TheUltimateNoob

Ok. Its bought. Had some standard bank ucount rewards points. 
Just used that. So sort of free.
2 day delivery

I have such a lens as well, but my macro lens isn't as great - it blurs the sides heavily due to the depth of field being very limited.
 
I see the new Xiaomi's have a dedicated macro camera, like the Note 9S and the Poco M2 Pro (seems to be India only, can't ship batteries out of India easily either, bleh). 

Morning guys.
Shewww. U guys had a good time here last night. I love it.
Sorry @TheUltimateNoob . Little of topic.
But just wanted to say. That playstore app is shit. Zoom is good. But quality decreases like crazy.
 
I did use my normal camera. It works better. Holds quality longer. Not able to see if trics are clear/cloudy/amber. But not a bad close up.
Lmao. Also my steady game is weak. Dam hard to keep it focused.
Needa go back to the COD sessions.
These shots are with standard phone settings. 
Pic 1 no zoom
Pic 2 6x
Pic 3 8x
Looks like im gona need a scope.

Awsome stuff brother.
Theres so many good things about DIY.
Not forggeting how proud u feel when its complete and done properly. 
 

I have arrived
 
Okay so I've noticed this thread a while back but I've never had the time to sit and type this out so tonight I got onto 420sa with my laptop and grabbed this opportunity.
 
Back in Grade 6 (yeah, 6) I had this mate that got accepted to study at the Oprah Winfrey academy with a full scholarship because of their grades. We were all really young but this mate had an elder brother that was married to a younger wife. 
It's about to get real...
At the end of Grade 6, we had this huge farewell at their place and almost all of our close friends were there, including my mates family. The night was cool, we somehow managed to get our hands on some alcohol (maybe through the bro's wife - i don't know). About halfway through the night, all of us were pretty smashed, not that it took much, but we were still up to create.
For reasons I will never understand, the bros wife saw it okay to give a bunch of 6th graders some weed for the night, and a rolled joint with that along with some extra bits for later. Needless to say, we were on our way to a spot we could have this smoke in peace without risk of being caught. When I say we, I mean about 4 people this time because there weren't many that wanted to smoke, and more that we haven't even told.
The joint gets lit, a huge flame engulfs the tip of it and we laugh, fascinated and in a rush by what we were doing. We share the joint amongst the 4 of us and the effects kicked in after the first round. Euphoria, laughter, disorientation, the works... All of the effects from the best highs you've ever felt basically combined into one big sledge to the brain. We managed to make our way back into the house, and directly to my mates room, lying on the bed with our faces mashed into the pillow, feeling the effects of the alcohol and weed combo for the first time, my god, it was quite something.
After 20 minutes of telling myself it was the weed that made me feel this way, and not the alcohol, I started to somewhat come-to, able to speak properly and not burst out laughing at every little thing.
 
After that night, I would say I've tried weed a few times from Grade 7 to like 9, and I started enjoying the functional high by Grade 10... Throughout the later years in high school I didn't smoke a lot, but I didn't restrict myself either. Often being the one that would help source the stuff and roll since everyone else rolled like shit.
Once I was done with high school (Class of 2013), and into campus, the freedom was unreal. I could do whatever I wanted to, yet I chose to stick to weed. I used it to my advantage, made more, got some for free, hustled my way and just overall did what I had to do to keep going. My use of weed fluctuated between moderate to severely heavy quite a few times and I went through many phases where I had to cut down and control my shit for a couple months so that I know I'm good...
I'm strong minded and refuse to let any drug get the better of me. When I felt I needed to stop, that was exactly what I did. I've done a few other substances, but weed is the shit man.
 
Anyway, campus took the better of 5 years, and I've done and learnt a lot over that period, including always reading about growing weed when the thought crossed my mind. My tolerance levels after campus are just effed man... I need a really potent edible to give me any high worth feeling.
Keep in mind the standard of weed I was exposed to kept increasing, and I was always finding better stuff to smoke...
 
So with the basic knowledge I've had for a long time and laws being changed, in 2019 I decided to pull the trigger in build my first grow box because I was sick of paying ridiculous prices for good weed.
I decided to waste money by going cheap at first with a bunch of cfls but then dropped a decent amount on a proper light and I've never looked back - I will also not cut costs on equipment again, fire in fire out! I don't think I will ever stop growing my own shit as long as I live somewhere that allows it because it's just way cheaper.
 
