drolight

Brad hit the nail on the head - there is way too much white noise here about WPJA without understanding the concept behind the group. I know way too many wedding photogs who have started branding themselves as "photojournalists" without having worked a day at a daily newspaper or shot for an editorial magazine. Scary! Added to this is of course those very same "photojournalists" who use low-ball tactics to attract unsuspecting clients away from those who really know what they are doing. I am starting to rant ... so, I'll leave it at that ... Every organization is what you make of it. There are photogs who got in who in your opinion shouldn't have, but leave the management to those who manage it. Work on your craft and be in control of what you can control.

Hashim

 

I was astounded to read the same article in Popular Photography. Now I need to get out to

India to buy this film. I shoot a lot of Indian weddings and while I have gone digital, some

clients do insist on film (rare but true). As that article indicates the VC version of Portra

may do the trick, though according to PP's tests the Kodak ULTRA 100 (the film

manufactured for the South Asian market) is a whole lot better.

 

Seshu

Ken

 

Thanks for that tip. Yeah, I fully expect some guest to be toting a 7 or 9 (think of the new

Fujis) megapixel camera. I hope to have at least two D70s bodies to work with, so should

one fail for some odd reason, I'll definitely have a backup.

This is a great/perfect thread as I am on the fence about buying one of these devices.

Thanks all for your thoughts. I am curious though about how the battery works. Is it

possible to run this unit using an AC cord? Or, does it have to rely only on the internal

battery that needs to be charged (taking up to three hours to charge completely?)

Hi. I just bought a D70s to do some wedding photography. It's all that I can afford at this

time and I know of a few professionals who think that a D70s is a good entrance into

digital SLR photography. Anyway, I shot a close up photograph of my son and a friend of

mine pointed me out to a dead pixel in the frame. Sure enough all the other frames in that

take had a dead pixel in the same spot. The questions are: 1) is this normal? 2) how does

it affect what I am trying to do - deliver quality wedding/portraits to my clients? 3) should

i return this camera to B&H and will they replace it?

Looking for your responses. Thanks! (yes, I posted this in the DIGITAL DARKROOM section

as well)

Hi. I just bought a D70s to do some wedding photography. It's all that I can afford at this

time and I know of a few professionals who think that a D70s is a good entrance into

digital SLR photography. Anyway, I shot a close up photograph of my son and a friend of

mine pointed me out to a dead pixel in the frame. Sure enough all the other frames in that

take had a dead pixel in the same spot. The questions are: 1) is this normal? 2) how does

it affect what I am trying to do - deliver quality wedding/portraits to my clients? 3) should

i return this camera to B&H and will they replace it?

 

Looking for your responses. Thanks!

"I use SB-29 with SB-800 mounted on Stroboframe, attached to D70.

In addition to D70 and SB-29 and SB-800 (or 600), you will need anti twist plates for both,

the camera and the SB-29.

 

The Stroboframe flipper allows vertical shots with flash mounted high above the center of

camera sensor.

 

For horizontal shots just flip the flipper bracket with flash and SB-29 infra end, and the

flash is above the center of horizontal frame.

 

SB-29 works great, including commanding mode for multi iTTL flash setup. Stroboframe is

quite light, made of aluminum."

 

Couple of questions for you Mark - where do we find these anti-twist plates? What model

of the Stroboframe do you recommend (especially for weddings)? Thanks!

Anyone look into Hoodman's answer to the vertical grip for the D70/s?

 

Here is the direct link: http://www.hoodmanusa.com/powergrip.asp

Jay, Joyce etc.

 

My apologies. Yes, I admit I didn't read the other thread. I was merely letting you know of

what one professional photographer friend of mine experienced (and his was positive) with

digitalliquidators. But this is a democracy and so if everyone yells fire, we better pay

attention and run away from it. Stick to B&H (that's usually where I end up going anyway).

Consider www.digitalliquidators.com. A friend of mine bought his D70 there and hasn't

regretted it at all. Do be aware that the site may advertise their low prices for "gray

market" bodies. But if you are willing to gamble a bit, a gray market body should last you

just as long as a USA warranty (well, let's hope so anyway). Last I checked,

digitalliquidators were selling a D70 for $459. Again, it is likely a GRAY MARKET version.

Caveat emptor Joyce!

Vivek said: "Giving the D70 body, a gentle whack also clears it up sometime."

 

Um, really? Whacking fragile electronic equipment isn't such a great idea. Like others

suggest, when in doubt, send it in. Be aware, though that Nikon is notorious for taking

their sweet ass time ... that goes for repairs and new releases. Not playing the Canon card.

I am a die hard Nikonian (got lots of glass so that's held me hostage, I suppose).

Don't want to sound like a parrot, but Robert's sage advice to get a surge protector can't

be said often enough if you live in India where the voltage drops and pitches forth will-

nilly. Good luck with the exchange/purchase. Post some D70s pictures please as I am

about to buy one for myself. Thanks!

