Help!

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For The HELP! Desk:
Please confine yourself to only one question per letter. Both postal letters and e-mails are fine, although we prefer e-mail as the most efficient form of communication. Send your e-mail queries to editorial@shutterbug.com with Help in the subject header and your return e-mail address at the end of your message. Although we make every effort, we cannot promise to answer every HELP! letter.
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Mystery Lens Revealed
The "mystery lens" is from a Beseler Vu-Lyte opaque projector, 1960s to '70s. I recognized the description of the lens from back when I was employed by a camera shop ("Heer's Camera Shop") in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. At Heer's we sold audio-visual equipment, overheads, opaque slide and movie projectors, besides cameras. Here is a website with some photos of the overhead projector; the attached image is from this site: www.audiovisionsinc.com/usedstuff/projopaque20300265.html. Always enjoy reading your HELP! column, especially when it brings back memories of the old days.
Helge Buddenborg
Ontario, Canada


Several readers have written to help identify the "mystery" 18" Beseler lens reader Daniele acquired (January issue). Several also suggested the Beseler opaque projector or possibly a long throw lantern slide projector, but none offered a picture of this item to more positively identify it. Even the focal length is the same, so I believe you have assisted greatly in solving this question.

B&W On Color Paper Filter Settings
In response to Susanne Lomatch's question in the February issue about printing black and white negatives on color paper, Kodak suggests using a starting filter pack of 80M+110Y with ENDURA color papers.
Larry Morgan
via Internet


Thanks for sending the suggested enlarger filter pack needed to produce black and white prints on Kodak color paper from black and white negatives.

3D Processing
Q. I'm writing about making 3D picture prints and processing. I have several rolls of film made using the Nimslo 3D camera. I have been unable to reach anyone at company 3DX, Inc. for processing and printing my film. I saw an advertisement in a recent issue of Shutterbug for EZ 3-D photo print. Do you know anything about them?
Claudia Phillips
Norfolk, VA

A.
Other people have told me they, too, have been unable to contact this 3DX firm (formerly known as Nimstec) in Duluth, Georgia. Last year I heard from a reader who had some 3D processing and printing done by the following firm: CLIK 3D (Unit 18, 3909 Witmer Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305; (888) 262-8682; http://clik3d.com/pricelist.htm). I checked this website and found they take 2-3 weeks for processing and printing 3D images made from either two-, three-, or four-lens 3D cameras. The costs are $48 for 24-exposure film (16 3D prints) and $72 for 36-exposure film (24 3D prints). They can also make reprints and enlargements up to 8x10. I have several different 3D cameras myself, but have never tried this firm, so I don't know the quality of their service. But, since there are very few firms offering 3D printing today, you don't have much choice but to try them. I suggest you call them first before mailing exposed film for processing. EZ 3-D sells computer software, which they claim will allow you to produce 3D prints on your own computer and printer from regular single lens (non-3D) digital camera images, which will then print in 3D. You might want to consider trying this software if you have a digital camera, computer, and printer.

Ascor Repair
Q. I am looking for a schematic/service manual or any helpful diagnostic information to repair an Ascor QC1000 power pack. I am in the Phoenix area and have a repair service that will help me. They are experienced with studio flash, however, they have no repair reference manuals for this unit. I do not want to invest a lot of money; consequently, shipping the unit out of my area would make the repair cost prohibitive. Do you have this information or do you know of a source?
Ken Grant
Desert Light Productions
Scottsdale, AZ


A.
I just spoke with a gentleman at Armato Camera Services in New York who said he got rid of his repair parts for Ascor flash units a few years ago because of little demand for them. But he thought he might have some schematics he could copy for you, so he suggested you give him a call. He also knows some other individuals who might have the information you seek. Call Armato Camera Services at (800) 545-2774. You might also want to contact some firms who specialize in instructions and repair books for older cameras. I just looked through a few of the thousands of items listed at Finger Lakes Photo Books' website and did see a number of Ascor instruction books listed which might include schematics. Contact Finger Lakes Photo Books, PO Box 1002, Elbridge, NY 13060; (315) 491-1188; www.photobooksonline.com. You could also try John S. Craig, PO Box 1637, Torrington, CT 06790; (860) 496-9791; www.craigcamera.com/ib_a.htm. Hopefully one or more of these places will be able to assist you.

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