Rangefinder Magazine
February 2006

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Please accompany your questions with a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish an immediate reply. Alternatively, you can email me at: bhurter@rfpublishing.com.

From: Wayne Beucher
waynephotography@yahoo.com
I primarily shoot 35mm slide film, and I was wondering—with the popularity of the digital format, how long will transparency film be available? Am I just being paranoid?

Nobody really knows the answer to this one. With major camera companies like Kodak and Nikon announcing they will no longer make film cameras anymore, it’s conceivable that certain film emulsions will no longer be made in the not-too-distant future. That would probably include some amateur slide films, since the number of slide film shooters is pretty low comparitively. However, the popularity of film in other places around the world makes it unlikely that film manufacturers would discontinue production of the majority of their film types. Also, there is a strong demand for professional films, both negative and transparency, that the film companies, hopefully, will not ignore. I hope this isn’t too evasive an answer.

From: Ron Diesslin, Cincinnati Digital Photography
cincydigital@aol.cm
I recently had a friend approach me to shoot a baseball tournament. They want to be able to print photos on-site, and I am not set up to handle something that large. Could you refer me to several companies that could handle that type of work in the Cincinnati, Ohio area? Thank You.

I am going to refer you to Claude Jodoin, one of our technical editors. A lot of Claude’s business is event-based, and he knows the on-site market inside and out. I am sure he would be willing to share his expertise with you. His email address is: claudej1@ aol.com.

From: John Carberry
jcadz@tiscali.co.uk
I’ m at a bit of a loss—my X-Pan is showing a double image when set to infinity, which looks like a missalignment problem. Is it fixable by a curious photographer with a screwdriver or is it an expensive repair job?

Never trust a curious photographer with a screwdriver to fix your camera. Your best bet is to contact Hasselblad UK and see what their advice is. The website is: www.hasselblad.co.uk. My guess is that it might be a fairly minor adjustment to the rangefinder system.

From: Robert McCord
luquehere@speakeasy.net
I have a Slik U212 Universal tripod, which needs repair. The leglengthening control on one of the legs is broken. Please advise as to where I may be able to purchase that part of the tripod or have the tripod repaired. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Here are three places you might call: I’d try Atlantic Camera and Video Repair first (276 Higbie Lane, West Islip, NY 11795; 631-587-7959), as they’ve repaired tripods for a number of readers in the past.

You might also try Hudson Valley Camera Repair, 233 W. Route 59, Nanuet, NY 10954; (914) 623-8057; or Lawrence Camera Service Inc., 9202 N. Waukegan, Morton Grove, IL 60053; (312) 539-1122. Both of these shops are also very good.

From: Larry Burrows
Lfoto1@burrows18.com
My kids gave me a flat-screen monitor for Chanukah. It is a Sceptre 20-in. model, the X20G-NagaIII. Have you ever heard of them? How good a monitor is it? Should I see if I can trade it in for a Sony? Your help will be much appreciated.

Your kids have good taste as it seems this monitor is pretty nice. I researched the specs, and they are better than average and better than expected. Plus, this is the top of the line of the Scepter monitors. Your monitor has 1680x1050 resolution, an 8ms response time, a contrast ratio of 800:1 and 176° viewing angles. I think you will be happy with it.

From: Daniel Harrington
tizhmslf@comcast.net
Your December cover photo selection for the Pictures of the Year issue by Damien Bredberg immediately reminded me of the movie Waking Ned Devine in which the actor, Michael Sullivan, rode nude on a motor scooter, wearing the same kind of leather hat. I can’t decide if this is coincidence, artistic license or something else. Where does a still photo immitating a movie fall in the eyes of the judges?

You are the first person to mention this reference, and it is one I didn’t know of. I’m not sure if Damien knew of the film, but I would guess he had at least heard of it. I’m not sure how the judges in Australia feel, but the WPPI judges are fairly liberal where creative license is concerned.