Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Other Hobbies and Interests => Topic started by: Martin (Admin) on February 01, 2013, 08:18:27 pm
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Calling all you camera geeks on here!
I think my wonderful but venerable Fujifilm FinePix S5700 has about reached it's retirement age.....
What do I invest in, another Bridge FinePix or Nikon d5100 or Nikon D3200 or Canon SX50 or Panasonic FZ200?
I like the look of the;
Nikon d5100 but I don't think I'm ever going to use all the features.... and the price of lenses!!
Nikon D3200, brand new on the market, pricey and an unknown quantity
Canon SX50 HUGE x50 zoom rang, great features but poor aperture - f/3.4-6.5
Panasonic FZ200, I really like but for the same money, I may as well buy a full DSLR.....
What do you guys and gals fink?
Martin :kiss:
Edit: I would like a swivel / articulated LCD screen thing! My kness ain't what they used to be...
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Best advice I can give you is to look at the lens specs MORE than the Mp count. Look for a lens that gives you the highest optical zoom compared to digital zoom , thats regardless of if its a compact or a DSLR
I've got a Nikon D40 which is 6mp and got a couple of good Nikon lens' for it and when I decide to retire it in a few years I'll buy another Nikon as I feel they're the best for the money ( used Nikon's for 20+ years , used to have a Nikon 35mm and that was the best film camera I had compared to the Canon EOS500 I had )
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Hi Martin
As a recently retired professional photographer I'm in the process of selling all my Canon equipment, and good as it is I just want a point and shoot camera to satisfy my photographic needs in retirement.
So for about £200 I've bought myself a Lumix DMC-TZ30, and what a super little camera it is:
f3.3-6.4 Leica lens, 20x optical zoom, GPS facility if needed, movie mode (no fiddling with buttons, just press a dedicated button), good battery life and about 14m pixels.
It's dead easy to use and I've printed A3 prints with ease.
Brian
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Canon's G series are worth a look at. When not carrying my bulky SLR I use my G12. Superb results from a high end compact and you can get one for around £250
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Hi Martin I have a Cannon Powershot S3 15 which has been a brilliant camera for my
needs. But I purchased a fujifilm finepix JZ 12 mega pixel 10X plus wide angle.
Its about the same size as a mobile phone and its very good.
I started off years ago with a Zeneth E, followed by a Yashica SLR, a Panasonic,
then a fugi finepix digital SLR size using wide angle,standard & zoom lenzes
I now prefer my point and shoot. It all depends on the type of photography
you want to do.
john
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Hullo Martin...certainly not a camera geek :D but I need a simple camera for industrial reporting on failed mechanical components
My current choice is a Panasonic DMC-TZ11...it is brilliantly simple for the application with super micro facility
I have also used the newer & larger Panasonic FZ200..... it naturally has additional features but is bigger...............
I also receive a far greater positave response by embedding digital images in the body of Outlook emails rather than simply providing attachments ......one of the beauties our instant digital age ....Derek
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Hi Martin, I had a Canon S5 IS that fried its motor drive last year and I looked around for a replacement.
At that time the Panasonic FZ150 looked the best for me, great for action shots and its been working very well. It does have the swivel LCD and I use it all the time.
It will get the big test in March in Costa Rica. :-)
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Hi Martin
As a recently retired professional photographer I'm in the process of selling all my Canon equipment, and good as it is I just want a point and shoot camera to satisfy my photographic needs in retirement.
So for about £200 I've bought myself a Lumix DMC-TZ30, and what a super little camera it is:
f3.3-6.4 Leica lens, 20x optical zoom, GPS facility if needed, movie mode (no fiddling with buttons, just press a dedicated button), good battery life and about 14m pixels.
It's dead easy to use and I've printed A3 prints with ease.
Brian
See Martin I told you so! Ye of little faith 8)
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I bought a Panasonic FZ150 just over a year ago, mainly for racing action shots. The manager of Jessops (R.I.P) would not believe it would do 4.4 fps bursts until she looked the spec up. It really will take them!!
Great camera, great lens, but ...
It will get the big test in March in Costa Rica. :-)
I think Calgary to Costa Rica might also need a touch of digital zoom as well {-) {-)
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It was kind of funny, well not really but on our last trip my wife was official photographer on our fishing day miles out in the Pacific near Panama.
I had the fish of a lifetime dancing all over the ocean and when we looked at the photos because of the shutter lag all we had were lots of pictures of the rings in the water where the fish was seconds before. Of course neither one of us remembered that the camera actually could shoot video as well.
Not this time, I'll strap the GoPro to my head for backup :} But of course I probably won't hook one this time.
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I'm in roughly the same place.My Fuji Finepix bridge S5600 is getting a bit creaky and I'm looking at DSLRs too -I'm torn between the Nikon3200 and the Canon 600.(Canon 1100 loses out because of it's smaller screen). I think the Canon is a better bet because of the lenses available. But how can an online shop (Procamera) do either for £70 les than Amazon? Grey import?
