Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Where did you starting professionally?

« on: June 04, 2013, 09:11:00 AM »

I started doing family portraits recently, and the way I figure out the pricing is the same as pretty much any business does:  work out how much money you'd like to earn per hour, then determine how many photos you will hand over after the shoot.  Calculate how many hours you'll spend in post-processing+the shoot itself, then multiply by the hourly $ amount you want to earn.  The final amount is what you'll charge the customer.  The key point is to not be too greedy - if it's what you'll be paying your mortgage/rent/food with, then it needs to be able to sustain you.  If it's a side business, then you can probably afford to charge less.  A note: if you don't charge enough, people may assume you're no good.  If you charge too much, then they may look elsewhere.  Of course there are exceptions to this rule.

Most 'fun' family shoots result in anywhere between 3 and 20 good photos that a family would be prepared to pay for.  Some photographers simply offer (for example) a 5 photo package for a fixed price.  Many *only* provide prints, and refuse to give out digital copies.  These tend to be the more expensive photographers.  Another popular pricing format is to charge a 'sitting fee' that includes 1 or 2 photos as part of the price, and then the customer can purchase additional photos individually.

The prices for my region are no doubt different from yours, so I'm not giving specific prices here.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 5D Mk3 Reliability

« on: May 24, 2013, 10:56:44 AM »

Thanks to those who've commented on the +2/3rds exposure - I tend to keep that amount dialled in and occasionally adjust based on what the image itself looks like on the rear screen (histograms be damned!). The warranty is up very soon so might get it checked out.

For those taking action shots in silent-mode, do you find it captures most/all of the action? A few people on the forum thought that due to the way silent-mode works (a more gentle mirror open/close function) meant the camera wouldn't be quite as reponsive for faster action. What do you reckon?

Fine weather today so off to try some birds in flight after lunch 

You should learn to trust your histogram! 

I've tried using silent mode for action shots.  It's a no-go as far as I'm concerned.  The mechanism is just too slow to use - especially for bursts.

3

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: May 24, 2013, 10:37:30 AM »

The odd thing is that my inexpensive Yongnuo flash has all of those things on your list... obviously there's no guarantee it'll work on future bodies, but I doubt Canon would completely change their flash system to deliberately trip up 3rd party manufacturers.  They'd have to release firmware upgrades for their entire back catalogue of digital camera bodies to support the new system too, which would be costly.

However, there is no doubt that a 430EX II would make a *superb* first camera flash, and for US$259 (in the USA), why not?  In my country the 430EX costs more than US$400, which is why I chose the Yongnuo ($180).   

Canon doesn't have to do a complete change to their flash system to "trip up 3rd party manufacturers."  With my 40D I was having excellent results with my Sigma 500 flash.  Then I bought my 7D and it no longer would work.  Some of the Sigma 500 flashes could be rechipped to work but mine was the older model that couldn't.  I still use it with my 40D kit and it is an excellent slave flash so it wasn't a total loss.  Just a demonstration that change can be incremental and my 580EX II replacement works with my wife's 30D and my 40D.

I actually intend to get a Yongnuo unit for slave purposes so I am not trying to discourage anyone from using them.  Read a lot of good reports on them but people should be aware that a simple change from Canon might make them of little use in the future unless you want them as off camera slaves.

You've made a very valid point.  I also have the Sigma 500DG Super (purchased in 2004), but it doesn't even work on my 40D, so I've been using it off camera.

Since you're intending to get one, you'll be pleased to know that the Yongnuo is a big step up from the Sigma in terms of build quality and features. 

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 5D Mk3 Reliability

« on: May 24, 2013, 02:17:17 AM »

I typically set my 5D3 to overexpose by 2/3 stop for natural light, and a full stop for flash (E-TTL II) photography.  I've tested it with a grey card and the exposure seems pretty accurate.  It just seems that my subject matter is mostly light-coloured and so it overcompensates by underexposing.

5

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: May 23, 2013, 09:39:15 AM »

The odd thing is that my inexpensive Yongnuo flash has all of those things on your list... obviously there's no guarantee it'll work on future bodies, but I doubt Canon would completely change their flash system to deliberately trip up 3rd party manufacturers.  They'd have to release firmware upgrades for their entire back catalogue of digital camera bodies to support the new system too, which would be costly.

