jdengo

<p>Dear all,<br>

I recently acquire the Elinchrom Quadra System, and I am very happy with it. However, my Sekonic 758 light meter doesn't seem to send or receive a radio signal from the pack. I went around this issue and attached a Pocket wizard to the battery pack, and was able to use my meter. However, something tells me that this is not correct, and that I should be able to use my meter with the quadra system without the Pocket Wizard...Any suggestions are more than welcomed!</p>

<p>I agree with Matt regarding the exposure. You might achieve a similar color effect in photoshop by making two copies of the background layer, desaturate the second one, lowering the opacity to approximately 80% (or whatever works best). On the top lawyer change the blend mode to Soft Light and lower the opacity until you like it. That might work. </p>

<p>Dear all,<br>

Thank you for your valuable comments. I got an email today from the company that makes the ABR 800 stating that they have now a distributor in Australia who will be attending the international market. Bellow a copy of the email that I got, in case someone outside the US is interested.<br>

Best,<br>

We have an international dealer in Australia that is now handling all of our new international customers. You will now be able to order directly through them. You can contact them for prices and shipping <a title="http://paulcbuff.com.au/cms/" onclick="onClickUnsafeLink(event);" href="http://paulcbuff.com.au/cms/" target="_blank">http://paulcbuff.com.au/cms/</a>. If you have any other questions please let us know.</p>

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<p>Thanks M.P., that's really useful. I liked the idea of the ABR800 to use it on camera and have certain flexibility (mobility). Basically the two things that you're mentioning are the ones that I was concerned about (blinding of models, and blocking me from seeing them). However, I still like the look of the ring flash. If no other alternative is available (ring flash alternative I mean), I would take your advice for sure. Thanks!!!<br />Garry, I am in Colombia, and will be here for the next 5 months. I travel often to the US and have a Physical address in Miami. There are NO stores here of anything (neither retail or rental). Back Home in Costa Rica, I have a good setup of studio lightning, which obviously I didn't carry with me. I brought my camera (Nikon D3s), two lenses (Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8, and 24-70mm, f/2.8) a SB-900 speedlight, a Lastolite Ezybox (24x24), and a silver/gold reflector.<br />I have the opportunity to make a fashion photo shoot on the 16th, in a cool trendy apartment, and that's why I'm trying to purchase something that is: (i) Good, (ii) Portable and that I can use once I get back home.<br />Thanks for your comments and advice!</p>

<p>Dear firends,<br>

After reading many reviews here in PN, I decided to purchase an Alien Bees ABR 800 ring flash. Placed my order yesterday, but the company would not sell to people not based in the US (or with a US credit card). I buy most of my stuff from Amazon, Adorama, Cameta, B&H with no problem. That's why I am seeking you're advice of alternatives of good ring flashes that I can find in this larger on-line stores. I will be using the ring light for fashion photography. My Budget is USD 1,000.00 to 1,500.00 but could increase if neccesary.<br>

Best,</p>

<p>Jorge Dengo.</p>

<p>Dear friends,<br>

Currently I have a Nikon D700, which is a great camera in my view, but I just got some extra $ available and was thinking about changing it to a D3X (I am an amateur, I don't need two bodies IMHO). I use my camera mostly for portraits, dance events (low light, without flash). Would this makes sense? How does the D3X ISO capabilities rate against the D700? In addition, I was thinking of buying the new 70-200 VRII lens (currently have the previous 70-200 version). Has anyone tested this lens, what is your opinion?<br>

Rgds, </p>

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<p>Forgot to mention that I will be shooting in Raw format, 12 bits, lossless compress. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Dear friends,</p>

<p>I've just been invited to cover a Runway this Wednesday. As this will be my first time, I am looking for pointers or any advise you might think is useful. The venue is a big salon in a Hotel and the event is for approximately 1000 people. I expect "artistic lightning", implying that there will be a lot of changes, colors, intensity, etc.<br>

