I am 2Old4Toys!

Articulation song

2011-08-03T23:01:00.001-07:00

http://t.co/flGlPnH

What do you think? Shall I use it in my next Gunpla review?

DIY My3D viewer review. Yes make your own!

2011-04-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

http://gallery.holga-magic.com/zen-cart/foldable-3d-photo-viewer-p-240.html

So I am still waiting for my actual proper Hasbro My3D viewer case to arrive, sent from America via a YouTube buddy who I've previously traded with. He PM'd me the necessary code to unlock the software. There are 7 apps available right now downloaded via the App Store for free! 2 are actually fair stabs at being proper games and will cost money at the end of May so download them now whilst they are still freebies. But you have to ask, how does he view the 3D content whilst his Hasbro viewer is still in transit? Well...I can verify for you that naked eyeball viewing via cross eyed method works, but the Gyro games mean moving the iPhone around, immediately knocks you out of that perfectly aligned zone-of-3D-working. However, "if" you have common items around the house such as a HB pencil, some sticky tape... and crucially a Holga 3DCV (as you no doubt do) hey presto! a makeshift My3D viewer... of sorts. The pencil helps raise up the iPhone for better alignment with the lenses. Liberal application of sticky take helps make the thing stable. Peeking through the eye holes, I can report that it works! You can even control the UI with your fingers via the open sides fairly effortlessly. The screen is in focus, but as the images are closer set together than the eye holes. I think I am going a bit cross eyed to work it's magic. The actual official My3D viewer, I expect, has the iPhone screen placed further away from the lenses and maybe has lenses that converge to overcome the closeness of the images. In case you were wondering, the magnified retina screen looks good even zoomed up! The pixel mesh is visible, sure, like looking at an LCD computer monitor from about 30cm, but hardly detracts from the fun. Can't imagine the lower resolution non-retina screens to do quite so well in thisdepartment. The 3D effect is impressively... erm... 3D! Instrument panels do have a sense of floating in front of the backdrop in the space shooty game. The Sharky game where you swim about looking for fish to eat, gives a sense of oceanic depth if not width, in the portrait aspected image. The Gyro control is a lot of fun too. Though having had my fill of fish for one evening, I must say my neck kind'a aches. The elements all add up to make a rather novel experience that you should try for yourself (minus the neck ache perhaps). I can only expect the games to get better and gawd I hope some proper developers take this SDK of Hasbro's My3D and run with it.

Can't wait to try this again once my REAL viewer arrives.

What is Piku-Piku???

2011-04-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

visit http://start3d.com/ and upload your stereo images. It's server will do the number crunching to "tween" the frames producing a breif animation between the 2 views. Interesting... I see some that depending on the image, you can get digital artifacting where it's confused by what it is interpolating. Should be able to do it better in software run locally on a PC with tweeks by hand I expect. Here's my piku-piku gallery so far... http://www.start3d.com/en/2911274523/0003

My mini Holga 135 3D has arrived!

2011-03-24T08:12:00.001-07:00

She's is tiny! Build quality feels nice and sturdy (for a plastic camera). She's My 1st 135 film Holga. Liking her
already, even before I've shot a single image :)
Here's how the diminutive 135 stacks up against her 120 big sister.

New Holga 135 3D Camera! 35mm film

2011-03-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

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At around 70USD, the new Hoga 135 3D costs a bit less than it's big sister the Holga 120 3D. Running on 35mm will lower the ongoing costs for buying film and developing images. The smaller size no doubt makes her more convenient to carry around so will more likely be by your side, but most importantly to me, is if the 3D output is up to snuff? Will the reduced ocular separation and 135 film size hinder the 3D experience? There's a dinky mini 135 slide viewer for this camera too! It's SO cute... I want her NOW!

Holga HPL-C Pinhole Lens Canon DSLR/SLRs

2011-03-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

Recently bought a Holga HPL-C Pinhole Lens for Canon DSLR/SLRs. I'm sure they do a HPL-N too if you have a Nikon. Can easily find them on ebay for about 15USD before shipping. A pretty recent product far as I know, direct from the Holga factory themselves. Made in China.

(Bottom right clockwise >box & instructions lens>front cap>rear cap)

The lens body is cleanly molded in black plastic. No rough edges or anything. Lovely clean white lettering. Looks very smart. The hole itself is 0.25mm, again, using black plastic and mounts like any other lens on your DSLR body. The lure of infinite depth of field and all that... that's why I bought it, and it wasn't very costly. Never dabled in Pinhole photography before and not that knowledgeable on normal non-pinhole photography either to be honest, but I'm learning.
By its nature of being teeny weeny aperture, you need long exposures to get a picture. An evening, indoor shot exposed for 19 sec produces image that reveal horrendous crap on my sensor I never knew I had (unless I'm mistaken). Like giant freaking alien ameobas floating around all over the place! OK so I have a tiny APS sensor, 400D that has never been cleaned in its 4 years of life and that probably does not help... but to the naked eye, the sensor looks pristine. Of course this is just the "naked eye" but like I say... What do I know about photography? Very little. So anyone with experience tell me this is normal to have pinhole photography show up tones of crap on your sensor you normally would never see taking pics through a real glass lens? I'll post up images shortly. It's fair to say this lens is an inexpensive accessory, but pretty bummed it made what I thought was my otherwise sound DSLR look filthy! Maybe the ameoba-fest is a look you are after? Not me though... I'm taking my camera to get it cleaned properly by Canon themselves and will see if it makes any difference. Check back with me later for updates.

Winner of Nov 1st 2010 iShop2go contest is...

