schnellimages

Okay,

So, where do we get these actions? I have been to Action Central, but what other places are there?

Gil,

Is the 35 better? Sharper you mean?

Thanks.

I am torn between two primes lenses and cannot decide which way to go. I am

thinking of the Canon EOS 28mm 1.8, or the 50mm 1.4. I shoot weddings with a

1D Mk II and typically use a 85 1.8, and the 28-70L 2.8-4, and sometimes the

70-200l 2.8. I like the 85 for the dof, but sometimes find it too tight.

This may seem simplistic, but I really cannot come down on the wider 28, or

the 50.

Thoughts, or input?

Thanks,

Bob

I am in the process of creating my first matted album with Zookbinders. I have

heard great things about them and they have been great to work with so far.

I was wondering if there is any kind of album layout software that would work

for their matted albums. Am I whistling in the wind for something like this?

Thanks for any advice.

Bob

Yes, I am convinced.

Thanks again.

Thanks Jim. I have actually been just using Duracells for weddings so far, with plenty of extras. Typically, I need to change them out about 2/3 through. I may have been succombing to equipment envy when considering the Turbo. However, if I don't have to lug the extra weight (or pay the extra $), than I am okay with that. I will look into the CBE unit.

Thanks.

This may be a basic (or dumb) question, but I am not clear which Quantum

battery pack I need for my Canon 580 flash. I see a Quantum Battery 2 on B&H,

but am wondering if it is the Turbo that I need.

And experience out there for me?

Thanks.

Christy,

One thing I would add to Marc's post (and if it was there and I missed it, sorry), is go into the advanced menu in the printer dialogue box and click ICM, and then the 'no color mgmt' option. I have the 2200, and I think a fairly common, but easy mistake is to color manage twice, or not at all. Again, if this is an obvious suggestion, please disregrad.

Thanks to all. I know this is the kind of subject that has many answers. I know a local photographer who is VERY busy catering to the budget wedding market, and I commend him for it. As stated before, there are plenty who want a photographer, but simply cannot afford the $2K+ pricetag. My main disagreement with his approach is only his willingness to give away the farm with each package (multiple albums, proof books, etc) I am not sure how much he clears in the end.

I suppose my initial post is based on a desire to edge into the 'upper crust' clientelle. More than the potential for a bigger paycheck though, is the potential of better images due to the venue, wedding size, etc.

That being said, I just shot a little country wedding set at a local Ruritan club, and it was the biggest package I offer, and turned out to be a lot of fun to shoot. The venue was a photographic nightmare (like a wedding in a basement), but it just forced me to be more creative. The people were a delight, and everyone had a great deal of fun.

So, what was my point again...? Hmmm.

What are the thoughts on setting wedding package rates? I know that the region

in which you shoot plays a part, experience, overhead, etc. I am not

asking: 'What should I charge', but more along the lines of, does charging

more get you higher-end clients. This is an oversimplification of course. I

used to lean more towards budget weddings - my experience wasn't as extensive,

I'm not carrying a great deal of overhead, etc. However, I have raised my

prices over the last couple of years or so, for a variety of reasons (ie: not

just greed:)), in part because I began to wonder if some who inquired into my

rates were not taking me seriously.

Now, I am kidding a bit when I suggest that simply raising my rates will start

to garner more 'blue-blood' clients, but is there something to the idea that

charging more (within the scope of experience and talent), will get you more

serious consideration?

Thoughts?

Okay, I am looking to get a backup body to my 1d Mk II. I have been tempting

fate for too long not having one when I shoot a wedding. I am considering a

used 20D, to keep expenses down. I have heard some mixed revues of this

camera. Anyone using it now that might have some feedback, or advice.

Thanks,

Bob

All,

Good points, I will look for an alternative.

And Jim, what if they were zombies? Wouldn't your comments seem a little insensative then? Shame...

All,

I wanted some feedback on an image I am thinking of using for a postacard

marketing campaign. I futzed around with it in PS (maybe too much). I was

looking for the wisdom of the masses on the quality of this image.

Thanks for the assistance.<div></div>

Karie,

I am a big fan of the Tamrac bags, and I also have a Pelican case and can vouch for it's durability (it has been used as a stepstool on many occassions). However, I just purchsed a Lowepro Rolling CompuTrekker backpack this summer and have never been happier. I can a 1D, backup body, 85 1.8, 28-70L, 70-200L, 300 f4L, 15mm, and 2 flashes, as well as plenty of room for my laptop. I had a reception the other week that was a quarter mile hike through the local Botanical Gardens. Carrying my equipment would have been, um...hard to say the least. Well worth the $ in my opinion.

Here is the link: http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/rolling/Rolling_CompuTrekker_Plus_AW.aspx

Mary,

You have brought up the reorder point before, and I know that the folks at Michel Company have told me the same thing. I think the box has it's place. Some of my weddings this year were more on the 'budget' side of things, and I was cringing a little at the price of multiple proof books and such. I looked at the Topflight Maxi album - is this what you were referring to?

Thanks again.

Thanks to all, your responses make me feel better about my thinking. I definately would go with a nice box and presentation as well.

Kim, thank you as well for the slideshow link. I particularly like the border on all your proof prints. I assume this is something you do in PS? I am blatantly fishing here, so please forgive.

Bob

Once again, another question around proofs. What are the thoughts on providing

proofs in a box to clients? Typically, I have somewhere around 500 or more

final images, and it just seems to many to give in one huge book, or several

smaller books. I know that some do the boxed prints and I am wondering if that

might be a better way to go.

Are several proof books acceptable in your collective opinion though?

Thanks for any advice.

Bob

Thanks to all. And I apologize if I was not clear enough. I was more interested in the field of view feedback than the T/S option. I will probably go with the 24.

Thanks again.

Bob

I am in the market for a EOS T/S lens (specifically to use on a

landscape/architectural shoot for a local outdoor mall). I am torn between the

24mm, or the 45mm. I would be using it on a 1D MkII. I would welcome any

thoughts.

Thanks.

That can be galling of course, but you can never know. I was booked for a wedding in July on the date that another mother of the bride had been vasillating over for weeks. As a token gesture I referred the wedding to another photographer I knew - a young guy who has been assisting a fairly big local photographer. He agreed to do it, but only wanted to get a (relatively) small shooting fee, as he didn't want the hassle of putting an album together and dealing with the clients afterwards. A big lightbulb went off in my head at that point. Everything worked out great, and I was paid for 1 3/4 wedding's while only shooting one that day.

Just a thought, but this might be an opportunity to make lemonade.

Anyone out there with any experience with Bride.com? I have never heard of

them, and was wondering if it was any good.

Thanks.

Thanks Michael. I am actually in the process of putting together a postcard mailing. The designer that put my website together also put in a newsletter sign up option that I have not decided how to take advantage of yet - and has been something of a guilty situation for me. Your thoughts give me some direction.

Thanks,

Bob

Does anyone out there use newsletters from their websites? How common are

they, and if so, how are they done, what kind of content?

Thanks.

Assuming that money is not an issue, which Canon body would be a good choice

for a second body? I have a 1D MkII and have been thinking about a 2nd body

for weddings and assignments. The 30D (or even 20D) are good choices

economically, but I am also interested in the added features of the 5D.

However, i wonder how much of an issue the difference of the sensor sizes of

the 1D and 5D would present. Of course, another 1D (used) might be a logical

option as well.

What are some thoughts from those who may have gone the 5D route, or have done

the comparison already?

Thanks.