I own a Nikon D700 (with battery pack) and the following lenses that I intend to bring: 70-200VR Nikon 2.8 and 24-70 Nikon 2.8, and have a couple more that I just think would not cut it under low light conditions. Additionally, I have to flash units, one Metz and the SB900 (probably I will carry both). I am not sure (I am awaiting confirmation from the organizer) that flash will be allowed. If not, my approach will be to increase the ISO to 800, 1600 or 2500, shoot in manual priority mode, probably between 1/80 to 1/250, and shoot open at f2.8 or f3.5. That makes sense?<br>

Please let me know any additional advise. I will try to speak ahead of the event with the designers to find out the way in which the want to see their work displayed.<br>

Thank you as always!!!</p>

<p>I Have the Tamron, and I am really happy with it. In fact, I was going for the Nikon 24-70 f2.8 but since the Tamron is doing a really good job ( really good optics), I bought the 70-200f2.8 from Nikon instead. Flaws... it's a little bit slow to focus, and it's kind of noisy. But this does not bother me that much.</p>

<p>Thanks guys...I'm going to try 2 things: (a) brushing the contacts; (b) updating the firmware (already went on line to nikonusa and got the instructions...just have to get the CF card reader)....I'll keep you posted...</p>

<p>Nope. How do you do it? I've never done this. Thks,</p>

<p>I have four batteries and in all different combinations it does it anyway. I tend to think this might be a firmware issue, because it began to give me trouble when I tried a brand new Nikkor 70-200mm lens. Does it makes sense?</p>

<p>Brian...It does with the grip on and off the camera. Thanks,</p>

<p>Dear friends,<br>

I'm experiencing a problem with my D700 and wanted to know if any of you have an idea of what could be the problem. After a recent Photo Shoot at the beach I brought back my camera, and was functioning OK. Today, I took it out and it showed a dead battery in both the body, and the battery pack (vertical grip). It was strange because I remember charging the batteries about 5 days ago and since then the camera was off. However, I charged back the batteries, and the camera worked correctly for a while. After a few minutes, I got the dead battery sign in the panel and in the view finder. I pressed the shoot button a couple of times and it showed again a full battery. This situation has been repeating without any pattern in the last minutes (I am shooting with a full battery...the camera suddenly turns off, showing the empty battery icon, and after I press the shutter button I couple of times, It would go back on showing full battery) I haven't detected any other problems with any of the inner menus or other functions of the camera. What could it be? I am concern because there's no authorized service repair for Nikon in my country. Thanks in advance for your comments. </p>

<p>Could it be excessive sharpening?</p>

<p>Shun...touché...you're right... So, Ijust press the buy button...now I'll sit back and wait it makes it all the way down to Costa Rica. :)</p>

<p>Thanks guys, as Jonas is saying I will use mine mostly for portraits and moving objects. A little vignetting won't kill me. However, I looked at the stats, and the model was launched back in 2003, any gossip on soon to come replacement for this lens? Thanks,</p>

<p>Dear friends, as I was about to hit "buy" on the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S VR for my D700, I saw this review:<br>

<br /> "This lens IS NOT intended for FX sensors. It continues to be sold that way but it is not designed for it. I got rid of mine recently thank God! Vignetting is infuriatingly unacceptable for a $1900 lens. At these prices I refuse to accommodate or compensate for design flaws or shortcomings. This lens was designed back when the FX sensor was in its infancy so its dimensions were not considered properly. Nikon knows about this of course, and is apparently working on the next iteration while fighting the Vignetting/Softness fires. As for myself. I want my money's worth in performance. Some people say" "stop it down a bit" NO!! I bought this lens to shoot it WIDE open! That's why u go up to 2.8 price right?? ...besides, any crappy lens is sharp at f/5.6-f/11. This lens has fallen from grace pretty quickly among FX shooters. Some people still say they don't have any issues with vignetting on this glass.....I say see ur optometrist at your leisure. <br /> This lens still rocks any DX sensor out there though. As long as it's pulling from the sweet spot in the center u should get your money's worth. My suggestion to the FX community: save for what's coming next. Be patient. This is NOT it. Hope this helps at least a few of you"<br>

