brad_hersch

Looking to buy a 3 head monolight system. Owned White Lightening

years ago when the company just started. Sold the stuff when I got

out of the business. Considering buying White Lightening again. It

appears that Alien Bees are a cheaper version with lower max light

output units. Are they still as good as the new White Lightening?

They are a good bit cheaper. The Alien Bees brochure doesn't show

the back of the units (the controls). Is it similar to the layout

of the WhiteLightenings? Any other brand I should look at? Any

type I buy must have proportional modeling lights or I'm not

interested. Thanks in advance.

Brad

Just did that. Used all Hasselblad for years and got out of the business several years ago. Just got back into it a few months ago. Immediately I bought 2 20D bodies with kit lenses (not great lenses but cheap). Also bought a Canon 28-70 f/2.8 L USM and 2 weeks ago I bought a 70-200 f/2.8 L USM. What awesome lenses these are...but not cheap. I also bought 2 580eX flashes with Stroboframe PressT brackets. And of course lots of 1gig cards and batteries. As my 22 year old son will be assisting me I'm looking to buy another lens in the 28-70 range. Might buy the 24-70 f/2.8 L USM or might consider Tamron or Sigma. Just remember when budgeting if you're going to do event photography (weddings etc.) you absolutely have to have backup equipment that's just as good as your primary equipment. Incidently I shop a Bar Mitzvah recently using the 70-200 f/2.8 from the rear of the sanctuary using only available light. Good thing I bought the 2.8 as I really needed the speed. Shot all available light shots at ISO 1600 and am extremely pleased with the results. The 20D really does do an excellent job at higher ISO settings like everyone claims. My buddies Nikon D100 and D70 can't touch it for noise level.

Good luck

Brad

Recently came upon a Bowens (Bogen) Mono 4000. Anyone know where I

can download instructions on it. I just would like to have it. And

specs would be nice.

thanks,

Brad

Question about 580ex on a 20D. When flash zooms to match the focal

length of the lens is it assuming it is mounted on a camera with

full size sensor/35mm film format? I am not impressed with the

predictibility of the flash compared to when I used Hassy with Metz

45/60CT flash units. Might ditch the 580ex and try the Metz units.

It just doesn't seem like the 580ex units pack much punch. I admit

I'm new to digital, but I was expecting more out of these flashes

than they delivered. FYI...I had ISO set to 400 with camera on

manual. Most of time I had shutter at around 1/80 with f stop

around 4-5.6. What am I doing wrong. Most flash pics taken with

Canon 28-70 L f/2.8.

Thanks,

Brad

Bought the Canon 70-200 L f/2.8 lens last week from Adorama. Funny

thing...people paid $945 on ebay for used ones. New one from

Adorama was $1139 + $50 mack warranty. Can't see paying $945 for

used. Anyway...got to use the lens yesterday at a Bar Mitzvah that

only allows available light during ceremony. With the 1.6 crop

factor it ended up being the perfect lens. When fully extended it

totally filled the frame as I wanted. Good thing I held out and got

the 2.8 as the f/4 wouldn't have cut it. The images are

incredible. Lens was mounted on heavy duty Bogen tripod. ISO set

to 1600, exposure at f/2.8 with shutter speed at around 1/125-

1/160. Image is extremely sharp from corner to corner. Noise

incredibly low. Camera Canon 20D

Bit the bullet. After considering the Tokina and Sigma lenses I

just ordered from Adorama the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens. I

was considering going cheaper as not sure the lens will get enough

use to justify the cost. I got too much negative feedback on the

Tokina. The Sigma is $800 and I figured for another $340 I can have

the best. As I already have the EF 28-70 f/2.8L USM it seemed to

make sense. Another reason is I hate how the aftermarket lenses

have reverse zoom action compared to the Canon lenses. I find that

extremely annoying. I had previously ordered a Tokina doubler (AF

2X). Curious how it will work with the new 70-200

Was considering the L series f4, but I really don't want to give up the one stop of light for the lenses intended purpose.

Deciding between s Sigma 70-200 F2.8 EX APO HSM at $799 Adorama, or

a Tokina 80-200 F2.8 AT-X 828 AF PRO for $609 less $60 rebate at

Adorama. Kind of a tough decision as the lens won't get much use...

just available light shots from rear of Temples for Bar Mitzvah

photos during ceremony, and from rear of Temples/Churches during

weddings. Rest of pics will be taken with Canon 28-70 f2.8 L, or

the 18-55 kit lens. For the price the Tokina is awefully tempting.

Looks like the Sigma might focus faster due to the HSM. In the days

of using all Hasselblad I typically used a Sigma 80-200 on a Nikon

F3 for these shots as Hassy long lenses were way to slow. I was

following a EF 80-200 f2.8 L series on Ebay but couldn't justify

final price of $800 for a used lens with no warranty and not even

knowing how old it is. It was prior to USM. I do have a buddy that

has used a similar Tokina on Nikon film cameras and a D100 and has

been happy with it. Based on my limited usage of it any

suggestions. Needless to say I still need decent quality images. I

have 2 20d bodies.

