Farkle-Mpls

See, now there's is the problem I was trying to avoid: two cameras. However, Tony-S, I cannot argue with your logic -- I just don't want to schlock two cameras around my neck ... (and this is why we shoot digital!)

Ok ... let me refine this a bit. I'll take lots of photos of people (outdoor activities), buildings, market places and maybe some urban centers. I can shoot the Precisa, which despite it's rather modest reputation as a rebadged Fuji consumer film, I've always liked (handles mixed lighting well) or I can shoot Provia which in my experience is a subtle difference or Velvia for a bit more pop. So, I'd be interested in people's opinions on the topic as well as the Velvia 50/100 question. Please also consider "scan-ability" as I'm traveling with a group of young people who WILL want electronic copies of my photos. (They are mildly disappointed the 5D Mk IV and M240 are staying home.) Thanks for the continuing discussion.

Norman -- thank you! That page you shared was the Website I used to apply for my eVisa but I failed to note the point you brought to my attention. With that being seen, this comment on my accepted eVisa letter makes more sense: Your first arrival in India should be between December 08th,2017 to April 07th,2018 On presentation of ETA to the Immigration Officer on your first arrival, an e-Visa stamp (valid for 60 days from the date of first arrival in India) would be endorsed on your passport. The second/third (only for e-Medical Visa) entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your passport I read the parenthetical comment on the last bullet as applying to both the second and third entries to India. I now realize they mean only the third entry would be for Medical purposes. I appreciate the help!

Hello! The past few years I've set aside my digital cameras to travel with a film camera. This time, either my Canon EOS 1v or my Leica M-series (M7 or MP). I can shoot Agfa CT Precisa 100 (have about 40 rolls frozen) or Portra 400 (used before -- loved it but doesn't really "pop") or Ektar 100 (a bit finicky, depending on lighting, but nice "pop" when lighting and exposure are correct). I don't want to carry a bunch of different types of film: just one. What are your recommendations and why? Most of my shots will be outdoors and I've been told to expect a lot of direct sunlight. Thanks!

Hello! Any travelers out there who've flown into India on an eVisa, then left for an excursion to Nepal, returning to India (then back to USA, for me)? I'm concerned that the eVisa which I have from India may not permit multiple entries. Anyone have any experience to share? Even India's own tourist websites are conflicted, one specifying two entries are permitted and other saying multiple entries are only permitted for medical care. I plan on calling the Indian Embassy in the USA on Monday but I wanted to know if anyone has run into this ... I have to assume it's a common itinerary for people visiting northern India. Thank you!

Thanks for all the comments. I have done business with the tour guide before -- I was there in 2012 -- but it went through her employer's travel agency. When I was interested in returning, I contacted the guide (not the agency) via eMail since we had stayed in touch and her eMail still worked. I'm pretty sure she's taking my visit and resultant payment as personal income, not running it through her employer so ... no Visa card accepted. She was very helpful and did a lot of extra helpful services for our tour group last time we were there and so my gut tells me she's being honest with her intentions in this transaction. Still, I'd like to protect myself as much as I can (financially) before I get there. I visited Wells Fargo today thinking I could do a wire transfer to the guide's bank account once we landed in-country but was told that would not work as I need to be at the bank and sign for the wire transfer. The bank agency suggested a "foreign currency draft", which is like a cashier's check but is cut in the country's local currency (VN Dong) ... then went to check and told me Wells Fargo doesn't support VN Dong. Cashier's check ...? I Googled that and it seems even that is problematic with VN banks because of a lack of full financial "relationship" with US banks (I don't know the industry terms). Wire transfers DO work but there is no element of protection for the consumer (me). It seems odd that in 2016 there is no more sophisticated way to do a protected financial transaction. I guess credit cards are the only option and she doesn't accept those (again, undoubtably because she's doing this as a personal transaction). Regardless, my travel companion and I will sit down with her in Hanoi and tell her how this must work in the future if she hopes to do ANY business with foreigners ... or at least us from USA.