With the way I grow now, by harvest time and with calculating all the costs, I end up paying like what - R10 per dry gram? I'd take that deal over getting my shit from anyone else any day bro! I can wait, it's fine.
With the way I plan to grow, I'll be getting harvests at next to nothing compared to these stupid street prices.
 
So yeah, I guess that's my story.
#WhatsYourStory? lol

12 minutes ago, Ill_Evan said:

My bruh I had this exact thought after seeing your comment on the Zootly cannabis cup group. Firstly, I completely forgot about Zootly to begin with. Had a little look around their site, read a couple diary posts, and saw that they are based in Cape Town, like other industry founders like The Haze Club and Vape Store etc. 

The way you feel about Durban is the same I feel about where I stay. I claim JHB as my zone just because at the time I had been working there, but I'm actually based in Centurion. Their are tons of stoners here, but I can't say their ever has been a cannabis related event in this city (at least not in my adult weed life  or that I'm aware of). We did have one Cannapax store though  

Just did some research and I see that the last time a cannabis event in Centurion was attempted was by The Dagga Couple in 2016. Link

Further, also just read an article on the 420 cafe in Randburg (about 45mins drive from me). 

So I suppose one can see why I feel a little stranded  

Yeah I feel you bro. Although I will admit, there has been more events here in Durban based on what you've said... But the whole vibe around it is full of uncertainty and I feel it's just a bit dodge because like, security, the kind of crowd, and the fact that weed is sold at a lot of these events, so like what about cops anymore...

There were 2 spots (I was comfortable at one of them) that I could go to that weren't really far from me but bro, they were still selling weed to the patrons, so who knows what the hell is going on... Cops knew about it, and nothing... It's just becoming a legal way for people to do illegal things and it depends on the tips situation with the cops (if you know what I mean) - which is why I haven't really gotten involved or started anything (besides not having the expertise of event planning).

It's part of the reason I chose to start growing my own. Everything that isn't set in stone just depends on a bunch of corruption here, whereas where there is a good community (like CPT) cops like kinda don't have a problem because there's an understanding I guess (from my knowledge - although I could be wrong because I've never lived there)

23 minutes ago, Ill_Evan said:

A good start I would think is right here on the forum. My entry into the cannabis industry started here, and my meeting of the JHB crowd started with meeting and getting to know some members here. 

Hopefully this post will generate some interest.

23 minutes ago, Ill_Evan said:

There are not many places without dedicating significant amounts of time to learn the basics of growing anything. I mean, all we really did in school was that one bean germination experiment using the 2l bottle in like Grade 4. So if one thinks about it, to achieve a successful grow with no previous experience in growing is actually quite the achievement (pats self on back).

This is true, and yes it is an achievement, but a simple 2-sided leaflet at a proposed event could be enough to give everyone that attends the basic knowledge for cannabis growing - in the same way we learnt how to grow that bean all those years ago. I mean, if people stop wasting money on cheap things that don't work, and save for things that do, it would make a big difference.

And it doesn't necessarily have to cost money - for example we could teach people how to compost properly so that they can use their own soil, how to accurately identify male & female plants, stuff like that.

28 minutes ago, Ill_Evan said:

The way I see this snakey snake world work, I wouldn't be surprised someone rips the idea to try make a quick buck. This concept is your baby now @TheUltimateNoob, thou must owneth doth precious. If you really want it, send it to the universe and it may just come knocking.

This is what I hate the most, honestly. People ripping off ideas... Like at least give something back to the guy you got the idea from, lol... But yeah I agree, I may contact some people, or just try to plan one with a member from here, who knows!

Thought I'd share a few pictures of that UFO LED I disassembled. 

I replaced the stock fan with a bigger (120mm) PC fan, slapped on a heat sink I found laying around with some thermal paste I had - it's not optimal but it will help with heat dissipation for sure - and propped the fan higher than the heat sink using some wooden skewers since I figured they would insulate well and it's fine since they won't be under any significant forces.

I then cable strapped everything together with the power supply taped on top of the fan for additional cooling. The cable ties haven't started melting, in fact they aren't even damaged, and I don't think they're gonna give out any time soon.

The replacement fan makes the unit run silently and still remains warm to the touch (a bit on the warmer side though).

I also added some connectors to the input of the driver to make it a bit easier to disconnect.

