richard_f

<p>I use a padded fly reel carrying case from Orvis, but there are cheaper ones available from Cabelas, etc. Padded, velcro inserts, etc. Cheaper and lighter than any "camera bags" I've seen.</p>

<p>Mike's a good choice!</p>

<p>Freestyle says they have it in stock "low supply"</p>

<p>Set speed to "T", press shutter release; when done, move the shutter from "T" to 1 second, to close shutter. For shorter exposures, you might first cover the lens so you don't record camera shake when you close the shutter (i.e., move it off "T"). A bit clunky, but it works.</p>

<p>Not always so lucky:<br /> Associated Press this past April:<br /> <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/ups-inc/">UPS Inc.</a> is re-examining safety in its planes after the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/dubai-government/">Dubai government</a>’s civil aviation authority released a report Sunday on the crash of a <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/ups-inc/">UPS</a> Boeing 747 last year.<br /> The cargo that caught fire and crashed the plane near the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/dubai-international-airport/">Dubai airport</a>on Sept. 3 included lithium batteries that should have been declared as hazardous cargo, but weren’t, the accident report said.<br>

The report also paints a harrowing picture of two pilots struggling desperately to navigate their plane to an emergency landing while running low on oxygen and fighting smoke so thick they couldn’t see their flight instruments or change radio frequencies. Both pilots were killed.<br />The report, which doesn’t identify the cause of the fire, is expected to raise questions about shipments of the batteries. The batteries can short-circuit and cause fires that burn hot enough to melt an airplane.<br /><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/ups-inc/">UPS</a> spokesman <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/mike-mangeot/">Mike Mangeot</a> said the company is evaluating about 40 safety technologies in response to the accident, including some that would help protect pilots’ ability to see in smoke.<br />He said the company is also re-evaluating cockpit emergency oxygen systems on their planes.<br />The <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/ups-inc/">UPS</a> plane arrived in Dubai from Hong Kong with cargo identified as “lithium batteries and electronic equipment containing or packed with lithium batteries,” which were distributed throughout the cargo compartments, the report said.<br />No hazardous cargo declarations were on the flight’s manifest, but at least three of the shipments contained rechargeable lithium battery packs that should have been treated as hazardous cargo under international shipping regulations, the report said.<br /> ----------------------<br /> CNN:<br /> Hazardous materials incidents aboard cargo planes, while infrequent, have occurred in recent years. In 2004, a fire broke out in a container being loaded on a FedEx MD-11 in Memphis, Tennessee, causing $20,000 in damage. Investigators blamed the incident on unapproved packaging used by the company that shipped the product -- lithium-ion batteries.<br /> --------------------------------------------<br /> In perhaps the most famous incident involving hazardous materials, a ValuJet Airlines passenger plane crashed in the Florida Everglades in 1996, killing 110 people. The National Transportation Safety Board blamed the crash on the actuation of oxygen-generating canisters being improperly carried as cargo, and the failure of the manufacturer to properly package the chemical-filled generators.<br /><br /></p>

<p>I assume you're looking at Freestyle; in any event, details should the the same. Rodinal, Fomadon, R09 and Adolux are all listed as "ORMD - ground shipping only". So they won't/can't ship by air.<br>

According to Wikipedia, "When transported by air, ORM-D shipments require an ORM-D-AIR marking and full hazardous shipping papers". Sounds like a complicated/expensive process. If you were to pack it in checked luggage, I'd think that would be illegal, and hazardous to you and your fellow passengers, if it makes it thru TSA screening. </p>

 

<p>Michael Gordon, who is in Long Beach, teaches introductory and advanced courses, and offers private workshops as well- he does a very good job. I know he's done a few up in the Sierras.<br>

His website is:<br>

http://michael-gordon.com/<br>

He can be contacted thru that site.</p>

<p>Rick</p>

<p>I happen to have a Chamonix, and really like it. Never got to see a Shen Hao in the flesh, but it surely could have done the job as well. Jack Fleischer (sp?) on getdpi.com did an extensive review of the Chamonix a year or two ago.<br>

I think it would be useful if you can actually see one, but I don't think the choice is that critical. You could talk to Jeff at Badger if you're in the US- he's a Shen Hao dealer but a straight shooter. </p>

<p>According to japanexposures.com last year (last I inquired), Quickloads are (were) still being made and sold in Japan- you could buy them from them at rather high prices (more expensive in Japan- e.g., a box of Acros @ about $125 US) and have them shipped. FujiUSA (and I guess Canada) just chose not to import them any longer.<br>

This made/makes no sense to me, that Japan alone could support QL production, but Fuji is one strange company...</p>

<p>If desperate, japanexposures.com has/has it for about $125 a box when I last looked a while ago. It's apparently still produced and available in Japan, but Fuji USA doesn't bring it into the US any more.<br>

After the earthquake, I doubt there much chance of getting anything from Japan for a while, but you could try if interested. Dirk and his partner at japanexposures are good guys and very reliable.<br>

