Please help me with my school project

[cmyyard19]

Please help! I’m conducting research for a school project on photography. The survey is only 11 questions and should only take a few minutes of your time and would be a great help to my homework. If you would like to keep your response private you can send your response to photostudy.scad@gmail.com. Thanks for your help

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Professional Advanced amateur Amateur Novice

2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Professional Advanced amateur Armature Novice

3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?

4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?

5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.

6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?

7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?

10. Is there any type of equipment you wish as available or designed better?

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?

[816_Studios_Inc]

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Advanced amateur

2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Novice

3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
Multiple camera bodies, multiple upper end quality lenses, multiple speedlites and strobes. Stands, reflectors, umbrellas, softboxes, etc etc. Total investment so far, I would guess around $10,000.

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
None so far (knocks on wood).

4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
Standard home video camera. $600

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
None so far (knocks on wood).

5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.
None so far (knocks on wood).

6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?
I do not use a tripod.

7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)
Most of the shooting I do is indoors in a studio, but would like to do some more outdoor glamour work.

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?
VagabondII from AlienBees (an on location power source for lighting).

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?
I have not felt limited yet.

10. Is there any type of equipment you wish as available or designed better?
None that I can think of.

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?
I could not see the use of an automated tripod with wireless tilt useful in many situations at all. In fact, it sounds like its use would be extremely limited, and probably not all that effective. I'm assuming you want to be in front of the camera (be in the picture yourself), and be able to drive the tripod/camera remotely. To me, once you tilt, pan, etc, as the photographer, you're going to realistically need to adjust a setting somewhere, focus point, etc. Also, in order for you to see what is being shot by the camera without having to run back and forth and use trial and error, you'd have to use a live view in tethered mode with a monitor. Maybe someone else sees a different use for it.

[cmyyard19]

Thanks for your response! If any one else wishes to participate it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

[nuffi]

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Totally amateur

2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Disinterested

3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
One camera body, multiple upper end quality lenses, one speedlite and one lighting kit with stands, reflectors, umbrellas & softboxes.


a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
The lights in my kit aren't designed to be used on location; they need a power outlet.

4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
Nothing.

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
None so far.

5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.
It can be difficult to dial it down far enough to narrow the DOF to the point I would like on occaision. I don't have ND filters yet, which would sort that problem out.

6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?
I use a tripod rarely.

7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)
Mostly my tripod use is for city panoramas at dusk, some macro photography, some product photography and the rare occaision I need to do a self portrait.

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?
Not sure just yet.

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?
I have not felt limited yet.

10. Is there any type of equipment you wish was available or designed better?
I'd like more portable and manageable cloth backdrops. Need to be able to easily smooth it, wash it, collapse it. Even wrinkle it.

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?
No. Need to be able to sit behind the tripod to compose the image and set the tripod. No need for a remote to do this.

[DStanic]

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Professional Advanced amateur Amateur Novice

Amateur striving to be "advanced amateur"


2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Professional Advanced amateur Armature Novice
Novice (No real interest)


3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
DSLR equipment- a "consumer" and "pro-sumer" body, lenses ranging from middle to high end, 2 speedlite flashes. Probabaly just over $2000 worth, mostly purchased used.

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
The camera I owned before my first DSLR was a Sony superzoom, which had several malfunctions. Terrible piece of equipment for shooting extended periods of time. The limitations of that camera pushed me into the DSLR world.

I bought a second-hand Sigma 70-200 lens which was very soft at f/2.8 especially at the long end. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get enough sample pictures taken WITH that lens that you are satisfied it is working the way it should. I ended up selling it locally to a person who used it for video use, which it worked ok for that.



4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
none

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
n/a


5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.
I currently have 2 speedlte flashes which work very well. I still have alot to learn to get the full potential out of them.


6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?
I have a good quality Manfrotto tripod. I don't use tripods very often, I would rather crank up the ISO and use a fast lens. But for the occations I do need a tripod, $40 ones are not stable enough so you gotta spend the money for quality.


7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)
Outdoors, nature, indoors (hoping to do more wedding work), I'd like to do more portrait work because people make the most interesting pictures. I don't do any "real" macro work (dont' have any macro lenses) but I like to shoot flowers etc. I have quite a broad interest as it is just a hobby right now.

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?
Bigger and/or better camera bags, more/better lighting equipment (which I would need to learn how to use), reflectors, umbrellas.

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?
I am quite happy with the gear I own. My new 30D will make shooting alot more fun because of the "professional" controls it has over the XTi. Of course there are times I wish I had better lenses with IS (such as a 17-55 f/2.8IS and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS), a camera that can shoot clean ISO6400 like a 5DmkII, but it's not something I NEED.


10. Is there any type of equipment you wish as available or designed better?
Crop bodies such a the 40D/50D with clean ISO6400.. or a stripped down version of the 5DmkII that was more affordable. An "L" version of the 17-55 f/2.8 IS and/or 24-70 f/2.8 with IS for full frame cameras. Also an updated 50mm f/1.8 lens with USM that would be less expensive then the 50mm f/1.4

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?
no

[nuffi]

Addendum:

I just remembered, The thing I *really* want to see is teh addition of IS to Canon's 400mm f/5.6

[Karl Johnston]

Sounds fun, here we go:


1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Professional
2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Novice
3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
Cameras, Lenses, epson...$10 000 give or take a thousand or two.
a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
It's not specialized enough for what I want to do (which changes a lot).
4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
5dm2-3600$
a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
Nope
5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.
The sun and the stars...sometime clouds get in the way when I don't want them there, but sometimes there's not enough of them and the sun's too bleaching bright!
6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?
Yup, I use a manfrotto 190cx3 i think. I like how light it is, but I know there are lighter ones out there. I don't like how the center column doesn't swivel.
7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)
Outdoors; northern lights and wildlife.
8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?
35 1.4L
9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?
Yes, I would like more primes.
10. Is there any type of equipment you wish was available or designed better?
Yes...I want an upgrade to the 50 1.0L
11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?

