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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Welcome News from Paul Buff re: Vegabond Litho's
David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Toledo | OH | USA | Posted: 6:08 PM on 09.03.10 |
| ->> no meat in them there Vegabonds |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Beaumont | CA | USA | Posted: 6:24 PM on 09.06.10 |
| ->> Thanks for posting this Kevin, I was contemplating purchasing the Vegabond II today and decided to look through the SS message board to see what people thought about it. I'll wait for the new Litho. |
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Daniel Putz, Photographer
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Owings Mills | MD | USA | Posted: 7:59 PM on 09.06.10 |
| ->> Awesome!! |
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Thom Kendall, Photographer, Assistant
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Sunderland | MA | USA | Posted: 4:55 PM on 09.08.10 |
| ->> How many ways can we (mis)spell "vagabond"? ;O) |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 10:24 PM on 09.08.10 |
| ->> For 6 times the price you think you'd be able to get something other than a lead-acid battery on the Profoto :( |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:43 PM on 09.08.10 |
->> Profoto is always 6-`0X more than anything else out there!!
FWIW, I love PCB products, and Customer Service!!
Y |
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Anantachai Brown, Photographer
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Jacksonville | FL | | Posted: 10:59 PM on 09.08.10 |
| ->> I have a Vegabond II and LOVE it!!! Can't wait to see the new Litho's. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:11 PM on 09.08.10 |
| ->> Three pounds under $300.... count me in! |
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Thom Kendall, Photographer, Assistant
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Butch Miller, Photographer
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Lock Haven | PA | USA | Posted: 1:55 PM on 09.10.10 |
| ->> Looks like my Bees may see much more location work in the near future .... |
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Alex Menendez, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | USA | Posted: 2:15 PM on 09.10.10 |
->> Count me in. Already own the Bees and Vagabond. Post more when we can actually purchase them....
Cool |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 5:23 PM on 09.10.10 |
->> Hopefully this will spark other lighting mfg's to produce smaller portable solutions. Head + battery under 10 lbs. works for me.
BTW... I ordered the new 8.5" reflectors for my Bee's. They are simply great and are a great value at $19.99. Much better quality than the standard 7" |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 8:07 PM on 09.10.10 |
| ->> I am so happy to see this. I am selling my Profot 2400r since I was waiting for THEIR battery to come out, at $2k, screw it. I am getting Einsteins or White Lightnings and the vagabond! |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 12:45 PM on 09.11.10 |
| ->> I use the VII with my Elinchrom gear all the time... You don't have to switch lights just to use the VII... Just to be clear on that... pm-r |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 11:49 AM on 09.16.10 |
->> http://www.alienbees.com/vmini.html
they are now accepting pre-orders and they will ship in Nov. should be a cool unit!!! pm-r |
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David Welker, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 12:17 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> I know that being light is one of the main positive aspects for these units, but is anyone with me that other than carrying the vagabond, find the weight useful. Many times, when shooting outdoors and I have my 47" octo or Large softbox, I throw the vagabond on the stand to hold it down. I know for a fact that these new lithos wont be able to hold the way the V.II's do. Am I the only one that likes that? |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 2:25 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> Not eveyone uses batteries as sand bags. |
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David Welker, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 2:40 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> Kevin, That is true. It was just a thought, and I wanted to hear what everyone else thought. Sometimes I don't want to have to carry around 40 lbs in sandbags when I can just put the vagabond on the stand. I wasnt sure if anyone else had been doing this or not. Hence my question. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 2:59 PM on 09.16.10 |
->> Anyone having trouble assembling the newly "designed" parabolic reflectors?
The original (and much better designed) parabolics came assembled, worked like an umbrella and was very easy to use.
The new design is a total train wreck in my opinion --- limited experience that I have ...
Was preparing a review, but now I'm not so sure. |
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Bryan Hulse, Photographer
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Nashville | Tn | USA | Posted: 4:51 PM on 09.16.10 |
->> Good point about the Vegabonds as weights. I use them on my light stand outdoors with a softbox or umbrella on the light. The Vegabond keeps everything from blowing over.
That would be a big reason NOT to get rid of my Vegabond. I've crashed plenty of SB-800's and other lights outdoors in the wind before going with this setup. |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 5:12 PM on 09.16.10 |
->> David -- I understand as I also use them them as weights. Sometimes, however, 18lbs isn't enough to hold down a 47" Octa outdoors.
