alot of it to is in the glass attached to your camera...

great work mjassbong :)
Please explain abit more about the leds by the Ek blocks for you 8800's
thanks

IanY:
I guess I can wait awhile before jumping the 1301 bandwagon.
Btw, in SoCal we get to play golf pretty much year round :D

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Originally Posted by Grinch

I am involved in a local photography club...and I read the hell out of:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

other than that ALOT of practice...*-)

alot of it to is in the glass attached to your camera...

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I got started with digital photog middle of last year. I've been frequenting fredmiranda and dpreview. I will definitely check out photography-on-the-net. But like you said, the best way to learn is to just start shooting.

Those are some really nice photos you took. How long again have you been into photog? Your shots look like pro to me :)

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Originally Posted by jabski

great work mjassbong :)
Please explain abit more about the leds by the Ek blocks for you 8800's
thanks

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Thanks! Unfortunately I don't have pics of how I mounted the green LEDs. Since a few others had asked the same question, here's my attempt at illustration.

First, this is the LED.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...7_38246148.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...7_38216960.jpg

Here's how I mounted it.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...IMG_0182_1.jpg

The LED is shining through the acrylic toward the back of the case. You can just use a double-sided tape, preferrably a thin one. However, I didn't have the tape at the time. So I applied a tiny dab of epoxy glue I had nearby on the LED and pressed it on to the EK aluminum heatsink.

Next, use a piece of black tape about the same lenght of the LED and place it between the acrylic and LED to prevent effect light from bleeding out.

If you have an inverted case such as some Lian Li's where G80 block is right-side-up, then you might want to make this mod look as neat as possible since it will be shown/exposed. Mine is a regular mount with the block upside down, you can barely see the LED.

Very impressed !!! Congrats on the A+ build

Wow grinch, i am not into photography stuff, but your pics are mindblowing!!!!!

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Originally Posted by mjassbong

IanY:
I guess I can wait awhile before jumping the 1301 bandwagon.
Btw, in SoCal we get to play golf pretty much year round :D

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mjassbong:

Bah.. at least the links here are green and not brown ..j/k :D

Hey Mr. Grinch,

When I asked to see chicks, I wasn't expecting birds.. j/k :D Stunning photos.

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Originally Posted by mjassbong

I hear you. These lenses are a novelty item. You can never have enough of it until you bought the entire collections. I told myself enough is enough after I collected 4 lenses. But I still don't have a wide angle and need one. Or is that a "want"? Speaking of carbon fiber tripod, I don't have it either, yet. :ROTF:

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Roger that!
I haven't embraced digital photography with much enthusiasm, just because I have most of the old nikon range of lenses, drives and bodies.
LOL I haven't used my 24-70 for longer than Grinch has been into photography!

What's the go with mirror lenses? Can you strap the old 500 or 1000 reflex onto a digital body?

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Originally Posted by mjassbong

I got started with digital photog middle of last year. I've been frequenting fredmiranda and dpreview. I will definitely check out photography-on-the-net. But like you said, the best way to learn is to just start shooting.

Those are some really nice photos you took. How long again have you been into photog? Your shots look like pro to me :)

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Thanks man...I really like that forum for photography...I like the layout way better than dpreview...I have been doing this since december 2006:up:

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Originally Posted by sick_g4m3r

Wow grinch, i am not into photography stuff, but your pics are mindblowing!!!!!

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Thank you...:up:

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Originally Posted by IanY

Hey Mr. Grinch,

When I asked to see chicks, I wasn't expecting birds.. j/k :D Stunning photos.

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:ROTF: ...Alot of it is in the glass...:)

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Originally Posted by Jedda

Roger that!
I haven't embraced digital photography with much enthusiasm, just because I have most of the old nikon range of lenses, drives and bodies.
LOL I haven't used my 24-70 for longer than Grinch has been into photography!

What's the go with mirror lenses? Can you strap the old 500 or 1000 reflex onto a digital body?

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you talking like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Opteka-500mm-HD-...QQcmdZViewItem

you can but overall a mirror lens is not that good with IQ...:up:


If you want to see ALL the pics I have taken and put on the web...then go to:
http://www.pbase.com/grinchy247

you might see a slow progression into getting better...

Holy smokes! You bush gardens shots are amazing!!

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Originally Posted by sick_g4m3r

Holy smokes! You bush gardens shots are amazing!!

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thanks man...although it was quite funny watching all these people stare at me with a giant white lens attached to my camera..:up:
when that 100-400 is extended with the lens hood on it looks HUGE..:clap:

I'm speechless.