Wholy crap, you've ruined my life!

[vvizard]

Not long ago, I was a happy boy. Good economics (at least good for a student), nice girlfriend, and a ***** P&S SLR-like cam, with lots of noise. But I wasn't complaining. Then The DR came along, and I started looking into buying it. Unfortunatly I found this board, and I stayed with it :/ So here I am, a 10D later, no girlfriend, and $1000 in mastercard-bills :/ Not to bad compared to some other in here I guess =)

Now I'm in the market for a telezoom. I found a nice cheapish one. All great. Except I heard it sucked :/ So I was looking at the 70-200mm f/4L or the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX. They'd break my budget (again), but I was gonna get them. But the misery didn't stop. Now I've seen that I can get a 70-200mm f/2.8L (NON-IS) used just buy adding a few more hundred bucks.. This is killing me, I know I can't resist.... SO PLEASE!! SAVE ME GUYS! You're the reason for my misery! Stop me before I start considering the IS-version, PLEASE!! :-P

[Belmondo]

vvizard:
I’m sure no help. I bought the 70-200 f/2.8L just a couple weeks ago figuring I wasn’t going to hear any more from Dell. I promised myself then that it would be the last lens ever since I now have L lens coverage all the way from 17mm to 400mm. Then I started thinking about maybe picking up a couple of the wide-angle primes. On top of that, today Dell called, and apparently I am going to get the 70-200, so when it comes, I’ll have two of them. Bookends perhaps?

The sickness doesn’t go away.

My name is Tom.
I’m an ‘L-caholic.’

[ilya]

Nope, this isn't like "friends don't let friends beergoggle". That's a different forum. You've come this far, might as well go all the way; get the IS. What happened to the nice girlfriend. You'll also need a nice quality wide angle (17-40L) and then a super-tele (100-400L). Isn't that what student loans are for?

[vvizard]

Oh no, student-loans are for having cutting-edge equipment in the PC, PDA, Cellphone departments =) Yeah, and food'n'stuff :-P But this year I don't take a student-loan. I work my arse off at a "lowprice" food-store (part of a big chain) instead. Pretty much the norwegian version of K-Mart I think. Therefore, even though I'm this year paying equipment with money I actually _OWN_, opposed to paying computers with loaned money, it's though to separate with such large sums :( Much easier when you didn't have to work hard for them =) (even though I'll have to work _very_ hard to pay them back with interests some time in the future)

[KarlJones]

belmondo wrote:The sickness doesn’t go away.
As if we want a cure!

Vvizard, there is a 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM out there with YOUR name on it! It's calling... calling...

(insert evil laugh...)

[vvizard]

Nonono, seriously. Couldn't afford it even if I wanted to.. But that's what I said about the NON-IS just days ago to, now I've spent hours trying to get a used one cheap.. So if anyone here have one they don't wan't anymore, and don't mind shipping to norway, you're welcome if the price is right =)

[mebow]

while you are at it take a look at that nice
400MM 2.8L IS. Might be the ticket to go along with the 70-200MM. ...hmmmmmm

[PeterWilkinson]

Whatever you do under NO circumstances buy "L" glass. I got a 70-200 2.8L the other week and the danmed stuff is like a drug.

Canon should give you your first "L" for free :-)

[agit-prop]

Your computer probably needs to be upgraded as well! I know mine does... My poor old 700Mhz Thinkpad i1600 is barely a 3MP capable machine... Now that I'm using 6MP, it's painful.

What I need (you do too)

2+ Ghz
1 GB ram
USB2.0
80 GB HDD
DVD-RAM
Fast video card

[tacos3]

Hi....my name is Darren and I'm a DSLR owner.

Boy do I know the feeling. 12 months ago I was wasting my disposable income on go fast car parts. Then I went to a car race at Sears Point and took my 35mm camera and thought "these pics sure would be nice if they were digital". My P&S Olympus D3000 wasn't cutting the mustard.

Then 4 weeks ago, I bought a DR. Now I find myself drooling over 70-200 2.8L IS after buyng a 28-70 2.8 Tokina. That represents a new set of 2 piece rotors AND new tires for the car.

Is there a cure for this disease?

[Belmondo]

tacos3 wrote:Now I find myself drooling over 70-200 2.8L IS after buyng a 28-70 2.8 Tokina. That represents a new set of 2 piece rotors AND new tires for the car.