Robert -- sorry to hear about the new design of the parabolic reflectors. With so many good reviews, I'm wondering why they changed the design???? |
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Neil Wade, Photographer
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Taipei | TW | Taiwan | Posted: 7:32 PM on 09.16.10 |
| ->> Robert, I'd really like to hear more about the new design as I was about to buy a few... |
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Russ Erbe, Photographer
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Lubbock | TX | US | Posted: 11:13 AM on 09.17.10 |
| ->> Wow, as an owner of a set of Profoto D1 Air's, I was thrilled to see the link to the new portable battery for them. Then I googled them to find a price and am disgusted. $1700 for a battery is simply stupid. Who would buy that thing. You could go buy a small Honda generator for that much and have more power. Guess I too will be giving Mr.Buff some of my $ for a Vagabond. |
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Dave Breen, Photographer
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Somerset | PA | USA | Posted: 11:16 AM on 09.17.10 |
->> I think I bought from the original batch. The umbrella shaft is shorter than the closed reflector, thus you need to make sure it goes through the "rib collar" when you open it.
I understood the second version was to have a longer shaft, or perhaps a two part shaft that could be separated once the reflector was open so there would not be a long shaft protruding beyond the light.
I've only used mine once, but they performed as advertised. (Caution -- the silver lining is VERY shiny; be ready for "Wow, I'm blinded !!!" from your subjects.) |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 12:29 AM on 01.11.11 |
->> just got a ups tracking number for mine-- can't wait to get it, charge it, and test it...
pm-r |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 6:24 AM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> I can't wait for mine. Got the email...I am now awaiting the UPS tracking number |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 11:59 AM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> I will get mine today. Will test with it and post my results. Hoping we willhave all found a better mousetrap! |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 3:09 PM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> I got the day after they were able to ship. It is great. I have two of the earlier versions and this size and capacity is incredible. |
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Steve Puppe, Photographer
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Olathe | KS | USA | Posted: 3:54 PM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> Someone on another forum posted that they got 474 full power pops with an Elinchrom 600RX and the Mini. Sounds like a great deal to me. |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 6:03 PM on 01.11.11 |
->> OK, not a lot of time to test tonight as I have a game to shoot but....
First the good: The new Vagabond mini-lithium works just fine with the Elinchrom Style RX units. This has always been a bit dicey as the digital readout always seems to flake out and give erratic readings with the Innovatronix units and the former Vagabond II.
I tested first with an Elinchrom EL500 unit and it was great. fired right up, ready light came on and I started testing at full power. This little unit is going to be a good one for most but it will not replace my Dynalite inverter for heavy lifting. Here are some short results of my test:
EL500 flash at full power connected to AC: .9 sec recycle at full power (no fan)
EL500 flash at full power connected to new VM 2.5 sec. recycle
EL600RX at full power on AC: 1.2 sec. recycle
EL600RX at full power on VM 3.5 sec. recycle
Here is the surprising one:
2-EL600RX units at full power on AC 1200 w/s 1.2 sec. recycle
2-EL600RX at full power on VM 1200 w/s 7.5 sec. recycle
In short, the unit lives up to all it's hype for being super small, tiny even, light weight, and cheap. But in the end, if you have heavy lifting to do, a generator or the Dynalite unit is still the best bet.
I don't often get much time with my subjects and my joke selection is pretty thin, plus, I'm not that funny anyways. The new Vagabond Mini-Lithium is an awesome little inverter that will work killer on the AB side of things and the WL units too. But I fear that many of us committed to Elinchrom, Profoto, and especially other pack and head systems will be waiting al long time in between beeps.
Am I keeping it? You bet! It's really cool and I will use it a lot, especially for editorial jobs I can ride my motorcycle to. I can see it packed into a domke bag with a monoblock and a sync cord.
That Paul C. Buff has once again made another giant leap for us shooters is undeniable. I'm just glad the thing works with my lights... |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 7:16 PM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> This unit will now be safely tucked away in my car along with my soon to get here AB1600's!! I will have to start doing lots of Location work for this Gig I have now and it will be a Cover a month from now on, mostly on Location!! I used the Vagabond II's with a Norman D24R Pack and I got over 300 Good Pops out of the system, I be I can go for a whole shoot with the AB's and this little toy!! |
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Steve Puppe, Photographer
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Olathe | KS | USA | Posted: 8:56 PM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> It might struggle with two monolights connected to it but you can buy six mini vagabonds for the price of one Dynalite AC unit. Not only that but all six vagabonds combined would still weigh less than the Dynalite. I guess it kind of depends on what you have in your lighting kit whether or not it makes sense. |
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PJ Heller, Photographer
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Santa Barbara | CA | USA | Posted: 9:11 PM on 01.11.11 |
| ->> Anyone try a VML with a Dynalite Uni400jr? |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 9:47 PM on 01.11.11 |
->> Steve, I ran two AB800's with one Vagabond II, and it ran flawlessly for over 250 shots!!
