trevor_maxted

<p>Is there a way of telling what new camera's should have the modification/rectification, perhaps by the serial numbers on the base of the cameras? If Nikon number the bodies chronologically, as made, then there should be a point at which it is known which new cameras have had these updates/mods? Trevor M </p>

<p>I was certainly not mixing this up with Kodachrome. I had read this somewhere and indeed when I checked Kodak's own website a couple of weeks ago the Ektachrome's were missing. In addition a friend of mine had also read the same about the film being dis-continued. Strangely today they are back on the site again though this could be an older listing? Trevor M </p>

<p>I thought I'd read somewhere that all Kodak Ektachrome films had ceased production. If this is the case is it known if Elitechrome has the same or similar archival stability?<br>

Trevor M </p>

<p>As the scratches are round the edge of the frame, the mounting process is a very possible cause. For some time now I've had my KM's returned unmounted and while there have been the odd problems they are nothing like some of the troubles I've experienced when mounted. And plastic mounts make the images look much nicer! Trevor M</p>

<p>Vijay,<br>

I used Robin Gowring in Harrow without any problems. Address:Harrow Technical, Unit GR2, Pentax House, South Hill Avenue, South Harrow, HA2 0DU. Tel:02089384660. He used also to have a fax:02089384605. I still use both LX & MX and if I had a problem, none for over 10 years!, Robin would be my first 'point of call'. Robin is an authorised Pentax mechanic but be aware that I think he is away on holiday next week so telephone first. Pentax House is almost outside South Harrow underground railway ststion. I have also been told of another good repairer, Graham Rose from Epsom Downs, tel 01737350698. He used to work for Wallace Heaton in London, who repair cameras for Royalty, but I personally have not used Graham. Remember to get a price quote first! Trevor M. </p>

<p>Hi, I've now gone over to mounting my 35mm slides myself after suffering too many auto-mounting scratches and marks and, like you, not happy with card mounts and rounded edges. I use GEPE plastic glassless mounts, 2mm thick, still available if you look on the Internet. For cutting the film a Kaiser 2115 slide cutter is really great and simple to use and then just pop the slide into the lugs on the slide frame and snap close the top half. A pair of fine cotton gloves for handling the film can help, particularly when getting the film out of the small cardboard tube it usually comes in. I've found to ease the film from the tube to wind it tighter from the centre makes it easier to release from the tube. If you were very careful you could always take the shots you want to scan out of the card mounts and re-mount in the plastic ones. I've done this many times, usually when slides come back mounted crookedly, but take your time with this! Good luck, Trevor M. </p>

 

In recent times I've experienced plenty of problems, some which can go un-noticed unless you hold them up to a light source with the light slightly to the side. This then highlights any blemishes etc that do not always show when viewed normally or projected. Problems I've had include water marks, dust, scratches, poor mounting, all on Kodachromes. I have repeatedly written and have always received an apology and, if possible, a damage limitation repair. My latest batch of four films returned seem to be a big improvement, still the odd blemish but nothing that had me reaching for pen and paper so well done Dwaynes on this. One thing that really will improve the way your trannies look is to mount them in plastic mounts, the improvement is significant. Gone are the horrible curved corners and 'whiskery' edges making the whole thing look so much better. I wish Dwaynes would do this even if it costs an extra dollar or so, it really is worth it in my view. Trevor Maxted

Hi,

I've used a chap called Miles Whitehead who lives in Kent. As far as I know he does not advertise but goes by word of mouth, or was still working when I last used him four years or so ago. He is very good, give him a call:01732 848358. He prefers callers to keep to office hours but might accept a call on Saturday mornings. Good luck.

I went through T4 at Heathrow at the end of February, the new machines were in use. There is no sign of fogging etc on my transparancies. I only took a handful of film, as digital back-up, and these were in a lead pouch within a second, albeit rather worn, lead pouch. I was not asked to open the bag at all so either this machine could see through the lot or the operator assumed it was film. I've never been asked to open a lead bag even though on most x-ray machines it shows up as a black blob. This was the only x-ray devise the films went through. In China, our destination where we had three internal flights, they were always helpful with hand search requests, such searches are thorough by the ground staff though. Trevor Maxted.

I, and a good many others I assume, have a departure at the end of February, well before any test results are likely to be available. All very unsatisfactory really, we only have the manufacturers (& BAA's) word that film will not be affected.

As I understand it with the 'older' machines it was not possible to increase the doseage as it were, it could/would constitue a health hazard to the operator. I, and I expect most of us who travel, have been asked to open my photo bag on a few times if it contained a lead pouch, another indication that they could not be turned up to see through things.

Does anybody know if the new hand luggage x-ray machines at UK airports are

supposedly film safe? These were allegedly introduced prior to the lifting of

the 'one piece of hand luggage only' rule.

Does anybody know if the new X-ray inspection machines at hand luggage check in the UK are film safe? I believe these machines were installed prior to the lifting of baggage restrictions. Trevor Maxted

Hi all,

I have just had a response from Kodak Switzerland to my complaints re processing marks and srcatches. They have said there was a problem at the lab and steps are being taken to make sure this sort of thing does not happen again. We need to point out to labs when there are problems, I personally had a number of spoilt slides, it's the only way we will get the sort of results we desire.

Hi,

I had a similar problem with an ETRSi 5 years ago and it turned out the head was short circuiting somewhere and draining the battery, sounds like you have a similar fault. It was relatively inexpensive to fix (?35 back then) and I then had no further problems. Trevor M.

Is anybody else having problems with their Kodachrome processing. I'm

continually getting what I can only describe as shoddy workmanship. Dirty,

dusty transparancies with random vertical scratches. Hold your valued pictures

up to a light and see if you are similarly affected. I assume this comes from

Dwaynes and I feel they have totally lost interest in quality processing and

mounting. In fact, I would describe my last three films returned as bordering

on abysmal in their processing quality. I have complained, at least five weeks

ago, and have not even received a reply though I would concede this could be

Switzerland holding things up. Any comments? Trevor Maxted.

I've had at least three films with significant marks and scratches on. One film had what I can only describe as small mounting scratches all round the carboard mount edges as though the mounting machine was 'pinching and scratching' the transparancies. A lot a dust and debris also feature as well as unexplained scratches in the sky area's, certainly not camera caused. Hold your valued pictures up to a light bulb and give them a good check over, I've been far from happy lately.