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Rangefinder Magazine
Archives
Problems and Solutions
by Bill Hurter
From: Dave Rimert
e-mail: rimert@tampabay.rr.com
I deal with a great post card company located in Tampa, Florida.
It is PostCards USA. I would suggest my rep, Mike Strelser, for
all photographers. His number is (888) 280-4801 or local (813) 627-8898.
Thanks for passing this along.
From: David Borengasser
e-mail: davidborengasser@yahoo.com
I have found a Graflex Series B camera. The only dates that I have
found are on the film cartridges and they are: 1915 and 1923. The
camera seems to be in good working order, but it takes 3.25x4.25-inch
film. Do you know if I can still get this film, or should i just
cut 4x5 film down to size. It also has an adapter for what looks
like 120 film, but I think it is 640 because 120 will not attach
to the camera properly. I would also like to know of any historical
information that you might have on this camera. Thanks.
Contact Graflex Incorporated, 1281 N. Ocean Dr, #201, West Palm
Beach, Fl.33404-4739; Phone 561-842-2600. The company specializes
in information on Graphic and Graflex cameras and accessories; parts
and service are no longer available.
From: George Faber
e-mail: ghfaber@aol.com
I have a Canon Élan with a Canon 28-80 zoom and a Sigma 70-300
zoom. I put the camera away for a while but forgot to turn it off.
It had the Sigma lens still attached. The battery in the camera
is now drained. Now the camera does not even recognize the Sigma
lens when it is attached. It acts as if there is no lens at all
on the camera. I'm not having this problem with the Canon lens.
Any suggestions?
I would definitely take the camera to an authorized Canon repair
facility or have it sent directly to Canon. I think you have a problem
that might require chip replacement. Call Canon to get the name
of the nearest authorized repair station: 516 488-6700.
From: From: Thomas B. Smith Photography
32 W. Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 1903
Tel: 610-649-2110 / Fax: 610-649-2117
e-mail: TBSP@AOL.COM
For years, month after month, I have been reading your "Problems
and Solutions" column in Rangefinder. I always enjoy your guidance
and advise. Today, I desperately need your help and hope you can
get back to me as quickly as possible.
My studio was flooded when a high pressure steam pipe burst during
a recent cold spell. Numerous negatives were water damaged, including
individually cut 120 wedding negs packaged in glassine envelopes
of the type used by many wedding labs. The negs have dried naturally,
but now I have the arduous task of trying to restore the damaged
negs in preparation for printing.
My question is: Can you please help me locate any firm(s) that specialize
in the restoration of water damaged negatives, both 35mm and 120mm
formats. I desperately need to contact such a company ASAP to obtain
pricing info for my insurance claim and get back into the business
of taking photographs again. I thank you in advance for your rapid
response.
I suggest you get in touch with Veronica Cass Academy of Photographic
Retouching Arts, 7506 New Jersey Ave., Hudson, FL 34667; (727) 863-2738;
e-mail: veronicacassinc@worldnet.att.net. They are world renown
in this area and would have extensive information on those doing
this specific type of restoration.
From: Scott Armstrong
Elliott's Photography
Kennewick, Washington
e-mail: elliotts@owt.com
I was reading a question from the Rangefinder "Problems and
Solutions" section. I thought I would share my experience.
The reader's question was: "Who could make a corrective lens
for a Hasselblad viewfinder." He wanted to have a standard
eyeglass prescription lens made for his Hasselblad viewfinder.
In my case a standard Hasselblad diopter could not correct my vision.
I have an astigmatism. What I did was go to the local eyeglass store
in the mall that had a local lab that ground lenses. I had them
make me a standard corrective lens that was round and 24.5mm in
diameter. I showed them my viewfinder so they knew what they were
making it for. They charged me about $35. I just put it in the same
place as a standard diopter, which is the outermost position of
the viewfinder, and secured in place by a locking ring.
Note: With Astigmatism the rotational orientation of the lens is
very important. So they etched two marks on the edge of the lens
for reference. Having corrective lenses in the viewfinder works
great.
Thanks for the information.