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the lumix are good but dont forget the pentax range ! i still use a p50 slr for some photos but i have a k200 dlsr that i use a lot ,i also have a little pocket jobby one of the pentax optio range too thats is good quality
supose im just a pentax fan ! but i have owned canon nikon minolta's hassleblad leica's all very good but always returned to pentax
its all down to your preference, pocket and how serious your into your photography !
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Just looking at Dannys post.
Got this new phone this week
10 fps burst 8 megapixies obviously
no optical zoom but less than a second
from selecting camera to shooting
HD video and both front and rear cameras
are video.
Still like my Nikons though.
Ned
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I've been using a Nikon D50 for a number of years - great photos for not reading how all the bells and whistles work but wanted a small camera that travels in the truck - both for work and general photos. Bought a Nikon Coolpix S9200 during the Xmas sales (good reviews both on-line and from the camera store) but finding it hard to get used to the aiming without a viewfinder. Took quite a few at the pond the other day - detail ones OK. So far only had it on Auto but will play with the video next.
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Martin,
I bought myself a Nikon D5100 for my Birthday last year. I love it! All the reviews I read said the picture quality was better than the 3200. The only reason you'd need all those pixels is if you're blowing pictures up to poster size.
Below are a couple of piccies I've taken with it. I replaced a Fuji bridge camera too and I haven't looked back. I got the twin lens kit with the Nikon.
The Lion was taken with the longest lens and the vibration reduction turned on. The gate post was just on auto. Neither are brilliant but give an idea of what the camera can do without trying.
Cheers!
Robert.
(http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq277/rbm109/2013_01_01_412-Copy_zps289af877.jpg)
(http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq277/rbm109/2013_01_26_537_zps7791bc2d.jpg)
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A few things..... went to PC world yesterday and had a fondle of a few cameras;
Bridge cameras;
Panasonic FZ200: has a nice feel, quite intuitive and by far the best 'Bridge' camera.... my miles!
Canon SX50: incredible zoom but looses out quality to the FZ200 but about £100 cheaper.
DSLR's;
Canon 1100D £400 with two 'kit' zoom lens in PC World. No articulated LCD. Good entry DSLD but if gong that maybe I should really invest.
Canon 650D.... hmmmmmm
Nikon D3100, no articulated LCD.
Nikon D3200 nice but overpriced and no articulated LCD.
Nikon D5100 .... hmmmmmm.
Not had a look at the Pentax' yet
.... are there any good camera shops around any more?
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Hi Martin
I have had the Panasonic FZ200 since October and am more than pleased. I love the fixed aperture (2. 8) and zoom. I am also a longstanding fan of the Panasonic image stabilisation.
I need to have a silent camera for much of my photography and, as you said, this is the best "bridge camera" so far!
Go on ... you know you want one!!
Best wishes
Argosy42
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I started with compacts, moved to intermediate and then onto SLRs.
Intermediates are very good these days, and I enjoyed my Canon with all it's SLR facilities, but was always left wishing I had gone that extra little step to the full SLR.
I know its all down to the depth of your pocket, but I now have a couple of SLRs and a couple of compacts - just have to think what my aim for the day is photo wise. Compacts are very advanced, I use Canon, but I know the Panasonics are pretty high fliers too.
If I take my SLR on a chance day, I'm always disappointed lugging it about - for me a compact can grab a decent image, you may be able to go back another time to get the SLR shot. Something like a boat show I'll likely take both, and dump the SLR back in the car after a wander around - good images, but a right bu**er to carry around.
There are too many choices out ther now to make life easy - but you can get very decent compacts going for a song on Ebay if you keep looking - the last one I got for £10 - spares or repairs - all it needed was the battery charging - instant saving of £90...... :} :} :}
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Having used everything from a Kodak Brownie to a 10 x 8 Sinar, I wanted one thing above all others - to have the right lens on the camera (how is it that when you have a choice, you always have the wrong one on??). I know that a lens change only takes a few seconds, but in a lot of cases the shot is gone!
The bridge cameras now have lenses that I would have died for 20 years ago, I had to pay an arm and a leg for a tele zoom lens (I even had to buy a monopod to compensate {-) )
I looked at the specs for many, but given the fact that I wouldn't be blowing up all the results to 20" x 30", decided that the bridge lens and the CCD (?) quality would give me what I needed.
For me, its the only sensible choice :-))
Danny
PS Ned - I can't even get my phone to make a call, never mind take pictures! %%
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"(I even had to buy a monopod to compensate )" {-) {-) {-)
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i 've got a nikon cool pix bridge camera, - very very good, well worth a look.... even after a dip into the boat club lake it sort of worked for awhile.....
sent it away for repair and now on its way back all fixed !!!
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Hi Martin
As a recently retired professional photographer I'm in the process of selling all my Canon equipment, and good as it is I just want a point and shoot camera to satisfy my photographic needs in retirement.
