tnaskedov

<p>Holy Cow, lots of advice here! I think the best was a few posts back that suggests you really can't go wrong in this area of the country. Different strokes and all that as far as the various qualities of the National Parks. Anyway, here's my 2 cents as well:</p>

<p>I live in Tucson, and my recommendation would be Zion/Bryce out of Vegas. I've been to every park in the region, and more than once to Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. I would spend the bulk of the time in Zion, and make an overnight trip to Bryce (shoot sunset, sunrise the next morning, hike a bit among the hoodoos, then back to Zion). Every park is beautiful, just different. In Zion, I would <em>highly</em> recommend renting drysuits in Springdale and hiking up the Narrows...best $100 (for two outfits) I've ever spent in a National Park (besides the $200 I spent to get married in Yosemite!). The photography in the Narrows isn't necessarily unique, but it's gorgeous and a spectacular hike. Zion has peaks, river/creeks, high hikes with views, low hikes, etc. I think it offers a more total package than any of the other parks in the area.</p>

<p>If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, it's hard to pick something else, and you could easily fill 3-4 days shooting sunrises/sunsets, but the hiking is somewhat limited (into the canyon or along the rim, not much else) so the middle of days may be a bit uneventful. It is truly a marvel though.</p>

<p>As far as visiting Tucson, don't. Saguaro NP is beautiful, and the Sonoran Desert Museum is fantastic (not really a "museum" or a "zoo," but better than both). Unfortunately, they don't hold a candle to the Utah parks.</p>

<p>Sedona is beautiful, and not quite like anywhere else I've been, but I still wouldn't put it on the same level as the Utah parks.</p>

<p>Finally, for 3-4 days, I'd keep your area of exploration small. Each park in that area has plenty to fill that many days</p>

<p>Todd</p>

<p>Hi John,<br>

I'm not trying to get in an argument. I AM listening to what people are telling me, and I appreciate everyone's responses. I understand what you mean, but I explain it that way to say that my wife's involvement is irrelevant here. I know things in any seemingly simple situation can go sour, but in this case there would be no effect, positive or negative, on my wife. But, I digress : ) I understand your point and take note of it, thanks. </p>

<p>Now, about my roughly outlined plan...got word from the hotel, they want to keep costs low and so want only the hotel photos, not my personal photos as well. So, I think I'll ask for one set price and leave it at that. Thanks again, everyone, for your wisdom and advice!</p>

<p>Todd</p>

<p>All right, thanks everyone for taking the time to respond! One thing on my wife: she IS removed. When she suggested I could take them, she told the person in charge up front that they'd have to pay if they wanted to use them as advertising/promotion (before she even brought up the idea to me), and that she would not be involved in any negotiation. She isn't involved at the conversation at this point, and I'm certainly not going to do anything that will leave a bad taste in her coworkers' mouths! So, when I say she is removed, I mean that she is not feeding me any inside info (she would refuse to ask for it) and I'm not negotiating through her. Advertising/Promotion is not her area at the hotel.</p>

<p>Anyway, to get a little more specific. At this point, I've asked the person in charge what specific photos she wants to use, where she wants to use them, and for how long. I have two types of photos they're looking at. The first is the set of photos of the hotel I took specifically for them. I'm thinking about one set price for this group, depending on how widespread the usage (anticipating something like a couple hundred dollars). The second group consists of photos I've taken around the area previously that I DO sell as fine art prints (though not much, as I'm not pushing the business side of my photography). For these, I'm thinking a significantly higher price and pricing them individually. Please let me know what you think of this structure.</p>

<p>As far as my business ambitions, I AM trying to get into that side of photography, but I'm not selling out to the process yet, as there seems to be a gloomy forecast for professional photography in general and I'm still learning (like I am here, with your help!). So I'm not giving up my day job yet. I am looking at this as a possible way to get my work in front of people, and a way to get "tangled up" with business specifics as a learning experience. If I don't make all the money off this I could, no biggie, I just want to try it. I'll make sure everyone involved is satisfied with the deal so there are no hard feelings. </p>

<p>Thanks again!<br>

Todd</p>

<p >Okay, looking for some advice on a one-time deal (not starting a new business or anything), and I appreciate any help or advice. I took some photographs of a local hotel my wife works for (she's in management, but did not request the photos, just suggested I was a capable photographer) that they were to use in internal operations (in other words, not for advertising or public consumption), so I did them for free. They liked the photos enough that they'd like to use them in some advertising now, and are wanting to negotiate a price to use them (my wife is removed from this).<br>

My questions:<br>

When I sell them, what do I sell? Do I sell one time use rights? Do I sell them the photos outright?<br>

Also, what's a decent price to ask for? I realize this is an open-ended question, but I'm looking more for a reference of what something like this sells for.<br>

I hope I'm clear in what I'm asking. I'm no pro, but I could sure use some pro advice! Thanks</p>

<p>Todd</p>

<p>They were? I can't find them. Maybe I'm losing my mind : o</p>

<p>Any word from Josh and the Limited Lens Case contest?</p>

<p>I shoot Pentax because it offers a little bit of sanity in the face of my madness.<br>

