digidurst

The lenses I'm looking at are:

Schneider 180 5.6/315 12.0 Symmar Convertible Lens

Nikon 210 5.6 Nikkor-W Lens

Calumet 210 6.8 Caltar II-E Compact Lens

I'll be using the LF for product work in my studio. Any one lens in particular stand out as a

winner?

As for strobes, I've been using ABs in my studio with a Canon 20D.

I checked ebay and other used sources but I haven't found too many comparable numbers

but the asking price does seem fair.

I know I cast a broad net in asking for the info I did but I'm looking to you LF veterens to

help me make the right decision. I know $650 doesn't sound like a lot but it adds up

quick, right!? :-D

Thanks again

Greetings! I have found a used Horseman 450 4x5 in very good condition. Looks new aside

from some fingerprints on the knobs. The shop is asking $650 for it and it comes with 1

lens board and a ground glass that rotates for portrait/landscape modes. Good deal or

should I keep looking?

Another question (forgive me but I figured I'd consolidate posts) - how in the heck do I use

my studio strobes with an LF camera???

Thanks in advance for the advice - Happy Holidays to all :-D

Tried to email you back but got a delivery failure notice but here's what I said:

No problem :-)

Honestly, the lens is only so-so. Really needs to stopped down to no less

than f8. I replaced it with a Tamron 28-75 Di 2.8 something or other (who

can remember those huge names!) and I'm much happier with it.

Course, it's the photographer and not the equipment and I've seen some

incredible shots taken with less. Good luck to you!

I used to have a Tamron 28 - 105 (which was sold with my 300D) but I did try it on my

20D and it worked just fine. The real old 3rd party lenses might give you a 'error 99'

message but I haven't run into that problem yet. Good luck :-)

Nice shot, Ellis - good explanation too!

I use my ABs for just about everything but I also like the small flashguns for portability so

it's nice to see successful results :-)

Oops - I just reminded myself of another question! What if I wanted to set my Alien Bees

for rear curtain sync? Is that possible? Anybody tried it?

Thanks again :-)

Thanks for the input everyone. But I have to admit, I'm a little irritated with Canon... What's

the point of having that custom setting if the flash (Canon or other brand) doesn't respond

to it appropriately??

I'll have to check the Sigma's manual - I think it does have an option for rear curtain sync

but I'll be darned if I know how to set it for that.

Hi all! I was trying a little experiment yesterday with my Canon 20D and my Sigma EF-500

DG Super Flash. I used the custom function setting for 2nd curtain sync but the flash kept

firing at '1st curtain sync' (for lack of a better description). Can someone tell me what I'm

doing wrong?

Thanks!!

I did a little web searching and found the Ultima you were talking about. Very cool device

(with a very cool price tag)! Not gonna happen anytime soon. But I do appreciate your

making me aware of the possibilities, Ellis. I might wind up with a LF yet but in the

meantime, I'd still like to get user's input on tilt shift lenses.

Cheers!

Fascinating Ellis! Boy, when a girl asks for details - she gets details! Thanks!

Of course, now I have more questions... Number 1, how did you attach a dslr to the view

camera? Can you do that with any view camera or just the Cambos? 2nd question - is it

possible to shoot film (in the film holder) while having the dslr attached?

Again, I appreciate you time and expertise on this!

Ellis, could you please be more specific? Why the 90mm and what are the limitations of

close focusing? Confusing because I would assume a wider angle would work better

considering the 1.6x multiplication factor on a 20D. Thanks!!

Hi everyone! I hope the holiday season finds you in a merry mood!

I would appreciate any and all input regarding tilt shift lenses, specifically when used on a

Canon 20D. Canon offers 3 focal lenghts to choose from: 24mm, 45mm, and 90mm.

Which one would be best for table-top, still life work?

I have also come across some Russian lenses (offered by Kiev)... has anyone tried these?

Like them? Hate them? For the cost savings, they are certainly tempting!

Thanks in advance for the input :-)

Hi everyone! I am just starting out and trying to make sure my books are in order. I would

love to hear opinions on what accounting software you are using in your photography

business.

I have Photobyte which is pretty cool except that it doesn't really track 'payables' and those

fonts are awfully small! I am also looking at MYOB (the $99 version) as it has photography

templates and works on a Mac.

My accountant likes Quickbooks but the only version they have that will work on a Mac is a

little pricey.

So what do you folks think? Hey, thanks in advance and Merry Christmas!

Hi Charlie and thanks for the suggestion. I will look into it further - not to buy (at least not

in the near future) but to answer my questions.

Hi everyone! I want to get into product/advertising photography and in researching the

topic I have seen several references to LF cameras. I've been shooting digital (20D) as are

so many others so learning that LF cameras were still being used was a big surprise to me!

All this time, I thought LF was something only landscape or architecture photographers

used. So my questions are why is LF so great for product stuff? Where in the world do you

get film developed? If I don't use a LF camera am I shooting myself in the foot? Will a tilt

shift lens offer some of the same benefits?

Sorry for all the questions but I am really curious and would love to hear your opinions on

this topic. Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!!

Nope - no lightbox. But if I may add 2 questions: Do any of you use a dedicated shooting

table? Are they worth the expense?

I am curious to know how you folks setup for lighting a subject from underneath? Do you

use a shooting table with plexiglass? Glass top sitting on crates? Basically I'm looking for

tips, economical solutions, etc. Thanks in advance!

Forgive me for asking what may be a dumb question but what is 'butterfly' lighting?

Thanks!

Hi all! I have Alien Bee monolights and I ordered one of their barndoor light modifiers but

I'm not sure I like it. Can anyone recommend other barndoors that will work with a 7"

reflector. Thanks!

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it worked out (not surprised). Ya know, I think sometimes

before a big shoot we can get ourselves pretty worked up - like an actor getting ready to

go on stage - but then we get there with our camera in hand and it all comes together.

Gee folks - how about some encouragement! Somebody must think she's up to the task or

she wouldn't have gotten the job :-)

Sorry I don't have any advice to give but surely someone who utilizes this forum can give

you some pointers!

Robert, I am in kind of the same boat... I have one Alien Bee (B400) that is just great but I

would really like to add some low wattage strobes to use as fill and/or background lights. I

am leaning towards some Paterson units - they are the same color temp as my Bee so I

would think that it would work.

Using older strobes might cause an issue though. I wonder if you would have better luck

replacing your flashtubes to get a closer match to a newer monolight?

I hope some other folks chime in here with some good advice. In the meantime, I wish you

the best of luck in finding a solution to your lighting problem, Robert. Cheers!