Y |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 12:22 AM on 01.12.11 |
| ->> I can test the uni400jr tomorrow and let you know, but my guess is that it will give slightly slower recycle than the EL500 from my earlier test today. I will also test the big daddy EL1200S as well tomorrow and let you all know if I blow anything up... pm-r :) |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 4:49 AM on 01.12.11 |
->> Hey Pat
Test the 1200 s at half power also the 600 rx at slightly lower power to approx the 500 el Please???
Thanks David |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 10:27 AM on 01.12.11 |
->> will do Dave... but the 600 will still not recycle as quickly as the EL500 because of the fan which can't be turned off. It provides a constant draw that always affects recycle.
I'm also going to test the Innovatronix unit against the Vagabond II and the new Lithium so people can really see the difference. My guess is that the VII will still be useful for many shooters and might be even better than the Lithium for multiple head setups-- but we'll see.
I've got a bus trip from Knoxville to DC coming up next weekend and I'm pretty excited about taking the VM with me on that ride. 12 hours in a bus with high school kids will be much easier with a macbook pro that won't die and my noise canceling headphones...
pm-r |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 9:26 AM on 01.14.11 |
->> Shot my first basketball game with the new Vagabond Mini's. Here's a link to my set up for those that are interested.
http://krkrows.exposuremanager.com/g/equipment
+'s and -'s
+ 475 pops / battery still showing 3/4 power left
+ 1/4 socket on the bottom makes mounting to a ball head and clamp pretty easy.
+ slip insert where the shoulder strap goes is just the right size to lasso a safety cable to.
+ Dang, these things weigh next to nothing.
+ No overheating, batteries were cool at the end of the shoot.
+ My back thanked me. Didn't have to carry two 18 pound bricks to the game (my Vega II's)
- The case around the battry is not sealed and can open if enough pressure is applied to the sides of the battery. I taped the side seams of the case to make sure it would not fall apart. I called PCB on this and replacement batteries will arrive today. Why on earth they are not sealed is beyond me. We'll just have to see how hard it is to open the cases on the replacement batteries. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 12:34 PM on 01.14.11 |
| ->> I wish mine would arrive! |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 12:49 PM on 01.14.11 |
| ->> Looking for someone to write a complete users report for the newsletter --- email if you're interested. |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 3:12 PM on 01.14.11 |
| ->> PCB advised me today that they are now sealing the battery cases so they cannot be opened. Guess I wasn't the only one who had issues. |
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Shane Psaltis, Photographer
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Aquebogue | NY | USA | Posted: 3:42 PM on 01.14.11 |
->> Got my four minis today they are built like little bricks, they are now charging, can't wait to use them this will change everything and a lot less visits to the chiropractor.
Shane |
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Robert Benson, Photographer
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San Diego | Ca | USA | Posted: 10:15 PM on 01.14.11 |
| ->> Will they power something hardcore, like a 2400 w/s profoto pack or 2400 w/s speedo pack? (the vagabond actually did). |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:21 PM on 01.14.11 |
->> I ran a Norman D24R pack with a Vagabond II last Friday, close to 300 shots with it!!
Y |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 5:39 AM on 01.15.11 |
->> My four replacement batteries arrived today however they were not sealed. I know I may be making a bigger deal of this than I should but the thought that the case could pop open during a shoot and the guts spill out troubles me.
I'm sending the replacement batteries back and will tape the cases closed myself. This is the only thing about the Vaga Mini that I don't like. Everything else is great!
BTW...my understanding is that the Vaga Mini is designed and tested for exclusive use with PCB lights. That doesn't mean that they can't be used with other brands...just that they haven't fully tested them on lights other than their own.
From the PCB web site:
*Note: The Vagabond Mini™ Lithium is designed specifically for powering Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ products and we cannot make any claim for suitability with products from other manufacturers, nor can we accept any liability for any damage that might be caused to such equipment. We will, however, warranty the Vagabond Mini™ Lithium itself as well as any Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ equipment it powers.
Finally, second shoot with Mini's last night went great. 300 shots on B800's at full power and power guage showing full after shoot. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:14 AM on 01.15.11 |
| ->> Kevin, when I spoke to Lori yesterday she mentioned that the Batteries were being sealed now. Maybe they sent you a set of Batteries from a batch that wasn't sealed yet. I know what kid of Customer Service PCB has, and they are dedicated to making you happy. Call Lori on Monday, see what she tells you. |
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Kevin Krows, Photographer
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Forsyth | IL | USA | Posted: 12:44 AM on 01.16.11 |
->> I've spoke to Lori several times. She was the one that handled the replacement and indicated that the replacments would be sealed. I've already sent her an email so I'm sure she'll call me back on Monday.
Don't get me wrong. I'm certain that it was a miscommunication somewhere. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 10:34 PM on 01.16.11 |
| ->> Is this the 50th posting? |
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