If you have a darkroom, I recommend that you develop the B&W negatives. I agree that an Epson Scanner does a good job for such a a small investment. I have either "The Darkroom", or "Indie Film Lab" do my processing and scanning. Both do a nice job...although I think that "Indie" has a higher resolution scan. Both labs will return your processed negatives and digital images.

Last comment. Don't sell that Bronica GS-1 short. It is a fine camera, will take phenomenal images, and IMO with the speed grip, is a lot easier to handle than the Hassy. When Bronicas were produced, they were called the "Japanese Hasselblad." The 6x7 image is more to my liking.

" A computer cannot think, it is just a series of 0's and 1's, created by some human, with a myriad of IF-THEN-ELSE logic. A computer cannot have emotions. When an AI deliverer want his program to react in a certain way, he programs it that way...it is a reflection of the developer. Such it is with AI that has permeated the world today."

Say it isn't so! I believe HAL 9000 (Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer) proves you wrong.

https://youtu.be/Wy4EfdnMZ5g

The longer the lens, the greater the torque that can result from even a small tangential force. The 200-500 is both long and heavy. I can imagine it would produce enough of a lever arm to bend a mounting. It had nothing to do with the engineering, under normal operating conditions.

A few images from a D200, many years ago.

Anhinga Sunning

(Download)

Big Cat Drinking


Along the Lake

(Download)

Meerkat at Attention

(Download)

Fisherman and his trout

(Download)

I have found that Japanese vendors are very honest and trustworthy. I have not had the same good feelings from several Chinese vendors. Maybe it's just me?

Anyone wanna bet they are slippery?

Thanks.

Yes, that sounds very interesting. I have several medium format Bronica GS-1 cameras (6x7 cm). Although I have several Polaroid backs, there is no available Polaroid film. I'm wondering whether this "cartridge" might be retrofit to serve as my camera back.... ????

But is it as effective as "HAL - 9000?"

Unfortunately, Jim, 220 film is no longer available...

Around the Tampa Bay Area, similar designs are used by cast net fishermen to catch mullet. The fisherman stands on the raised rear platform, with unobstructed access to casting the large nets. The "flying bridge" would be helpful in locating the mullet, which typically school near the surface of the water. I don't see as many mullet in the bay as when I was younger, but they are still there.

That "Doggie Chariot" you have would make a dandy camera carrier. Just retrofit it to hold several camera bodies and lenses, and push it to wherever you want to take a picture. It looks sturdy enough to travel on some rough terrain.

The Japanese treat their cameras with respect. A used camera from Japan often is "as new." I have purchased many cameras, lenses, etc, from Japanese vendors, and they have always been better than described. The only additional cost I have encountered is shipping. I will not buy from China.

Ahhh, film. Shooting film is like smoking a pipe. It is a slow, deliberate, fulfilling enterprise. If you want to go slow, think, plan, anticipate, and wait, then film is for you.

Many varieties (manufacturers, ASAs, negative/positive, color/b&w) of 120 films are currently being sold. You may want to look at the B&H site for examples. The film is not cheap. Neither is the professional development and scanning. But then, what hobby is cheap?

As mentioned above, neither 220 films nor "Polaroid film" are currently available. So save your money by not buying a 220 film-back or a Polaroid back.

Several excellent US photofinishers will process, scan, and deliver the negatives back to you. Two of my favorites are, "The Darkroom.com", and "Indie Film Lab - indiefilmlab.com). You can go online to see their prices, resolution of scans, etc.

I find the RB 67 very heavy and awkward to use. I personally use a Bronica GS-1, which produces a 6x7cm image. Once called the "Japanese Hasselblad," used copies of this camera in near-mint condition can be found on eBay from Japanese vendors. With a speed grip attached, the Bronica handles much like a 35mm camera. A variety of lenses, film backs, finders, and other accessories are readily available. Bronica optics are outstanding.

Hope this helps. Happy shooting!

Men Are Just Happier People:

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Two pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes - one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes. No wonder men are happier.

NICKNAMES
- If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.
- If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.

EATING OUT
- When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
- When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

MONEY
- A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
- A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.

BATHROOMS
- A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.
- The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

ARGUMENTS
- A woman has the last word in any argument.
- Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
FUTURE
- A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
- A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

MARRIAGE
- A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
- A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

DRESSING UP
- A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
- A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

NATURAL
- Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
- Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING
- Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
- A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

SO, send this to the women who have a sense of humor ... And to the men who will enjoy reading.