2011-01-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

New Gundam / Mech model painting contest! 1st Nov 2010 Deadline

2010-07-25T03:41:00.000-07:00

Yes... you get to know about it here 1st! Another painting contest to get you up to speed... but with an added twist this time! You cant enter a kit that costs more than a recommended retail price of 700 Japanese yen.
Complicated? maybe.... I need your feedback. The idea is that you take an inexpensive kit and make it awesome. Inexpensive kits being mandatory levels the playing field so we have no Master Grades that may put the cheaper kit entries at an unfair disadvantage. You dont have to use a brand new kit purchase either... If you have an old First or No grade kit lying around unloved at home, that's perfectly fine for us that you make good use of them here. The theme we will adopt is an adaptation of a suggestion from www.youtube/user/GundamGuns where you take any one country as the theme for your paintjob. ie, if you decide to use the United Kingdom as you country of choice... you could use the colours of the Union Jack flag for the colours. BUT of course red white and blue are bog standard typical Gundam colours so that is no way enough to win by just entering a normal RX-78-2 in normal colour scheme! You'd have to add your own design paterns so that at a glance I can see that your robot represents the UK... Let your imagination run wild! It should be a blast to make entries for this and will be brilliant for us to judge too. Kinda like G-Gundam battle of nations or a Soccer World Cup event. Get the idea? I will allow also photo entries this time but you can do both YouTube and Photo entries if you want. The photos helps us get a better look at your work's end results whilst video is great... not everyone has a video camera and webcam vids can be a little hard to see details. Start your own Entry Thread and post your photo links here http://gundam-hub.techno-zone.net/gundam-world-contest-f4/2old4toys-ishop2go-gundam-contest-colours-of-all-nations-of-the-earth-t5.htm#6

No crazy physical kitbash projects! The main focus here is the paint-job design and execution
The prize will be yet again generously sponsored by the great folks at ishop2go.com and helping us with the adjudication will be the return of the awesome Mokanaman!

The deadline is Nov 1st. If you want to enter just for fun and not for the prize, just let us know too!

FAQ:
Q. Can I use an SD kit? A. If it retailed for 800 Yen or less then yes.
Q. Can I use decals? A. Yes. Use of decals is allowed.
Q. I picked up this kit on-the-cheap for less than 800Yen but it's original retail is more. Is it valid for winning the contest? A. No but you can enter just for fun if you like (state this in the video!)

CONTEST Ends 28th May 2010!!!

2010-04-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

Rules
-Original branded kit only
-One articulated or action kit of a Japanese robot can be of any brand, scale but not resin.
-Kit can be out of the box, modified or scratch built
-Kit MUST be painted
-At least 70% must be painted by the themes colour of YELLOW and any shade of YELLOW
-Kit must be made by you alone, if there is evidence of outside help or plagiarizing others work will be removed from contest. If anyone is aware of plagiarizing or cheating please contact contest host.
- One kit video entry per personThe kit will be allowed entry if above rules is followed. The kit will be judged using the table below. We are looking for a simple and creative project with least amount of mistakes made. Example a complex no grade 1:144 or SD kit will be preferred over a master grade or 1:72 Macross Frontier kits. You do NOT need an expensive kit to participate an WIN this!

Judging table
Description Points
Video criteria: Including what is requested of you in the video. See criteria below. 1pt.
Build: Seam lines, spru nubs, cast lines removed and other kit imperfections fixed. 3pt.
Paint: How flat and neat the paint is applied, choice of colours matching the subject. 3pt.
Finish: Panel lines, decals, weathering and finishes used. 3pt.
Total 10pt.

Video criteria
It is advised but not compulsory to follow these criteria, but fulfilling it will gain an easy 1pt. bonus. Effort in the video is just as important as effort in the kit, a poor video will make judging difficult and points lost if the model is not clearly seen.

-Show what brand of paint you use and explain why
-Show the built model before painting
-Explain or show how you applied the paint like a tutorial
-Explain what preparations are done before painting, example you washed your kit, used primer, you sanded the surface, used masking or did nothing.
-Clearly display the finished kit including multiple angles
-Most important feel free to add other elements into the video as you wish, be creative and have fun with it

NEW GUNDAM CONTEST INFO!!!

2010-03-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

As usual, I'll let my Blog and Twitter followers in on this news early.

Had some interesting feedback from the winner of the previous contest. I'd asked what he thought would encourage people to participate in these modeling contests and what it could be that was holding other people back from giving it a go. I have to agree that it may have been a little too demanding of time, resources and skill and that some people probably found it too daunting to do a diorama. It didn't help that there are rather strong loyaties from fan factions which can lead to people bemoaning any given competion theme that is based on any single Gundam series. After all we are all individuals in our tastes. You can't please everyone right? WRONG!!! ITS GOING TO BE A COLOUR THEMED ROBOT PAINTING CONTEST (NO DIORAMAS NEEDED!!!) All you need is a model Mech and some paint! Now tell me if you are still interested... I don't care from series or what robot you use so long as you follow the following rules!

The prize? You know what... I won't even tell you what it is. Remember... it's not the prize that matters. It's what you learn in taking part that counts! There IS a prize but don't do it for the prize (not that you know what it is), just do it for yourself and do it for the FUN OF IT! If this contest does well and I can secure that future prizes from iShop2go.com, it will likely be the 1st of a series of contests that will help nurture and continue to build up the skill level of both novice and intermediate model building contestants to something they will be proud to exhibit on their shelves in a way they only previously dreamt of! I am sure you will enjoy following this contest as it builds to its conclusion! You know what... because he's been SO instrumental in the theme of this contest, I proposed MOKANAMAN be co-judge the entries for this contest, and he accepted! Credit where it's due, the rules are pretty much as he presented them and they're exactly what's needed. I feel like I am the real winner of the such a great sport and helping out like he has.
We onto a winner here?

Rules
-Original branded kit only
-One articulated or action kit of a Japanese robot can be of any brand, scale but not resin.
-Kit can be out of the box, modified or scratch built
-Kit MUST be painted
-At least 70% must be painted by the themes colour

-Kit must be made by you alone, if there is evidence of outside help or plagiarizing others work will be removed from contest. If anyone is aware of plagiarizing or cheating please contact contest host.

