Tom Hudson http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/53173288
I was going to do something like this as well.  Esp. as my SO is going
through a new "redhead" episode.  I really prefer blondes.  Sigh.
Anyway, for this type of shot, there should (3 choices) be I) less BG

I want to purchase a basic back drop for my husband for christmas.  He
is just starting to get interested in photography.  He currently uses a
pentax digital camera.  Any suggestions? I think he has been interested
in a paper back ground.  I would want to keep it less than about

One of the local 2nd hand shops is having a closing down sale, so I
wandered in and had a bit of a look around. I had previously seen box
brownies and old TLR's in there so thought I might be able to pick one
up at a bargain price. Well there were no box brownies or TLR's, but I

       I keep forgetting to tell you all this...
       While I was out the other weekend shooting fall colors on a mountain
trail, I often had to move aside to let hikers pass. One woman was
distinctly asian, but excused herself in a relatively neutral American

The meter on my old EM used to be active after you
wind the film and ready to shoot.
After my old one was stolen I picked up a used one. On
this one the meter is active before you wind the film. So when you are ready

I have been using 85/2 Jupiter 9 with a Spomatic body for a while and I
liked very much the results I have been getting.  However as you might
all know, the Jupiter 9 is a preset lens and it is very slow and
cumbersome to use and the spotmatic hasn't got the brightest finder out

http://www.shuttercity.com/ShowPhoto.cfm?PhotoID=100692
Shot with a forty plus year old pre-AI 55mm macro and PB-5 bellows
mounted on a nikon D70.  I've determined that, though do able, this is
not a sharp combination.

I am curious as to why photo lab colour prints - even machine prints
-  from an entire 35 film can look 'spot on' - no need for post
processing as is necessary with most  images from a digital camera. How
do photo labs printing machines achieve this?

I want to get a manual film SLR, mostly, to experiment. So I don't want
to spend too much. Lets say less than $100 for the body. And another
$200 over six months on lenses. Currently, I am looking at the Pentax
Spotmatic II and M42 mount lenses. Used spotmatics sell for $50-60 on

I know this question is way below the scope of what the group deals
with but I don't have time to shop used and I want to make sure I've
got a decent camera. Consumer Reports hasn't reviewd a film camera in 2
years!

       "From the Back" is now available for all to see at
http://www.pbase.com/shootin/fromtheback
       Well, not "all" - it works better if you have internet access.
       As always, commentary is encouraged. Just be sure to phrase it in the

Anybody have it? Any comments on it?
Jim

Long story short, the Manfrotto 352RC ballhead that I bought this summer
 for my 055CL is performing poorly in subzero temperatures. The clamp
can't lock down hard enough on the metal ball as it contracts in the cold.
What's my best bet for a head that performs well in low ...

I feel a certain responsibility towards the poor wee thing you know,
wouldn't want it to feel abandoned.
Myself - I have to admit I'm pleased with this one. It's not perfect
- if it was a film it would 'contain scenes of mild clutter' - but