Is there a cure for this disease?

Good news! Yes, there is a cure.....

SELL THE CAR!

Use the cash for lenses and ride the bus.

Tom

[perfectpixel]

vvizard wrote:
...So here I am, a 10D later, no girlfriend, and $1000 in mastercard-bills ....

that's all fine, but why did the GF leave you? lens envy?

[vvizard]

Agit-Prop wrote:
Your computer probably needs to be upgraded as well! I know mine does... My poor old 700Mhz Thinkpad i1600 is barely a 3MP capable machine... Now that I'm using 6MP, it's painful.

What I need (you do too)

2+ Ghz
1 GB ram
USB2.0
80 GB HDD
DVD-RAM
Fast video card

Let's just state that my 1+ year old workstation match (and rival those specs =)) I had a student-loan last year you see =) So last August, I got myself a P-IV 2.55GHz, 1GB RAM, 280GB 7200rpm drive(s), GF4ti4400 (trade for a 4800SE some months later when it didn't survive that I replaced it's fan by 0.4KG of heat-sinks =)). 6xUSB-2.0, 2xFirewire, integrated bluetooth, wlan, gigabit-ethernet, 19" CRT, and whatnot =)

http://www.vvizard.net/pics/g33k/

Some pics of my room, puters etc.. My geek-skills far outperforms my photography skills at least =)

I was actually going to buy myself a 3GHz (Hyperthreaded) laptop with 1GB RAM this autumn. I bought the 10D instead, since I thought another $500 bucks on the laptop (compared to the 10D) was too much.. _HOW WRONG_ could I possible be? :-P Had I done that, I would be bathing in money right now, instead of sitting sleepless in front of my computer reading L-reviews :(

[vvizard]

So I've done it. I made an auction-offer of $900 for the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM. Don't think I'll win it, but if I do, I've just spent way to much money on glass.. All thanks to YOU!!! And heck, if I don't win it, then I'll probably buy it for $950 from some other place :/ And yeah, whichever (if any) I get, add the 24% norwegian import-tax.. *grrr* there goes my Christmas-money

[Canuck]

Join the club...
I'm trying to get a group together called L-caholics Anonomous! I'm in the same boat, and dare I say regretting (or more like paying for) the 16-35 L lens I have. Man is it sweet! I've got me eyes on the Canon 28-70 L now, and the Flashtrax drive. When does it stop??? I was looking at the reviews for the Sigma 24-70 EX and Idunno what to say. Is it worth the extra $1000? Thankifully I have a job that pays decent and can affort such stuff; the down side is that it really sucks!

I'm in a very big state of dillemma...

Cheers form England,
Canuck

[Tategoi]

I've got to say, DO NOT buy it. I've had one for about 14 months, first for a 1D and now a 1Ds. The IS is a waste of time unless you are shotting really fast frames/sport etc. A good monopod is better and a darn sight cheaper.

The quality leaves alot to be desired IMHO - now, if you want a real (!) lens - get the 24-70mm 2.8 L - it gives breathtaking results. Secondhand you might have to settle for a 28-70 as the 24-70 is new out.

All L (luxury according to Canon) should be good and normally are but the 70-200 disappoints hugely. Save your money and go for a cheaper one.

[vvizard]

First off, I'm not getting the IS-version. I'm getting the identical(afaik) except for IS. I can't afford IS. From what you say here, I might suspect that maybe you have gotten bad copy? I've read a lot of reviews about this lens, and they all say it's one of the best zooms ever. Only negative I've read about this lens has to do with IS (which actually isn't this lens). The only real option I got is the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX from Sigma. If I don't win the auction, I think I'll get sane and buy the Sigma instead though. This thing costs to much for me actually :/

[GenEOS]

I would highly recommend the IS version. My first IS was the 100-400 and the 70-200IS f2.8 is an amazing lens. But the $$ difference is large...the 70-200 f2.8 is a magnificant lens without IS, but the IS is a little nicer, your call! It's only money!

[vvizard]

Yeah, it's "only" money, and I've come to my senses =) I was outbid on the 70-200mm f/2.8. I'm pretty glad for that actually, cause the price was pretty high for me, and the sallery was ~ $150 less than expected this month :/ So I'm ordering the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX (new) instead. I anyway feel more comfortable paying $700 for a new lens from B&H, than $900 for a used lens from Hong-Kong =)

[ldivinag]

student loans are for losers...

dont eat for a week... get a good lens.

dont eat for a couple weeks, L time, baby....

dont eat for a month? 1Ds!!!!

