david_thomas8

Hi there.

For formal wedding portraits at the reception I usually use a D100

on Aperture priority with a 35mm Nikkor and SB800. I usually set the

SB800 to -2EV on a cloudy day/shade or -1EV on a sunny day.

As yet I havent used the diffuser feature on the SB800 (clear

plastic cuboid supplied) and understand it's the equivalent to -2EV.

Has anybody used it in a formal setting and are you pleased with the

results?

Dave

Hi. If I sent of a standard jpeg fine (3008 x 2000) file direct from

my D100 or D70 to an online developer, and asked for either: (i) a 7

x 5 , (ii) 8 x 6 or (iii) 8 x 10 image, how much cropping would

occur on each print that I get back in each size?

Sounds like an exam question, but your answers would be generously

appreciated!

Thanks.

Dave

p.s. these are the image sizes that are from my bronze, silver and

gold wedding packages.

Can anybody recommend a good quality, fairly cheap tripod, i can use

for my wedding formals?

Being mathematically challenged, can anybody help me with the approximate jpeg sizes that relate to the 7x5, 8x6 and 10x8.

Thanks.

As part of my wedding business, I have 3 packages with 3 different

sizes of print for the final album: (i) 7 x 5, (ii) 8 x 6 and (iii)

10 x 8

Are these print sizes suitable from the JPEG fine output of a D70

and D100?

I intend to send the photographs to a professional online developer.

I was wondering whether it would be a significant advantage to use

both my SB800 and SB600 together when shooting wedding formals?

The Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting system) is optimised for 3

speedlights. Would 2 be effecive (SB800 on D70) SB600 positioned on

other side of triangle to eliminate shadows.

Is the SB600's flash output directly controlled by the SB800?

Dave

Nadine, here is a successful wedding photographer who never uses a tripod:

Steve Levine , apr 09, 2005; 07:52 p.m.

I have shot hundreds of weddings, and I have never shot a single frame with a tripod.

Have a look at his gallery. He's good.

No tripod?

Blasphemer!!!!!!!!!!

love,

Dave

Here is a review of the new sigma 20mm f1.8, which highlights many of the issues I have raised:

Photography Experience:

11-20 years, Other

Summary:

Don't listen to the detractors. This lens isn't for them. They use tri-pods and tight f-stops... what they call "proper" technique. The Singma 20mm f1.8 is the best wide angle walking around lens for the Nikon mount. Since it's f1.8, you can get excellent shutter speeds even by candle light or moonlight. The wide area of coverage makes it easy to hand-hold down to 1/15 or 1/8. If you bump the ISO, you can capture semi-action shots in the middle of the night. No it's not critically sharp until you close down to f8, but f1.8 still prints beautifully at 8x10. For digital shooters, you're looking at 30mm, making this lens the spiritual heir to the Nikon 28mm f1.4, a lens which is also criticised for not being critically sharp wide open. A lens which is also revered for its low light abilities.

I would value your opinions on this new aspherical sigma lens in

Nikon fit.

I must say, I have been told on this very discussion forum that you

MUST have a tripod to be a professional wedding photographer.

Indeed, it a pre-requisite for success. Likewide a flash bracket to

avoid those nasty shadows when shooting vertically.

Well, I'm not so sure. Aferall, the realm of the successful

photographer must reside in the uniqueness of his product i.e. the

originality of his photographs.

Why can't a successful photographer forget the ancient pre-requisite

of a tripod? I propose to use 2 fast lenses, say 1 20mm f1.8 and a

50mm f1.8. This effectively eliminates the need for flash in many

situations (using DSLR) and of course, photographs produced with

natural light are much more beautiful than flash. What about the

dreaded shadows I hear you say? Well, beauty is very much in the eye

of the beholder and indeed, beauty is in the eye of the couple who

purchase your photographs, and recommend you to other clients.

Why would you need a tripod for the group shots with a fast 20mm

f1.8? Answer, because you have to 'see' the right moment to press

the remote control. Well, I can say 3-2-1- smile I think.

The fact is a very fast prime lense elimates the need for

flash/tripod in many situations. Less is more.

Any by the way, the quickflip arrived today with remote control for

the D70 and SC28 flash sync cord. What a dreadful nightmare when

fully assembled, especially all that telephone cord! On the

occassions I do use my SB800 or SB600 flash, I will shoot horizontal

and avoid the needs for such ugly contraptions. In all honesty, I

will use the natural light as much as I can.

At the end of the day, what works for one photographer does not work

for another.

Dave.