- One kit video entry per personThe kit will be allowed entry if above rules is followed. The kit will be judged using the table below. We are looking for a simple and creative project with least amount of mistakes made. Example a complex no grade 1:144 or SD kit will be preferred over a master grade or 1:72 Macross Frontier kits. You do NOT need an expensive kit to participate an WIN this!

Judging table

Description Points
Video criteria: Including what is requested of you in the video. See criteria below. 1pt.
Build: Seam lines, spru nubs, cast lines removed and other kit imperfections fixed. 3pt.
Paint: How flat and neat the paint is applied, choice of colours matching the subject. 3pt.
Finish: Panel lines, decals, weathering and finishes used. 3pt.
Total 10pt.

Video criteria
It is advised but not compulsory to follow these criteria, but fulfilling it will gain an easy 1pt. bonus. Effort in the video is just as important as effort in the kit, a poor video will make judging difficult and points lost if the model is not clearly seen.

-Show what brand of paint you use and explain why
-Show the built model before painting
-Explain or show how you applied the paint like a tutorial
-Explain what preparations are done before painting, example you washed your kit, used primer, you sanded the surface, used masking or did nothing.
-Clearly display the finished kit including multiple angles
-Most important feel free to add other elements into the video as you wish, be creative and have fun with it

Added Advice from Mokana Man
"A little lost about finishing a model to contest standards? Worry not; you will be given a few months on your project. First select a kit appropriate to your skill level, a first grade, a basic or cheap 1:144 no grade or super deformed Bandai branded snap kit is the answer. Research beginner modelling techniques on Google and You Tube in how to build your kit to be paint ready. My channel has a few tutorials and a play list with almost 100 videos on scale modelling.
When ready to pain get a block of Styrofoam, masking tape and tooth picks. Buy a spray can of Tamiya grey primer and a spray can of Tamiya colour appropriate to the themes colour. Mount all the pieces on the tooth picks then spray a light coat of primer then a few hours latter the base colour. Reframe from touching the painted parts for 24 hours. It’s best to shake the can for a few minuets then keep the can 10-15cm away from the piece. Start spraying off the piece then sweeps the paint across it in one movement. Once finished you are free to hand paint finer details.
Make sure to follow the rules, judging table and video criteria to gain full points. The neatest and most creative model with the least amount of mistake will win. Remembering this and following the above advice can land victory to a beginner over an experienced modeller. Most importantly have fun…
Note: Only advice for beginners having trouble, if you have painted a model with results that pleases you then there is no need to follow the middle paragraph."

Back to ME! (AKA 2Old4Toys)
- entries must be via a video response to my contest announcement video on YouTube.
- Entries must contain an element of moving video, but it is advised to include a photo slideshow using sharp stills of your work to let us get a clear look at it for judging.
- Dont be too long winded in your video.

My contest anouncement vid will soon tell you what the actual colour the theme is based on and what the end date is. For sure it's within the next 3 mths so you have PLENTY of time to work on this.

Leave a comment here to tell me what you think so far...

Finally, give our thanks to iShop2go.com for supplying the brilliant prizes that they so generously do. Without them I could not offer any prizes for you! I highly recommend you check them out for your model kits and more! You buy from them, I get to do more contests. They are a team of dedicated toy fanatics delivering cool toys to the world! I hope that through this proposed series of contests, we can encourage many novices to progressively and in many cases dramatically better their modeling skills! A very worthy cause that iShop2go are backing! Follow iShop2go on Facebook!

Aleged MG Gundam X scan is photoshop job!

2009-12-11T21:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry all you X fans but the recent image of the Master Grade Gundam X that has been floating around the web as an aleged scan from an announcement in a magazine, I am not at all convinced. To my eyes it is clearly just a photoshop job taking the established scaned image of the MG GNX announcement as it's source.

Click the image for a closer look. The texts at the top and the red box at the bottom which show just a cut and paste replacement of a few words here and there. Most obvious evidence that it is a tampered image. The X is also a bit blurrier too.
Most damning is the signature interfering with the blue line in the very bottom left.
Try harder next time!

True though that this series could do with at least one Master Grade kit, it does not look as if your Gundam X wishes will come true quite so soon as you may have 1st thought.

The Mobile Suit Gundam UC0079 Diorama Competition begins now!!!

2009-11-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

Click here to see the entries so far!
The theme as Mobile Suit Gundam UC0079 The original Anime Series is what you voted for out of over 660+ votes.

You have the entire holiday season to work on your entry. Read the below and get cracking!

Myself and iShop2Go will judge the best UC0079 Diorama entry we get. We want your entries portraying dynamic movement, model painting skill for the kit and also very important is showing off the work put into the background / landscape/ surroundings. One or more Bandai kit must be used. No computer graphics enhanced imagery. As part of your entry, you must show your work in progress how you made it. The quality of your presentation will also count. All entries must be posted as a video response via this link and must be in before Feb 28th 2010 so you have the whole holiday season to work on your diorama skills and finish your projects. We will pick the winner and announce it shortly after the deadline.

*As before, I can't promise that these competitions will continue. It all depends on the kind of response we get... You should treat this as the last time we ever do a competition.

Come back often for the latest on what's what.

FAQ
1. Entries in, on and before 28/2/2010. Winner announced shortly afterwards and will be shipped upon confirmation from the winner.
2. North America, Europe, Asia, Australia ONLY! The prize unfortunately can not be shipped outside of these regions! mail info@ishop2go.com if you want to ask where they are willing to ship.

3. The prize is to be chosen by the winner from the following selection of excellent Mobile Suit Gundam UC0079 Master Grade kits

RX78-2 ver 2.0 + clear parts GunCannon + clear parts Guntank

ZakuCannon Char's Zaku ver 2.0 Char's Gelgoog ver 2.0

4. The winner, is requested to be able to prove they made the diorama.

5. Use sound or music or voice or silence if you want, its up to you.

6. ALL entries must be submitted as a YouTube "Video Response" to the contest announcement video here via this link (It will be posted soon-ish)

7. After the winner receives the prize, they are requested to have a video shot receiving the prize and post it onto corresponding youtube account

This prize is 100% supplied by those fantastic lovely peoples over at iShop2go.com who are entirely responsible for this prize.

