2007-06-29

Pass the RF - part 3 - UPDATE

Philipp reported back! Woohoo, the travelling FED-2 is once again on its way!


(c) Philipp Reichmuth.

The FED should be on its way, flown out of the country this morning to Switzerland. A friend from the university of Berne has taken it and agreed to send it on to Spyderman. I haven't heard from her yet, but in case there is a hassle I'll keep you updated, and in case there isn't we can just wait for it to arrive in Slovakia.

Glad to have gotten that off my heart finally! The new FED has already seen some adventure Given the considerable amount of time passed, I suggest in the future we should really follow up on Remy's suggestion and ask the next person via PM or e-mail before we send the camera on...

Yes, and here's a couple of pictures from the second roll


(c) Philipp Reichmuth.


(c) Philipp Reichmuth.


(c) Philipp Reichmuth.

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2007-06-09

Pass the RF - part 3 - UPDATE

The travelling FED-2 was almost on its way from Uzbekistan! But once again, Fate decided differently.

I have run into unexpected trouble again, this time with the authorities. I spent about two hours today at the post and customs offices trying to post a package to Slovakia. I was told repeatedly that it is forbidden to export cameras (first time I heard that) and to export antiquities (meaning everything over fifty years). I spent some time arguing that (a) it's a late model FED-2 younger than fifty years, and (b) it's absurd to forbid somebody from exporting a camera when it says on the customs declaration filled out on arrival that he had this camera with him on entry!! But they wouldn't hear me - fishing for bribes I assume. I can't really blame them for that, as they are paid about fifty dollars a month and you need two hundred to feed a family, but then again I refuse to support starving public officials by greasing the system with my own money, as I'm not a charitable foundation but a guy living on a PhD grant.

The official version is that in order to export this FED, I need to get an expertise from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage that this particular camera does not constitute an item of national significance, that it was made in 1958 or later, and that I am not supporting any problematic political organisations by exporting it. So basically now I am stuck here with this FED I can't get out of the country. I'll try and find a solution to this new little problem over the next days; maybe I can get some embassy people to take it with them as diplomats' luggage and then send it on from their respective home countries.

In many ways the Soviet Union is still alive here, it's only less sucessful, but just as oppressive. I suppose every now and then one needs a reminder why it's not the best country to work in.

Philipp, I hope all will end well some day. Take your time. That FED-2 will one day continue its journey. Keep heart.

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