I am a travel junkie...the kind of person who is planning his next trip on the plane coming back from (yes, sometimes even going to --) his current trip. I find I never get to travel enough...I start itching to leave the first week I'm back home...I met my wife travelling as a baseball coach in the Netherlands...we were married in Yosemite Valley, and have been to 25 other National Parks since (and 12 MLB ballparks) kayak.com is my home page...it goes on and on.<br>

All of this leads to a sickness to find the perfect, highest-quality, most cost-effective, most efficient you-name-it when it comes to travelling. I can sniff out airline deals like a travel agent (I think)...my wife works for a hotel chain and we get to stay for incredible prices in any of them around the world...I went on internet quests to find both the ideal travel wardrobe and shoes...I buy used travel guides, never new...I didn't like wasting time waiting for my bags on the carousel, so we don't check bags anymore...it goes on and on...quite honestly, I got into photography because of travel, and it only added to my madness.<br>

So it goes to reason that my camera would be a part of this quest...I went to Peru, Cuba and the UK nine years ago with a Fuji P+S film camera. When I went to the Netherlands and it died, I bought a Konica-Minolta G400...after a few months, I really wasn't happy with the zoom range or image quality. I bought a Panasonic FZ7...after taking it to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs and having photos printed, I still wasn't happy with image quality or level of manual control -- it was DSLR time. <br>

Since I use the internet for most of my purchases and pricing, I didn't go to Best Buy or a camera shop to research the cameras, so I had no idea Canon and Nikon were the big two. When I started to research, the K10D seemed to have what I needed in a package: 1) value for money; 2) weather-sealing for travel; 3) compact lenses for travel, which I couldn't afford yet. I bought it, I loved it, but...<br>

I went through too many lens changes to count to find the perfect travel lens kit, and in the process acquired the DA 21/35/70 Ltd. trio. But I finally felt that the K10D was a bit too big. I would keep it, but wanted something smaller to have with me all of the time...enter the Panasonic LX3. Nice little camera, but I always felt guilty when my beautiful Limiteds looked forlornly at me as I took the LX3 out to play. I asked myself, "How can I use this when I have such PERFECT lenses just sitting there?" I sold the LX3 and bought the K-m (it was compact, AND I could use my Ltds!). And then the K-7 was announced...the camera I had been waiting for. The best of the K10D and K-m put together, and more!!! I sold the Brothers K and pre-ordered the K-7...and it is perfect for travel. I just took it to Italy with the 21/35/70 amigos, and it was a flawless setup. For me, Pentax is the IDEAL combo of everything I want in a travel photography kit, and I'm not even remotely interested in anything else...it's my small slice of serenity in my travel insanity.<br>

Of course, now I need the perfect bag...the perfect portable backup...the perfect lens case...the perfect...oh, dear.</p>

<p>I just returned from a 9-day trip to Italy (Tuscany, Venice, Rome)...I'm in the middle of processing photos this week, but WOW, what a subject-rich place to go!</p>

<p>Todd</p>

<p>Hey Bob, smug much?</p>

 

<p >Don't worry Bob, with the mark of the beast comes a one world currency that is on its way ;-)</p>

WTF?

 

<p>You're right Bob. Oh, those crafty admeisters using emotional tricks like this to get us to buy Pentax gear:<br>

<a href="http://www.ok1000pentax.com/2008/11/personal-note-for-thanksgiving.html">http://www.ok1000pentax.com/2008/11/personal-note-for-thanksgiving.html</a></p>

<p>I don't know how to get the pic on here, but I'd go with the orange body and blue grip, in honor of my wife, who is from the Netherlands.</p>

<p>Two things:<br>

For location, sunrise and sunset, and any thunderstorms. Also, Horseshoe Bend (oft-photographed), is a couple miles south of Page.<br>

For lenses, I can't speak to the Nikon glass, but many Pentax users who have compared the DA 12-24 (virtually identical optically to the Tokina 12-24) to the Tamron 10-24 find the Pentax/Tokina noticeably superior.</p>

<p>Todd</p>

<p>Hi Todd,<br>

I live in Arizona, and I was just at the South Rim for 5 days at the end of July (when you made this post, actually!). I shoot Pentax, so I can't recommend a Nikon lens, but the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 is the same basic lens design as the Pentax DA 12-24 f/4 that I used extensively at the canyon. It's a very well-rated lens, and very sharp at all focal lengths from f/4 on. I disagree that you don't want to go wider than 18mm for shots of the canyon, especially if you have good weather (by "good" I mean thunderstorms and the like). I DO agree that you will want every bit of that 18-200. There are infinite possibilities for both dramatic, sweeping images of canyon and sky, and isolated points of interested within the canyon.<br>

Not sure which rim you're going to, but the South can be crowded (even for sunrises and sunsets...especially for sunrises and sunsets). All of the viewpoints offer a unique view, and you can usually walk a bit away from the main viewpoint to leave people behind. If you can, take the bus out toward Hermit's rest, as there are several good viewpoints along this route (Pima being exceptional). The bus runs before sunrise, so you can get set up before anyone else gets there and do long exposures with pre-dawn light. Also, remember to stay for the extra 15-20 minutes after sunset for beautiful (but even) light with longer exposures...most of the people I saw left as soon as the sun was out of sight. It might be a good idea to get a split ND filter as well.<br>