Entries are to show off a Mobile Suit Gundam UC0079 Original Anime series related diorama you created and must showcase or more kits from said series or it's side stories. (no less than 1 kit)

Dioramas must be 100% physical models (ie not using any 2d/3d computer graphics)

Post a photo or photo slideshow or moving video as a "video response" via this link here select "choose a video" and pick the video from your YouTube account.

If you have jpg format pictures... you MUST convert it to avi , wmv, mov etc... a video format is needed to be able to upload it to your YouTube account in order to submit the entry as a YouTube "Video Response".

Convert your jpgs to video via Window Movie Maker that comes FREE on your XP / Vista PC or use iMovie that comes FREE on an OSX Mac.

"a scene" can either be one lifted from the show or a FANTASY scene you made up yourself so long as it is using kits from the Gundam UC0079 the Original 1st Anime Series. The kit used NEEDS to have appeared in that 1st Gundam Anime series.

Only original Bandai plastic model kits allowed. Resin kits will be accepted.

Ishop2go reserves the right to use the winning entry in part or in whole for purposes such as for advertising.

The winning entry will be the one chosen as best by iShop2go and 2old4toys. Our decision is FINAL!!!

See all the collected entries so far here

BTW you can find ishop2go on Facebook to follow the latest news on the goodies they have to offer.

HG Unicorn Mode has landed!

2009-11-22T02:57:00.000-08:00

So after almost 2 years, my MG Unicorn's sprues remain unspoiled in their original cellophane wrappings but I think this HG's arrival will help put my arse in gear. Released Nov 2009 retailing at ¥1500. Yes... Today I picked up the still fresh HG Unicorn, and I must say, it looks a corker! The idea is to have it partner the MG, which despite being transformable (with a great deal of effort it seems), will now most probably be destined to remain in a permanent state of Destroy Mode glory. This non-transformable HG will be a perfectly adequate reminder of it's more subdued form. There was no way I'd get 2 MG Unicorns just to display both its modes... I find it not only wasteful, I dislike building the exact same kit of anything twice. Forgive me if I digress but I can barely tolerate even the re-use of left and right limb parts in the same MG. Not in this day and age. You know... it happens where you build arms or legs only to discover it doesn't matter if its left or right sided 'cos they and are interchangeable. So... no, you'll not find me building the exact same kit twice just because Bandai release a re-issue in a different colour.

Back to this HG though... It is very very nice looking right out of the box! There are small grey sub-components that I'd have naturally expected to be in need of some paint as being a part of a much bigger single white piece such as the lower halves of the legs, but I am happy to be proven wrong! WRT the colour separation of the parts, they did an amazing job on both this and the Destroy Mode HG. (I saw the Destroy mode HG in-store, and can tell you it is a fantastic looking kit too!)

Has to be said... I could not care less that the HG Unicorn does not transform. To have that feature would have sent the price of the kit skyrocketing. If you absolutely must have transformation then go ahead and spring for the 1/100 MG or if you have extremely deep pockets, try the 1/144 HCMPRO figure. The 1/144 HG Unicorn is not entirely inexpensive as it is... mostly because of how well they segregated the colour parts. But it is worth what they are asking. I'd much rather have a successful non-transforming kit than a semi-failed kit that transformed with a mass of parts which like to rearrange themselves whenever you tried to touch it for poses. Delivering 2 kits for 2 modes was a good move on Bandai's part. It keeps the price reasonable and that is important for the HG line. Typically... the Destroy mode would sell better anyway and those people who are only going to display in that mode do not have to pay for the engineering needed for getting the other mode they'd never use. Considering the 2 open hands, 2 beam saber hands and the trigger finger at the ready hand... all very nicely sculpted, the 2 clear pink beams, and the retractable barreled bazooka... it's got a pretty nice accessory package. I'm holding off commenting on the articulation though... that may potentially be less than stellar but then again, the MG of this guy never sold on the strength of it's infinite posing abilities.

My ultimate plans for my HG Unicorn is to use up what remaining pearl white that I have left over from my MG Shining Glam-dam project and have this Unicorn's blandness replaced with a subtle sparkly off-white. I have some REAL pearl paint powders I could work with on this too if I feel like it. To finish it off... a bunch of tiddly decals to adorn this guy with too.

Bandai MG 1/100 GN-X

2009-11-21T22:10:00.001-08:00

So the next Master Grade on the cards is the GN-X. Can see where they are heading with this. Easily get at least 2 other future products out of the same mold with a simple swap of the coloured plastic beads. Throw in some new accessories. I would doubt they'd use any of the existing frame work from the MG Exia. It just does not make much sense to me that they'd share the same innards. The only possible exception is the LED lighting module which has all ready cropped up all over the place (hello green MG GunTank, PG 00...) Though I would really like to see a different coloured LED in this instance. I appreciate that they are not releasing all the hero kits in one go... That'd be so predictable. Having a bad guy suit that has never seen a previous 1/100 release is a good call IMHO. Bandai's Double Oh series of kits in all scales has brought about some pretty neat technical advances to Gunpla and I look forward to seeing more surprises. This MG should be no exception. No images of any actual prototypes so far. Just old line art.

Socks with toes review

2009-11-16T20:47:00.001-08:00

My birthday socks. They have individual toes. Cute, but to untrained feet they are quite uncomfortable. Torture even. They take ages (comparatively) just to get them on to your feet... It's like putting an individual little sock onto each of your toes! Although it's cosey... I'm not used to the feeling of having each toe wrapped up and separated from one another. It's wierd. With shoes on, its less noticeable (I wore them going shopping for a day to test them out). However I believe they are intended more for in-house usage.
Yes I got socks for my birthday. I was told not to buy anything for an entire month in case I doubled up and clashed with my birthday prezzy from the Mrs. And what do I get? I get socks with toes. THREE PAIRS OF THEM! Wimmin are devious creatures...

