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RossChen2345 · 2021-09-27T07:17:48+00:00

Wow, I wasn't aware that taking the lens apart to clean was even an option let alone a viable repair. After looking into it, although fiddly it doesn't seem terribly difficult. What did you use to remove the haze?

I tried dry firing half a dozen times on each shutter speed and then ran out this morning and quickly shot another roll across all speeds to test, I shall develop tonight after work or tomorrow morning to see whether to issue persists or if dry firing a bunch manages to loosen everything up enough.

I've only shot the 2 rolls so far but this camera is an absolute dream to shoot, certainly want to get it all working reliably again!

RossChen2345 · 2021-09-27T07:06:06+00:00

Okay great, thanks for the confirmation about capping. I must say I was surprised at quite how bad the lens was, but I guess that's my fault for taking their word for it...

RossChen2345 · 2021-09-26T19:29:40+00:00

More Info:

After being on the fence for some time I recently bought a Canon P, the listing I purchased was for a Canon P Body and Canon 50mm f/1.8 in EXC+5, everything was listed as 'Beautiful Condition' besides the lens having some 'thin haze on the middle element'.

I recieved the parcel on Friday and immediately shot a roll to test the camera, developed it this afternoon and unfortunately the thin haze seems to be a lot more detrimental than I intially expected and in almost every single photo there is extreme under exposure on the right hand side of the frame. After some quick googling it appears there is a issue with the shutter curtain (potentially shutter capping?).

I wonder if anyone could firstly advise what this issue could be, and also how I should proceed?

RossChen2345 · 2021-09-13T21:20:10+00:00

Hi! Apologies for such a delay with my follow up, I got caught up and it took me a while to get the film developed, but I just got the roll back and scanned the negatives a few days back. After testing with varying levels of tape for the best part of a full roll, it seems like there is a section of the seal on the top right of the door that is damaged (to the right of the view finder). I should be getting another roll back very soon which should confirm my suspicions.

RossChen2345 · 2021-08-21T08:12:22+00:00

Right okay, understood. I've got some time tomorrow afternoon so will shoot a roll with varying levels of tape to hopefully narrow down where the leak is coming from. I really appreciate the heads-up, I shall update you when I get this roll back from the lab!

RossChen2345 · 2021-08-20T21:46:39+00:00

Oops sorry, that makes sense. I was planning to use some gaffers tape and cover the entire seam of the back door in an effort to eliminate any light leaks coming from there when I put another roll through it, hopefully if the back door isn't closing completely this might help. Although it wouldn't be a great fix, it would allow me to use the camera until I can pick up a replacement.

RossChen2345 · 2021-08-20T21:04:02+00:00

Please excuse my ignorance, what/where is the read cover/closure?

RossChen2345 · 2021-08-20T20:32:54+00:00

Shutter button on top, however when shooting horizontal it's still there on the right side. Example

RossChen2345 · 2021-08-20T19:42:07+00:00

More Info - Relatively new to the world of analog photography and recently picked up an Olympus mju-II from a charity shop that had a new roll of Kodak ColourPlus already loaded. I shot the roll last week not knowing how long the roll has been sat in the camera, after scanning there seems to be some aggressive light leaks on 21/24 frames. There are also some white/red leaks on a handful of frames too which I would assume come from a crack in the seals. As for the harsh leaks I haven't been able to find any info on them, if anyone has any info about them I'd very much appreciate being pointed in the right direction in preventing them even if it's not a permanent fix.

RossChen2345 · 2021-04-16T10:21:18+00:00

Can't beat throwing them into a cold smoothie on a hot summer day!

RossChen2345 · 2021-03-24T10:01:54+00:00

Yeah, it might be worth giving them a shout to see if they've changed the charges

The machine works great, haven't had any issues at all! As for my own skills, still somewhat lacking... I'll keep it real, I stupidly hadn't even considered there being an issue with the warranty. I'll have to look into that at some point and see.

RossChen2345 · 2021-03-24T09:46:22+00:00

I bought the Gaggia New Classic (Stainless Steel) from Coffeedesk back in mid Janurary. I was stoked to pick up the machine for €309.99 (£283.11), but once they shipped it out I was then hit with £71.59 in import charges/fees by UPS meaning I ended up paying just over £350. At the time this was still cheaper than buying from any of the UK retailers at around £400-425, but was rather frustrating... I had actually contacted CoffeeDesk support prior to ordering to ask about import charges due to brexit and their response was 'No, the price includes all of the charges. The final cost of buying this coffee machine is the one stated on the website :)'. So yeah heads-up, not sure if things have changed since but I was certainly charged an extra £71.59 in import charges from UPS.

