Several items:
1. I spent the weekend in Kansas City, where I was able to visit two camera
stores. One was Crick Camera, where another list member spent time just
about two weeks ago digging through a box of OM goodies. I ask to see it,
but the clerks (younger than the box) said it didn't exist. On to my
favorite KC area store, C&J photo in Overland Park. He has sold the OM4 he
had for quite a while, and several lenses. He still has a couple of
60-200's, and what looked like a 28 2.8 or 3.5, and a 50, I was short on
time, and had other things on my plate. He had two boxes of miscellaneous
stuff, including lots of diopters, NIB, a shoe 2, some miscellaneous cords,
and some caps. I got the only front cap, a 55 in the old serrated edge
style, which goes to Dr. Chris. I also got a 1-10 screen for $15 complete,
for a spare, but would sell to a list member for my cost plus a few dollars
for postage. I got several rear caps and body caps for spares, but if you
are interested, he has quite a few more, $2 each. C&J Photo, 9339 W. 87th
St., Overland Park, Kansas 66212. 913-649-3176, No connection, etc.
2. On the subject of processing: I am amazed at people that spend thousands
on camera equipment, and then quibble on the price of processing! There are
two important requirements for quality film processing, well monitored
replenished chemistry, and nothing touching the film. One hour "labs" miss
on both requirements. The newest machines are designed for use without
drains or water hookups, and use packaged chemistry in plastic containers
that hook to the machine with hoses, like a Coca-Cola machine in McDonalds.
These machines are roller transport machines, that squeeze your film between
rollers, a recipe for spots and scratches. Another list member and I have
some differences about subtle points, but we agree that either cine machines
or dip and dunk machines are the best options. Most large Fuji and Qualex
labs, and many pro labs, keep their chemistry monitored, and will give you
consistent results. I generally use a Qualex lab for casual shooting and
things that can be reshot (how they can do a good job in such a short time
is amazing), and for critical work, or film that cannot be reshot, like
overseas vacations, I use the pro lab. It's about 2 miles from home, and I
can get a roll of E6 processed and mounted for about seven bucks, with a
three hour maximum turnaround.
3. About English cars: There is something about the long sea voyage that
irreparably damages English cars reliability. Not as much so as French or
Italian cars, but enough that you will have a long and happy relationship
with your mechanic, perhaps more so than with your spouse, and in many
cases, more important. I attribute this effect to Atlantic sea air, as
Pacific sea air has quite the opposite effect on Japanese cars. Own an
English car in America at your own peril. I know this, as I had a TR6 for
seventeen years, which attests to my general lack of good sense. Oh, and
never mention Lucas electrics to an American!
Regards,
Bill Pearce
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