Thanks Kenneth. The only issue I have with wiring money is that there is no fraud protection but I hadn't considered the travel insurance angle. I was just told that banks in VN don't take traveler's cheques so that option is out.

<p>Hello.</p> <p>I'll be in Vietnam in a couple weeks. The travel agent I'm using doesn't take Visa and asks I wire money to her. I've used her before a few years back so I'm "sort of" OK with the wiring money option but can anyone think of other payment options? Even traveler's cheques? </p> <p>Thanks ... Sorry for posting this in the Travel section. There used to be a Forum for any topic, even off-photography -- but I don't see it or forgot what the title was. </p> <p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Sorry ... I own too many lenses, Rick! It's an F4 lens, not F2.8. I do have the "stovepipe" (or drainpipe, I've heard it called) in EF form -- one of my oldest and best lenses.</p> <p>Thanks for the correction.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Whoops ... that should've said "Canon 80-200/F2.8L". Here's another one.</p><div></div>

<p>From a trip to Belize earlier this year. CLA'd Canon F1.</p><div></div>

Jano -- after moving three times in two years, I can't find the Fotodiox adapter for Canon FD->Leica M. I'll look to see if I can find some photos I shot with the combo instead. If I can find the adapter, I'll shoot some shots and post them for you.

Jano -- I've heard people comment that sometimes the lenses which are in the best condition are that way because there is something wrong with them and so do not get used. Perhaps that is your situation. Do you know any history on the lens, like how long the prior owner had it? I have the same lens and I'm pretty happy with it's performance. Via an adapter, I've used it on my Leica M240 and it looks pretty sharp. If you're curious, I can upload some pics later today (just ask). Good luck solving your mystery.

<p>This thread made me think of this fun story from my trip to Belize in January. I took only Canon FD gear using an F1N and four lenses (backup body was an EF). I had the smaller winder on the F1N. I was shooting on the beach one morning and I heard a small laugh behind me. I turn around and there's a guy -- probably mid 50s -- relaxing on one of the rental beach chairs. Before I can say anything, he remarks "I haven't heard THAT sound in over 15 years!". I hadn't really connected the dots on where he was going -- it must've showed. "Your camera -- I'm a professional photographer and I hadn't heard a film winder in years but I recognized the sound immediately!" </p> <p>We talked for about 20 minutes. He used to shoot Canon and, indeed, the F1 (we didn't discuss which variant). He went on to explain some of his past shooting gigs and we parted with a handshake.</p> <p>I shot 13 rolls of Ektar and Portra 400 that trip and, except for watching an ant cross the reflex mirror at one point while shooting and running a battery on the F1N dead, it was a pleasant trip for FD photography.</p> <p>I do pledge to put some photos up. I got busy and forgot all about it. AND broke up with the woman I went with so didn't want to revisit it with photos ... </p> <p>(I'll post one image for now with a promise to add more later.)</p><div></div>

<p>I use The Camera Shop, located in central-ish Minnesota. I've always been happy with the speed of their service and the quality of the output. I've got a roll of Velvia 50 there now.</p> <p>http://www.thecamerashop.com/downloads/Slides_Services_Brochure_-_May_2015.pdf</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for the interesting (educational!) replies. Les, I like flashlight project! When I'm retired, I hope I have time for such projects as they'll keep my mind fresh and fingers engaged.</p> <p>Glen -- I do scan most of my slides but a friend of mine has hundreds of slides she inherited from her recently-deceased parents. She's never seen them (I looked -- they are well preserved Kodachromes from the 1960s and 1970s). I brought a spare projector and tray to her house, fired up the projector on LOW power and it ran for a couple minutes. Then the bulb fried. End of slide show before it began.</p> <p>In Minnesota, there is a "Batteries and Bulbs" franchise and they were able to order one for me. I also got another much cheaper off Amazon -- but I'm still waiting for both of them to show up.</p> <p>"No bulb, no show!"</p>

Hello. I just ordered a replacement 300W incandescent light bulb for my Kodak carousel slide projector but the process did get me thinking ... those bulbs are hot and for (especially) Kodachrome slides there was always the concern about the heat of prolonged projection causing the color dyes to fade. I realize that color temperature would be a concern but has anyone found a "cooler" (less heat) option for projector bulbs? I'd love it if I could get an LED bulb but I've searched Google and Amazon without any luck. I did see some halogen options. Does halogen burn cooler (less heat)? Thoughts? Ideas?