[Tategoi]

A month's food for a 1Ds - how much food do you eat???

I've come to the conclusion that Canon's don't like higher ISO speeds. My 1Ds takes great photos as it should for the price/spec but I have always needed to use higher ISO speeds when using the 70-200mm lens, even with IS. Just have to say, the shots are good but not great.

The 24-70L lens is just so much another kettle of fish - truly amazing results even with slightly higher ISO just for tests purposes.

Does anyone else find anything over 160 ASA disappoints?

As for $$$ / £££ - I just ordered an Epson 7600 printer - finally. Just couldn't resist it so no food, beer, cigs, women for me for a year! Hey ho, that the heck. A demo print at 120dpi to 36x20" took my breath away so just can't wait for something printed at exhibition standard - roll on Wednesday.

Best desktop printer? Canon i9100 IMHO

[defordphoto]

Tategoi wrote:
I've got to say, DO NOT buy it. I've had one for about 14 months, first for a 1D and now a 1Ds. The IS is a waste of time unless you are shotting really fast frames/sport etc. A good monopod is better and a darn sight cheaper.

The quality leaves alot to be desired IMHO - now, if you want a real (!) lens - get the 24-70mm 2.8 L - it gives breathtaking results. Secondhand you might have to settle for a 28-70 as the 24-70 is new out.

All L (luxury according to Canon) should be good and normally are but the 70-200 disappoints hugely. Save your money and go for a cheaper one.

??? The 70-200 f2.8 zoom is one of Canon's best lenses that they make. Period. You must have a bad lens if your's isn't producing good results.

Not to mention that the IS' main design is not for shooting fast speeds for sport. At that point the IS is not doing what it was designed for and should be shut off the avoid wasting power.

IS is for Image Stabilization at slower shutter speeds. If you're using this lens mainly for outdoor sports shooting in bright sun then do not get the IS feature as you'll rarely use it. And yes it is expensive, as all L-glass is, but the IS feature (second generation) on this lens can be a life saver in low-light/low-speed conditions.

You need to send that lens back to Canon for adjustment or try opening that book that came with it for a better undertsanding of how it operates.

[ilya]

Here's reality. Student loans are for L-uxury items. Your part-time job is to put food on the table. If your part-time job is not enough to do that, get a better job.

I spent my student loans on fast roadbikes, ski and surf trips, and mind altering substances. I worked for food, rent and tuition. (at the start of it all, food was discretionary). It all worked out. Motorcycles are more expensive then photography.

So get a student loan for whatever you still need to be within that magic $4,000 now and don't go over.

Financing the stuff you want thru student loans can't be beat. Its truly getting something for next to nothing. There is also infinite flexibility on extending those things if you're in trouble. When you are out of college, and have a great job, payments are easy.

So get good grades, interview well, and remember that L-glass is forever while the loan quickly will become a distant memory.

(disclaimer: this may not be the same advice i'd give to my kid)

[kabell]

vvizard wrote:
Not long ago, I was a happy boy. Good economics (at least good for a student), nice girlfriend, and a ***** P&S SLR-like cam, with lots of noise. But I wasn't complaining. Then The DR came along, and I started looking into buying it. Unfortunatly I found this board, and I stayed with it :/ So here I am, a 10D later, no girlfriend, and $1000 in mastercard-bills :/ Not to bad compared to some other in here I guess =)


You know what?

2 months ago I was a happy 20-year-old boy too with a nice girlfriend (whom I had been with for more than 2 years - we even lived together). A month ago I got a 10D and 28-135mm lens, and a week later, guess what? Yup, no girlfriend... :-( She actually told me that since the day I placed the order for the 10D I didn't pay her any attention, and after I got the cam in my hands I she felt I loved it more than i loved her. And she probably was right... :)
And yup, it's not nice to have more than 3000$ in dept...

Just to let you know, that you're not the only one... :-)

[Belmondo]

kabell wrote:She actually told me that since the day I placed the order for the 10D I didn't pay her any attention, and after I got the cam in my hands I she felt I loved it more than i loved her. And she probably was right... :)


It's always best to find these things out early in life. I'm married 42 years, and I'm getting similar grumblings from my wife. (although here real complaint is the amount of time I spend on the computer prowling around this forum and playing with my photos in Photoshop).