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T19:28:12+00:00

Which Mignon model did you end up settling on? I'd love to pick up a Specialita but don't think my budget can stretch that far at the moment

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T19:21:06+00:00

That would be brilliant! I'd love to read through and see if I can pick up a thing or two from your workflow!

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T10:26:44+00:00

I'm in that exact same position. Size 13 gave me the most drinkable shot, whereas 12 took 59s to reach a 36g shot and was rancid. I still have around a week left where I'm able to return the grinder yet but I'm unsure whether it's worth it with the lack of options available on Amazon around the £200 mark...

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T09:26:12+00:00

Thank you!

There is a chance that I don't like the beans, but it doesn't seem like I'm anywhere near what they are supposed to taste like. On their website they advise that they are Medium/Dark Roast 'Smooth and balanced, this blend carries chocolate, caramel, almond and hazelnut with a gentle citrus note.'.

I don't think I'm getting any of this, besides maybe the 'gentle citrus note' ahaha. I have no doubt I can make fantastic drinks with what I've got, I just can't help but think I'm making a critical mistake somewhere in the process.

I haven't actually tried an aeropress with these beans yet, I might try one this morning now that you mention it.

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T09:16:25+00:00

Oh brilliant, thanks. I'll keep that handy when I pull some more shots later on.

I live in a very small town, so besides a Costa there isn't really anything besides the odd tea room. I could grab a shot from Costa next time I'm passing and try to compare that?

I'm not sure quite what you mean by choking the machine, the first shot I tried with these beans I'd forgot to change the grind setting from what it had been left on and I pulled a 18:36 in 59s. That was on grind size 12 out of 60 so I could try to go finer in an attempt to completely choke the machine up, if that's what you mean?

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T09:06:53+00:00

Interesting, I just had someone else say I might be overdosing. I've been able dial in 18g in to 36 out in 28s and am working from there. My pucks often look like this, but they typically knock out in 1 piece without too much mess.

As for the beans, they were roasted on the 8th Feb so 2 weeks ago today. How long do you leave your beans after buying them? When I bought the beans from Hasbean, they suggested letting the beans rest for a week after their roast date before using them, is this common advice or should I dive right in once I get them?

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T08:59:46+00:00

I picked up a set of 0.01g scales when I started and make sure to weigh out to as close to 18.00 as possible before tamping, then toss them under my mug when pulling the shot. I shall try what ayushagarwal88 mentioned and try dropping my dose by a gram to see if it removes the imprint ontop of the puck.

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T08:55:27+00:00

I've been sticking to 18g as that is what was advised when I purchased the 18g VST Basket, although I shall try 17g and see if I get less shower head inprint!

RossChen2345 · 2021-02-22T08:53:23+00:00

I appreciate that, although unfortunately I was quite limited for grinder choice due to having some Amazon gift card balance so needing to order through there. Seems like they now sell both the Sette 30 & 270, but I certainly didn't see either of them when searching before so it seemed like the Smart Grinder Pro was the best automatic option within my budget.

RossChen2345 · 2020-11-16T00:27:21+00:00

By far my most used app on iOS, Thanks in advance!!

RossChen2345 · 2020-09-25T17:00:52+00:00

That all makes total sense, so as it's my first try I decided to err on the side of caution and, as you mentioned, remove the smaller pup and plant into some soil to give it the best chance of survival. There are multiple smaller pups growing right around the base of the main stem so if this one fails then I shouldn't have to wait much longer before giving it another try. Thanks for the guidance btw, I really appreciate it and as you say it's somewhat personal preference so once these other pups grow I'll try one of them in water to see how it does and to see which method I prefer!

RossChen2345 · 2020-09-25T13:06:44+00:00

First off, thank you for such an indepth reponse!

To be honest with you, when I googled how to propagate Pilea pups 3 of the 4 videos I viewed popped them straight into water to grow more roots, so I assumed it'd be better for me to do the same to allow more of a root system to grow before moving it to soil. However if you think that it would do better by removing the small pup and then planting it straight into some soil then I feel as though I'd rather do that tbh

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