Re: [APML] Hypered film- no Lumicon

[Philip Perkins <philip@astrocruise.com>]

Alan,

It's not hard at all.  I'll make a few points:

- I have never considered buying hypered film from Lumicon, and nor would I 
do so, even if they had remained in business.  I recommend you do the 
same.  That solves problem #1 <g>

- the gas is not a problem either, as I explained in a post from a few days 
ago.  I have been hypering film for 5 years and have have never used any 
gas from Lumicon.

- the only thing that would be a little challenging (for me personally) 
would be construction of the hypering chamber.  But that's only because my 
mechanical aptitude is not very good.  It's not hard however - plenty of 
people have made hypering chambers including Bobby M.  If I had this 
problem today I would simply ask Chris Heapy to make me one.  There are 
plenty of other machinists out there who could make one - a good machinist 
was recommended here on APML just a few days ago.

- the pump / probe and other bits are not a problem either - these are all 
standard parts available from various suppliers - there's nothing there 
that's proprietary to Lumicon.  I have details of where all these parts 
come from and could dig them up if necessary.  I have actually obtained 
replacement parts from all of these suppliers in the past because various 
bits have needed replacement.  If you want to use a hand pump, that's a 
standard part and easily obtainable.  If you want to use a mechanical pump 
then there are a number of suppliers from whom you can get good used vacuum 
pumps.

- last but not least, forget all about silly issues like "Lumicon patent on 
the hypering process".  If you are really serious about this then by all 
means try tracking down the patent owner (and since Jack Marling is 
deceased this might be quite hard).. but if you eventually succeed then by 
all means try asking them if they might be willing to accept a royalty from 
you.  This process may take you some time and you may have to spend a lot 
of energy and be very persistent <g>  OTOH if you are serious about 
hypering, then just get on with it and assemble the kit! <g>

--Philip


At 14:57 01/10/02 -0700, you wrote:
>Hey All,
>
>About a month or so ago we were talking about the
>upcoming lack of good negative films. During that
>thread someone (maybe me?) asked about anyone else
>supplying hypered film. The response was that Lumicon
>had a patent on the process and hypering film for club
>members, friends, etc... was OK. But selling the stuff
>as an enterprise would be frowned upon, or words to
>that effect. With me so far?
>
>That leads me to this question. With Lumicon suddenly
>out of the picture, where the hell do we get hypered
>film? What are our options if we want to buy a roll or
>three? There is no one selling it anymore. There is a
>market here, but no one to fill it. It's not a problem
>for those with hypering equipment. My guess is that
>90-95% of us have no access to that equipment. So,
>where do we go?
>
>Alan



Philip Perkins - philip@astrocruise.com
Wiltshire UK & Luberon France
Astrocruise - http://www.astrocruise.com


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