Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Do you wish your 70-200L were black?

« on: May 23, 2013, 03:26:37 AM »

I love the fact that my 70-200ii is a giant hunk of white medal. Similar to what iSy said earlier, it tends to set the paid photographer apart from the others, especially at a wedding. It also distracts babies, toddlers, and kiddos so they actually look at the lens. Additionally, it feels like you've somehow earned your wings once you upgrade your black tele to a white tele. I can't come up with a good way to end this paragraph, so I will end it... here. 

2

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe Creative Cloud - Adobe Owns you!

« on: May 23, 2013, 02:38:53 AM »

Even something as simple as saying Adobe is insulting customer's intelligence is an insult to anyone who likes their new model...  if I happen to like it then I must have limited intelligence.  That may seem overly sensitive but it's not... if you want me to listen to and respect your opinions then shouldn't you do the same.  If I and 500,000 other people are signed up and paying for CC then perhaps there is some value in it, unless we are all just stupid minions.

Ah Ok I thought i had clarified in a previously deleted post
I said Adobe is insulting it's customers intelligence I dont believe that this statement means that anyone that likes the new model is of substandard intelligence.
My intent was that they are insulting our intelligence by giving one option of one model and shoving it down our throats simply because they have a monopoly and are in a position to do so. The insult to customers intelligence in this action is if they believe people that dont like / agree with the new system will put up with it like good little sheep. (please note that I am by no way of this statement implying that you or any CC adopter is a sheep, merely that this is how adobe want us all to be and to follow along with what they want.)

If some people like the subscription model and are happy with it then thats great for them
However Adobe should offer the choice.

I personally prefer to look at an upgrade version and see if its worthwhile for me for example there is no way in hell I will ever run windows 8 on a computer I think windows 7 may possibly be the last microsoft OS i even bother with. I dont like metro and dont like the changes luckily microsoft dont have the market dominance they once had and apple provide a very competative competition these days
another example office 365? no chance i will bother with this there is nothing office 2011 cant do that i require so i'll keep using that as its a perpertual licence. This is sort of how I see CS6 too however the gotcha that Adobe have and use to really hold their customers by the proverbial balls is the camera raw support for new cameras, this is a sneaky enough method of ensuring people upgrade and I've never liked it but put up with it.

I prefer to be able to have a look at the next version and the extra features it offers and see if i will have any use for those or if the current platform i'm using will continue to be suficient.

Yes i find the pricing model of CC offensive, they are using the good ol bait and switch lower prices up front with a substantial increase once everyone is hooked on their crack they are pedaling to use another metaphore. but worse still once they have you hooked they are free to change the goal posts when, and however they please this is the insidious part of the whole CC environment.

part of the problem is the packages they offer are so full of bloat that I wont use, I really dont want to be paying monthly for all that  I dont care if some package i dont use gets some wonderful extra feature yet I still have to pay for that as well as the 10 other programs i dont use. Perhaps a lower price for each component and the ability to totally customise your own CC package might be more appealing to me and most likely many others however point 1 still applies that you are at their mercy for whatever they want to do pricewise in the future. For example someone might want to use only photoshop, premier pro and Adobe Acrobat Pro and all the other stuff is fluff filling up my hard drive that i dont use and yet still have to pay for, this does not seem fair to the customer.

Having a copy of the software that you pay for, licence and use for whatever duration you wish for that up front cost does not carry this risk, sure there are some semantics regarding if you actually own the software or not due to licence terms and conditions however this is largely irrelevant in a practical sense

Even though Adobe say you can still buy CS6 they have completely removed the ability to purchase this from their website. The implementation of the CC like a Guillotine coming down on the customer is another problem I have with how Adobe went about this. Seriously do their marketing people really think this is going to make people happy? I really think their market dominance has led them to a level of Hubris that is going to alienate alot of customers. Market dominance has a habit of doing this to any big company, I'll again use microsoft as an example with their laughable initial licence implementation on windows 8 which they have since backpeddled on very fast. Or how about apples refusal to incorporate usb host technology into Ios products iphones, ipads etc when android have had this for some time now.

There is a point where a customer will accept being pushed around by a company to and the company continues to push but eventually there is a tipping point where the level of outright disprespect of the customer by the company goes too far and the customer eventually votes with their money and has good serious look at the competition It took me a solid 2 years to transition from windows to mac but I did it because i had enough of the microsfot gouging this is where Adobe are now.

Perhaps the Adobe net reps (I have previously refered to them as minions I still believe this is a valid term as they provide little constructive help other than trotting out the party line) perhaps they could take the negative feedback to Adobe who might look at fixing the model and at least go back to selling standalone purchases to those customers that prefer that model.

