I just bought a used lens from them in like new condition and paid $200 less than actual new. They try to run totally online. You can communicate by email if you try. They have a UK office and a New York City office. I have found KEH very good to deal with too, very professional operation.

In my first two photo trips to India. I found that I used my 24-200 by far the most, my wide angle zoom second and occasionally my 1.4 50. So on my third trip what I brought and was fine and very happy about less weight. However it was important for me to have a back up body. Not a good idea to be in way rural India, potentially have a problem with my camera and be out of business. I also carry a tripod but leave behind in hotel except for when I know I will be encountering low light situations. One of the most useful accessories I've learned to carry is a power strip so I can multitask at night.

In addition to B&H, Adorama and MPB I have found KEH to be a good place to buy used equipment from. There ratings of like new, excellent, Very Good, etc. are accurate and reflected in the price. That also have good guarantee and return policies.

OOPS - feeling pretty stupid right now. That's it, have the pro lens with the manual/auto push/pull on the camera.

Thanks!

Hello Oly shooters, would love some help/opinions - -

Earlier today I went to take photos and when I turned on the camera I found I was stuck in manual focus (MF) mode. I hit the OK button and it just wouldn't react, just stayed stuck. I turned the camera off and on a few times, pressed the OK button some more, nothing changed. I took out the battery and put it back in no change. I also hit the AF button on the top of the camera left side - still nothing

Two hours later I tried again and it was fine and on spot auto (S-AF), where I keep it most of the time. I am able to move it to other auto focus settings normally now no trouble.

This is making me a little nutty. I am sure I didn't change anything settings when I put it away after the last shooting session and I'm super sure I didn't touch any settings after it malfunctioned today other than as described above. I've had the camera for almost a year and nothing like this ever happened before and I use it pretty much weekly or more.

Of course I'm happy it's fine now but I'd love to know what caused this and how to fix if it happens again, especially if I'm out in the field.

Any Ideas/suggestions?

This may not thrill some purists but after several unsuccessful experiences over time, I purchased a quality wheeled carry on and Tenba padded zipped compartmentalized cases and made my own. Works great and have a carry-on for no photo trips.

I am a fan of Peak Design. Great design, utility and features. Own their small 5 liter sling bag and camera straps. I know they recently came out with a back pack that is getting positive reaction. Their products are expensive but worth it.

Besides the edgy end of the post, this is an interesting discussion starter.

I have been spending a good deal of time shooting on the street for five years or more. Somer observations:
- If you dedicate yourself to street shooting, not necessarily exclusively, you will develop a number of instinctive skills which will help you get people on the street to work with you more. to know when it's time to fish or cut bait and to know when a situation smells bad and move on.
- Pretty early in the game I decided not to shoot portraits of people unless they agree to them. If I'm doing a broad shot of the streetscape that's one thing, but I don't shoot individual people without permission. If they say no, I have a patented sad face routine I do and I do turn around maybe a third of the serious no's and two thirds of the no's when they're not sure they mean it.
- When working with someone, I try real hard to develop an instant relationship, I smile a lot and just keep chatting away even if we don't speak the same language.
- I tell mothers their kids are beautiful or handsome, I tell husbands their wives are beautiful, I tell men they have strong interesting faces.
- If people are surly or angry I immediately say sorry, smile, turn around and walk away. I almost never get into hassles anymore.
- I find the best street shooting is where I am.
- New York can be surprisingly productive if you know how to break the ice with people. New Orleans in the mornings or after midnight is amazing (especially street musicians and artists), anywhere in India is unbelievable, Mexico can be wonderful if you know just a few words and come across as trying hard
- Every city in the world has sections you shouldn't be shooting in and probably shouldn't be walking around with expensive cameras/lenses. But seedy not dangerous neighborhoods really yield. You need to learn the difference and also when to move along quickly when you trip into a bad 'hood.

If your #1 goal os lighten your load, I recommend looking at the M-4/3rds cameras. Being an older guy I just got tired of the aches from lugging. Now shooting with an Olympus OMD em-1Mii. Everything has its trade-offs but all in very happy. Current high end Olympus lenses are great, love the lighter weight. Major negatives are the complicated menu and some low light issues. Of course your investment in legacy glass feels like a reason to stay within the old brand, but fact is older lenses don't get best results, anyway. I sometimes get some snickers from colleagues but my back is much better and I'm very happy with my images.

Have had the MII for about a year.

I started out on Apperture mode, Auto ISO and figured out how to use the control panel available by hitting the Okay button. Other than that I only needed to know how to reformat cards and choose Jpeg or Raw (I chose Raw).

From there I was able to use my camera, get comfortable, get some really nice images and learn at my own pace without pressure. A pretty amazing piece of equipment.

My tripod went over last week and my Olympus 7-14 wide angle snapped where the lens goes into the camera. Thankfully my OM 1 Mll seems fine. I am considering sending the lens into Olympus repair to see if they can fix it.

But I have heard some bad stories from photo buddies regarding what has happened at other manufacturers when getting lenses repaired - - seems with some frequency, they are never the same again.

Has anyone had any first hand experience with lens repair at Olympus?

Would really appreciate any feedback?

Thanks!

You are a provocateur, frequently a good thing.

I think it's called change, been happening for the whole history of mankind and won't stop

I wonder what wet plate photographers would say about 35 mm cartridges or what they will say in 50 years about our primitive photographic technology?

I think it's still all about capturing light and dependent on what the creative eye is able to see.

As I said above, I agree Photo Tech is the best camera repair in NYC. They are authorized repair depots for Nikon and Canon, but unfortunately not for Olympus. If it's simple Photo Tech will repair and quick, otherwise you need to being or send camera to Olympus. Someone above gave you all the info about their nearby NJ facility.

The best camera repair place hands down in NYC is Photo Tech 360 W36th in Manhattan. They bought Chrysler which I used for years. B&H doesn't do camera repairs. I am an Oly shooter and a life long NYC resident. I know from experience that your problem is likely to be that there are no Olympus authorized repair places and you will have to send them your camera. Photo Tech will fix it if it can.

I have, very infrequently, had similar problems with older Oly 4/3 cameras. Sometimes taking out battery, changing battery and/or card or drying out if it got wet works.

FYI I always carry a second backup body for this very reason. With the 4/3rds system that's easier/lighter. B&H or Adorama are right there. MPH is a highly regarded place to buy used equipment and is in Manhattan too.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Politics aside; I spent 8 days shooting in Havana 3 years ago. The people almost without exception were, warm, honest and welcoming. We stayed in a casa particular in Centro (Cuba version of a B&B). After 3-4 days we were like members of the neighborhood getting Buenas Dias and Tarde salutations. Had many wonderful conversations in my Spanglish and people shooting was very easy.

I took my full photo kit and had no problem whatsoever with anything missing. I also use luggage locks for all my possessions always when traveling. Like someone else said I mostly used my 24-70 and 70-200 lenses. I used my iphone at night on those occasions when I didn't feel like lugging my big camera.