Hi

I have a tokina 17mm atx pro f3.5 on a D70 quickflip with SB800 and

remote control & a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 on a D100 with vertical grip. I

also have a SB600 with numerous CF cards and tripod.

Do you think that these lenses will yeild excellent results in a

wedding scenario. Please discuss.

Dave

I have just purchased a Tokina 17mm atx pro, and the results are utterly stunning. I'd go with a prime lens any day over a zoom!

Dave

Hi there.

Please can you tell me where I can buy Stroboframe accessories in

the UK?

I need a flash anti swivel place for my SB800 and a flash (SC28)

screw.

Why is there no anti-swivel plate for quickflips? Does the quickflip

350 not need an antiswivel device?

Dave

Anybody know who sells the anti swivel plate, and its product title?

Dave

Forgive the indulgence!

Ive just bought a SC28 TTL remote cord, a quickflip flash bracket

for use with my D70 and Sb800 (for weddings)

What size screw do I require to connect the female end of the sc28

to the bracket, and where do i get them from? There are no screws

provided with either the SC28 or the stroboframe.

Im really looking forward to having a screw!! LOL

Cheers,

Dave

Not really true.

A 28 on a D100 and D70 (x1.5) equates to a 42mm. Not exactly a wide angle lens suitable for large groups.

The 17mm equates to a 25mm, which is superb.

Dave

Well folks, my Wedding preparations continue with haste.

My 18-70 Nikkor is now my backup lens as I have begun to worship at

the church of the prime lens.

I have purchased a Tokina 17mm F3.5 AT-X PRO for my D70 body for all

the formal wide shots. It's not that fast but it's amazingly well

built and has received excellent reviews. I have also purchased a

flip-bracket for my SB800 speedlight and a remote control so I

can 'capture the moment' more effectively. Also, a sturdy tripod. I

hope to do all my formal 'garden' shots on the tripod with this

setup.

On my D100 body with vertical grip I have my Nikkor 50mm f1.8, which

is as cheap as chips, but still a great great prime lens.

I have purchased some smaller memory cards (not putting all my eggs

in one 1GB basket) I have also bought the smaller SB 600 speedlight

as backup.

So I have 2 bodies, one with a 50mm f1.8 prime, the other with a

17mm wide prime f3.5

I am planning not to change either lens too much as to avoid dust on

the sensors in my DSLRs.

I feel happy that this is enough to start with as I have backup for

every major component apart from my car!! (And that's a vital

accessory!!!!)

I have also bought the Lowepro Steal Reporter 500 to keep all the

stuff in, which is a most worthwhile and splendid bag.

On a different matter, does anybody recommend having UV filters

fitted to each prime as to protect the lens?<div></div>

Can you buy a DSLR wide angle PRIME lens (say 18mm) that gives

improved performance over the D70 18-70 kit lens (in terms of

maximum f and optical quality), and is still reasonably affordable?

P.S. It does not have to be a Nikkor lens.

Once again, a most helpful and thoughtful answer.

Cheers,

Dave. Sorry we got off on the wrong foot!

In my wedding kit bag (D70/D100 bodies) I have a 50mm prime nikkor

f1.8, the kit lens 18-70 from the D70 and a 28-200 tamron telephoto

zoom.

Food for thought:

I love my 50mm Nikkor but on a DSLR it is more like a 75mm. Is this

adequate for small group portraits 2/3 people?

Is the D70 18-70 good enough quality for wide group shots? I know

its a good lens but would I be better off getting a 17mm prime? Do I

really need a big zoom ? Maybe 2 prime lenses would be better.

Is the Tamron 28-200 XR aspherical good enough for long shots (on a

tripod) in the church? It does suffer from distortion at the 200mm

end and only has a max aperture (at 200mm) of f5.6. Is this lens of

good enough quality? I realise you can do wonders with photoshop CS.

I'm tempted to believe I can get away with 2 prime lenses. The 50mm

f1.8 Nikkor on teh D100, and a 17mm prime on the D70.

Is this realistic and sensible?

I believe people's perceptions of you as a professional photographer

relate to how you dress, how you display your professionalism (ie

the correct social skills) and obviously your camera equipment.

My D100 with vertical grip and 50mm lens looks 'professional'.

Afterall, it's a big black box that would undoubtedly scare my

mother in law!

I have doubts about my D70s 'street cred' mainly because of its

size, and the fact many wedding guests might have one.

Is it me or am I just being paranoid?

I know the pictures should speak for themselves, but wedding guests

perceptions of you as the professional could be under some scrutiny.