michael_bean2

<p>Never mind! I just happened across this thread and contributed my experience before I got into the juicy bits. Thank goodness something is happening. It's a shame everyone's memories are tied up in this. It's a further shame that he's allowed to continue soliciting business on top of the back log he has already accrued. My fear is that he will take retribution on the films he develops. I certainly hope Film Rescue is given charge of the back log.</p>

<p >I found a couple of rolls of older films which hadn't been processed yet; a roll of slide film and a roll of Super 8 movie film. After searching the internet for different services, I settled on Rocky Mountain because their prices weren't as exhorbitant as other companies and their website seemed very straightforward. I went in knowing that it may not be possible to save my film from the ravages of time, and knowing it would be a long wait as they only do batches once a year. But being an experienced photographer, I also knew there was a very good chance that the images were at least somewhat salvageable. I boxed up my rolls and included a check and mailed them off.<br /><br />First, there was no communication, no indication that my films had been received. Except of course that they very quickly cashed my check. I waited; a year passed and I moved. I emailed them to update the address on the rolls, and after no response, I called to make certain it had been taken care of. They seemed very bothered to have to talk to me. I was put on hold for an exhorbitant amount of time, only to have a disgruntled-sounding employee tell me "yeah it's taken care of." My confidence level had waned considerably with just this one call.<br /><br />Shortly after, I received my slides. I do not recall what process they were, but I was immediately disappointed. Of course the colors were off, but that was to be expected. However, every slide had patchy areas where chemical had not been distributed evenly. There was even chemical residue on several of them. But at least I could import them into my computer and fix them up.<br /><br />Shortly after that, I received the Super 8 film. Again, I wasn't expecting a miracle, but I was not expecting what I got. The film had not been processed. It had merely been transferred to a reel. Any photographer who has worked for any length of time with different types of film will immediately know the difference between unprocessed and processed film, even if the film is unsalvageable. No attempt had been made to process this film. I called to express my disappointment in their 'service,' and I was only answered with disinterest.<br /><br />Obviously, I will never again use nor recommend Rocky Mountain Photo Lab. They are not the only business offering these services, though they would have you think so. Paying a little more will make all the difference in the world. I'd also recommend calling and speaking with a representative of a company to see how interested they are in your questions. Rocky Mountain has been consistently disinterested in me and their product.</p>

I have a Brownie Hawkeye camera which I purchased at a yard sale. Even

after disassembling and cleaning, I have experienced the same problem

using FujiFilm Neopan 100 film. To test the lens, I taped a piece of wax paper

over the back of the camera, flush with the film path, and put the camera on

bulb setting. I found that as I looked at the image projected on the wax paper,

only about an inch circle (4 cm) in the center of the image was in focus and

the rest became exceptionally blurry. I wonder if it is possible over time if

these cameras are not taken care of that the lenses can warp or if some of the

cameras were simply cheaper and not meant for serious photography? Or

did I just find a dud?

I just recently bought a Brownie Camera (Hawkeye Camera with Flash Outfit) for $10 at a street fair, and I was anxious to test it out. The lens, when held open in bright light looked dusty *inside* and I was concerned. I happened to have a Polaroid camera with me, so one night in a dark room, I set up a halogen lamp (for taking a photo) then I turned off the lights, removed the film pack from the Polaroid camera and removed a single photo. I opened the Brownie camera and placed the photo flat accross the back of the camera and a CD case against that to hold it tight. Then I wrapped a dark towel around the CD case and camera to prevent light-leaks. My girlfriend then turned on the lights and did a quick pose. I clicked the shutter button and she turned off the light. Then I returned the photo to the film pack (took a little more effort than I had expected but it worked) When I reiserted the film pack, that top photo came right out and I turned on the light. It worked! A little dark and very yellow due to the lighting conditions but I knew the lens was fine! If you ever try this, really look at a spent Polaroid film pack in the light and figure out how it works before you try it in the dark, trust me! And be careful not to bend or scratch the photos or you'll get some interesting effects.<div></div>