achristensen

<p>So, I would attach the softbox, using the speedring, to the flash and then attach the speedlight, using the coldshoe, to the stand? In this way the softbox would not be attached to the stand at all? How does the speedlight attach to the speedring? Is that another bracket? I have a vintage Vivitar flash (no slave)- this would be compatible with the wein slave units?</p>

 

<p>Several years ago I purchased some really junky softboxes/fluorescent lights on ebay. I don't believe they ever worked properly. The switch in one has quit working and both lamps have since broken and I don't wish to replace them for $60-$90 a pop. I would like to use the softboxes themselves for an upcoming school portrait shoot but can't afford anything- my husband has put me on a spending freeze (I don't know about you but I don't make much doing this). So about the best I can do is locate some used speedlights to use as slaves along with my Canon 430ex/gary fong diffuser on camera. Can someone tell me exactly what I would need to be able to attach the softbox and the flashes to my stands?</p>

<p>Okay, all. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this and considering all angles. I am not in this business to make money, however it is a nice perk. Therefore, my prices are not exorbitantly high compared with other photographers in my area who charge upwards of $20 for one 5x7. I do really enjoy the post-processing experience almost as much as the shooting, and making something look really, really beautiful (in terms of the final print) is really fulfilling for me. However, I realize there is a limit to what I should and can do on this end and that if I chose, I can give this license over to the client which I think, for a fee, I could do. I have considered offering a disc of 30-40 of their favorite images in the most expensive package, or a la carte. I know I need to figure out a number that works in my model what would also be saleable in my area. Thanks for your responses, food for thought.</p>

<p>I assume this has been discussed a gazillion times on here but I need convincing. I recently posted a thread about copyright and got a lot of responses concerning giving disks versus selling prints. Tell me why I should or should not offer a disk.</p>

<p>All, <br>

First of all I started this post with "Why do I feel so violated" not because I really felt violated but because I wanted to get people's attention and get all these great answers! You guys always come through! Phew and it worked. It's one of the top threads of the day! I love that level of discussion<br>

Mostly, I was slightly irritated but being a solutions person I wanted to figure out a way that I can have a little more control over this issue (as I know people break copyright laws all the time, just like I go a little too fast in my XC90 from time to time). I appreciate everyone's comments- they are all very insightful, even Justin's who seems to have a chip on his shoulder. :)<br>

I have decided to slightly raise my package prices (yes, I sell prints, not disks and really enjoy it) and include 50 announcements as a part of every package and see how that works. I assume most seniors will need at least 50 announcements but some will need more which will generate more revenue as they will be able to purchase additional announcements a la carte. What do you guys think?<br>

Now I am going to start on a new thread. Disks versus prints.</p>

<p>All,<br>

I did nicely give her my permission to use them and offered to create a similar announcement with original files quickly and for a small fee if the copies didn't turn out with Kinkos. I also requested that she make my business cards readily available at the graduation party to which she agreed.<br>

I am so grateful for this place. I know that when I have a really pressing issue, my questions will be answered quickly and in more ways that I had considered. Thank you all so much.</p>

<p>Justin,<br>

But what happens in the end when they use your image not to your liking (in terms of color correction, sharpness, cropping, composition, etc.) and then attach your name to it. 200 people see it and (granted I realize the average Joe Public won't notice what we notice) they ask "who took this picture? Huh, I can do better than that." What then does that do for your business prospects? I know I will never have control over what happens to images but having as much as possible is what I am after. I'm looking for practical actions not philosophical discussions at this point- albeit a valid and important discussion and one I am sure has been covered here many times.<br>

I assume most people know about copyright laws, people disregard them all the time with a variety of formats. Does language need to be stated somewhere in materials we give clients?</p>

 

<p>Thanks for all the great replies. Yes, the moment she mentioned she was using the images, I mentally added graduation announcements to my list of available items for this year. I like the add-on to package idea- so they automatically get them with certain package levels. She did complain to me that the images didn't look so great after copying them and I think that bothers me the most- because I am very picky about sharpness and skin tones and overall color effects and CROPPING. Ugh. Matt, I have had to explain that my business model is based on the quality of my images (right down to the paper they are printed on) with a number of customers (not this one, however) who complain that I don't offer everything on a disk. I know lots of photographers do this for a large sum but I care less about the $$ and more about the final product.</p>

<p>This past year was my first year as an official studio and for having done all my work word of mouth, I feel good about the year. I photographed a number of seniors, had a great time, they all placed good-sized orders and all-in-all it was a very positive experience. However, yesterday a mother called to inform me (which I am glad she at least informed me) that they had scanned one of my images to create their own graduation announcements. Needless to say, it rubs me the wrong way. What is the best way to avoid this? How do you keep people from just copying your images willy nilly?</p>

