Any photographers in here?

[NVP5White]

Actually guys..the revised version still has problems with the 430EX. I still get misfires on mine. But...they work well enough, and they have a great range. I think about 20 feet indoors and about 10 feet outside without interference. I shot my last 2 pictures on the previous pages with them.
In the future I think I'm gonna get the Wizards instead.

Regarding the flash sync..for those with XTi or XT are still ok since our cameras only go up to 1/200 in sync anyways.

I have RF Remotes I bought on eBay. They work just fine up to 1/500 on my Nikon body and SB-600 flash. I think the actual sync limit on the Remotes is close to 1/1000. The limiting factor in the case of Canon's appears to be interaction between Canon and the Remotes.

On a side note, the folks over at Strobist.com were talking for a second about designing their own remotes, or even a their own flash with remote trigger built in. I haven't checked the discussions in a while but I think the talk fizzled. It is interesting to think that there are no small, durable, off-camera flash heads. The idea is to take on-camera flashes guts (batteries, flash unit, manual power adjustment) and place it in a more durable, smaller, lighter form factor, but that would only be usable off-camera and only in manual or very basic TTL mode. I'd buy one...

 

[FunkyBuddha]

I have RF Remotes I bought on eBay. They work just fine up to 1/500 on my Nikon body and SB-600 flash. I think the actual sync limit on the Remotes is close to 1/1000. The limiting factor in the case of Canon's appears to be interaction between Canon and the Remotes.

On a side note, the folks over at Strobist.com were talking for a second about designing their own remotes, or even a their own flash with remote trigger built in. I haven't checked the discussions in a while but I think the talk fizzled. It is interesting to think that there are no small, durable, off-camera flash heads. The idea is to take on-camera flashes guts (batteries, flash unit, manual power adjustment) and place it in a more durable, smaller, lighter form factor, but that would only be usable off-camera and only in manual or very basic TTL mode. I'd buy one...

I'd like something more versatile so I can have it on-camera when I need it to. Just saves some space and carrying a lot more equipement. What they need to do is make smaller flash units so they are both more portable and lighter weight.

 

[NVP5White]

I'd like something more versatile so I can have it on-camera when I need it to. Just saves some space and carrying a lot more equipement. What they need to do is make smaller flash units so they are both more portable and lighter weight.

Well, since you can only use one on camera at a time, I think there is space in the market for a flash unit that does not go on camera. I mean, why should you be forced to buy several flashes designed for on-camera use if you want a light-weight lighting kit? It seems like a bit of a waste to throw an SB-600/430EX on a lightstand and waste all that good TTL technology. I'd rather not pay for any TTL capability (but still fully manual down to 1/128th power) and put the flash element in an aluminum case with 1/4"-20 threads on two sides. Maybe add a simple zoom machanism and you're done. Other advancements could come in power sicne Lithium-ion battery technology is getting more compact all the time. AA sized batteries are very space inefficient.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Well, since you can only use one on camera at a time, I think there is space in the market for a flash unit that does not go on camera. I mean, why should you be forced to buy several flashes designed for on-camera use if you want a light-weight lighting kit? It seems like a bit of a waste to throw an SB-600/430EX on a lightstand and waste all that good TTL technology. I'd rather not pay for any TTL capability (but still fully manual down to 1/128th power) and put the flash element in an aluminum case with 1/4"-20 threads on two sides. Maybe add a simple zoom machanism and you're done. Other advancements could come in power sicne Lithium-ion battery technology is getting more compact all the time. AA sized batteries are very space inefficient.

touche LOL.

 

[gr?]

I mean, why should you be forced to buy several flashes designed for on-camera use if you want a light-weight lighting kit? It seems like a bit of a waste to throw an SB-600/430EX on a lightstand and waste all that good TTL technology. I'd rather not pay for any TTL capability (but still fully manual down to 1/128th power) and put the flash element in an aluminum case with 1/4"-20 threads on two sides.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

The reason I use a 420EX and 430EX in addition to the 580EX is because I started on the 420EX as my primary flash, then bought the 430EX since I have two bodies I use. Instead swapping the flashes back and forth, I needed a second flash. If I wasn't using multiple bodies, I'd go with a Vivitar as a slave.

 

[gr?]

More pics of my niece

and my older brother testing out my Canon gear. He uses a Nikon D100

 

[NVP5White]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

I agree that the 285HV is a good value in slave (off camera) flashery. BUT: the 285HV only has 4 levels of manual adjustment. The case is a bit over-sized compared to current on-camera flash designs, and is really too big to place on top of the Gadget Infinity remotes when mounted to an umbrella bracket. My flash design would incorporate an inexpensive RF received with 16 channels; allow for mounting very close to the centerline of an umbrella. Have a durable aluminum body which would allow for easy mounting into a soft box; have a lens-hood-like system for attaching snoots and diffusers; would have magnetic filter holders which could be stacked on the flash or stacked in the bag for easy storage.

I haven't written the business plan or even done adequate market analysis to understand the size of the potential market, but I figure that $50-100K could get me through prototyping and on to my first round of venture capital investment. You want in?

