armando_reyes

The Sunpak 622 Super Pro has a GN of 200 (ISO 100/50mm), 4 times more power and options of various head attachments as ring light, bare bulb or diffuised head.

A lighter option would be the Sunpak 120j with a GN of 150 that I prefer when used with an umbrella.

A reliable and well made strobe is the Metz 45cl-4 wich I also have (GN 148).

I built my own battery packs for each of the strobes so I can repace them at my local Radio Shack or Walmart for cheap.

Mark McCall is an expert using this strobe on auto mode outdoors, do a search for his free tutorials or email me to send them to you.

There is a cheaper alternative with the Canon Powershot G series:

http://www.kleptography.com/notes-irconvert.htm

I have the Tamron SP 35-105 f2.8 and man I love it. It is sharper than my Tamron 28-75 f2.8, in fact I had a Tamron 35-105 Minolta mount and that one was also a good performer. On crop sensors this focal range is the perfect portrait lens. My sharper optics are the 50mm and the 85mm in canon mount, but my Tamron it is not much of a less quality image at any compared focal length.

I've sold my Sigma APO 70-210 f2.8 last month, the buyer was not interested on the Bogen 3420 telephoto lens support that I was using with the lens. It was a Minolta mount and the camera to be used a Sony Alpha has IS. The Bogen support could be an option for you:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/126662-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3420_3420_Telephoto_Lens_Support.html

 

If you are interested in mine emailme for details of the item and my references.

I use the Cokin bellows lenshood for portrait work outdoors, it can be adjusted quickly to match the focal length of the lens I am using.

All my lenses have a non rotating front element.

Some times people ask me smiling why I use a hat on my strobes when they see my Lumiquest ProMax, or make some other funny coments about it. It would be interesting hear their crazy comments on one of those new Gary Fong gadgets.

I've reading "The Photoshop 7 Bible professional edition" from Deke McClelland, is a book for somewhat advanced users in Photoshop. I love this book but now I have CS2 and just ordered "The CS2 Bible".

Amazon has it new and used:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Bible-Professional-Deke-McClelland/dp/076451993X/sr=1-9/qid=1171672327/ref=sr_1_9/102-2184132-8667324?ie=UTF8&s=books

I agree with Nadine, worth the money in my opinion.

Tell me about the honeymoon.

I agree with Daniel Cytron, a 600si should be a good choice to replace your 5000i. Also take a look at the 700si, it has a dedicated

spot meter and looking at your images this camera would be worth to consider for portraits on difficult light condition. If you get an 600si or 700si get the vertical grip, it will save you money because you can use "AA" batteries instead the expensive lithiums.

Every camera seems to have a weak design and the Maxxum system is not an exception. My 700si developed the same problem, I can not use the fancy custom cards anymore, but only had the custom function card anyway and I still use it with no problem. If you want to complement your system I would recommend to replace your camera with a Maxxum7 or 800si. If you are interested I have a 5000i in a very nice shape (8+ to be conservative) with the manual card included but not strap for your shoulder. Feel free to email me for pictures and my references, my asking price is $60.00 USD to your door if you are located on the continental US.

What is the voltage sync on those gadgets?

I need a backup to my Quantums Radio Slaves.

My daughter is using a Canon G2 (4mp), she is very happy with it.

Check the specs on http://www.dpreview.com/.

The sync voltage of the Vivitar strobes vary so much.

I was checking the voltage on some old models and was surprised on

the difference. From 9 volts to 196 volts! The maximum your D60

will tolerate is 6 volts.

 

Even the 283 and 285 series of Vivitar have that much difference.

If you need a serious flash for a good money try the Sigma EF-500 DG

SUPER, I have it as a back up to Canon 580 EX.

 

I also have the Sunpak 540 (4 volts, tested myself)and 150GN. Very cheap on the auction site.

I just replaced the 3047 head with the 322RC2 action grip on my 3046

Bogen. This tripod proved very reliable when the Mamiya RB Pro S was mounted on it. Old tripod and don't want to "upgrade".

Not to highjack this thread, but I have the same problem with my

Artixscan 4000 (SCSI). It was ok, I would say on my older computer

Windows 98, because some times the PC didn't recognize the scanner and it had to be restarted. Move to a digicam and upgrade computer

Windows XP and the PC won' recognize the scanner at all.

 

Would an SCSI to USB adaptor work on this particular scanner?

 

I agree on the Microtek Tech Support, it does not exsist and

won't buy any product from this company ever again.

Rebecca, my wife is also learning wedding photography. Seminars are a good way to learn the craft, but very expensive. We decided to suscribe to the Photovision video magazine and bought the Photovision Digital Wedding Techniques among others. This along with

the instant review of digital has given very good results.

The videos will present to you several photographers with their unique style, then you can practice the technique that you like.

However, the use of your gear must to be second nature when you

are working on a wedding, does not matter if is a Pentax K1000/283 Vivitar combo or a top of the line pro camera.

If you like auto modes of the Vivitar 285 and the round reflector of

the 120J there is something called Armatar. Do a search on ebay,

there are 2 for sale right now.

Thank you all.

I've overlooked an important detail, the size of the capacitor has to

be the same dimension or close enough to fit inside the strobe.

Still searching.

Thanks for the info, I'd like to fix it myself instead of send it for repair. Will check on that site.

Franky is/was my Armatar srobe. My wife said the flash had a funny look

like it was put together from different parts and it was a Frankeinstein

strobe.But boy it worked like a charm.

It busted on a wedding while doing formals, I guess it overheated, upon

inspection I discovered a damaged capacitor (1100microF @350V Japan for

Photoflash)

 

Is this part an special order item or something I can buy on Radio Shack?

Help me to revive Franky.

This photographer has very good examples on location lightning techniques.Check it out.

http://www.photosig.com/go/users/viewportfolio?id=114388

Metz units are more accurate on the auto sensors compared to the Sunpak strobes.I have the Sunpak 120jttl but the interface module

is obsolete for today's technology, it uses Canon's old TTL, three

generation older to the more advanced ETTLII, my use for the 120j

is on a light stand/umbrella combo on manual mode for formals, or on location for backlight on bridal settings.It is a very good back up versatile strobe.