OYW coming next!

2009-11-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

UC0079 ownage!

Vote for the next competition theme!

2009-10-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

YES! You can help us decide which Gundam series will be the basis of the next competition held with iShop2go.com

Tell us what kits you have most of from the 4 series on offer. I rebooted the poll on 1st Nov to separate out Seed from Seed Destiny since they are rightly 2 separate 50+ episode series in their own right! Also I clarified that the 1st item in the poll is indeed 0079 AKA the One Year War ... original series.

Cast you vote NOW!!! *ended 9th Nov 2009. Thanks go to those who casted your vote! Results below

So this is where the title goes!

2009-10-21T00:41:00.001-07:00

I'm doing a trial blogging with a software called Cellspin on my mobile phone. Hence the missing titles... I just noticed the field that I was missing up to now. Can you see me now?

Exposure for your fledgeling YouTube Channel?

2009-10-20T21:04:00.001-07:00

New Experiment starts now: I'm looking for good Gundam related videos that you have made to post on my channel for all to see. I cant be making videos non-stop myself (not that I make many videos at all on any regular basis!) so I am offering to post videos that you folk make as an example of you very best and help promote yourself and get your channel some exposure to the 5000 + subs I picked up in the last 2 years.
Naturally, my subs will be notified when you video appears on my channel and your video will be on my front page in the big window playing to anyone that drops by... And up untill the next video comes along or till I see fit to swap it out for something else.

I will be the quality controller. Your video must be Gundam related and good for your video to be considered...

In return I hope to keep my channel buzzing with video activity and Gundam news inbetween the dry spells when I dont have any videos of my own to post.

Not a bad deal I think

*edit: those of you not wanting people to watch your videos and not looking to have subscribers... Need not apply

YouTube Channel Layout 2.0. I got hit!

2009-10-11T21:05:00.001-07:00

Oh Bollocks to this new YouTube Channel layout nonesense. I'm going to have to mess about with it for blimmin ages before I have it the way I like it. Time that'd be better spent making new videos and what have you. Besides that... This is my first blog post made using my mobile phone. Typed and uploaded without a PC! Its via a program called CellSpin I am trying on my trusty Nokia e71. If you know of a good S60 client thats compatable with Blogspot for mobile blogging, then let me know. Yes I have a Nokia now having abandoned the iPhone 12 some months ago.

PG 00 Gundam's exploded arm image

2009-09-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Aha! Under my close scrutiny... there looks to be the sleeves and elbows consist of a series of washers and a spring sandwich, clamped firmly together in between a long screw and a hexagonal nut. This is THE MOST AWESOME JOINT CONSTRUCTION I HAVE EVER SEEN IN ANY PGs ARM!!!

This bodes well for the rest of the kit's mechanical design. (though I'd have dearly loved the 2 condenser windows to have had light up gimmicks... you can't have everything.)

Modified image originally from the official Bandai site here http://tinyurl.com/n5tekc

Bandai Perfect Grade 1/60 scale 00 Gundam (Line Art)

2009-09-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Amazon.co.jp Click below for Jumbovision images of the 0 Raiser and 00 Gundam. This pairing will be out in November!!! at a whopping￥ 26,250 post tax, my wallet hurts just thinking about it... and I thought the PG RedFrame was pricey... It seemingly includes a Double Oh stand! Big whoop! The line art is entirely lovely though.

Playing with Google SketchUp

2009-08-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Working off the brilliant 2D design that Midnight Star did for me... (click the link to see the related forum thread) this is the 1st time I've ever done anything in 3D. To start with I found it so frustrating with this supposedly simple to use software... it was like learning to draw with my feet! However... after some perseverance, I am now quite chuffed with the progress I have made as a beginner. The program I used is called Google SketchUp (version 7 at the time of writing) and it's non-Pro version is just 36MB to download and entirely free to use! I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in learning the concepts of working with 3D but have zero previous experience. I haven't exported anything yet but read that it was possible to import my work from Sketchup into more advanced programs for making animations etc... which I also hope to try my hand at upon a later date.

MG Exia Ignition Mode build

2009-08-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Fresh Gunpla snow is falling once more... 60% done. Start shooting the video this weekend no problem.

This photo shows the residual gate material that is meticulously trimmed from each part. I call it "Gunpla snow". Don't snort it... plastic crack is not a real drug. Or is it???
Grand Master Falsh said... "DON'T DO IT!"

Mermaid and Nether Gundam (The Brotherhood of Transforming Fail-Gundams)

2009-08-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Released 2003 (printed on the packaging) retailing for ¥3600 before tax. MSIA - Mobile Suit in Action : Mermaid and Nether Gundam double pack. The Mermaid is stamped 2002 on his leg whilst the Windmill has no date markings on him at all.

Yes I know... The Hurricane Gundam to US viewers of the show. Nether - is way funnier so get over it already... "Hurricane"??? that's almost cool sounding!

Something I neglected to mention in the video review, though you can see it... these Japan edition Mermaid and Nether Gundam MSIA figures are both nicely pre-panel lined in grey. I hear the US releases which were left clean (I don't have any American release MSIA myself)

Click on the image for jumbovision scan of the black and white Japanese language instructions describing the transformation of both those bizarre figures from the G Gundam show.

Out of these 2 chaps I'd say that despite is parts-forming transformation ... the Nethergundam's rotate-reveal head, fun free spinning sails, ceiling fan flight mode and better articulation all combine to beat the Fish guy who's only real gimmick is his multi-segmented tail and rotatable propeller.
Waiting in the wings, I have another member of the Brotherhood of Fail-Gundams pending review. Dun Dun DUNNNNNN!!!
Mermaid Gundam video review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8mrA2dRKE0
Nether Gundam video review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeeGFQJys2A

2Old4Toys Voice Acting? Oh Lord...