From:Hilary L. Araujo
Marketing Vice President
ToCAD America, Inc
Regarding the May 2000 "Problems & Solutions," Mark
E. Griewe's question, we were surprised to read Mr. Griewe's letter
in the May 2000 issue, so we took it upon ourselves to investigate
his concerns. His Sunpak 120J AutoPro was sent to us for repair
of physical damage, and to check out the intermittent misfire problem.
The technician, who performed the repair, is, unfortunately, no
longer with ToCAD. However, our records show that the physical damage
he indicated was repaired, and the flash returned to Mr. Griewe
in November of 1999.
Based on the stated symptoms, and the solutions tried by Mr. Griewe,
the most likely solution would be to replace the flash tube. It
is possible, however, for the tube to demonstrate intermittent failure,
which may not have been detected during service. Additionally, Mr.
Griewe mentions his use of an unnamed external battery system. We
do not know if it was a Sunpak, or some other brand. We have experienced
some instances of after-market power supplies causing damage to
the flash, which can include misfiring. This would not have been
detected during the repair process, as we did not have access to
these components.
In the spirit of good will and our commitment to Sunpak owners,
we will reinspect Mr. Griewe's flash at no charge, and will be contacting
him to arrange for free shipment of the equipment to our repair
facilities.
Thanks for the follow-up.
Recently I received a card from Walter Chandoha, one of the most
famous pet and animal photographers in the world. He wrote to comment
on our April cover and here is a part of it:
"Your April cover is sensational. When we think of everything
worth doing has been done, along comes Rita Loy with a new approach
to a baby picture. Technically, it's flawless and its spontaneity
is outstanding…it is perfection. Please extend my compliments
to Rita for a superb photograph."
Also, I just received information on a new source for replacement
light bulbs and flash tubes: Topbulb.com/. This company carries
an extensive inventory of brand name bulbs that support a wide range
of markets, from dental offices to museums and including a wide
selection of photographic lighting products. The web site is an
e-commerce site, so that you can not only see the bulb and check
its specs online, but you can order it right away, to be delivered
by the fastest means you want to pay for.
From: Dan Dobbs
Columbus Ohio
e-mail: Ddobbs6796@aol.com
When the new issue arrives, I always read your column first. I'm
looking for Larson Enterprises. I've used their Reflectasol umbrellas
for years, and would like to find replacements. I believe the fabrics
were available separately. Any clues?
Larson Enterprises is located at P.O. Box 2150, Orem, UT 84058;
(801) 225-8088; fax: (801) 225-8097.
From: David Lair
e-mail: davidlairtpa@hotmail.com
I have several flashes that have made it into my drawer because
of broken hot shoes. Where can I get original equipment replacements
and better yet does anyone make higher quality shoes (maybe metal
base) for the following flashes Vivitar 285, 283 and 40d?
Replacement hot-shoe mounts for all Vivitar 283/285 flash units
that are computer-machined from solid block of aircraft aluminum
are available from Holly Enterprises, 7555 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys,
CA 91406; (818) 988-7111. Also, I believe that Wein makes a replacement
Foot/Slave for Vivitar strobes with an aluminum foot and built-in
slave with 150-foot range. Information: The Saunders Group, 21 Jet
View Dr., Rochester, NY 14624; (716) 328-7800.
From: Robert Humpert
e-mail: robertwhumpert@home.com
I would like to try to do some Ilfochrome prints. I am having trouble
locating supplies for the process. Can you furnish me with a source
for both chemistry and paper? Thank You
You can find out the name of the closest dealer to you by contacting
Ilford Photo Corp., W. 70 Century Rd., Paramus, NJ 07652. The direct
phone number for the order services department is (888) 453-6731.
From: Ralph N. Baker
AlbumX Corp.
e-mail: AlbumX@aol.com
I read with interest [P.J. Heller's] article entitled "New
Album Bridges Gap Between Reversible Mounted and Slip-Ins"
that appeared in the May Rangefinder. The article seemed to imply
that this is something new to the professional photography market.
Quite the contrary. Renaissance by AlbumX Corp. has had a bound
gilded-edged library book with slip-in pages on the market for over
two years now.
Perhaps some mention of this basic fact might have been appropriate.
Without some fair balance, the article reads more like a free ad
for an "old" idea.
Also, to further set Renaissance Albums apart, it remains the only
library-bound book available for "same-day shipment" from
over 25 local distributors.
Thanks for the feedback.
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