dave92270

Hi all,

could anyone advice how to remove a few dust particles which are

located on the bottom of the glass (inside)? When I do 3200dpi

negatives scan, the size of one dustspeck in one particular spot is

very annoying ,and is on every frame off course.

Epson tech support told me to send it to the specialized repair

center- I'm affraid that shipping would most likely break the scanner

(I have fairly bad experience with local packages shipping/delivery by

all Fedex, UPS and USPS, the packages I'm getting are frequently

beaten up, and the content even broken if it's somehow fragile (such

as the delicate scanner). I could off course let them break it and

then ask for compensation, but it's too much of hassle, I'd rather

clean up those few dust specks and continue using the otherwise fine unit.

Thanks for advice

Dave

Thanks for good info too, Kelly.

Btw, I found a Xenotar model (2.8D - approx. 1956) on eBay, price reasonable $300 so far (ends tomorrow) , supposedly an excellent & working condition (but no extras); I will possibly try to bid on that one and see how the auction will go - requested an additional info from the seller first.

dave

Thx for detailed info on that, Douglas.

I'm not overly oriented in the current prices of Rollei's, and so $300-400 was rather my rough estimate....

I actually checked the YashicaMat124's (eBay) and considered it first, but then I couldn't find anything in my (estimated, and this time similar to yours) range around $150; any nice ones jumped quickly over $250... Maybe just a bad week, but well I figured if I should pay $250-300 for YashicaMat, I may as well just get another Rollei for only a hundred bucks or so more.

I think I've seen a Xenotar Rollei in supposedly great condition(2002 CLA), with Maxwell Brilliant-Matte Focusing Screen, for around what you mentioned above, maybe I should try to bid on that one then.

If I'll not find anything there or in local stores, I might try to contact the guy (Mark Hansen) as you suggested...

Since the camera will obviously cost more then I thought, I may need to wait a month or two.

thx again

regards

dave

Thx for reply Douglas G too...

I've got actually one more question; could anyone recommend a dependable retailer who ships in the US and who sells the TLR Rollei's (in full working condition and recently checked-serviced)? I looked a few reputable stores, but they don't carry any (except approx. $3000 anniversary edition model at Adorama).

I don't know exactly how much to spend on it neither, was thinking that some $300-$400 should provide me with a good one hopefully... possibly a 50's-60's model, so the wear and condition would be acceptable. As I said, I want to use it frequently, not as collector's item or 1-2 occasional shots once a while.

I'll go to check the local retail stores first though (in San Jose & Palo Alto), didn't have the time to do so yet, but expecting fairly higher prices there, someone pls correct me if I'm wrong.

thx for advice on that

dave

thx Chris for your reply.

it's been over a month since I posted my question, and while I was originally really interested in CD500, I didn't get it because it wasn't available yet - I bought F717 instead and really don't regret it, that camera is awesome in many aspects, I'm still really learning how to properly use it, so many functions and manual tweaks available.

I still examined your today's response with interest. Seems that CD500 is pretty decent model, and while it has a few disadvantages, it ofsets them in other areas - I think the CD storage idea is brilliant, since it's so convenient to have unlimited space on hand all the time without need to "unload" to PC, and also have instant backup done at the same time. I noticed that there is a viewfinder available for CD Mavicas as well for some $80, just in case one wouldn't like the LCD as the only option.

I think, after reading your post, that f717 is probably a better camera overall (for instance around 4 hours shooting time on one battery charge is unbeatable), also the fully tiltable body/lens is a feature worth to note, as well as relatively fast image processing.

I will keep an eye on that model, and if I'd need another camera for either myself for any reason, or a friends would ask for the recommendation, I'll consider it as the possible option.

thx again for your response!

regards

dave

Thanks for fast reply; if the camera will be available, I'll try to get it then... Possibly my biggest concern was the experienced lens corner sharpness issue (more visible at certain appertures), which was a bit problem on 2 out of 3 of my previous TLR's; if the Xenotar 3.5 is considered to be generally good lens, I should be probably happy with it.

Btw, I very recently purchased a decent digital camera, but quickly realized that even at 5megapixel this won't be most likely a match to a medium format film for certain tasks and larger prints, so decided to get relatively inexpensive TLR once again.

thx again for your advices

dave

Hello experts,

I have a question regarding the lens quality on the 1958 TLR

Rolleiflex I'm planning to purchase; would appreciate any advice on

this before I'll buy it; this particular model comes with Schneider

Xenotar 3.5 lens, is it any good?

(I already own much older Rolleiflex (a pre-war model, think with

Tessar lens; don't have the camera on hand now to verify), but this

camera has mechanical problems (film advance & shutter), so I'm

looking for the replacement... I was happy with the camera and it's

lens as well - not perfect, but sufficient for my needs).

If anyone could recommend a better TLR, I wouldn't mind advice on

that (beside the mentioned Rolleflex, I used to have more modern

Rolleicord which I really liked, and 60's Flexaret which was OK as

well). All these cameras were somehow equal, but Rolleicord most

reliable & with sharper optics if I recall it right.

Anyway, thx in advance for advice on the Schneider Xenotar 3.5

equipped model.

dave

Thanks for your reply, Daniel.

I don't want to be really making a big deal of this, and don't want to moan about this or that detail. I've been trying to think how to make sure that I've been myself fair to the others before asking the same fairness and honesty from them.

