After another lengthy trek across the icy city, I got my camera back! Even better — it’s fixed! If you recall, it was giving me weird dark splotches, so I took it in for servicing. $270 later (erf!), it’s had an “electrical alignment” (a what?) and had its whole “optical unit” replaced. Now it’s snazzy and like-new, except for the scratches and dents in the metal body. I’m glad those are still there because they give it character and make it my camera. I can definitely tell that the lens is new — all those salt-water stains seem to have magically disappeared. But I really had to conjure up my grandmotherly/Scottish heritage to avoid plunking down $600 (plus tax) on a snazzy new camera.
At least now there’s a hope of more great photos coming at you soon-ish!