That is really odd.  Thats it! I'm going to burn my 430EX!

Good luck with your yongnuo, health to use it mate.  It's not like E-TTL-II rendered a lot of third party lenses dead or anything is it?  Canon would change the firmware, or activate extra features in a heartbeat without a thought for yongnuo.

Good luck also if you ever come to sell your yongnuo too.

I've never used them, never will, and so cannot recommend them.

Haha don't burn your 430EX!  As I said in the rest of my post, my choice was financial.  If I bought a 430EX for $400 and sold it for 60% of what I paid for it, I still would have lost $160.  My Yongnuo was $180 new, so I think we can consider it disposable... 

6

Video & Movie / Re: İstanbul Turkey Time Lapses

« on: May 23, 2013, 09:23:24 AM »

I think videos 3 & 4 are the best from that selection, because the subject matter is relatively clear and interesting.  The first video has such a shallow DOF that I'm not sure what I'm meant to be seeing, and everywhere I look is just bokeh.  That would probably be my main suggestion: try more depth of field so that your viewers can see more of the subject matter.

Have you tried doing a time lapse of the fisherman on the big bridge in Istanbul?  When I was there there must have been a hundred men fishing off it.

7

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: May 23, 2013, 07:13:32 AM »

I have lenses by Sigma, Tokina, batteries by energiser, calumet.

I will only ever have a speedlite flash by canon.

Why?  Heres why:

The odd thing is that my inexpensive Yongnuo flash has all of those things on your list... obviously there's no guarantee it'll work on future bodies, but I doubt Canon would completely change their flash system to deliberately trip up 3rd party manufacturers.  They'd have to release firmware upgrades for their entire back catalogue of digital camera bodies to support the new system too, which would be costly.

However, there is no doubt that a 430EX II would make a *superb* first camera flash, and for US$259 (in the USA), why not?  In my country the 430EX costs more than US$400, which is why I chose the Yongnuo ($180).   

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 5D Mk3 Reliability

« on: May 23, 2013, 06:53:46 AM »

My first 5D3 had some stuck pixels.  I returned it immediately and was given a replacement (the next serial number up, by 1), which has been perfect.

It was a huge financial outlay for me, costing £2750 for the body, but it has been worth it.  I strongly recommend buying from a trusted camera shop so that if anything does go wrong (like with my first copy), they treat you right.

9

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Scanner software

« on: May 22, 2013, 08:25:24 PM »

I use Silverfast (not the latest version, but version 6 I think) with my Nikon Coolscan V, and it's effective.  The latest version has a much-improved GUI from what I've read.

10

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

« on: May 19, 2013, 06:05:10 AM »

On the back of this thread I decided to spend the $10 and bought DSLR Controller to use on my Nexus 7.  I already had a USB on-the-go cable, so it worked straight away with my 5D3.

So far I'm reasonably impressed.  However, it is taking me a little bit of time to figure out the interface!

11

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

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:12:07 AM »

I was going to suggest the Nexus 4 smartphone, but unfortunately it's specifically excluded from the compatibility list on the DSLR Controller website.  So I'd recommend the Samsung Galaxy S3 instead.  If you've got loads of cash, then an HTC One or a Samsung S4 are even better options.

12

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: May 14, 2013, 09:41:46 PM »

I'll throw in my 10 cents with the Yongnuo YN-568EX.  Its specs are more in line with Canon's 580EX.  It has good build quality, supports E-TTL II and HSS, and I haven't had any issues with reliability (I have used it for quite a few shoots now).  On ebay you can pick it up for $168 inc shipping.

By all means, if you'd rather stick with Canon then I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the 430EX II.

13

Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 14, 2013, 08:21:01 AM »

I agree with your sentiments about price+warranty+IS, Marsu, but when a reviewer has to purchase two retail lenses, then have one of them replaced by Tamron (bringing the tally up to 3 lenses) in order to get one that focuses properly - I don't like those odds.   

14

Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:37:30 AM »

a good review as usual i'm a bit disappointed the 24-70 mk1 wasnt in the mix for comparison to put it all in context with that lens that so many are familiar with

Yeah Wombat, we both have similar gear and I felt the same way!

15

Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 13, 2013, 08:00:48 PM »

After reading this review, it's off my shopping list.