2009-07-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

I did a voice part for GuttedWrenStudios... I am SO BAD!
No really... I am bad. Groan...

Even if you have never watched UC0079 you MUST see what these guys have done in their Abridged series. It is totally worth watching. Subscribe to them NOW!

Side A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr7-hSmWogg

Side B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHuQjr52Yh8

Those guys crack me up! I had a lot of fun doing it. Who knows... maybe I will get another stab at it later??? Check the work from Gutted Wren Studios and FEEL the quality... http://www.youtube.com/user/GuttedWrenStudios

Yes that is a REAL CAKE!!! and its PG Char in the BG!!!

Master Grade 1/100 Gundam Exia Ignition Mode ガンダム００

2009-07-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

The MG Exia has LANDED!!! click thumbnails for gigantovision
Just the 1st batch of photos, so stay tuned for more :-)

Video LINK ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsA3PoG44co

Things I like so far are...

★ the reflectoid film membrane widget sheet... thing... (second to last image)

★ IN THE BOX LEDS WITH AN MG!!! (last image)

★ Lots of Chromeo!!!

Not sure about the cape thing. I'd been thinking it'd be soft vinyl, but nevermind.

30th Aniversary HG 1/144 Rx-78-2 Gundam Ver. G30th Gunpla

2009-07-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Released by Bandai July 2009 retailing at ¥1,200.
View an entire album chock FULL of PHOTOS & SCANS as a navigatable slide show click HERE

Click the images below directly for popup super hi rez!

Box exterior scans

Inside the box

Assembly Instructions

Pose guide, Promo sheet & Promo card

All images are copyright of Bandai / Sotsu Agency / Sunrise

Unboxing YouTube video

WIN a PG Gundam Astray Red Frame! ends 30th Sept 2009

2009-07-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

Just show us your Gundam Double Oh related diorama! Thats IT!

Come back often for the latest on what's what.

FAQ
1. Entries in, on and before 30th Sept 2009. Winner announced on 30th Oct 2009 and will be shipped shortly afterwards.
2. North America, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia ONLY! The prize can not be shipped outside of these regions! (remarkable how so may people asked about if Canada was included last time...)
3. The prize is a 1/60 scale Perfect Grade Gundam Astray Red Frame http://www.ishop2go.com/productUR_001_PR_0000573_Prt_en.html
4. The winner, if requested, must be able to prove they at least have the diorama with them and did not just steal someone else's work from the internet!
5. Use sound or music or voice or silence if you want, its up to you.

Any questions on shipping, send directly to info@ishop2go.com

This prize is 100% supplied by iShop2go.com who are entirely responsible for this prize.
http://www.ishop2go.com

"turningegg", is representing ishop2go.com, and will also be answering competition questions for you ...

Post a photo or photo slideshow or moving video or stop motion of your diorama as a video response via this link (loginto YouTube first! http://www.youtube.com/video_response_upload?v=CwPVMelC9WE

"a scene" can be one lifted from the show or FANTASY scene you made up yourself so long as it is Gundam Double Oh related (season 1 or 2 or sidestory, manga anime SD whatever...).

You can use models, figures, plastic, metal, paper, playdoh, fruit or vegetables... so long as they are good representations that are impressive and you think can win

The winning entry will be the one chosen as best by Turningegg from iShop2go and 2old4toys. Their decision is FINAL!!!

SO WHEN IS PG MK2 GUNDAM COMING!?

2009-07-08T09:09:00.001-07:00

Please don't shout. When? I dunno... I'll do it when I feel like doing it... The PG MKII is not at the top of list now that I've started on the PG Red Frame videos. It takes an insane number of man hours for me to produce even a HG build in standard definition. Filming and post work on another massive PG build in HiDef immediately after the Red Frame would easily drive me over the edge. So stop with the harassment already!

Presenting Part2 of the Red Frame Chronicles!

2009-06-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

500 STAR RATINGS R-US!!! So here we are with PART 2!!!

2009-06-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

WAHAY!!! And a big high five to WIZARTAR's Part1 !!! A phenomenal achievement for any video, let alone a Gundam kit review vid on YouTube! A measure of quality entertainment by which all subsequent videos shall be compared and will continue to be a pioneering example of outstanding video review making by a big bearded man for years and years to come. I am rightly chuffed to have made my modest contribution in creating such a splendid video.

For those of you who were not aware and keep asking... you can follow the blow by blow tortuous progress of the second part of the Red Frame Chronicles via this link here http://twitter.com/2old4toys

Youtube doubles maximum file upload size!

2009-06-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

So in 2008 it was 100MB per file. They then rightly upped that to 1GB with the advent of their "HD" option that was much higher resolution than before, and just right now its been upped again to 2GB. That's MASSIVE for a 10min 59s video! Granted that with widescreen 720p HD, files can be big, but I myself have never even touched the 1GB ceiling even with my longer 18 min HD videos it was around 400MB max! I can't imagine how any normal YouTuber could use all of even 1GB. Perhaps 1080p support is on the way? That would use more bandwidth and need the MB to make up the added resolution... but at this moment with 720p being the maximum supported resolution on YouTube, the extra size for an 11min video is all a bit pointless! Seems like a massive waste of Internet bandwidth to me. Especially since YouTube re-encodes uploaded video files again on their servers before anyone can watch it anyway, so why transfer such big files to them in the 1st place only to have them cut it all out again.

Mind you, those poor unfortunate individuals who don't know how / can't be bothered to learn how or perhaps are just to plain lazy to re-encode their footage to more efficient codecs will finally be able to upload their works in their raw space hogging wasteful formats. Big whoop...

BTW: I see YouTube have now bestowed upon me an INSANE 20GB as my own single video file upload limit. Which I can not imagine ever using.

Thanks for nothing! I'd be way happier if they let me have the option to keep my channel page in the current layout than force me to migrate to their newfangled channel format... which I entirely despise... but I'll save that for another day.