Nope, I'd rather have one that stayed in the ground where I put it and glued itself to the earth's magnetic core.

[Ken_from_MD]

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Amateur

2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Novice

3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested? Canon DSLR and assorted lenses, flashes, etc. Probably around $4,000.00

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what? Not yet.

4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested? Panasonic digital camcorder bought 5-6 years ago, maybe $1500.00

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what? No.

5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain. No.

6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it? No tripod, but I use a monopod when I am out photographing wildlife. It helps to support the larger lenses. I lilke the fact that it is highly mobile and easy to move around with. I don't like the fact that I can never let go of it.

7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.) Outdoors, primarily wildlife.

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be? Better camera bag and longer lenses.

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way? Not really. While longer lenses and a better body would be nice, I am able to work with what I have and get great pictures given my abilities.

10. Is there any type of equipment you wish as available or designed better? No.

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture? No.

[nphsbuckeye]

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Advanced amateur (shoot for university paper; graduate in June, want to start business

2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Novice

3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
About four grand (including CS4 master student edition)

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
24-60 front focuses and is at the doctor's

4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?
None

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?
N/A
5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.
Does a 430 count? If so, I just bounce it or direct it, nothing fancy

6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?
Yes, rarely use, a few times per month probably. I like it for night shots! And group shots. I don't like carrying it around a lot.

7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)
Nature, landscapes, candids, and sports

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?
Fast telephotos

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?
AF, MP, ISO; lens wise: speed and length

10. Is there any type of equipment you wish as available or designed better?
35mm format cameras with greater than 30mp

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?
Yes, I would use it for panoramas.

[cmyyard19]

Thanks for the help. I got all of the responses I need.

Thanks again

[tonydee]

1. How would you classify yourself as a photographer?
Advanced amateur

2. How would you classify yourself as a videographer?
Novice

3. What type of photography equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?

Canon [ DSLRs (5D, 400D), compact (G9), 70-200 f2.8 IS, 24mm T&S, 24-105mm f4, 50mm f1.4, 50mm f2.5 macro, 50mm f1.8, 2x ]; Sigma [ 12-24mm, 8mm fisheye, 18-200mm 3.5-6.3 OS, 530 Super flash ]; Kenko 1.4x, 3x, 25mm extension tube; tripods; bags; Mamiya 645E; total value approaching $20000

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?

5D: PIN broke in compact-flash slot; Mamiya mirror stuck

4. What type of video equipment do you own and how much would you say you have invested?

Sony standard-definition camcorder; Canon high-definition camcorder

a. Do you ever have any problems with your equipment? If so what?

Canon camera wasn't compatible with the software I had on Linux when I first bought it, and I just haven't bothered using it since...

5. If you own lighting equipment, do you ever have problems with its versatility or effectiveness? Please explain.

Sigma 530 Super flash (guide number 50), diffusers... don't use it much, but perhaps because I'd anticipate problems... would like to set it up for arbitrary off-camera use, but never looked into how to do it

6. Do you use a tripod? How often do you use it? What are you likes and dislikes about it?

5% of the time with the DSLRs, and all the time with the Mamiya. My SLIK carbon fibre 2kg tripod is great: stable, feels good, reaches up as high as I'd like (I'm 180cm), but it's 2kg and a touch bulky. Have a carry strap, plus it will fit on the side of my large Canon backpack. I've also got a ~1kg el-cheapo aluminium velbon tripod which comes up just high enough for normal use, isn't so stable, but is easier to strap onto the side of smaller backpacks and travel bags.

7. Where and what do you prefer to shoot? (outdoors, studio, macro, est.)

Outdoors: temples, shrines, gardens, landscapes, old buildings.

8. If you could have any accessory for your equipment what would it be?

Accesory for my equipment? As distinct from further equipment? Would that mean bags, cleaning products? If so - nothing I really want. More generally, a colour-accurate 30" 4MP monitor would be nice (I've got an el-cheapo Dell 30" 4MP monitor), as would a really long focal length lens, or the 1-5x macro lens, or a 5DmkII...?

9. Do you ever feel limited by the equipment you own? If so, in what way?

Sure... commercial DSLR offerings have very limited dynamic range compared to a lot of real-life scenes, and limited high-ISO performance still makes it hard to get adequate shutter speed with deeper focal fields. More megapixels is always good, as would be more telephoto ability: no lens can ever really reach far enough: it just brings more and more into view.

10. Is there any type of equipment you wish as available or designed better?

Sure... practically everything. Canon bodies (go to Ken Rockwell's site for a few common-sense suggestions). Lighter, smaller, better lenses.

11. Could you see yourself using an automated tripod with wireless tilt and pan control? If so what would you use it to capture?

Sure... few days ago, I was looking at a company that made something like that to help automate the creation of giga-pixel scale images... it would take all the smaller, zoomed in shots necessary, and some software would stitch it all together afterwards. Nice idea.