james_hine

I'd second Tom's suggestion from experience. I have justed started learning in the studio and was very disapppointed with just about all of the studio "how-tos".

Most of them seem to give examples that require 7 lights +, 3 assistants, scrims, globos etc. All things that a beginner doesn't have.

As a text the book covers how light works, then applies it to everyday problems you can strike as a studio photographer, not specific monkey see monkey do.

Can't get better than that.

Saw the previews for a french film "Facing" it appears that there is a Blad (possibly 500ELM with a 500CT lens)which is quite central to the plot.

Here is the snip from the SBS tv Guide

THRILLER: FACING (EN FACE) � A young couple, who inherit a house in Paris�s Montmartre district, are obliged to keep on the sinister housekeeper Clémence. Directed by Mathias Ledoux, and starring Jean-Hugues Anglade, Clotilde Courau and Christine Boisson. (In French, English subtitles). (2000)

While this is not a waist bag - it may be worth a look.

A Crumpler Wonder Weenie with a padded insert. I use one for a Hassey 500cm and can fit a 50CT, 80, filters, a back (bit of a squeeze) and Minolta IVF meter.

The bunion padded inserts are fairly new and I don't know if they are available in the US yet. Got mine direct from the Crumpler store in downtown Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia.

The inserts look a bit like a cooler bag crossed with a standard camera soft bag inside that sits inside a standard crumpler non camera bag. The top flap for the insert that can be zipped up for extra protection or folded over for easy access.

This choice was made after trying every bag out in the store and I'm very happy with it.

Best thing about Crumpler Bags is they don't look like camera bags!

For a description have a look at

www.crumpler.com.au

In the photo bags section under accessories.

Philip,

Check out the "Trading Post" paper in your local area. I managed to pick up a besler 45MV(or MX) enlarger with a Schnieder 135 APO lens, 35mm, 6x6 and 4x5 holders for AUD$300 with not much effort. In 2 weeks of searching there where entire darkroom setups for between $700 to $1600.

Take a look at:

Http://www.tradingpost.com.au

or in Melbourne

http://www.melbournetradingpost.com.au

Regards,

Rather than vasaline on the UV filter, leave the filter next to the stove for a few days and have a big fry up. The pattern is softer and far more random than a smear.

My holga suffered from excess sharpness, so after leaving it in the kitchen for 3 months, lens side up it has a far more pleasing effect.

If you holga fogs you need more duct tape.... <LOL>

Distilled water can be cheaply obtained if you have a condenser

clothes dryer.

<p>

I had a very pleasant surprise after my wife convinced me that buying

a expensive european clothesdryer was a good idea (I think it was a

payback for the hassy kit). Anyway when the guy came to install it,

he showed us how to work the dryer (it can do all kinds of amazing

things) and he mentioned that the moisture is collected to prevent

the house from steaming up.

<p>

Turns out that the "waste" water is distilled to a purity that it can

be used in car batteries (or the home darkroom).

<p>

Now when I need to process some film, I put on a load of towels, get

a couple of liters of distilled water and I'm away.

Have a look at a Crumpler bag - they look like standard messenger bag and are thus fairly inconspicuous (unless you order a red and green striped one).

Being made in Australia they are pretty reasonable given that a US dollar buys AUD$2!

Anyway have a look at

http://www.crumpler.com.au/camera.html

Thus build quality is as good a Temba IMHO and all the cases have great (if a little rude) names.

Be careful of insurance offers - I had one come through with fairly minimal detail, included in a bank statement from a <very> large institution.

Anyway I filled out the form and carefully noted down the details of my camera gear in the "items of note". Money was being debited for the policy, but I did not receive any policy details. Soon after (a month) my apt was broken into, and unsurprisingly all the camera gear was taken.

I gave them a call, turns out camera equipment is only covered for USD 500, even when it is noted on the policy as an "extraordinary item". Here's the catch; It's not USD 500 per part, the maximum total claim allowed is USD 500. Of course they kindly offered to waive the excess of USD 250 for the camera gear only, I still have to pay it on all the other articles.

I will admit that it is my fault for not questioning the company before paying the money and not following up for written confirmation.

Caveat Emptor!

A hard and expensive lesson to learn.

Be careful which one you use, as the more expensive releases have a ball-end trigger rod which will not work with a 500cm. A simple solution is to get a cheaper one with a flatter profile end.

It must be the only accessory for the hassy which requires a cheaper solution rather than the most expensive item in the shop!

Regards,