Anyway, thanks to your advice and response, I think I'll not want to really flat change or delete scores I rated, but I will go through those some 260 pics one by one (it will take some time but not too bad), and leave an explanation comments where I rated 3/3 or below (can possibly readjust rate upwards if I'll find an image better at the second look); lower then 3/3 I gave very sparingly, in 2 cases only I believe, and since I didn't mean and don't want to insult those people, I'll get rid of those low rates or otherwise explain, whatever I'll see fit. I'll also have a look at "3/3 and less" author's other pics and try to pick a better one where I could frankly say, "yes, this one is good" and go 5/5 or better... I looked at a few authors who asked actually to rate the work which quality is way below their other portfolio images.

When I'm done with that, I'll not rate anymore anyone ever; I can leave a comment only if I want, don't need to rate in order to post comment, right?

I guess that I should actually upload some more pics (so the people I rated/commented on have at least a chance and choice to look at what I do myself with a camera, when I dare to judge their work as less then perfect - I didn't know that authors pretty much automatically follow back the link the comment/rating came from), if for nothing else, then to at least show willingness to bear consequences and withstand critique (both objective and non-objective)) of my own work :)

Thanks again for advice

Btw, think that the above-mentioned approach is fine?

regards

dave

This is a very interesting discussion guys; I just managed (without any intension) to obviously "screw-up" ratings and upset some of the authors of 260 pics which I dared to rate (in my opinion honestly - followed the evals instructions -tutorial), some of them, unfortunately, below 5/5 :(

Knowing how the site works in advance, I would NEVER ever touch the "critique request" menu. Well, my mistake.

Maybe, whoever is an author of the tutorial, could put a few words into the tutorial file about possible consequences in case you wouldn't rate 5/5 an up?

I of course do not dare to upload now (I posted personally only a single "test" image so far, only to see how the pics are auto-resized etc., without even placing "critique request") any pics anymore, since much of the evaluation and lesson I might get would be irrelevant to the quality (or inferiority, who knows) of my own pics, but rather reflect the ratings I gave to the others - this effectively eliminates any constructive feedback (I understand that those who I gave 5/5 and up might stop by and give some advice, but those who I gave less would most likely look at the pics with the intension to give me either "the same", or in worse case probably tear up my uploads into pieces as I already experienced.

I'm a new member, and did an obvious mistake. I wonder if I should just cancel the account and re-open a new one under a different nic, or to cancel all the evals below 5/5 straight away, polish up here and there a bit and keep going with this account, or what should I do?

Either way, this is quite a bitter experience to begin with. Why there is a negative rating scale, if its use most likely will yield only a possible personal retaliation in most cases?

I do like this site, there are many high quality pics and authors around one can learn from obviously. I noticed photo.net some 2 years ago, finally decided to sign up, and screwed up straight away at the beginning. I understand that it's pretty much my problem; only what I would suggest would be to mention this in the tutorial so other new members won't accidentally get into the same, silly situation.

Sorry for a longer post, hope it's not too off-topic with regard to the above discussion, which I examined with interest; a bit too late though. :)

Regards

dave

thx for all the suggestions; I didn't place an order yet since I heard that the local store should have it on sale this weekend for the very same price as B&H; if they won't or will be of units, I'll go with B&H, seems like a very reputable vendor to order from with confidence, and that you receive the correct item for correct price.

thx

dave

:)

all right , so if all you guys have this good experience, I'm ordering straight away... I prefer web-orders as well.

thx again

dave

Thx Frank,

I never ordered from them before, so I wanted to be sure before I place an e-order. I know exactly what I want, so I'll do it this way, easier for both parties...

The item is listed as "in stock", so I guess everything should be fine & smooth.

thx again for advice

dave

Hi,

after some research I decided to order Sony Cybershot DSC-F717 from

B&H; for convenience, I'd like to place a website order; could anyone

tell me whether it's OK this way, or is it preferrable to call them

instead?

I don't want any extra accesories, just the camera package with

factory included stuff as listed on both SONY and B&H websites.

thx for advice

dave

it's always like that - if their deals sound too sweet, there will be a catch (late/no delivery or not in stock but your credit card charged instantly, wrong/mislabled/incomplete product, short/no warranty, huge fees for returned items, high shipping fees eliminating effectively low product price, you name it....

I'm so sick of these tricks that I'm shopping mostly in local retail only for last 2-3 years. As the other guy said, check resellerratings.com for instance; if there is no record, think of it as a bad record (companies DO rename themself if their reputation is well known, and continue to do their crappy business under new names).

cheers

dave

San Jose, CA

Hi all,

hope this is the correct forum to ask.

I've been using an Epson PhotoPC650 1.3MP for some 3 years, and

decided it's time to upgrade...

While looking for a 4-5MP replacement, I found that SONY is about to

have this Mavica CD500 out within a month or two ($700 retail -

that's what the CD400 goes for now). I checked a few reviews, and

can't decide whether it's the right model to go with or not. My other

considerations were Canons G2 or G3 ...

I noticed that CD Mavicas come without the optical viewfinder

(optional for some $80, which attaches to the LCD actually),

proprietary batteries ($60+) and the somehow questionable CD

storage ...

Could any owner of CD400 (since CD500 will be pretty similar) comment

about this model?

I like the complete manual control of exposure, aperture and focus; I

also like the Zeiss lens which I expect to be really good.

Not sure about the battery time, CD storage/camera readiness time,

missing "real" optical viewfinder, and the MPEG mode functionality.

Forgot to mention; the primary use will be landscape photography ,

and our 4 pets.

thanks for advice & sorry for a longer post

dave