Be strong.

Tom

[mebow]

When you finally STOP buying all this 'stuff' you will need some method to haul it to the photo shoots.

Get your pocketbook back out and see

http://home.earthlink.net/~mr1634/

Mike

[Canuck]

mebow wrote:
When you finally STOP buying all this 'stuff' you will need some method to haul it to the photo shoots.

Get your pocketbook back out and see

http://home.earthlink.net/~mr1634/

Mike

I'm thinking of an articulated lorry for my kit, especially that 120-300 F2.8 lens I have. ROTFLMAO!!!

Cheers,
Canuck

[geoff@rio]

Ah you can't beat the consumer society. keep buying lads, it's what is keeping the economy together. The girls will come back when they see you have a nice big "L" of a lens on your trendy EOS digital camera.

[Belmondo]

geoff@rio wrote: The girls will come back when they see you have a nice big "L" of a lens on your trendy EOS digital camera.

DON'T DO IT! (let the girls back into your life, that is.)

Next thing you know, they want you to take them to dinner and a show.....scratch one CF card. Then, it's an engagement ring....whooosh, there goes a couple L lenses. Finally, it's "Where the hell do you think you're going with that camera? It's your turn to watch the kids while I go to the mall."

Your life is currently uncomplicated. You are free to come and go as you wish and to spend your money however you like. Women can only screw up your bliss.

Don't be tempted. What's more important? Preservation of the species, or cool equipment? Pretty easy questions, right?

Your friend, Tom

(You'll thank me for this someday.)

[SheriG]

Ahem...I thought I might inteject a little feminine non-beer drinkin', not much smokin these daze, energy into this very informative discussion.

Do you boiz have a good link for the dynamic topic of better lens comprehension? I have switched from Canon A-1 (2 bodies) and a multitude of lenses (none of which fit of course) and currently own the ef 28-135mm IS USM which I bought as it was all I could afford after plunking down the cash last year for a D60. It has served me well, but I am ready for a better low light stage/portrait lens or two and want to have a better understanding of the terminology which is being thrown around here.

It's a brave new world for this former photojournalist....just getting her sea legs back on! Still shoot with my A-1's, just not ready to give them up.

This is a great forum! Look forward to hearing from you.

[GenEOS]

It's tough to give up the film body, it's a normal feeling. You will find them gathering dust in no time at all !!
Hang in there there is a lot to learn in Digital photography, it's a whole new world.

[GenEOS]

I also think the 70-200 f2.8L IS is one of the best lenses canon has ever built.

I have found that the IS funstions nicely on a monopod for sports. I can tell that it adds some stabilitzation to the shots. BTW, the owners manual says it functions on a monopod but shoud be switched off when used on a tri-pod...

[Longwatcher]

For SheriG,
If you don't have it already, the next lens you should probably get is the 50/1.8 (or 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 85/1.2) for low light portrait work. Otherwise the 16-35/2.8L or 24-70/2.8L will be close and give more flexability. Anything else will not be an improvement except a flash.


Just in case it has been a really long time (at first time amatuer level - not to basic for you I hope) [for more technical answers, the Canon on-line museum is very cool. Can't remember link]

The first number is focal length as 50mm focal length - lower number wider field of view, need to be closer, big number is telephoto to see farther away.

The number after the slash is the aperture (lower number means more light gets in meaning better in low light).

L means luxury (or so I have been told) it actually means professional grade build with more expensive glass so you get a better picture.

IS = Image stabilzation. A nifty tool to allow you to have a less blurry picture at a slower shutter speed providing the target is not moving very much.

Thus a 70-200/2.8L IS = A 70mm to 200mm zoom lens with a f2.8 aperture (fairly good for low light, but could be better) using L glass with Image stabilization.

USM, AFD, and MM are Canon Auto Focus (AF) drive types, all you need to know is USM is faster and quieter. And anything else about lenses is really not important except as a marketing ploy that may or may not have any effect in the real world on your picture taking.