<p>Huh. Wow. I had no idea. I did notice that the batteries were quite warm to touch when completely charged. I am SO glad I asked and thanks, everyone, for your advice! Fortunately, I complained to the company about them (they carry a 1-year warranty), mentioning also that I was using a 15-minute charger. They didn't comment on the charger but simply told me to send them back and they would replace them free of charge. I will be investing in a better charger and hopefully be much happier. So many things to learn! Thanks so much.</p>

<p>Last May I purchased 4 sets of 4 AA 2700 mAh rechargable batteries from SterlingTek after reading some good reviews about this company. I use them only in my 430ex- no kids' toys, or other peripherals. The last few times I've tried to charge them 2 refused to charge. This past time, 5 of the 16 would not charge in my Energizer 15 minute charger. I had a gig later that day and resigned myself to having just the two, fully charged sets in addition to a set of Energizers. I photographed for about 1 1/2 hours and in the course of that time, I had to switch batteries 3 times, ending with the 5 year-old Energizers. Shouldn't these last a little longer than that? Are non-rechargeable batteries better to use in speedlights? Can anyone recommend a better brand?</p>

<p>I have been reading conflicting views on how compatible cs2 is with vista. I am looking to buy either cs2 or cs3 to use with vista. can anyone recommend either? what are the problems with cs2?</p>

Oh, Craig, I did also read somewhere that Vivitar made 3 different versions of this flash- the C/R for Canon, the M/P/O for Minolta, Pentax and Olympus and another which I can't remember. I have the M/P/O version which was used by the father on his Minolta film camera. I believe the contacts are different on each version which is why you were seeing different set-ups there on the ebay listings. Here's a link to one on ebay like mine. CHEAP!

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivitar-Auto-Thyristor-550FD_W0QQitemZ120302729522QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120302729522&_trkparms=72%3A635|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Craig, Sorry typo- 550FD

Huh. I did try all of the modes on both flashes. I am not up on manual flash yet- next project. Yes its the 500FD. Nadine, I have been reading about the 285 and the new updated version of it all over the place. I wonder if those will function with these receivers either? What flashes do you use? In any case, I am going to have to resort to my on-camera flash with lightsphere for this weekend's wedding.... ah, the best laid plans of mice and men...

Nadine, Yes I did talk to Lon. He said that his adapters probably wouldn't work either because the vivitar contacts (of which it has 7) all need to be activated. He seemed to indicate that the adapters only make contact with 2. He also said that many of the newer vivitars just don't seem to cooperate, most likely for the same reason. I'm not sure about the minolta. It only has 2 contacts and Craig, I did try the Minolta backwards to no avail. The way the vivitar has been engineered, it can't be mounted backwards. I tried that too. So I am stumped.... It doesn't make sense to me either. I am guessing that if the vivitar isn't getting all contacts activated it isn't getting enough juice from the batteries in the receiver to actually set off the flash- maybe like a bad internet connection?

Craig, yes both are wired exactly the same. Lon, from flashzebra.com seems to indicate that possibly the issue lies with the contacts and that not all the contacts on the vivitar are being activated with this type of hotshoe adapter and that is why it won't fire. That makes a little more sense. He says that some flashes simply don't want to cooperate unless all contacts are operating. I guess I will need to invest in another 430ex or a 550. Thanks so much for your help! This place continues to amaze me. You have been so helpful!

Is it possible that the older flashes require more voltage (say from the batteries) to fire than the 430ex?

We just got the back off of one of the hotshoe adapters and there is nothing that appears to pick up an optical signal behind the white globe. Its got one green wire from pc port to hotshoe and a red from pc port to hotshoe.

Nope, neither have a pc port. The minolta has an opening that looks like it could have been set up for one but it dead ends. So what does that mean? If Kris is right and it is an optical slave, and the 430ex fires, shouldn't the flash on the other hotshoe get the signal and then fire as well? By the way, both flashes use the same hotshoe adapter.

I have emailed zebraflash.com. Thanks for that advice Nadine. Also, here is the photo of the hotshoe adapter with

receiver attached.<div></div>

I switched everything around in every combination I could think of. Everything (pc cords, hotshoe adaptors, receivers) works on the 430ex but nothing works with either the vivitar or the older minolta I also tried. Its just pure electrical isn't it? Would it have anything to do with the fact the two older flashes are just that? Older? The older flashes function perfectly fine on the hotshoe of the camera.

I received my wireless triggers today- the ebay 16 channel variety. It fires my 430ex great but I was hoping to

use the 2nd receiver on an older vivitar flash. The flash is attached to a hotshoe adapter to which the pc cord

is attached. I see that the red light on the receiver blinks but the flash does not fire. Can anyone explain this?

Thanks all for you helpful replies! I will look into those bogen clamps!

Mark, I had thought of that and figured I would guide her as you have said. Can you guide me to a good tutorial

on TTL flashes? Thanks so much in advance.