rick_helmke1

1600, D-76 1:1 for 13.5 minutes? Sounds under developed for starters. Still, this is why I never shoot in auto mode.

 

Rick H.

I use the push-pull version for sports all the time. This time of year it's football, high school through NCAA division 1. D2 series and D200, it works just fine. I wonder sometimes what KR is talking about. I think this lens is MUCH better than the 70-200 which I don't care for.

 

Rick H.

The 17-55/2.8 is superb and will give great results. It's bigger and heavier but I got used to it very quickly. You might consider a used one and pick up an 85mm prime for portrait work. I have used Tamron for years and have been pleased. You might consider their 17-50 and use the savings to add some type of portrait lens. A 105/2.5 that is AI will meter on your camera and is an incredible portrait lens. The manual focus is dirt cheap these days, like under $150.00. You can take that budget and put together a first rate group of lenses. Add an 80-200/2.8 which may come in handy and a good flash and you are set for the long haul.

 

Rick H.

Whatever 80-200/2.8 zoom Canon makes but with your longer primes you don't really need it. The fast 16-whatever that Canon makes is probably your best bet and will likely end up one of your most useful lenses. Rick H.

Red-headed, what are you Irish? Actually I am in Alabama. And the bbq and associated beverages are located down the street. Still that is reason enough to break out the gear and shoot some civil unrest in the south. It's either that or football. Hell, maybe Martin Sheen will come back and get arrested again.

 

Rick H.

Golly GOSH Mr. Lex thanks! I knew I could count on you. Just everyone says so.

Others will strongly disagree with me but I've not been impressed with VR under whatever name. It's advanced but pricey and personally I don't get much benefit from it. Of course I have never been impressed with AF either but that's just me.

 

Rick H.

For anyone interested, this year's protest against the School of the Americas at FT. Benning, GA will be November 20-22 at the front gate. Regardless of your feelings, if any, on the politics involved, it usually draws a large and diverse crowd and is worth documenting. We don't get a lot of civil disobedience around here so it's a good look at a differing point of view and worth excercising your skills. No credentials are required but it will cost you ten bucks to park. There is also some excellent BBQ in the area. Anyone wants to get together let me know and we can work out something.

 

Rick H.

Be prepared for a negative response initially, especially if you get too close. If you do a lot of it in a given area and the cops get to know you it will get easier. I've found this to be true in both large and small departments and it takes some time but it's always good to know a few cops.

 

Rick H.

Hang on to the 85 for a while. You might find it useful more often than you expect. I have a pair of 80-200's but my 85/2 is the better choice sometimes.

 

Rick H.

My first one was a Kodak X-15. Verichrome pan was a buck a cartridge. Moved up to a Minolta Hi-Matic 5 I got from the JC Penney catalouge. Same source for a Mamiya 528TL that I wore out. Then some SOB showed me an F2 with a motor drive and it's been all down hill. I had to have the whole rig and went in debt for that and 2 Nikkors for about $1800 in 1976 dollars. Just a senior in high school. The most honest camera ever made.

 

Rick H.

I have been using a Lowepro for about 3 years and love it. It has a place for a laptop or whatever else you might need to put there like a toothbrush or socks or snacks etc. The main bag will hold two full size bodies, a long lens and a couple of short ones and a flash. Top pocket holds all manner of things. It's well padded and except for that top section is pretty water resistant. Lots of zippers and velcro too. Probably the best in a long line of camera bags for me and well priced, maybe $150.

 

Rick H.

One more for the Tamron 28-75. Excellent lens and priced well.

 

Rick H.

We have an agreement. I don't bother them, they know better than to bother me....seriously though, there can be some very good money in that business but I wouldn't want to be one.

 

Rick H.

Ninety percent of everything I shoot can be covered with a 17-55/2.8 and an 80-200/2.8. Big and heavy but with superb image quality, you can pick these up used for a decent price and be set for many years. Rick H.

More than ever since digital arrived. Newspaper pressrooms have different methods and I am constantly adjusting curves, contrast and other factors to try and get the best end result according to what mood the guys running the pressroom are in. Even if I am shooting for other uses I am always futzing about with some aspect. I do the same with film. I don't remember the last time I was happy with a straight print.

 

Rick H.

After 30 years of shooting murder, mischief, mayhem and sports I've decided that manual focus is the best way to go. AF has never really impressed me, even the current generations. Seems like no matter what focus spots I choose it focuses on some other player so I stick to what I know best. Even with these tiny viewfinders it works fine.

 

Rick H.

Try cleaning the contacts on the lens and body with a pencil eraser. Careful not to let anything drop down into the camera body.

 

Rick H.

Pretty good. I hate to admit several of those could have been me but I don't bend like I used to.

 

Rick H.

While the examples given are truly bad, there are clients who are impossible. Got a referral once from a friend who said he didn't have time. Her first check bounced. Shot the wedding but the groom's people were a sour bunch an NOBODY smiled. Delivered the proof book and she demanded a full refund, wanted to keep the proofs and demanded all negatives. Then the second check bounced. The OP's couple may have had good reason but often when I hear about this kind of thing someone is out of money or running a scam. This kind of nonsense and other things are why I got out of the wedding racket.

 

Rick H.

What a great idea. Come to think of it there are about a dozen rolls in my freezer. Fall colors, a nikon or three. Time for a thaw.

 

Rick H.

Yes it's in the US. One is a design major, the other I'm not sure. It just makes me think I'm getting more out of touch. I bet they both know who Nigel Barker is.

 

Rick H.

Just had a brief meeting with the web site guy for the modeling board, a local university group that offers modeling services to local photographers, businesses, shows, ESPN when they are in town. They work for free and there are several quite good ones. Anyway, I was discussing a project with this guy and earlier with the president of the group, a truly stunning young lady who is quite versatile. I am wanting to do some work along the lines of what is in Richard Avedon's 'Woman in the Mirror'. Not to copy but to draw some inspiration and give an idea of what I am trying to do. Neither of them had ever heard of Avedon. Kid's these days, what the hell are they teaching them? I couldn't believe it or am I getting too damn old for a college town. Maybe I should move to an artist colony.

 

Rick H.

To replace the lens in question a used 80-200/2.8 is a superb lens, works on anything Nikon and will last many years. I also would reccomend keeping at least two bodies, get a D200, D300 or D2X. Keep your D70 unless it is about to fail. You may need to invest in some lighting and I love the 17-55/2.8 if funds are there. It's about $1500US new. DX only though. That should cover most situations. Oh yeah, get a good bag, it can be a lifesaver.

 

Rick H.

I have plenty of up to date digital bodies when I need them but find myself carrying an F2 and a couple of lenses in my daily routine. As for people looking at me funny, hell that's been going on for years. You get used to it.

 

Rick H.