CF = compact Flash card (storage card, which you should know about if you have a D60 already)

Beer = an elixir which normally comes in can, bottle or keg which dulls a mans senses so he forgets that he is looking for a girlfriend that will let him take pictures or even better likes taking pictures herself so they can both have camera envy 8)

[Belmondo]

SheriG wrote:
Ahem...I thought I might inteject a little feminine non-beer drinkin', not much smokin these daze, energy into this very informative discussion.


Still shoot with my A-1's, just not ready to give them up.



Who in this forum can afford beer? The best I can tell is that everyone is spending every available dime on camera equipment.

I loved my FD lenses and still wish I had an excuse to use them.....unfortunately, I'd have to buy them back since everything's been sold.

Forgive the tongue-in-cheek remarks regarding marriage. Understand, they were made by someone who's been happily married 42 years to the same woman (and still trying to decide whether or not to have children). Many of the people in this forum are women, and they certainly hold their own in knowledge, experience, and chutzpah. There might even be more than I’m aware of since many of the names really aren’t gender-specific.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

Tom

[kellylipp]

Notice how the woman posted a note to this thread and it just died out.

What, all you guys thought the wives/girlfriends/significantothers weren't listening?

Have all the stuff (no L because I CHOOSE not to) but now covet a larger monitor.

No, it does not stop...

Kelly

Started with a D60 12 months ago and already graduated to the 10D. I'm sticking with this one.

Maybe...

[vvizard]

kabell wrote:
vvizard wrote:
Not long ago, I was a happy boy. Good economics (at least good for a student), nice girlfriend, and a ***** P&S SLR-like cam, with lots of noise. But I wasn't complaining. Then The DR came along, and I started looking into buying it. Unfortunatly I found this board, and I stayed with it :/ So here I am, a 10D later, no girlfriend, and $1000 in mastercard-bills :/ Not to bad compared to some other in here I guess =)


You know what?

2 months ago I was a happy 20-year-old boy too with a nice girlfriend (whom I had been with for more than 2 years - we even lived together). A month ago I got a 10D and 28-135mm lens, and a week later, guess what? Yup, no girlfriend... :-( She actually told me that since the day I placed the order for the 10D I didn't pay her any attention, and after I got the cam in my hands I she felt I loved it more than i loved her. And she probably was right... :)
And yup, it's not nice to have more than 3000$ in dept...

Just to let you know, that you're not the only one... :-)


Wow cool, same age, same ending =) Maybe we shall create a support-griup ;)

[vvizard]

belmondo wrote:
geoff@rio wrote: The girls will come back when they see you have a nice big "L" of a lens on your trendy EOS digital camera.

DON'T DO IT! (let the girls back into your life, that is.)

Next thing you know, they want you to take them to dinner and a show.....scratch one CF card. Then, it's an engagement ring....whooosh, there goes a couple L lenses. Finally, it's "Where the hell do you think you're going with that camera? It's your turn to watch the kids while I go to the mall."

Your life is currently uncomplicated. You are free to come and go as you wish and to spend your money however you like. Women can only screw up your bliss.

Don't be tempted. What's more important? Preservation of the species, or cool equipment? Pretty easy questions, right?

Your friend, Tom

(You'll thank me for this someday.)

I'm thanking you right now man! Of course my equipment is more important than letting children into this world. Heck, how many more beer-drinking tobacco-smoking computer-geeks do we need? :-P Guess someone else is better fit to preserve the species than me =)

I actually thought having a girlfriend was cool. Now I could spend money on gadets, instead of spending them at bars, trying to get women. How wrong could I be. Those girls probably thinks that once they start dating me, all the money I spend on gadgets will be spent on them.. Muhahaha, how stupid are they? :-O

I'll probably start dating again some time, I just need some more L's first, so that I actually can have som money to use on them.. It'll happen soon probably.. I just... need some L... NEED MORE L!!!

[SheriG]

Hey guys, thanks for letting me into the club! Longwatcher what a great description. I will try and find the site you mentioned. If you come up with it, pass it on.

I off to clean the potato chips from under the couch cushions...ta, ta....

SheriG

[hickory]

Wow this thread is hilarious. To belmondo and vvizard here is what happens when you have children.....they want to borrow your camera!!!

My 17 year old came to me last nite and said he wanted to borrow my D30 to take pics of the pig they were disecting in school. He said mom told him he could.......sheesh.