:)

Imminent PG Red Frame part 2 !!!

2009-06-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's almost there. Wizartar thought I was kidding when I suggested 500 Star ratings for part 1 before part2, but look at where we are right now! This has been a very long journey of me mostly chillin'. Sitting on my arse (to be perfectly honest), and then several weekends and weeknights of intense recording and editing work together with sleep deprivation (especially these last few nights!). I had been making Gundam related videos pretty regularly ever since I joined YouTube Oct 2007. Sometimes more often than at other times. This has been the hardest video I've made to date by quite some margin. Making YouTube videos is an enjoyable hobby in itself for me as much as I enjoy building stuff like Gundams. It helps me wind down after work in the office. This video has been a REALLY hard one to make! THE HARDEST!
It feels good to have it done and dusted.

About bloody time too!

I love this video of a robot making coffee!

2009-06-21T03:14:00.000-07:00

Gundam 0083 Arcade Game

2009-06-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

The arcade game itself is an intriguing strategy based on trading cards on a table that the central computer is able to read and understand the cards positioning.
I think it runs on witchcraft...

I have some shots of some guy playing it too. The graphics are nicely cell shaded renditions. I'll update this with my video footage later for you.

(BTW you are not supposed to use a camera in these arcades... I am a bad boy)

Click here to see the full manual I scanned

PS2 game MS Gundam Journey to Jaburo

2009-06-17T22:37:00.000-07:00

I opened up a new YouTube channel "iam2old4toys" a while back but only posted it's first video just today. Not too sure about how OK it is to use video captures of me playing console games after reading some horrid things about GTA videos being removed. That's why it is not on my main channel.

I tried to make a PS2 capture that squeeses out the very best possible video and sound quality as I could manage with what I had lying around the house. More to come. Check it out.

As of right this moment, "iam2old4toys" has zero subscribers and zero views for the video/s

RX-78-2 almost done!

2009-06-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Check out this great blog below for more! http://punynari.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/assembled-life-sized-rx78-gundam-part-1/

Revver videos share revenue and make money off the internet!

2009-06-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

Riiiiiight...
My Revver page: http://www.revver.com/u/not2old4toys/

I have posted some vidz both on Revver and YouTube. A few videos even appear exclusively on Revver, but mostly it's a backup of some of my older vidz and alternate edits.

I joined Revver's video site way back ... just a little after I started posting videos on YouTube. The main reason was that I'd been quite unhappy with the poor video quality on YouTube (it was back in the day when their video was really blocky and blurry, no"HQ" and way before "HD"). Revver's video image was much much sharper with higher resolution & colours were good. If you look at some of my very early YouTube videos, I suggested in the video info to go see my vids in Revver for better quality (content was still crap, just looked clearer!).

Then I found that people were able to subscribe to me via their iTunes as a video podcast which at the time was super cool!

Not only that but they offered me 40% of any revenue they made from people watching my videos! You get a PayPal payment every month your earnings reach or exceeded 20 USD!

That this revenue sharing thing was open to anyone who signed up with them was amazing considering you had to be a Partner on YouTube to generate income...

Well since posting my 1st video on Revver 2008-02-07, I have 24 videos and today up to 15 bucks in total earnings. I might reach the magic 20 dollar mark by the next few months? That is if Revver is still arround at that date to pay me! I say that because there was a couple of messages I got from their admin (the ONLY messages I ever got from Revver!) apologising for late payments etc... make their best effort to sort things out... Then, sigh... I come across this rather sad article:
http://www.streamingmedia.com/article.asp?id=11141

So a warning to any of you looking for an alternative video sharing site to make some pennies publishing your efforts on the internet. Revver looks like it's going to implode or perhaps it has already imploded.

:(

Never mind... but boy was I looking forward to that 20 bucks!

My little helper

2009-05-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

My tripod buddy for the shots used in Part1 of the PG Astray RedFrame video.
Yes it's Masterpiece Optimus Prime! A very hefty Diecast figure, he was my counterweight to keep my whole overhead camera setup from tipping forward and hitting the deck. Bless him.

Perfect Grade Red Frame Astray (Part1) in HD!!!

2009-05-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

From initial concept, adlibs, seeing everything evolving before our eyes and ears. It was a SO much FUN to make, and I trust it shows in the final product which is part1 of the Perfect Grade Red Frame Astray posted TODAY!
BUT: you won't find it on my YouTube Channel! where will you find it? I'm not telling you... but trust me, ITS OUT NOW!

Part2 will continue exactly where part1 left off. There's still some work before being ready for publication. Come ON! they didn't release all three Lord Of The Rings flicks in cinemas all in one go now did they?

Bear in mind that I may not even bother finishing part2, unless you really want to see it... by which you can show your appreciation by giving part1 5 stars and leaving a comment. I'm thinking around 500+ stars?

xD

The Truth About Being A YouTube Partner!

2009-04-03T01:52:00.001-07:00

To those who congratulated me, I thank you... and for those who may have no idea... Yes, I am a YouTube Partner. I think the 1st of us who do this little Gunpla thing on YouTube . I have been a Partner since mid Dec 2008. Yeah... I know... I Rock... Totally...

It's why you see I have a big banner on my YouTube Channel page and a little banner on my video pages too. Another perk is I get to post videos longer than 11 min. Which is nice. I DO have rules I have to follow. Such as not using copyright material that I don't have permission to use. Avoid dropping the 'F" bomb. That kind of thing... Watch the video below for more info. on what it means to be a YouTube Patrner. The advertisements you see floating around my videos and to the side are also a byproduct of me being a Partner. Sometimes the Ads make sense and are relevant to my videos. Othertimes they can be darn right random! I have no control over them, its Googles handling. Drop me a comment if you like.

I have spoken to a few other well established Partners and it seems that some terms and conditions make some shy away from speaking about it too publicly or in detail...