 

[gr?]

take it to China and your initial investment would only cost $10k

 

[NVP5White]

take it to China and your initial investment would only cost $10k

Of course production (and even R&D) would happen in China, but I've been reading a blog by the inventor of the Chumby. He has several posts about taking his idea from final prototype to mass-produced product for sale.

http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?m=200709

This guy spent considerable time in China and several others at the company spent time there, as well. That's going to cost some beans...a lot more then $10K. Maybe $10K per trip just for travel expenses. While the Chumby is a more complex device, they probably spent a lot more then $100K in R&D, too.

 

[gr?]

I do transactions with China on a daily basis for molded plastic parts and printed circuit board assemblies. Not including the cost of R&D, you can easily get parts up and running for less than $10k USD. If you're good with Autocad and have an engineering background, you could design your circuit board an flash plastic frame and other bits and pieces. If you outsource the design, you're only looking at $15k-20k. The only problem is, they'll 'borrow' your design and someone will have a generic copy of it out on the market before you do.

 

[altspace]

Nice. Wish you guys lived closer to mentor me. Your very lucky to have family.

 

[gr?]

I've driven 2100 miles to Virginia in the last 4 months since my niece was born. I just wish they were closer!

 

[NVP5White]

I do transactions with China on a daily basis for molded plastic parts and printed circuit board assemblies. Not including the cost of R&D, you can easily get parts up and running for less than $10k USD. If you're good with Autocad and have an engineering background, you could design your circuit board an flash plastic frame and other bits and pieces. If you outsource the design, you're only looking at $15k-20k. The only problem is, they'll 'borrow' your design and someone will have a generic copy of it out on the market before you do.

I am a Contracts Administrator for a Defense contractor. I think AutoCAD and circuit board design are, um, not my strong points. However, I'm not really treading on new ground with any of these components. All the technical problems have been solved; I'm simply repackaging them in a new way. Of course, when I think about it that way, I guess it might not be that expensive to get off the ground...

 

[ChopstickHero]

GI Post!

I'm posting up here first before i post in for sale section, but i figure you shutterbugs might want first dibs.

I have a crispy, very sharp copy of a Canon 50mm f/1.4 with Canon ES-71 II hood that I'm thinking of selling. I honestly do not use it enough to have it hanging around in my bag. I rather get a Canon 580EX II with the money and play with flash/lighting setups instead. It is definitely an awesome lens, but with my fast 17-55 2.8 IS and 70-200 2.8 IS, I have most of what I need to do covered. I very very rarely shoot something where I need the 50mm f/1.4. I actually bought the lens to do a few photoshoots where I knew I needed it. And that was over a year ago. Most of the time its in my spare camera bag. So let me know if you are interested. I'm selling it for $275 shipped/paypal'd. (it is worth $310 + tax new).

sample images:

handheld, no flash

PM me if you're insterested! thanks.

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

Hey, quick question guys, I was just contacted by an advertising agency to use one of my photos from the internet site airliners.net: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0957232/L/ . The guy specifically asked me for a price quote for the usage rights. Well I'm just an amateur and have no idea what the going rates are...

He says: "it will be used primarily in one magazine ad for national release in AirMaintenance Update and AIN magazines. The client will also want to use the image as a large graphic in their trade show booth."

This is pretty exciting since I have never been paid for my photography before but have no idea where to go from here. Any help from you experts out there would be great!

-Jeff

 

[Breeegz]

Wow dude!

Congratulations!

 

[altspace]

It's called a Rights Managed photo. Check it out.

 

[gr?]

I don't know much about the aviation field, but for an automotive shot to be used in print and in booths, you'd fetch about $1500-2000. Bombardier is a fairly large company so you should be able to rake in some extra dough.

 

[FlyinHawaiian]

Wow dude!

Congratulations!

Hey thanks man! I do it as a hobby and never expected anything like this!!

It's called a Rights Managed photo. Check it out.

Thanks. Got a link?

I don't know much about the aviation field, but for an automotive shot to be used in print and in booths, you'd fetch about $1500-2000. Bombardier is a fairly large company so you should be able to rake in some extra dough.

WOW!!! That was way more than I was expecting. I was thinking more like $400-500 from some of the research I was doing. The magazines that it'll be in has a combined circulation of over 100,000, but I don't know how big the ad will be. How should I approach negotiating a fair price? You guys seem to know much more about this than I do.

I might be getting some new equipment for Christmas and if this turns out well, maybe I'll make it a hobby where I can make a few bucks on the side, not just for pleasure.

Thanks for the help and support guys!

-Jeff

 

[gr?]

Ask them how large the ad will be, ie one page ad, and how large the image on the advertisement is. It's your call as to how much you want to charge. You can go low and hope for more future business or charge high but risk them not buying the photo.

If they were to higher a studio and bring in a pro, they would be charged around $2000-2500 but in this market, there are so many amateur photographers that are willing to undercut the pros, it's tougher to get paid gigs.