I know its "only" a D30 but its my baby :-) I told him to use my old Elan thats collecting dust, but he didn't like the idea of having to get film developed and then scanning the images. And the uncertainty of not knowing if the pics came out. Boy the apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it? Sounded like the same reasons I used to buy the D30. No "L" for me too many children that will want to borrow them.

[Longwatcher]

SheriG wrote:
Hey guys, thanks for letting me into the club! Longwatcher what a great description. I will try and find the site you mentioned. If you come up with it, pass it on.

I off to clean the potato chips from under the couch cushions...ta, ta....

SheriG

Found it,

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/index.html

........to the guys.....Not to be taken Too seriously......

I thought the purpose of buying all the nifty camera equipment was to get more access to women. You get the 10D w/BG-ED3, a 70-200L IS, and a 550EX flash and tell them you are a fashion photographer.

How can they not believe you with that equipment? 8)

They may even be willing to take off their clothes for you so you can check them out properly. :p

Just remember not to mention the fact that you are not a "famous" photographer. Although, if you contribute to this forum, you could say that you are well know in photography circles.

Then you get to pick and chose until you find one that is also into photography so you get a model and someone who doen't mind you spending lots and lots of money on cameras and lenses. When you find one like that you keep her.

Unless she takes better pictures then you do, which is very likely, (or heaven forbid, uses Nikon - can't have any of those around here) :p

Lastly, just in case, make sure in the prenups that you get all the camera equipment - state this specifically, you can always get a new house, pets and kids, but your camera equipment is obviously irreplaceable. :D

..............Now back to reality........

Right now I have the next best thing. I have a girlfriend who lets me take pictures of models and puts up with my photography. She is not a model, but she puts up with ME, which is a very rare find...so I am keeping her (at least as a girfriend - not ready for the upgrade yet). Besides ever rare once in awhile I actually get a great picture of her, namely because she is willing to sit in front of my camera and does a really great job of posing. Okay maybe she is a model (for me at least) :p

[vvizard]

To Longwatcher: You know what. I've actually thought of the "yeah sure, I'm a fashion-photographer" thing when I bought the 10D (my first SLR, and indeed my first real camera). But hell yeah, the way you tell it, I think it might actually work =)

The only problem I could see arise, was that if I picked up a model to shoot pictures of her, and then act like a total newbie. Something I would, cause I am ;) But hell, I just pick the pretty ones who've never done any model-shooting before :)

Well, guess I'm out to fetch models then....

hehe, just kidding.. *NOT!!* see you guys =)

[Longwatcher]

vvizard or anyone,
If you are serious about looking for models (female or male), I suggest www.onemodelplace.com as a starting point. They claim to be the largest on-line source for models and I am willing to believe it. They list 60,000 models (although about 1/3 are not active) and about 6,000 photographers the last time I paid attention. I know they have model numbers over 80000 and photographers over 9000 something. The majority are US based, but it has a fairly large european selection as well (mostly UK and Germany).

Although you will probably need to send out 10 e-mails to get one response*, you can get with some starting models to do TFP (Time-for-prints) or TFCD (Time-for-CDR) [they give up their time, you give them prints (or CDR)]. They get some practice, you get some practice (or get to try out new equipment) and if any of the pictures turn out great you both win.

Also note that 1 in 3 will probably not make the date you both set for the photography. Paying models have always shown up, it is the free ones that are sometimes unreliable.

Do make sure and be honest at what you are looking for and don't over inflate your ability too much. Also expect all female models to come with escorts (read boyfriends/husbands - I encourge this as they make great free labor to hold up reflectors or props).

If it says commercial work only, avoid these as they either are top-notch models or have an over inflated opinion of themselves. Look for the amatuer/semi-professional, some-experience level. (on the other hand if you need a professional model for an assignment you have different requirements which are mostly budget vs task oriented)

In short a great resource for finding models whether for business or fun of it photography.

Just my experience,



[ * = Of course I am usually looking for free nude fetish models, I have better results when looking for a clothed practice model or I am willing to pay because I have an advert to shoot for.]

The good part of landscape and wildlife photography is you never have to pay the models themselves - although you may have to pay their managers.

