We have had a quiet year, we seem to be gradually losing members due to anno domini, but there’s no answer to that. There are a few problems for us all to consider, How we can attract new members is a perennial question, with so far, no solution.
Whether the digital revolution will eventually solve the problem, or make it worse, remains to be seen. The supply of suitable slide films, seems to be dwindling, and processing firms are closing their doors at a great rate. This problem isn’t confined to NZ, it’s a worldwide problem.
The Lou Smaus folio is a casualty of this trend, the American members are similarly dwindling, and they have decided to call it a day, with the folio, and stop circulating it, it is now on its last lap, due here soon, to just return our sets of slides.
Regarding the Lou Smaus folio, I have been in frequent contact with Bill, and it seems to be held up right on the last member, I do hope it hasn’t got lost, right on its last round.
There are some signs of high tech answers to the digital showing of stereo, Max can give us more info on that score, but it sounds a bit expensive at present. Maybe a system of e.mail circulated stereo pictures, which would be at no cost, no risk of lost slides, no postal delays, etc. would solve some of the problems we at present suffer from, but would require all participants to be fairly computer literate, and preferably on broadband reception. (Mark’s anaglyph system might be a starting point for now, as it’s an easier system to e.mail and view.)
Some of the older members may remember George Blake, he was a member back in 1974, doing large format stuff with a “sputnik”, with varying degrees of success. I didn’t know he even had a 35mm stereo camera, he dropped out, family reasons, rejoined for a short while in the 80’s or 90’s, and dropped out again. We got a message from his grand-daughter, clearing out old stuff, and she has kindly donated to the club, a Nimslo and a pile of mounts, etc, and a lot of his slide collection, less the family ones she kept. I never knew he had been to lots of exotic places, and taken his 35mm camera with him. We have a great collection of old slides for someone to go through. I have taken the liberty of just selecting a boxful, for our projection tonight. Perhaps Rex can sort the rest through!!!!
Nothing more to add,
Carl.

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