Back to discussing the new D70s - one missing feature/tool that I had really hoped for was a vertical grip (like the F100's I have). I shoot a lot of vertical/magazine covers and this would have clinched the deal. Now I tool have to wait for a D200 (if such a beast is even in the works) with that elusive vertical grip. Looking at the DPREVIEW.com spec check of the d70 v. d70s, there are very few differences. Also, Nikon says that it will provide firmware upgrades to d70 users (gee, thanks for that Nikon) so that users can have some of the same features that the d70s enjoys (no you won't get a larger screen on the back of the camera). So, I join those who gripe about Nikon's slow response to our needs. Tempted to eBay my Nikon lenses and move over to the dark side. At least there, I know what to expect.

Manuel

 

Where did you find the 5400 for $580? Do tell. Enquiring minds want to know.

Not to undercut the response you have already received, you should check out Fuji's new camera S3 Pro. It might be pricier than either the S2 or the D70, but from what I have heard, it's going to be well-received in wedding photography circles.

ANY IDEAS at all when the next avatar of Nikon's digital SLR will be

out? If only the D70 came with a portrait grip, I would quit whining.

But do let me know if there are rumors to the new machine being

called D200. Specs? Images? Sneak peaks? All welcome!

Thanks for your responses. I'll have to bite the bullet and give it a whirl.

Anyone use White Lightnings outdoors? How have you powered them? I am

looking into the <a href="http://white-

lightning.com/vagabond.htm">Vagabond Portable Power System</a> by the

same company that makes WL.Anyone use this power pack - advantages

are that it can be recharged in countries with 220v. Thoughts, ideas,

suggestions? I have two <a href="http://white-

lightning.com/x1600.htm">x1600</a>'s. They work well for the most

part (one doesn't have a modelling light for some odd reason) but I

am still learning as I go. Outdoor, location portrait photography is

what I want to do.

Yeah, Gary, 5' would be more than sufficient for one or two or even three people. I'll check the backdropoutlet for deals. I did see some auctions of eBay but wasn't sure about the quality. So, paper and canvas over muslin, eh? Ok. I'll check that out too.

Gary

 

Black fleece, huh? Ok. I checked with the local fabric store - JoAnn's - but their total width is only 120 inches (five feet) - woefully short wouldn't you say?

Hi. Does anyone here know of a reliable place to buy backdrops? I

know B&H in NYC has a few to select from, but there must be other

outlets.Which ones have you used? I recently ended up using a "tarp"

I bought at HomeDepot (yeah, call me cheap!)

 

Also, what color/hue of a backdrop would you all use for general/on-

location type work? For weddings?

 

Thanks!

Hmmm ... Thanks Vijay. I'll have to check the camera to see if this "sticker" thing is just getting in the way. Am I lining up the arrows? Perhaps not! I didn't know there were arrows to be lined up. I insert the film into the receiving spool, crank the film winder a few times to make sure the film is taut, close the back up and then continue winding until it STOPS. That's frame 1 (I think!). Now you have got me thinking. Will tool around tomorrow and let you all know my findings.

 

Thanks!

I bought a Rolleiflex 2.8GX a while back. I have shot portraits of

some friends and noticed at the lower aperture numbers (2.8

specifically), that the lens vignettes. Does this happen to any other

users out there?

 

Also, I received five rolls of 120 film shot using this camera and

given that the lab uses a dip-n-dunk process, they had to clamp the

ends of the film roll. Curiously, there were actually exposed images

where the clamps bit down (and obviously ruined those images in the

process). Is there a correct way to load this 120 film, so that the

ends are free from any exposures? I did get 12 frames on each of the

rolls, but I have noticed that while winding the film to the next

frame the crank is a bit stiff (not sure this has anything to do with

the errant frames on the roll). Any thoughts on this will greatly

appreciated!

 

Thanks!

I am not sure I have 4500 images, but I have asked a similar question as Edith's (which scanner to buy) in another thread and got some good responses.

 

This business about ICE has me confused. I have read in some threads and even some of the manufacturer's websites that ICE does NOT support Black & White negatives. So, if they happen to be wallowoing in dust, using ICE ain't gonna help one bit. Is this true? And what's this about Advanced Digital ICE Quad?

I feel rich - the kind of info you have all provided is great. Thank you!

 

No, I didn't mean I would want to buy a DSLRinstead of a scanner or vice versa. Eventually, I'll have both. But at this time, with so many images languishing in my library (and wanting to be let out), I'll take your advise and buy a scanner. The Minolta 5400 seems to be winning out right now. The slow scan times are a bit of a bugaboo, but as one polite respondent said, it will give me an opportunity to catch up with all those MacWorld magazines sitting at home collecting dust.

 

Thanks ya'll!