Anyway, have a great time! And here's one shot to show what the 12-24 can do at 12mm:<br>

<img src="http://naskedov.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p971755662-4.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I understand what you meant, I wasn't trying to downplay what you were saying. As you said, your description was "colorful." : ) I also realize that horses are big animals and can be spooked easily. We own a retired race horse that my wife is training for dressage, and I often photograph her riding it at competitions. The horses are very aware of things around them, as even from seemingly moderate distances the photos show that the horse is often looking at the camera. So the advice on here is sound.</p>

<p><em>"Irritate large animals at close range; bad career move. Deadly mass moving at lethal speeds. Keep in mind, the horse hoof, is as big as your face; and, a horse can bite so wide it can chomp a person's head. Avoid harassing large animals who are working hard to please their masters. Hope you have health insurance."</em><br>

Funny, you make it sound like he's photographing people riding grizzly bears.</p>

<p>First, here's what I have:<br>

DA 12-24, DA 35 ltd, DA 70 ltd, M 135, DA 55-300<br>

Using your formula, this is probably what I'd choose and why (keeping in mind I don't feel like I need every focal length covered...I have a landscape lens, a wildlife/sports lens, a portrait, a walkaround/street):<br>

DA: 12-24 (Love this lens, most of my "winners" are taken with it...everything from landscape to closeup)<br>

DA*: 200 (since I only get one DA, I'd have to drop my 55-300...plus, 1.4TC would get me close enough to 300mm...if the 60-250mm was released, I'd go with that instead)<br>

DA Ltd: 35 Macro (my walkaround lens, really quite perfect for street on my K-m...great focal length, and I can get as close as I want to if I see interesting details)<br>

DFA: 100 Macro (for serious macro, could also double as a portrait lens)<br>

FA: 50/1.4 (this would be my speed lens and also for portraits)</p>

<p>It's noticeably smaller, I've had both. </p>

<p>I don't think it's true that Pentax users gravitate toward the DA 14 over the DA 12-24. In fact, I believe it's probably the opposite. The DA 12-24 is very sharp, it's only problem is occasional purple fringing. It's my most used lens, I really don't see a significant weakness with it. And I'd definitely say it's a standout UW for Pentax.<br>

<img src="http://naskedov.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p8752847-3.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://naskedov.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p323384324-3.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://naskedov.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p607555271-3.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://naskedov.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p261641159-3.jpg" alt="" /></p>

Bill,

 

No flash, just the kit lens. Tomorrow will be my first chance to take it out in daylight, as I spent all day inside for the Thanksgiving feast today.

LXD? Isn't that an old rumor?

 

My K-m arrived today, with the bundled DA 18-55 (plastic mount lens, feels cheap, very light, no lens hood!). No matter on the 18-55, slapped the DA 35 on the camera first. Some very early impressions:

 

-It's very noticeably smaller than the K10D. It manages to make the DA 35 look kind of big.

 

-Definitely feels like an entry-level camera as far as build-quality...but still as good as say, the 450D

 

-I have average-sized hands, and this feels ergonomically-sound in my hands

 

-Just playing around, it FEELS like the AF is faster in low-light than my K10D

 

-Did a very unscientific test with both K-m and K10, and the noise/detail at ISO 1600 is...different. NR is off on K-m, noise seems to be better than K10D, but lacks detail...however, that was with 18-55 on Km, DA 70 on K10D

 

-The digital filters are interesting, and could be fun...the "Vintage" filter tints the image more brown or blue (there's a slider for this) and automatically puts a white border on the pic (you choose the border's thickness, but "no border" does not seem to be an option)

 

-Biggest thing for me so far is the lack of top display...however, there is some nice flexibility with the LCD for this. You can leave the default setting (LCD displays F-stop, Shutter speed, ISO, focus setting, metering, battery, exposures, etc., etc.) and the LCD stays on until you press the shutter for AF. Or you can turn the LCD display off, and it will come on only when you hit the "info" button. I think it will be just fine without the top display of the K10D.

 

I'll try to get some sample photos posted this weekend.

 

Todd

I got mine for $400 plus shipping from Prodigital2000. I was shocked. Just playing around put in a last second bid and won it. I have a K10D and had an LX3, but thought it silly to pay good money for DA Ltds. and use them only part of the time. So, I'm looking forward to the K-m to match my K10D sensor (although some are calling it a "version 2" and saying it is better???) but be a bit more travel friendly. Plus, it gives me my second body for National Park/Nature shooting.

Mine arrives today, I'll post a report next week!

 

Todd

Traveling next week to Washington and will be spending a day driving through

NCNP with my wife and parents. My father has Parkinson's so cannot make

moderate to long hikes. My question is: What are the best easy access photo

locations from highway 20?

 

Thanks

Todd