Keith, It's been several years since I've been to the Belize Zoo but it was pretty accessible when I was there. It's a favorite spot for day trips from the large cruise ships which moor off the Belize City harbor. You see a great sampling of the unique-to- Belize wildlife there but it's definitely NOT a venue where you can get photos of animals in their natural habitat. It's photogenic in itself though. When I was there -- probably in 2000 -- the signs on the cages and fences were hand painted and there was oftentimes some humor thrown in. The signs were fun to photograph as well as peoples' reactions to the humor and interaction with the animals. Funny story ... When hurricane (forgot the name) tore through Belize in 2002 or so, many of the animals escaped their enclosures. No one was injured but they had to enlist community help to round up all the animals. I still smile when I think of that as we all know in the USA, they'd evacuate all the surrounding communities and send in the National Guard to rescue that wild Tapir before it trampled into someone's backyard BBQ. I think when you go down there you'll find a nice pace of life, very warm and welcoming people, and way too much to photograph. You'll begin to understand why it's such a popular retirement destination for ex-pat UK folks and us in the US.

Keith, I just returned from my 7th trip to Belize. Your mobility challenges concern me in regards to the Jaguar preserve. When I was there, it was a lot of hiking on poorly maintained trails. There is a visitor center of sorts where you can spend time but, if my memory is correct, it really is meant more as a jumping-off point than a destination in itself. It is worth double- checking once you're in-country as it may have been updated since I was there last. If you get way south of Placencia, you could go to Punta Gorda, a very walkable community with some good restaurants (I can give recommendations). Accommodations are very affordable as it's not one of the premier tourist destinations. Within 15 miles of PG are some lovely little communities -- San Antonio comes to mind -- which are quite photogenic in themselves. There are Mayan ruins at Labantunan (spelling?) nearby and those are walkable. Many other Mayan ruins are tougher to get to. There are also a couple waterfalls which are just off the highway and you could likely walk to them without a great deal of trouble. You'd need a car to get to these destinations. Be very careful of protecting your photo gear at all times! Casual theft is a real concern in that part of the world.

Hi Tony, I've shot my Canon F1N using the "dumb triggers" (single contact only) to trip studio lights and remote flashes. As Mark W implies, there's really no technical magic to it. Just don't expect a great deal of automation in terms of exposure control (it's all manual -- use a flash meter) or remote lighting control. Of course, pay attention to the flash sync speed on your camera and don't exceed it.

<p>Les -- I really like that effort using the Toyota truck. You demonstrate a good mastery of scanning technique as well. Can I ask what scanner and software you use?</p>

<p>I took my Canon F1N to Belize with a pile of Ektar 100.</p><div></div>

<p>Per Mark's comment, as I already own a couple lead-lined bags, I always use those. As I've mentioned on similar threads on PN regarding this topic, I was advised simply to remove the bag from my hand luggage and request a hand check. Sometimes I just skip the request and send the bag through -- about 50% of the time it is caught and hand searched after the fact. In Asia, they didn't even look in the bag. The bag protects from radiation during the flight as well but as someone wisely mentioned, the radiation is more of a concern on my body than my film. </p> <p>I haven't found a lead bag to crawl into when I'm flying yet but I'll keep looking.</p>

<p>FRAUD!</p> <p>I've been selling on eBay for 16 years and -- <strong>without exception</strong> -- the folks who receive an item then complain something is amiss have been from SE Asia. They ask for money or threaten negative feedback. I played their game once and from that point on I let them post the feedback.</p> <p>Emphasis: without exception!</p> <p>I no longer sell to SE Asia.</p> <p>My wife is from Thailand and I won't even repeat on this forum what she says about business ethics in that part of the world ...</p>

<p>Oops ... heresy! I spelled Leica wrong on the caption (above)!</p>