potn AUSSIE CLUB: thinks, links 'n drinks

Carzee wrote in post #2189556
hmmm... re DD, maybe i should cool off on the 5D?

I reckon I'd use DD for lenses (international warranty) but bodies can be iffy to import.

How bout the $500 rebate for buying an Aussie 5D??

http://www.canon.com.a​u …e/story_1472.ht​ml?wid=104

Only got until tomorrow though!!

Hey guys im just sitting on the computer bored as hell processing photos for something to do, so i thought id share one This was with the new 580EX and my nifty. I thought it turned out really well IMO, the 580EX really... like REALLY helps with exposure and AF.

Original (only upped the contrast and shadows, its a personal preference of mine with all my pics :lol

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Carzee wrote in post #2189556
hmmm... re DD, maybe i should cool off on the 5D?

I've said it before and, one day, some bugger will listen...

Lenses have Canon International warranties - if you buy a lens from DD and there is a problem, Canon pick up the tab.

Digital bodies do not have an international warranty. Glenn sources the gear from Asia - the warranty will be in Singapore or Hong Kong. If he is offering to take the faulty camera to Canon to have it serviced, he may have some sort of agreement with Canon or he may be paying for the service out of the profits of his other sales.

Whatever - it has been posted many times. Lenses - OK. Bodies - your risk.

Don't for a moment think that the kneejerk reactions of a few people here will have much impact on his bottom line. Most of his business comes from outside Sydney and from people who don't even know this site exists. 'Threats' made in a BB will mean little to him.

Taking it to FairTrading? Why? Trent has already said that Glenn has offered to take the camera to Canon.

I have probably, over time, spent nearly as much at DD. I will still continue to buy some items from him - because I keep my eyes open and choose the items I want carefully. The 16-35, 70-200 and 100-400 are the sharpest copies of those 3 lenses I have held and used - and they came from him. The only mistake I have ever made was the Sigma 24-70 and it was me that 'broke' it - Glenn offered to arrange for the warranty repair - I decided not to bother - frankly I am not a fan of that lens and will be replacing it with a Canon version - from DD.

I agree that DD are great on prices - I have not been able to beat them. Glenn has been good to me and I believe we may be able to resolve this issue soon without needing to get all official.

My main issue is that he refused to help me because I was outside the 7 day window. I have received an e-mail from him overnight where he has softened his stance and a compromise may be reached today.

I did expect better service without having to resort to nasty tactics. I guess I was pretty angry yesterday and I hope that in the night of a new day, this can be resolved.

Trent's AM summary - Buy at the best price you can find, but BEWARE!!! Make sure you keep receipts and check the warranty and returns agreement with your supplier.

Hi Trent,

Sorry to hear you frustrations with DD Photographics. I know his stuff is grey imported and not Australian stock. I looked at his prices for my 580ex, I even contacted directly as I had heard through other forums that he is cheaper if you don't go through Ebay. His prices were still $100 more than Ebay direct.

I hope Canon won't give you the run around as well.

Cheers

OK - Glenn has agreed to replace the camera FOC with a new unit when he gets new stock in later this week. I have checked the shutter actuations with Opanda IEXIF 2.26 and there are 2260. I have taken 1449 so there is a discrepancy of 811 shots.

This is a good tip if you are buying a camera. The program is freeware and the field is "Maker Note".

Thanks and I'll let you know how I go with the new one.....

kiwibloke wrote in post #2190996
Don't for a moment think that the kneejerk reactions of a few people here will have much impact on his bottom line. Most of his business comes from outside Sydney and from people who don't even know this site exists. 'Threats' made in a BB will mean little to him.

True, but a bad rap is a bad rap. Bad news travels quicker than good news. Anyone who runs a business knows this. I guess my threat idea was pretty silly tho Was more about offering moral support than anything else. Thx for putting it in perspective.

kiwibloke wrote in post #2190996
Taking it to FairTrading? Why? Trent has already said that Glenn has offered to take the camera to Canon.

Because he offers a DD (not Canon) warranty that he was (IMO) refusing to honour. Offering warranty and refusing to honour it is a big no-no. Also I thought from Trent's post that he had another friend (not Glenn) who was offering to take it to Canon. I must have read wrong!!

Anyway, it sounds like Glenn's looking after Trent now which is very encouraging All the best with it.

linarms wrote in post #2189558
Sorry for the multiple posts but I'm addressing one topic per post

Shot a school musical tonight. The school is protective about kiddie photos (I can't even publish them on a secure site) so I can't show anything here, but let's just say that I now have enormous respect for guys who are good at shooting this sort of stuff. Controlling DoF at f/2.8 under changing lights and switching from telephoto to wide angle as the stage opens up, not to mention metering consistently ... I was exhausted by the end and am a bit disappointed with a lot of my shots. I can probably shoot again on Wednesday (the musical runs for 3 nights) so might give it a shot.

I was also trying to take photos that parents would buy. Rather tricky to decide on that one where there are, like, 60-100 kiddies packed on to a stage.

Any advice for Wednesday? (Actually I've already been thinking lots about it ...)

Great experience anyway.

Perhaps different advice to what you were hoping...

We do fundraising shots for a local youth theatre, but we do our shots not during a performance. The director will usually run through the scenes and pose the kids as they would be if they were acting - and we take the shots from there. It means that its much easier to get the important chracter moment - and also to control light, as if we need it tweeked up a bit the lighting chickie will do it for us.

Might not be possible for you - but its an idea?

Also - if it is fundraising, where the theatre group benifits as well, parents are more willing to buy. We find we take a small pay cut per photo, but sell more, making it more worthwhile.

Just a ramble from me...

Naomi

Thanks for that Naomi!! Really good tips. In this case it's a junior school production and the school doesn't do dress rehearsals -- getting the kids ready for 3 performances is a big enough challenge I think!! And the event isn't about fundraising at all... so it's not really worth pursuing that option here. But I'll certainly bear the idea in mind for when it might work ...

In your experience, what sort of photos have sold the best? Close up, shallow DoF type shots or full stage images? (I know I need a few full stage shots for the school, but the school is getting the photos for free so I'm more keen to try and cover costs from sales.)

linarms wrote in post #2192267
Thanks for that Naomi!! Really good tips. In this case it's a junior school production and the school doesn't do dress rehearsals -- getting the kids ready for 3 performances is a big enough challenge I think!! And the event isn't about fundraising at all... so it's not really worth pursuing that option here. But I'll certainly bear the idea in mind for when it might work ...

In your experience, what sort of photos have sold the best? Close up, shallow DoF type shots or full stage images? (I know I need a few full stage shots for the school, but the school is getting the photos for free so I'm more keen to try and cover costs from sales.)

Parents prefer individual shots of their own child, whereas if the child is choosing they like full stage shots so all their friends are in it too - we see that replicated most of the time in both being sold to the same family.

Naomi

Hey Luke, any chance of borrowing another DSLR? That way you don't need to change lens all the time.

Just curious for those of you who are searching out insurance...

Anyone using an insurance broker?

As you know we are in the market for insurances at the moment (so many insurances! ugh!) so we are going through a broker. Will let you know what we come up with, and possibly pass on the brokers details.

Naomi

More on broken 1D camera story :

https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2193681&po​stcount=36

It seems I am the second owner - Hmmmmm

Thats rough. Real 'Dodgey Bros'.
Backyard business.

OTOH... they are cheap.

I may buy from them in the future (well see how Friday goes first), but only as the best price I can find. I have lost loyalty sadly.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU BUY!!! - I'm not too sure the $200 bucks I saved has been worth this anguish.