It's a small project, but taking apart this Chinese Blurple back then when I did and having a look at the insides (including how the LEDs are connected to each other) gave me the confidence to want to DIY my next light. Hell, I'm pretty sure I could even design a board at this stage, so if it was easier to make my own boards, I would

Anyway, I've always been fascinated by electronics since like primary school and studying a bunch of science modules helped a lot when it came to understanding the technicalities when rigging up a light, so I'm always willing to learn new info. Finally I have something that can make use of the knowledge, now to just get some parts and hardware

34 minutes ago, StickyD420 said:

Its definitely done well, or at least well enough to fool you at a glance or 2, or even 10

Good find, it made my night chatting to you guys, thank you kindly brothers

Thread got heated TF up... check it... Even says hot, lol

12 minutes ago, Ill_Evan said:

I need to get in on this gif meme action 

28 minutes ago, StickyD420 said:

Its definitely done well, or at least well enough to fool you at a glance or 2, or even 10

Good find, it made my night chatting to you guys, thank you kindly brothers

Same, many thanks gents 

Greetings Fam

So I've been around the weed scene for a while now, trying to keep track of whats going on and up to date with the latest laws.

I must say, Cape Town has a BOOMING cannabis community and I wish I was closer to there to actively contribute to the scene. The thing is, even disregarding the lockdown, a lot of us can't travel at leisure for personal interest just like that. Gauteng and JHB have their hydro peeps that are growing some absolute fire as well. These places I've mentioned also have like proper cannabis stores and such, with a multitude of secret smoke shops, cafes and dispensaries. 

Now I do know that KZN (Durban and surrounding areas mostly) have their fair share of spots, but it's nothing when compared to the likes of those in CPT or the accessibility of the spots in JHB. We do have 1 dedicated grow store that I know of (not saying there aren't other based in KZN) but our Canna community just doesn't feel the same. 

What I would like to see is more community organised Cannabis events that are brought about by the community of growers that are confident enough to host such an event, and it would be awesome if those events can touch base in Durban more often than the likes of the CannaExpo and such. There are many things that can take place at the event but I guess the main aim would be to better connect the network of growers in KZN and hopefully help those that have the means to grow but just don't know how - because lets face it, growing is complicated if you starting off from scratch with just a seed, soil and a want to grow your own. The event should ultimately promote locally produced, quality products to show everyone that the companies in SA know their stuff and can give you the same type of products for a lower cost.

Information online can be very misleading and it sets a lot of people on the wrong path from the very beginning. I've met so many people in Durban who want to grow, or who are growing, but are just doing things wrong because they don't understand the basics. For example, not knowing that it's better to compost organic waste and then use the composted mix, or not knowing that your roots need oxygen as well. So yeah... I don't know if what I've said makes complete sense, but i hope you guys get it.

For what it's worth, I would be interested in helping in such events or anything in future if anyone reading this does actually take action and get this off the ground (I would if I had the means). 

Just browsing the subforums and decided I'd leave this here as it seems like the right place.

Welcome Growmie!... Hope you have a pleasant stay... What's your setup like?

1 minute ago, StickyD420 said:

Deez nutz

This is my laptop Bluetooth name I once helped this chick on campus to send her a document from an email, and she had to ask me "Is it Deez Nuts?" when she was receiving the file... Best

2 minutes ago, StickyD420 said:

Umm, that's not normal

I'm sorry to the thread owner, as usual we have hijacked and gone totally off topic. 

My sincerest apologies for all 3 of us

Added, seriously though, no man, that doesn't look right, his arms look like legs, but boys legs...my fok

lmao sh*t, I just noticed that the thread is 2 pages longer now!

No worries brother, I enjoy chatting to you gents and reading the sh*t you'll say It's my thread so it's all good.

2 minutes ago, Ill_Evan said:

Lmfao bruh, perfect... we onto something here

I can kinda handstand?

I wonder if @TheUltimateNoob has noticed

You need the name, then you can sell a piece of material over a plain rubber bubble sole, for R44k

These are the real thing, and genuine price of the collectable shoe R44k

My luck these days, I order from Wish, and like everyone or most people I know...
This arrives.

1 minute ago, StickyD420 said:

Okay...

Then just leave a man hanging, no link or pointing in the direction

Looks sick, where can someone get it?

Lol sorry bro, just figured takealot would be easier than waiting for wish, but Evan hooked you up with the link 

Other than being in stock, so only one I could, still not sure, but for that price, what can I expect and if it's as good as @TheUltimateNoob then I'm happy.

Fok, super mixed

I downloaded a extra zoom camera from playstore
 
Send u guys a pic tomorrow under the sun. Havnt used it yet.

1 minute ago, StickyD420 said:

We now call you, The Surgeon

Winner