Lastly the issue of piracy, it is utterly laughable if Adobe think this model is even going to cause software pirates and hackers to even break stride, I am certain that hacked versions will be out in very little time.
so those that want to use pirate software will actually be inconvenienced the least. Its the users that want to do the right thing by Adobe and buy the software that are getting the roughest deal and the most disrespect from the company.

New Adobe moderator takes this down in 3... 2... 1... 

3

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe Creative Cloud - Adobe Owns you!

« on: May 23, 2013, 01:23:00 AM »

Seriously though, I too am known to be a bit facetious at time, but this is a serious issue facing photographers, and forums like this help us discuss and even put our thoughts into words for the world to hear.

It is, but let's have the discussion without any disrespect to anyone and not even towards Adobe.  If you want to make your case to them it's best done respectfully and with an open mind.

Even something as simple as saying Adobe is insulting customer's intelligence is an insult to anyone who likes their new model...  if I happen to like it then I must have limited intelligence.  That may seem overly sensitive but it's not... if you want me to listen to and respect your opinions then shouldn't you do the same.  If I and 500,000 other people are signed up and paying for CC then perhaps there is some value in it, unless we are all just stupid minions.

Some of you are furious about the pricing, the fact that you don't "own" the software (you never did anyway), the fact that it checks in once a month to confirm the license, etc. etc. and those are valid concerns.  But let's say PS was only $5 per month... would all the other issues be acceptable or tolerable?  If so, then this is just a pricing issue.

Someone said that 20,000 people have signed the petition... 20k is a big number but it's less than 5% of the people who have signed up (assuming Adobe is being honest about that number, which they probably are since it would be a disclosure item in the financial audit).  Those 20,000 people are not wrong, they may genuinely not like the new model, but neither are the people who like the new model.

Meh,

To my knowledge, I have yet to insult your intelligence, but I do see your point. We all need to go back to being friends. I can potentially see the value in the new model and yet it is no where close to being as valuable to me as I'm sure the Adobe crew has hoped. For my business, this simply is not my cup of tea. I am certainly glad that you and others have shown your support for their product as I believe it is easier to push against the new format than it is to defend it. I, for one, simply hope that we can all get what we desire whether it is a box, digital download, or subscription plan. If that were to happen, I think the rough seas would settle. I'm not holding my breath for that to occur, but we can certainly all have our dreams.

-Tabor

4

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe Creative Cloud - Adobe Owns you!

« on: May 23, 2013, 12:08:47 AM »

Don't worry Wickid, my post was deleted as well.

Maybe, there is a mystery Adobe rep who is now an admin slowly convincing the mods to charge us $10/month to access C.R. online, otherwise our subscription will expire and we will be unable to access our old posts, or gain anything useful from the forum unless we re-subscribe.

Seriously though, I too am known to be a bit facetious at time, but this is a serious issue facing photographers, and forums like this help us discuss and even put our thoughts into words for the world to hear. I am not excusing the original post, nor was I even there to read it prior to being deleted, but I found no offence in Wickid's second posting.

-Tabor

5

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Best smartphone for use with Canon DSLR?

« on: May 18, 2013, 11:40:19 PM »

Also throwing in my 2 cents on a Samsung Galaxy. Unfortunately, I cannot give you appropriate feedback for the DSLR controlling apps your asking about, but for use as a "phone-phone" it is the best phone I could have asked for, and when my contract is up, I'm going to get another one. There are also loads of apps for business related activities if/when you have a business in photography.

Hope any of that helps,
-Tabor

6

Lenses / Re: What other lenses for my 60D

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:21:59 AM »

VC, or not VC... that is the question...

I would say Tamron 17-50VC, I was a silly little duck and went with the 17-40L instead though I have used them both quite heavily. I am considering upgrading to the 16-35L here in the next few months, but I know the Tam Tam still does well on a cropped frame cam cam. Wow, it's getting late, but for you over in Paris, I assume it's sunshine and roses. I'm just blabbering now...

Have fun in Paris while I have fun in OKLAHOMA!!! Woo hoo!!! I hope to visit one day. Have a good night/morning, Julien.

-Tabor

7

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 08, 2013, 08:49:58 AM »

I think most people on here are getting carried awouay and running with the sheep...

...and those who aren't running are getting picked off by wolves. The money mongers at Adobe are baaaaaaaaaaaaad.

Seriously though, how could anyone really support this? $600/year for one or two software programs we actually use but availability of those we don't need vs. buying CS7 outright. Look at the long term. I dropped ~$200 buying CS5, this new pricing scheme will obviously bring them more money, unless the sheep actually separate themselves from the wolves.

-Tabor

8

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 08, 2013, 02:17:28 AM »

Adobe kinda just leveled the playing field a bit. Now everyone feels the need to stop at CS6. Meanwhile, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and anyone else who feels the need to gain some market share from Adobe's goof can gain speed right before we decide to upgrade.

