Not just B&H deliveries...Amazon and UPS along with USPS have been slow all around. Delayed delivery notices have been common since before Christmas. And...damage is more common that it has ever been in the past.
I had two damaged delivery items where the envelopes were ripped and taped up with the contents destroyed. Another item is listed as "out for delivery" for over a week now....??? ..."And the cost for shipping keeps going up!" David C.

What an amazing sequence of photographs...thank you! David C.
I loved watching the "eagles" out on the Spit in Homer Alaska. There was a natural segregation where the adults
stayed in one area and the juvenile birds congregated in another. I never spotted one with iced over tail feathers,
I have to wonder if this is a common event? Anybody know? David C.
PS: There was a woman locals called the "Eagle Lady" she would feed the birds salmon, I wonder if she is still in the area? Some jokes going around were that she came from Connecticut to Homer for the Pizza!

Postcard perfect!

Thanks! David C.

After a year of Covid isolation they want out as well....haha! David C. PS: Nice photo and thanks for posting it.

Film is not dead!
That is also the name of a book from a few years ago...and it holds true for us old fossils and retired camera film buffs. I still shoot 120mm and 35mm and drug stors like Walgreens will develop the 35mm but I have to go to a local camera store for the 120mm format. Note: there is no problem using both film and digital formats. In fact it's
good to compare your photos and examine the images to hone your skills. Oh..for you young wipper-snappers...(haha)...hone means to improve....! Enough said! David C.

Thank you! You post great photos and now there is music to go aling with them. More fun during this lock down.
David C.

This pack would provide enough room for both digital and film cameras along with the extra lenses and accessories. On my last trip, (pre-covid), I used a well padded standard backpack, when it went through the scan
process they never even opened it. They saw it was cameras and associated equipment and it pass right through.

I am sure this type of pack would have the same handling since it looks to be well organized. Note: I carried my unexposed film in a seperate bag and that was inspected by hand. David C.

Because the lens has a built in hood the lens cover must fit over the hoods diameter of 137.2 mm. Quite large for an off the shelf lens cover. As an option for glass protection I have been searching for a UV filter diameter of 112 to 114 mm, fat chance of finding one! I may attempt to turn a cover on my lathe, first in plastic then in aluminum but need to figure out some kind of face plate to mount my very thin work piece. The other option is a 3D printer. I may go ahead and try the printer, the fee is reasonable and the medium used is a type of plastic. Now my question is, how do I ptotect the glass in the process? For a moment I had a glimmer of hope...Thanks again. David C.

Thanks for the info... David C.

OOPS! I typed 200mm in error. Should be 100mm. I am going to pull out the lens and re-measure will get back to you.

What is the inside diameter? 200mm? I lost the lens cover fo my Topcon R 300mm f:2.8 lens and hope this might work? David C.

You make me home sick! I was stationed in Alaska back in the late '60 era. Then traveled to SEA, Japan and Korea Australia, Europe and the Middle East as part of my military assignments. Alaska is the only assignment I still think about almost daily. Going off duty in Alaska was an instant vacation from the military. Just being outside with a camera or fishing rod would change the mood of drudgery for the better. I was not much of a huntsman but tried it only to find fishing was my rejuvenating therapy. Alaska is like entering a sanctuary filled with limitless moments of interest, enjoyment and solitude all at the same time. I have been back and will go there again...soon! David C.PS: thanks for the great photos and a memory moment.

As far as the sellers mentioned, Adorama, B&H, KEH etc. I have purchased used equipment from them with no regrets. I find the condition grade listed is 90 t 95% on the money and at times even better then I expected.
Buying on the internet is much more of a challenge. Ebay and Esty sellers will sometime think they have gold when in reality it is lead. More often than not the item may be great but the sellers packaging is less than sufficient
resulting in transit damage. Thank goodness for returns and the honest sellers that live up to their word.
David C. Note: not all foreign sale or production serial number items are a problem, something to consider is asking for the verbal and photograph description of all items under consideration. Ask the seller for as much info as you need to be sure of what you are going to receive for your money. Do your own research to avoid regrets!

...as a kid my best friend's father worked for a company that made stained glass windows. At some point he gave me a few shards of colored glass and told me to put them in a jar or bottle fill it with water and then place it in the sun on a window sill. I did and it was a daily array of colors when the sun was shining bright. It also reflected the colors into the room through the prism effect and that added to the days rays. Thanks for the reminder of being a kid...and my friend and his father. David C.

Has your wife ever purchased bedding, sheets, blankets etc? They usually come in a very clear and zippered plastic display bag. The cardboard removal is easy. The few stickers came off with some "goo-gone", glue and label
removal fluid. This leaves a very clear and durable, (20 mill), plastic bag for transit and / or wet weather use.
I have used them for years on the travel days the when weather is less than desireable. I have also inserted a hand warmer pack at times during the winter months. During my last trip to Europe, I carried a backpack with my Leica film camera and 70x210 zoom lens in this type bag. The security agent in Austria saw it, never un-zipped it but did take the time to do a 360 inspection of the plastic bag and contents. She also offered a look of satisfaction, as well. David C.

I can understand the desire for taking the vaccine. It is like an insurance policy during this pandemic.
Last July I had a non-elective total replacement surgery of my left knee. This March I have a return trip pending for my right knee. My doctors have said ..."don't get the vaccine" and follow these precautions, "eat a healthy mix of foods and add a daily dose of vitamin C, then start the pre-surgery PT routine, simular to what was done for the left knee". Note: the Covid-19 concerns delayed my 1st surgery 3 times. I trust my doctors and will follow their guidance.
The 4 people I know that have contracted the Covid-19 are all on a Vitamin C regiment as a part of recovery. Why isn't this in the news? Why are so many people refusing to take the simple steps like masks and self care?
Everyone please stay healthy and be safe out there. David C.