Moving to L.A -Advice-

[guillaume_zuili]

Hi to all,

July will be the big move for me, from Paris to Los Angeles.

Even if I go quite often there, I don't know which are the good places for :

-Lab: C41-E6 up to 8x10 and BW.

-Furnitures Stores: Samy's, Calumet...What else ?

 

<p>

 

I'm going to move my lab too. Durst 138 and 184;It's really heavy, 184 is like an artillery piece but anyway I can't live without it.

They are all for W220, this is my concern.

-Transform them in W110 isn't a problem "IF" I can find there W110 lightbulbs for them ?

-Otherwise can I equip my Lab for 220 ?

Thank you for any help

Guillaume

[scott_jones2]

As for the voltage question, yes you can equip your lab for 220 volts

and 60Htz. Some European motors run at different Htz so you have to be

careful, but your light source should be fine...

 

<p>

 

Scott

[neal_shields]

You don't say if your lab will be in home, or in an indusrtial

district. 220 in a comercial building shouldn't be a problem,

pulling 220 into an extra room in an apartment or home, could get

expensive. In some areas changes in electrical service in an old home

or building can trigger a requirement to upgrade the entire service

to current building standards.

 

<p>

 

Neal

[bob_salomon]

If you don't want to convert the heads to US current or buy new

heads all you will need to do is buy a transformer from an

electronics store that can handle the current your equipment will

require in the US.

 

<p>

 

BTW, if you are using some things that are calibrated to work

properly on 50Hz they will run faster here on 60 Hz. Things like

timers, fans, etc.

[neil_poulsen1]

When I lived in the L.A. area, A&I was considered an excellent

color lab, with 2 hour E6 turn-around, including Sundays. But, that

was 13 years ago. Worth checking into, though.

 

<p>

 

For camera repair, LF lens cleaning, Mel Pierce. (I think it was on

Hollywood Blvd.)

[sal_santamaura]

If you hope to run processes at or near 68 degrees F, include a water

chiller in your planning. During summer, our "cold" tap water exits

the faucet at up to 82 degrees F.

[tim_atherton2]

I looked at this when i moved from the UK toCanada years ago, but

didn't bother in the end. We did find a transformer that worked well

with my wife's 220v sewing machine that worked well!

 

<p>

 

I later found that all our laundry dryers and cookers/stoves here

work on 220 anyway, so you should be able to talk an electricion in

to setting things up for your enlargers.

 

<p>

 

tim a

[doug_gould]

Guillaume,

 

<p>

 

As for Camera stores, Samy's can't be beat. The main store in

Hollywood is a huge 3 floors. The folks who work there know what they

are talking about.

 

<p>

 

As to labs, I use Colortek (which I think used to be A&I). They are

in Culver City, on the west side of Los Angeles. They still do 2hr

turnaround on E6, and even have Sat. pickup for developed film. On

the west side, they are one of the best labs. Everytime I go in, they

have lots of 4x5 holders in boxes labeled for processing from their

regular pro customers.

 

<p>

 

I haven't been to Calumet's store in LA.

 

<p>

 

LA is a huge city. Where are you going to live?

[john_kasaian2]

Guillaume, Check out Freestyle Sales in Hollywood. They've got lots

of LF items, especially good prices on Ilford film under thier own

brand name Arista, and chemicals. They may also have W110

lightbulbs.You can check out thier catalog on the web. You might

also give Peter Gowland a call or email through his website

www.petergowland.com I'm sure he knows which labs are doing a good

job with LF C41-E6, at any rate, he is a great resource of

information as well as a builder of pretty unique LF gear. Welcome to

the Golden State!

[per_volquartz1]

E6: A&I on Highland, AIM downtown and now in Pasadena.

Camera stores: Samy's on Fairfax, Calumet on LaBrea, Samy's in

Pasadena, Lee Mac in Pasadena.

Rentals: Samy's All locations), Calumet, PRS on Highland

Repairs: There are many very qualified tecnicians.

Bring as many Durst parts with you as you may need. These are hard to

find here. I have an 8X10 enlarger, converted from a Durst 4X5; it

takes months to get parts...

[wayne_campbell]

Don't.

 

<p>

 

If you do, prepare to spend half your life stopped in traffic.

[per_volquartz1]

Wayne's got a point!!!

[john_kasaian2]

...And bring plenty of money to pay your electric bills, especially

if you're running 220, our Governor decided we should pay more than

anybody else for electricity.

[qtluong]

I wouldn't worry too much about local resources. In the US,

it is a common practice to use mail-order if you can find cheaper

sources elsewhere. Personally I hardly

use local camera stores and labs, although there are good ones in

my area. Although they are a bit difficult to find, there are

high powered 110 to 220 V converters. I use one for a Rollei Twin

projector. Beware of the frequency difference that has been mentioned.

[erik4]

Guillaume

 

<p>

 

Look for a Sola Hevi Duty step-up transformer of the appropriate VA.

Brand-new, they are expensive but you can often find them at much

reduced prices at surplus electronics stores. Do a search on Google.

[dave_karp]

I second Mel Pierce for LF repairs. I wanted to have two Rodenstock

lenses switched from Sinar DB mounts to Copal shutters. It seemed

like I called every repair shop in LA, and Ray at Mel Pierce repair

was the only person who understood what I was talking about. He made

the switch and calibrated the apertures. He did a great job.

 

<p>

 

For sales, try Mario Jennings at Mel Pierce. He will take good care

of you. Also, talk to John Richardson at Calumet. He is an excellent

large format photographer who works in platinum. He will also take

very good care of you. Calumet also has a brand new store. It is very

nice. In addition to A&I for E-6, if you are in the San Fernando

Valley, try Advanced Photo Lab. Talk to Jacob. For rentals, try

Calumet, Samy's, and PRS.

[bob_salomon]

"Ray at Mel Pierce repair"

 

<p>

 

Except Ray is no longer at Mel Pierce

[dave_karp]

Bob:

 

<p>

 

"Except Ray is no longer at Mel Pierce"

 

<p>

 

Oh no! Is he still in the repair business? Very helpful, does great

work.

[bob_salomon]

Still in the Repair business just not at the old place. Mario

should be able to tell you where to reach him now.

[dave_karp]

Thanks Bob.