If you want to know how to become a YouTube Partner yourself... do some research, same way as I did. And good luck. ;-)

BTW: the videos you post on YouTube need not be any good for you to become a Partner. I am living proof of that! Google "how on earth accepted youtube partner". It's a question I posted on Yahoo Answers myself.

Building the PG 1/60 Gundam Astray Red Frame

2009-04-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

Perfect Grade Gundam Astray Red Frame 1/60 (in HD)

2009-03-28T20:10:00.001-07:00

I'll be busy doing this...

From the cutting room floor (more deleted footage)

2009-03-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

HG 1/144 Exia Trans-AM is done! [Click the images to see the BIG version]

2009-03-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

HG 1/144 Seravee is done! [Click the images to see the BIG version]

2009-03-01T06:59:00.000-08:00

Competition WINNER!

2009-02-24T05:33:00.000-08:00

A great winning entry from crapmunky99 with his neon paints and black light combo!
A 1st timer posting a video on YouTube. The HG 00 Raiser is winging it's way to you right now... Let me know that it arrives safely!

Competition Time: Win THIS!!!

2009-02-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

Why?
When I get a new sub, I usually have a quick gander at the subber's channel. I see so many subs who are just watchers and have no vids of their own. This should hope to invigorate the passive viewers into action. Use your web cam... mobile phone, still camera with video feature.... whatever... learn how to get around the technical issues! how to get the video into a computer... How to edit, how to fix the sound... how to add titles... how to upload.... You will learn out of need so. I hope this is an incentive to set you on your way.
Judged on creativity, originality, entertainment value, (none of which are present in my own videos so this will be very useful for me.)
Rules of engagement, to be one of the finalists you need to follow these rules
1) 4 min max length or less!
2) 1 entry only each please!
3) must NOT use ANY video or music they don't have permission or copyright for! (try AudioSwap)
4) must not use Profanity!
5) Must not use Nudity!
6) should be a NEWLY made video you have not posted anywhere before this compo!
7) entries MUST be posted as a video response to my Compo announcement on or before 16th Feb 2009!
PRIZE: see this link http://www.ishop2go.com/productUR_001_PR_0000588_Prt_en.html
I and only I will decide the winning entry and announce them on 22nd Feb 2009 in a video and also on my YouTube Channel info section.
The winner needs to contact me within a week of announcement and send their shipping details to me.
iShop2go.com is ENTIRELY responsible for this prize not me. I will fwd them your details and they will send it off to the winner as soon as the kit is actually available later this month.
MY DECISION IS FINAL!!! NO CHEATING AND NO WINING about my decisions!!!
NOW GET OFF YOUR LAZY BOTTOMS and kindly make a video entry why don't you. Hmmmm?

* I advise you go read through the comments for the video as there are a lot of good tips and answers to questions asked by interested parties. It's like a workshop for how to make a 1st YouTube video.

return to the competition video
here

GN Archer vs Gadessa

2009-02-07T02:56:00.000-08:00

The High Grade 1/144 Gadessa was released mid Jan 2009 retailing at 1500 Yen. It came out at the same time as the similarly graded and scaled GN Archer. Somehow, I'd the impression that the Gadessa was better choice of the two. Wrong! Now that I have both to compare, although a simpler figure, I'd still conclude that the Archer's promiscuity provides the bigger "bang for the buck". Swapping that big backpack with other MS's, the transforming option, the pairing with the fabulous Arios... The Archer adds a lot of value to the already great Arios. I doubt there will be a 1/100 GN Archer anytime soon. So there is another positive point for the HG's at this time... far more choice.
On the other hand, I can't say I care too much for the Gadessa beyond the huge fire arm. Maybe it was the crappy ankle stickers that put me off... or the toes you have to pop off and reattach... was it too much to have them swivel down on a hinge? Even the single joint elbow but the Archer is the same... and it's comparatively expensive too, perhaps because of its inclusion of the stand. Its not that its at all bad... Its OK. Just not a "Must Buy" in my book. I don't think I'd find too much different with the Garazzo or whatever the other variant is called. So you can assume I'll be giving that one a miss when it finally arrives.

It takes ages for me to do HD!

2009-01-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

I don't have a very wide internet pipe at home. Adequate at the best of times... I can't actually watch YouTube videos in the HD option myself because it takes like 1/2 hr just to load up a 10 min video before I can start watching it. Also, even when it is loaded up, I get dropped frames in HD because I guess my PC's CPU is getting a bit long in the tooth (after just 2 and a 1/2 yrs?)

So to share with you a trick I use to watch better than "normal" but not as time consuming nor as good as "HD"

Just add &fmt=18 to the end of the URL of the video you want to watch. A lot of the time it works and you get to see the "high quality" video.

The "hq" video file is smaller so on a good day, I can "just" about watch something streaming in real time, as it buffers quicker than the file playback.

"hq" is the happy middle ground for my own PC's limited horse power / bandwidth and perhaps it will work for your setup too if you are struggling with HD too!

Well this will do to keep me from forking out for a new PC sooner than I'd want.
Rest assured, I will keep uploading in HD, with a mind that everyone will sooner or later have replacement PC's with beefier CPU's / GPU's and cheap and plentiful broadband internet for all in future.

SD GunCannon mini review out-take

2009-01-27T02:26:00.000-08:00

"Repaints" ?

2009-01-25T06:57:00.001-08:00

So some 15% of you would buy the trans am version of a kit rather than the normal coloured one? That's a surprise to me! and I'm shocked that so many of you at 35% would get BOTH versions!

I can't really see myself putting together the exact same kit (bar the colour scheme) twice! Ever... I have much better things to do with my precious Gunpla building time. Or just go do something else entirely!

Since I don't have any 00 season one kits yet, I was kinda toying with the idea of picking up the just released Trans Ams of Exia, Dynames, Virtue and Kyrios, but then again... I can't stand pink.

Maybe, just, maybe I'll consider the Expo clear coloured version of the HG Exia...