Rangefinder Magazine
August 2004

Problems and Solutions by Bill Hurter

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

PhotoImpact Pro from Ulead and Nova (reviewed in the July issue) is available for purchase on the Nova site, but not the Ulead site. At the time the article ran, authors Jack and Sue Drafahl were told it would be on both sites, but that is not the case. We have had a number of calls from people who couldn’t find the program online. The correct web site is: www.novadevelopment.com/products/us/upw/default.aspx

Masami Mori, profiled in the June issue, asked that we make his contact information available to our readers. e-mail: pyx@syd.odn.ne.jp/; web site: www.c-channel.com/c00548/index.html

From: Joe Combs
kypo29@yahoo.com
I enjoy your column in Rangefinder. I hope you can help. I need a replacement battery for the old 640 Mercury Oxide used in the Pentax Spotmeter V. I hate to discard the meter because I can’t find a battery. This battery has power of 1.3 volts.

I suggest you contact Goodwin Photo, Inc., 4809 Clairemont Square, No. 349, San Diego, CA 92117; (858) 558-1658; www.goodwinphotoinc.com/. This company carries a full line of possible mercury replacement batteries. Mercury batteries, by the way, are illegal to sell in most states. The list of batteries posted on the Goodwin site are equivalent batteries to replace mercury cells. The voltage of the replacement batteries is sometimes slightly different but is compatible with the products. According to the company, they have not encountered any equipment being damaged or not working properly because of different voltage ratings. In scanning the site, I think they have the battery you need.

From: Morris Miller
miller422@juno.com
Your answer to Charles Clark (April issue) was correct, but here’s an even more important reason for not using red eye reduction mode: The strobing effect can trigger an epileptic episode in anyone who may be susceptible.

Here’s a different topic: When people see the preflash, they often relax their attention, and when the main flash occurs, the result is less than desired.To determine if anyone blinked during a flash exposure, ask if anyone saw a red afterspot. If so, they saw the flash through their eyelids—their eyes were closed. If their eyes were open, the flash afterspot would be white.

Your “Problems & Solutions” column was missing in the May issue. Does this mean that the most appreciated column in photo history is being discontinued? I have noticed that you are the editor for the Rangefinder and wish to offer my sincerest congratulations and best wishes.

Thanks for the kind words and for that tip on red and white after-flash effects. I hadn’t heard that before, but it makes sense. Regarding “P&S,” it’s not disappearing. Last month we had a late ad, and the column had to step aside to make room.