I just can't justify the price. 20 4x5 sheets of Acros in a box from Badger is about $35, so it's over 3x more expensive (and that doesn't include shipping IIRC).</p>

<p>Not clear exactly what is missing, but if it is the take-up spool, and you don't have a spare one, just "waste" a roll of film and use that take-up spool in the film holder.</p>

<p>Look on Flickr for photostreams with Rollie... in them- that would at least show some images. Flcikr may also have a Rollei group- search groups for that.</p>

<p>For the slot canyons, avoid changing lenses in there if at all possible. The fine dust is floating around in there, even when it "looks" absolutely still. If you can cover/wrap the bodies in a baggie etc, so much the better. This may sound silly, but that dust gets in there without your knowing, and then you can hear it later. Zoom lenses can be big problems too, with their rotating, etc. When you are done with the slot canyon visit, thoroughly clean everything. I am reminded of this every time I zoom the lens on my Canon G9...</p>

<p>For the slot canyons, avoid changing lenses in there if at all possible. The fine dust is floating around in there, even when it "looks" absolutely still. If you can cover/wrap the bodies in a baggie etc, so much the better. This may sound silly, but that dust gets in there without your knowing, and then you can hear it later. Zoom lenses can be big problems too, with their rotating, etc. When you are done with the slot canyon visit, thoroughly clean everything. I am reminded of this every time I zoom the lens on my Canon G9...</p>

<p>Thanks, Jim!</p>

<p>Just got one, without instructions. My regular AE prism doesn't have the "S" or "A" switch, so I'm not sure what this is all about. Does it refer to Spot vs. Averaging mode? If so, any idea what area the Spot would cover?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I thought I posted a reply, but don't see it. Briefly, it may be an issue with the MLU. Here's something I picked up a while ago:<br>

"Bronica GS-1 Mirror Up<br>

The instructions for this are rather convoluted, as I recall. The simple part is to flip the MLU when you are set, then take your shot. (it's the small lever on the lower front of the body) The <strong><em>important </em></strong>thing is to move the lever back <strong><em>before</em></strong> winding on to the next frame. If you make the mistake of forgetting this, you do not have to waste a frame. First, put your lens cap on. Then set the GS-1 to multiple exposure. Then fire your shutter. Reset your MLU, turn off your multiple exposure and all will be well. "</p>

<p>Could also be something to do with lens or film back not being cocked or in sync. That's all I can think of. Good luck.</p>

<p>I would doubt it- even in Honolulu there isn't very much available. This is one place which has rentals, but I doubt they would have any MF gear:</p>

<p>http://www.hawaiicamera.com/</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I had used them a few years ago with mailers I got from B&H or someone. The slides were dirty, and I have not returned, letting the unused mailers sit there, I'm thinking of trying them again- maybe just caught them on a bad day, but it wasn't pretty.</p>

<p>I think the biggest problem with the TXP 220 discontinuance was that it was the last/only 220 b&w film. For those who liked the emulsion, one thing; for users of 220, an even bigger issue. Any why, most would ask- well, if you are shooting 6X9, 120 yields 8 exposures, then time to change rolls. Do-able, but not as nice as getting 16 frames before changing.</p>

<p>Nice to see a thoughtfully assembled kit, Raid! Too often we tend to collect things we like as they come along, and then try to put them together with less-than-optimal results. I'll bet it took years of experience and testing to decide what works best. Looks like you have it all together, as much as anyone ever can :)</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing.</p>

<p>Rick</p>

<p>According to one of the UK's top film sales firms, writing on APUG, E100 VS is going soon:<br>

"Those are the only B&W films - can't find the information on any Kodak sites, briefly the professional colour films due to go are;<br>

EPP in all formats, suggested replacement E100G, runout end of Jan, ie <strong>now</strong><br />EPY in all formats, no suggested replacement, runout end of Jan<br />EDUPE, all formats, no suggested replacement, runout end of Jan<br />E100VS 5x4", suggested replacement E100G, runout to be confirmed"</p>

<p>Thanks for pointing this out. I wish Silverfast would notify us when an update like this is available- they do manage to send notices about other things,</p>

<p>If you'd like Freestyle to provide these films (Fuji Acros 100 and Neopan 400, and Kodak Plus-X and Tri-X respectively), you should contact Freestyle to let them know your interest. Here's a reply from Freestyle to an email I sent re. these potential products:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"Thank you for your E-mail. I have passed it on to our Marketing Department for evaluation. If we receive enough positive feedback from customers like yourself we should be able to add the 120 & 220 sizes to the line if the manufacturer can supply us a competitive price and quantity. Marv Keller Manager, Customer Service & Consumer Direct Sales"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sounds like you're in the UK, and so is Calumet. I have two of their brand loupes, made by Schneider- excellent quality. Worth a look- I have no idea what they sell for these days (or if they even still have them, things are changing so quickly).</p>