Thanks,

Brad

I have a 28-70 L f:2.8 obviously very similar just older version. It does have a large lens hoood. I have always been against adding more glass to front of lens, but with such a big piece of glass I was considering some protection!

brad

Already asked and got opinios about using filters to protect

expensive glass. What about UV vs. clear multicoated filters. The

vast majority of my photographs will be taken on 20d cameras with

580ex flash indoor.

In the days of Hasselblads I never used any lens protection filters

like UV etc. Always felt it would just interfer with the quality of

the Zeiss lenses. With the hard lens hood and the overall small

dimensions of the 80mm lens which I used 95% of the time it was

pretty well protected. Now with my 20d equip I have a Canon L

series 28-70 2.8 with a 77mm filter size I'm concerned. Sure is a

lot of exposed, expensive glass. Even though I do have the rather

large lens hood for it I also have a Cokin P set up for it. Anyone

use UV filters with much luck. Not looking to add extra glare etc.

brad

Just a thought. In my area the higher priced (and better)photographers pretty much use their names...John Doe Photography etc. The ficticious names seem more used by the large volume "mall studios" even though they may not be in a mall. The kind that hires high school kids and pays them a couple hundred dollars to shoot a wedding. Just a thought. I know maybe I shouldn't generalize, but it is sure true in my area.

brad

Jamie,

Is the rest of the bracket exactly the same. I wouldn't mind it extending a bit more. Right now I have an old quick release between body and bracket and I must keep bracket extended to maximum so flash head aligns with lens on vertical shots. The pics make them look a bit different.

thanks

brad

I have 2 Canon 20d's and only one PressT which I am extremely happy

with. Almost ordered another one today but thought I'd see if I

should buy a ProT for the second body. Any advantages/disadvantages

I should know about. Will be using Canon 580EX flashes on both

cameras. Also...any quick disconnect suggestions between the

bracket and the 20d body. Prefer something slim.

Thanks

brad

Looking for a longish for my pair of 20d's. Currently have the 18-

55 kit lenses (not great but cheap for infrequent use). Also have a

28-70 f:2.8 L series which is awesome. Looking for a 70/80-200 for

occasional shots from rear of temle/church. Hate to spend 1500 yet

need good speed. A friend has a Tokina for Nikon D100 which he

swears by. Looking at a Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro auto focus 80-200.

About $610 from Adorama. Can't tell if front of lens rotates during

focusing. I like the Cokin system so that's not good.

thanks

brad

Man...you guys got me all teary eyed with nostalgia! Guess I kind of dated myself by remembering Spiratone!!! Imagine Spiratone in the age of the web.

 

Brad

I was going from a Hasselblad background and Nikon F3's so none of my previous lenses were suitable for digital. Considered D70 and 20d. Based on fellow pros in my area that I'm friendly with and my pro lab I got a couple 20d's. One issue I'm told is poor support from Nikon unlike previous years of NPS which was great. Apparently Canon supports pros better. Other issue according to lab and a couple friends with d100's is Canon has better consistency with color. At least this is what several pros told me and my pro lab. I'm very happy with the 20d's so far.

anyone know what ever became of Spiratone? They used to be a good

source from some odds and ends...sort of like Porters.

Thanks,

Brad

I don't see the problem here. You see this as a negative...I see it as another job. Divorce party!!!

Brad

main reasons for flash brackets are 1) to allow for vertical shots while keeping flash directly over lens. This throws shadows down and somewhat out of the picture...depending on distance to background. 2) pretty much eliminates redeye. Sure wish someone would make a DSLR sized like current ones in a square format. That's the one thing I really miss about the Hassy stuff...not having to reposition flash for vertical/horizontal shots.

Brad

just found another option...Canon 70-200 f4.0 L series usm for $580. Wonder if for close to the same amount of money the Canon L series is probably far superior to any aftermaket lens...even though it is 1 stop slower. What do you all think?

Thanks,

Brad

Don't forget the beer holders with straw on the hat...then I'll buy one.

Am looking for an 80-200 (or close to that range) to use on my 20d

cameras. At this point they will see somewhat limited use...shot

from rear of Church/Temple during weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Considering Tokina 80-200 F2.8 AT-X 828 AF PRO Auto...

Looks to be $609 at Adorama. Any negative/positive comments. Does

the front of lens rotate during focusing thus rotating any filters?

Was considering adding a 1.4 or 2x teleconverter to my 28-70 f2.8 L

lens but am concerned about the loss of light.

Thanks

Brad

Some years ago when I was shooting with Hasselblads (and before we had kids) my wife tagged along mostly to coordinate the events and to reload my backs. She could reload a Hassy back almost as fast as I could! Now my son (now 22) will work as a second shooter along with another associate. One funny thing happened once...while my wife was with me one of the bridesmaids hit on me. My wife was real glad she was with me. It sure kept her on her toes!!!

Brad

like someone else already pointed out...I used to shoot a lot for attorneys representing injured people. Ring lite was used on a Hassy for showing close ups of wounds, scars, etc...

brad