[vvizard]

Well it was a joke from my side. If I'm to make a complete fool out of myself in trying to shoot a model, at least I need some comprehensive information first on how to do it. I don't like people you see.. Well, I like people, I just don't like shooting them. I haven't played around with it any much, and the result are usually bad. Guess that's why I don't like it :) The only model I've tried to make pose for me some times when taking pictures was my x-girlfriend. She really hated posing for me, so she was very difficult to work with. That might also be a reason for why I don't like to shoot people. The last one, would probably be that I've yet to see a model-picture that will blow me away more than a beautiful sunset or other beautiful things from the nature. Except maybe for some nude-shots :-P But if anyone could guide me into the right direction on how to do portrait and people photography, something that could help me a bit in the do's and dont's, and hopefully make me realize that model-work actually don't is as bad as I think it is, then I'd be gratefull :)

[Longwatcher]

Probably best to stick with landscape/sunsets then as you won't need the studio lights, flashes, reflectors, etc.. that go with shooting models. Although my favorite shots are of models taken on location. Then you get beautiful scenery in two categories :)

[Andy_T]

hickory wrote:
I know its "only" a D30 but its my baby :-) I told him to use my old Elan thats collecting dust, but he didn't like the idea of having to get film developed and then scanning the images. And the uncertainty of not knowing if the pics came out. Boy the apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it? Sounded like the same reasons I used to buy the D30. No "L" for me too many children that will want to borrow them.

Easy, hickory:

Depending on how much you want to spend, get him a new or used G3/G5 for Christmas!

Great little camera, and your D30 is safe.

Have fun,
Andy

[hickory]

Thanks Andy, I've actually been considering just that. Now if I could just find somewhere to trade my Elan even up for a G3 or G5, LOL!

[arthurb]

kellylipp wrote:
What, all you guys thought the wives/girlfriends/significantothers weren't listening?

Have all the stuff (no L because I CHOOSE not to) but now covet a larger monitor.

I'm sticking with this one.
Maybe...


I think that mothers teach daughters these phrases in some way that they are alway the first answers!

Here is a typical conversation;

male "Why not?"
female "Because I CHOOSE NOT TO.)
(You can actually hear the all caps as they speak)

And just to keep the male off guard, they add the next phrase;

"I'm sticking with this decision." {insert long pause} Maybe...


Notice smiley face :-)

[merlyn9]

Damn.. I just picked up my 10D.... Maybe I should just kiss my wife on the cheek, pack a bag... & move out now!

Well at least I got my 28-300 & 17-35 first!

[vvizard]

Just do it. It won't take many days before you grow a stronger relationship with the 10D than you can possible have with any wife. It's amazing. Just think of how much better your economy will get if you do it :) Then you can probably sell your 28-300, and instead get this:

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L

Just think about it.. Is your wife worth it? ;)

[Belmondo]

vvizard wrote:Just think about it.. Is your wife worth it? ;)

Hey there. It wasn't that long ago when you lost your girlfriend. Now you want us all to do the same thing.

You're a believer!!!!....a zealot!!!!

I admire your devotion.

Tom

[vvizard]

belmondo wrote:

Hey there. It wasn't that long ago when you lost your girlfriend. Now you want us all to do the same thing.

You're a believer!!!!....a zealot!!!!

I admire your devotion.

Tom

You think so? Then just wait until the day some _really_ off-topic Windows vs Linux discussion arrives at the forum =)

No indeed. It ain't very long since then :/ Less than two months. But I've been enlightened since then. All people told me that the best way to get over a girl, is the next one.. Well, I don't agree with that. The best way to get over a girl, is to get a 10D, decent glass and Photoshop-CS :-D

When that's covered, then it's time to look for girls again :) Today I was in Norways capital with a new girl :) She was there for underwear-shopping, and I was more or less forced to go with her to supervise it. Fine by me I thought, and while there I found this pretty huge (by norwegian standards (yeah we even think 2.0L engines are quite OK ;))) camera-shop :-D It was in two floors. First it looked real dull. There was only P&S-cameras, some _BIG_ (by international standards) MAC-monitors, and 3-4 salespeople trying to push Canon-cams on everybody =) So, after waiting in line for 10-15 minutes. It was finally my turn. I was only asking if they got any of Canon or Sigma's Teleconverters. He replied that they didn't sell Sigma, and then he was silent for a bit, and repeated: "A tele-what?" So after failing to look up it's price, he said: "What cam do you use?" I replied that I used a 10D, and that was probably one of their magic words =) "Go upstairs, ask for Paal. He knows Canon". He pointed to a stair I really didn't believe was meant for the customers. Looked like something for the staff only. Almost looked as if they try to camouflage it. But anyway, I wen't upstairs and..

