philslade

Follow-up.

I returned the dented OM-4Ti for an exchange and got the last one still in stock.

Much better cosmetic condition, looking as good as new, except for a small dent

along one of the edges on the prism, which really isn't a bother.

So far, so good!

Some Canvas remarks dredged up on the Web in relation to photography and/or

Photoshop:

http://radioregs.subportal.com/ebiz/build/software/reviews/deneba/10026c.htm

http://graphicssoft.about.com/gi/dynamic/

offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deneba.com%2Fcommunity%2Fhowto%2Fsoftfoc

us%2Fdefault.html

http://www.creativepro.co.uk/story/review/15443-4.html -- interesting opinion:

Even though Canvas has taken the "jack-of-all-trades" approach, it manages to

master just about all. In terms of value, Canvas is first rate. Especially when you

consider the broad range of tools and power you get, not to mention the professional

clip art and complete URW type library. Users of Canvas 7, or previous versions,

should find more than enough reasons to upgrade to Canvas 8. If you create graphics

for the Web, and frequently do moderate amounts of pixel editing as well as

converting vector graphics to bitmap, Canvas 8 could save you a lot time not having

to shell out to Photoshop. I was able to edit an existing bitmap for use on a Web site

I'm designing; I adjusted the color and contrast, created a mask, dropped out the

background, smoothed the edges, and exported the image as an optimized JPEG

image. Tasks you normally would have to do in Photoshop you can do in Canvas as

well.

http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/mbedford/cv6howto.html -- here is one

photographer's beautiful and unusual retro work using Canvas 6...

Fascinating! Thanks for the great feedback. So presumably someone who already has

Canvas 9, a good film scanner, and some high-end bundled software like LaserSoft's

AI 6 Photoshop plug-in would start out like that and likely consider moving on to

Photoshop.

With Photoshop being the de facto standard for high-end image editing, I was

wondering if there were many users of Canvas out there. Any comments on its

strengths or weakenesses as a Photoshop alternative?

OK, the newbie is back, with a follow-up question. The lenses and body arrived,

lenses look right (new) but I am really surprised by the cosmetics of the body.

It has brassing on the prism housing, top plate, bottom plate, and metal trim on the

back. Some if it is fresh and sharp enough to show it results not from any regular use

but from from some abuse or accident.

The accessory shoe is also dented, but mostly there is a visible depression at the top

edge of the top plate right below the rewinding knob. That must have taken quite a

blow since it's titanium -- unless Olympus has a really wacky manufactuing process...

Is that a standard condition on a refurbished body? I thought they were bodies that

were returned for a malfunction and factory-repaired and resold as being as good as

new. I've bought refurbs before, and they all looked and worked as good as new. A

couple of scratches are fine, but it looks like this body was knocked around. Is that

normal?

Should I return it? Could I have better luck on another one? They do cost as much as

new!

As a newcomer, I find that some equipment is consistently bidded up by collectors.

Also, there is the problem of finding a reliable seller, so a premium will be acceptable

if, say, the manufacturer of a discontinued item that is highly regarded is clearing

inventory on eBay. Finally, I am a little distraught to see so little of high value on the

shelves of reputable camera stores in the way of secondhand equipement because, by

their own admission, eBay has sucked it all in. It seems to me that eBay is beginning

to act as a de facto monopoly in some market segments and that is troubling,

considering that its original rationale was mostly to reduce transaction costs. As it

undermines the viability of local retailers and allows the savviest and most motivated

buyers to stalk an ever-growing pool of sales, the little market puddles where a good

deal and / or good advice and support were to be found are drying up. In addition,

there are so many sellers with no photographic experience now peddling specialized

equipment that much of eBay feels like a vist to a giant pawn shop.

The person in charge of the eBay auctions at Olympus said I could combine the orders

(different warehouses between the refurb and the new items, though) and I was able

to complete the purchase on the phone as an alternative to the online checkout.

They use FedEx or UPS with insurance and I was able to ask for FedEx. There is

another OM-4 Ti on auction, BTW (at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/

eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2958551323&category=15239) and two top macro

lenses as well.

Hope this helps other bidders...

Whew! Thanks for steering me away from those sharks -- BTW resellerratings is

great!

Now for the crazy part. I got caught up in last-minute bidding on the OM4 Ti AFTER

picking up two excellent Zuiko lenses from Olympus. Over $1,400 -- ouch. OTOH,

the new

50mm f3.5 macro and 90mm f2 macro came to $380 and $960. I'm hoping the

lenses were under the retail prices as tracked by Photo.Net, so that it all evens out.

Last obstacle is getting confirmation from Olympus that they are shipping UPS or

FedEx with insurance. I'm getting paranoid about protecting the equipment! I'll pay

the best Houston repairman to check them out so I can activate the warranty if there

is anything wrong with these beauties...

Thanks a ton for the insight -- I have just checked Epinions reviews on Cameras For

Less and they are split between fulsome praise that sounds like it came out of a form

letter and several denunciations for bait and switch or fraudulent misrepresentation.

I'll bet the guys are what you describe and that they had their own employees write

bogus reviews.

Hot Buys Electronics has an eBay store and 97.7 positives, with the rest split between

negatives and neutrals. Recent negatives had to do with communications and delays,

no fraud or bait-and-switch accusations. Maybe they are safer than the first one.

They are not a photo outfit, though.

I'll give Olympus on eBay my best -- thanks again for your help!

I am very interested in an Olympus factory refurb but a German collector has already

bidded it up above retail prices on new OM-4 Ti's in the US. Is it worth competing

with that bidder and exceeding those retail prices or is it just as safe not to buy from

Olympus direct?

The Olympus refurb has a 90-day warranty, the others only seem to offer one if you

pay extra (and that frankly does not look attractive coming from those outfits). Plus,

both ask for 15 percent restocking fees on returns (outrageous!).

Relevant links are;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2957055543&category=15239

http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/item_detail.php?item_id=354

http://www.cameraforless.com/itemdetail.asp?itemid=1034