I would like to know the experience from other D700, D3 or D3x owners. Is this accurate? If so, which other lens would you recommend?<br>

Thanks,</p>

<p>JD</p>

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<p>Thanks for the question and the answers (Shun and Sam's)....I was wondering for some time now this exact same thing....obviously I have the same line in my D700, but didn't give much importance to it as nothing came out wrong in my pictures. Thanks for the technical explanation.</p>

<p>Thanks Ron, really helpful. Height of the room is approx. 15 feet. Best,</p>

<p>Hey all,<br>

I am a devoted amateur. I am attending college (again.... after 12 years!!!) taking some photography courses. It is not my intention to go pro, this is a hobby that I love as it helps me to release stress from my day job!!!!<br>

I've bought some stuff already:<br>

Nikon D700,<br>

4 lenses, including Nikon 80-200MM AF-S, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S<strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-24-70mm-2-8G-Nikkor-Angle/dp/B000VDCT3C/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3B82CUGCGAC1P&colid=2P024TQE4BPJQ"></a> </strong> <br>

ARCA SWISS-B1 BALLHEAD, Carbon Fibre Gitzo tripod G3530LS, SB-900, MB-D10.<br>

MacBook Pro loaded with PS CS4<br>

I want to get into portrait (individual and group), event (concerts), urban landscape and documentary photography.<br>

I have a couple of spare rooms in my home and I want to set up a small studio in one of them. This is a room of 20 by 13 feet. So my question is, what should I get specifically? Can I make it within this space? My budget is around US$ 5,000.00<br>

Thanks for your advice!!!</p>

 

<p>There are a few of us, attorneys, that are not that clueless when it comes to photography...LOL!. In any case, I believe Bruce and Graig's comments are really good. You should help your lawyer by providing him with the technical details of your work, so he can draft a good agreement, enforceable under local law. There are a good templates out there, but you might want to check them with your attorney at least once. Just to make sure that you are not missing anything of importance.</p>

<p>This is a discussion of whose property rights are involved. In one hand the copyrights of the photographer or in the other hand, the rights of the client who hired the photographer. I represent a very large company in the US, and we always make sure that all work product (including RAW files, sketches in the case of the advertising agency, even draft notes...) belong to us. The general approach is: if the photographer, creative executive, designer, etc is working under or dime, their product is ours.<br>

This could be overturned in your favor by having a well structured, concise and clear agreement in which you protect your rights as the author, and agree to deliver just post-processed images.<br>

Once you have a clear agreement, delivering the RAW images its your choice. Not speaking as a lawyer, but as photographer, I would charge extra to deliver these files...<br>

In conclusion, it all depends on the agreement you sign with your client.</p>

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<p>Good Question!!! I have the exact same configuration (heaviest kit) and just purchased the Carbon Fibre Gitzo G3530LS (I'm just waiting for it to clear Customs), I will let you know in the next few days!!!<br>

Best,</p>

<p>First of all, let me clarify that I am not a professional potographer, I am a devoted amateur. I always find that making this distinction is important, because I might not have the feel and obviously the insights of the excellent professionals here.<br>

One thing that I've noticed, as I rate photos in PN, is that a minor percentage of them seem to use (or abuse) PS (or similar software) filters or effects to turn a less than average photograph into "art".<br>

I know that art is subjective, and for what really matters, is the ultimate manifestation of self-expression, but somehow, to me at least, using a preset filter would not be enough to categorize any work as art. I believe it has to go beyond that, it has to do with composition, lightning, etc.<br>

I cannot say that I've never use some of these tools; however, I don't think of me as an artist, I just love my camera and what I can do with it.<br>

I don't know if I am adopting a "purist" view, but would love to hear from you, the experienced professionals, your feelings in this particular matter.<br>

Your friend,<br>

JD.<br>

PD: Please excuse my english, it is not my first language. I just hope that I am clear enough.</p>

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