WHOLY CRAP!
There Paal stood smiling, in the middle of a fairly big room, not a single customer up there. I can assure you there was not a single P&S cam up there either =) Every wall (except the glass-wall pointing out to the shoppingstreet) was covered by glass-cabinets, stretching from floor to ceiling. And what was inside them? You're darn right! SLR's and white lenses =) Nikon as well as Canon though. I was in heaven. This is the first "real" camera-store I've ever seen. Maybe I've been to more, but none of them have ever letten me into the "secret-rooms". Maybe I'll go back to them some day and say "10D" instead of "DiMage 7i" just to check. At least I know my local photo-dealer have a stairway going to the basement, which really looks to be "staff-only" ;)

Anyway, I turned to the girl and said: "Believe me, this will take a while. Why don't you go back and do some more shopping meanwhile?" And she just smiled back and said: "No problem, go ahead, I can wait". And so she did. She stood completly still without nagging me to leave, for probably half an hour, while I stood there talking with the salesman about lenses, teleconverters (and of course) prices. And during the entire talk, not a single customer came onto that floor. Yup, definetly have to be a secret =)

So what do you learn from all this when it comes to girls and photo? Probably not very much, except one thing. If you already have a wife/girl which isn't to keen on letting you waste a whole lot money on photo, then _DON'T_ get an (D)SLR! Off course, you can still do it, but by now you've probably read enough in this forum to know where it ends ;)

What you got to do, is to show your (photo)gear to the girl on the first date, make sure she understood just how much money it's worth, and that you'll probably gonna waste even more money on better glass and stuff in the following months. If she stays, you got yourself a winner =) Of course, this is a little like zooms. She might not be as pretty as the last one, as lightweight as the last one, nor as "bright" as the last one, but hey! It's all about compromises!! ;)

Happy shooting!

[BearSummer]

What you are looking for is the very rare "photo-wife/girlfriend". This is a very rare model because i seem to have the only one. Has almost as much kit as me (see below), says things like "Is f4 going to be fast enough, get the f2.8 instead", is always willing to make space in her bag for any lenses I cant fit in mine (tho I may not get them back later), and doesnt mind driving to weird out of the way places so long as we can wait for the good light when we get there. Only downsides are...

1, Likes L glass
2, Likes 1DS
3, Is able to and likes to use the above
4, When buying camera gear believes in the "one for you, one for me" style of purchasing
5, Did I mention "Likes L glass"

Married for 14 years, no kids, 2 cats, 5 camera bags, no life...

Spent last Saturday photographing the xmas ball in the local army mess, started at 830pm, finished at 230am, I set up the lights and took the orders whilst she did the photography. Now we just have to work out which L-ense to buy and try and remember if its one for her or one for me time...

Best Regards

BearSummer

[Erin]

Glad I don't own any Canon glass, sounds like a lot of you Canon 'L' guys are GAY!

[daaaveman]

Viz, I just want to say that I enjoy your posts. This forum is not active enough but I'm still a bit addicted. Great stuff here. We don't own this gear for the sake of owning it, we own it for the fun of owning it. You bring that to light. For an old, married guy, it's fun to read that you're taking a girl underwear shopping on your first date and are still distracted by L lenses over lingerie. Maybe your priorities are a little screwy from some people's perspectives but we understand. And DEFINITELY NOT GAY! Not that there's anything wrong with that! (Jerry Seinfeld)

Keep the stories coming. Show us some of the pics you're getting. You're young, enjoy life - and don't forget to slow down to take a very close look at that underwear while you're at it! Just put the 10D within site and you'll be OK.

[Belmondo]

daaaveman wrote:Keep the stories coming. Show us some of the pics you're getting. You're young, enjoy life - and don't forget to slow down to take a very close look at that underwear while you're at it!


Dating certainly has changed since I was his age. Even though it sounds like a lot of fun (and some great photo opportunities), I'm not sure my flabby, old enlarged heart could handle that. I was in the local department store a couple days ago doing some Christmas shopping, and I saw a display of thongs in the ladies underweard department. I recall having the thought that there's more material in a foot of dental floss.

This is not a job for the feint of heart. vvisard never ceases to amaze me.