Adobe's right, they should abandon the disc. I think the Creative Cloud belongs on a 4 inch "floppy".

Cheers,
-Tabor

9

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 07, 2013, 01:50:12 AM »

Okay, one more thing. We can complain all we want on this forum, but please, also go to one or more of the public Facebook pages for Adobe, such as https://www.facebook.com/Photoshop?fref=ts and post a comment there.

Companies don't like public humiliation and in this era of the Internet and social media, it can be the most effective tool. Please, go post your opinion and urge others to do so as well.

I just wrote, "BOO!" It was the shortest, most simplistic, response I could think of to Adobe's ignorance.

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 360 Indoor/Outdoor Panos. Does ANYONE know ANYTHING...

« on: May 06, 2013, 10:36:15 PM »

Hey tolusina,

I just assumed the 17-40 would be the best option since it's what I have used several times before. I am interested in experimenting with a different set up as you've suggested, and will likely first try the 35L. Thank you very very much for your input. I'm looking into your link now.

Thank you again,
-Tabor

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 360 Indoor/Outdoor Panos. Does ANYONE know ANYTHING...

« on: May 04, 2013, 11:03:35 PM »

Hello all,

I'm trying to find anyone who knows anything about producing several indoor and outdoor panoramas for a Dude Ranch here in Tulsa. I know how to create them in photoshop CS5, however, I have no clue when it comes to how to create a flash, java, silverlight, etc file to store them in so they can put the file on their website. The idea is that they can have a 360 degree view of Cabin 1, 2, etc.

Does anyone know of a method of doing this before I take the gig? I'll likely just use the 17-40 (or 16-35 ii if I upgrade by then) on a 5Dii, though I'll be renting the 8-15 fisheye for a fun wedding in early June and can toy with that if it is recommended.

Thank you, thank you, thank you,
-Tabor

12

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Wedding expert suggestions desired...first time.

« on: April 29, 2013, 04:22:59 PM »

Hey cszy67,

When my wife and I got married a few years ago, we too were on a very restricted budget, however, we had a friend with a 40D and 70-200 2.8 ii. We also "hired" my wife's cousin who had a point and shoot. To be brief, I know what your friend is facing, and I doubt that they have any super high expectations. I would proceed with caution since you are fairly limited on your gear, but if they are truly on a "cut-all-corners" type of budget then I think it is nice of you to help them out with some pictures.

My wife and I do wedding photography professionally now, in the Tulsa area, and have learned just how wonderful professional gear can be. We also rent for the events that we are doing such as the 50 1.2 and 24-70 ii we are renting for a wedding this Thursday. If you just want to rent something, then it can be fun, but this is a huge task at hand.

For settings, I would tend toward expanding your iso to a max of 3200 and opening your lens to 2.8, work with the center focal point while shooting in Av, and just have a good time. I know that a lot of folks here are going to agree or disagree with my advice, but I've been on both sides of this situation and think that you're doing a great thing if you are up to it.

Good luck and God bless,
-Tabor

13

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon Refurbished

« on: April 19, 2013, 11:28:24 PM »

My wife and I have purchased a 50mm 1/4 refurbed from B&H it was the exact same price, except B&H didn't charge us sales tax (or shipping?). For that reason, B&H can be cheaper, though the asking price was the same.

We also bought our Canon 60D from Canon refurb and it too was absolutely flawless. Additionally, we got it during one of their super sales, so it was 20% off their refurbed asking price. I tried to do the same with the 5Dii, but could never get it in stock.

To answer your questions, I would absolutely buy another refurbed product from Canon. I would also go for the 5Diii over the 5Dii (if you can reasonably afford it).  If you don't really care between the two then hit up the 5Dii, it is an AMAZING camera. Seriously though, you can't really go wrong with either one, and refurbished is definitely a great way to go.

-Tabor

14

Lenses / Re: Just got the canon 16-35 ii and having a hard time seeing the value in this uwa

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:59:36 AM »

I LOVE using UWA's!

The images here are from the 17-40. I chose these in particular since they are all shot as wide as possible. I also use my UWA ~2x a week working indoors for a company here in Tulsa. I would, however, really consider your style. My wife rarely ever shoots with my 17-40 on her 60D, she prefers the 35L, that is her style and that is what she uses to get results. The 17-40 was the first L lens we bought and I have grown to love it despite it's flaws. Next year I plan on upgrading to the 16-35, but if you are a fan of the UWA look, I would consider the 16-35, 17-40, or Tamron 17-50 2.8. I have used all three and have few complaints with any of them.

Again, if wide is your style, have some fun, but if not, save your money to later optimize your shooting style.

-Tabor

15

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D L Announced, Shipping in May

« on: April 01, 2013, 09:42:30 PM »

Got me... dang it!