So for about £200 I've bought myself a Lumix DMC-TZ30, and what a super little camera it is:
f3.3-6.4 Leica lens, 20x optical zoom, GPS facility if needed, movie mode (no fiddling with buttons, just press a dedicated button), good battery life and about 14m pixels.
It's dead easy to use and I've printed A3 prints with ease.
Brian
This is a later version of my DMC ZS3, which is a great little camera. It also has a Leica lens and, with a class 10 SD card takes brilliant HD movies, as well as crystal clear photos.
Peter.
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Still looking at the Panasonic FZ200 but for not "much" more I can get a real DSLR,
but as you say;
a, always will have the wrong lens on,
b, worried about damaging the sensor,
c, damn things are bulky and heavy,
d, will need 2 lens 18-55 & 55-200 etc. expensive,
.... but DSLR are much more future proof... {:-{
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I know Australian prices are not much use to you Martin, but as a guide the FZ200 ranges in price from A$390 to A$780, (about 250 to 500 pounds) depending on which shop you choose. The price difference from lowest to highest is staggering, on what appear to be exactly the same items. It makes you wonder if the shops at the top end of the price range actually sell any.
Peter.
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Martin if you are going DSLR Plaes dont waste your Money on a Canon 650 or the 1100d cameras WASTE of money you would be far BETTER off with a canon 50d BUT you will have to invest in a 2.8L lens.The lenses that come with the KIT bundle are a total waste of time far to SLOW believe you me ....Been there had the tee shirt
Dave
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Having used everything from a Kodak Brownie to a 10 x 8 Sinar, I wanted one thing above all others - to have the right lens on the camera (how is it that when you have a choice, you always have the wrong one on??). I know that a lens change only takes a few seconds, but in a lot of cases the shot is gone!
The bridge cameras now have lenses that I would have died for 20 years ago, I had to pay an arm and a leg for a tele zoom lens (I even had to buy a monopod to compensate {-) )
I looked at the specs for many, but given the fact that I wouldn't be blowing up all the results to 20" x 30", decided that the bridge lens and the CCD (?) quality would give me what I needed.
For me, its the only sensible choice :-))
Danny
PS Ned - I can't even get my phone to make a call, never mind take pictures! %%
You must be older than me Danny, I think the Brownie outdates my first camera which was a Halina twin lens reflex I Used to load it with Ilford films {-) . I'm now using a FujifinePix, with 18x optical zoom, brilliant for high speed photo's of boats, I just put it on the camera shake setting and off we go :-))
Scoop
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I used to own a full blown SLR (Canon 350d) with several lenses but I hardly ever used it due to the size and clumsyness of carrying the thing around. I sold it a while back and have just recently bought a Panasonic GX1. I am extremely happy with it, in my opinion it outperforms the 350D in most instances. The image stabilisation more than makes up for the relatively slow lens and the processor is good enough to take images at high iso without the image being too grainy. You can fit a pancake lense to the camera which allows you to fit it into a decent sized pocket. On top of all that the camera looks great!
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I recently retired my Canon 40D (after 5 years of service), and replaced it with a Canon 60D. I love my new camera, but loved my old one as well. I think the answer to the question is that it depends on what you need the camera for. If you're a serious amateur who needs a wide range of options, and has a wide range of photographic interests, you'll want interchangeable lenses and the ability to shoot in full manual mode.
If you only want a point and shoot, I'd get something that fits in your pocket, and can take high-res stills or HD video. Either the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 (WiFi enabled) or the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS would make excellent choices.
But as I said, if you want to be able to take any sort of shot, in any sort of light, with closeup detail, you really do need a full-on DSLR with interchangeable lenses. For example, here's a shot I took with my Canon 60D of the last full moon, full zoom with a 300 mm lens. Even though there was plenty of water vapor in the air, I was able to get a decent shot that I couldn't have gotten with a point and shoot:
(http://www.robwood.net/photos/moon/full-25Feb2013_IMG_1393.jpg)
Here's an action shot taken with my 40D, 300mm lens:
(http://www.robwood.net/photos/americas-cup.jpg)
Or, this one, shot with a macro lens:
(http://www.robwood.net/photos/bee-xlarge-800-IMG_5946.jpg)
Rob
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I already have the Canon 110s - what a nice piece of kit! O0
But it not very all day use friendly, for use at shows etc.
I bough the Panasonic FZ200 in the end... couldn't justify the cost of a Nikon d5100 or the Canon 650d, both needed 2 zoom lenses for my use!
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Just from the little reading I've done on it, I see why you picked the FZ200. It should perform nicely at shows. I hadn't realized Panasonic had gone back to a constant maximum aperture across its entire zoom range. F2.8 should enable you to shoot without a lot of noise at higher shutter speeds in low light conditions. Have you tried it indoors in a show-type environment?
Rob
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And it's comfortable in the hand too! :-))
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It looks very comfortable.
Here's an interesting experiment we could both try...
This shot, taken on a bright, clear day at a race, is about the best I was able to do with my Canon 40D, as far as capturing a fast-moving model boat, at a maximum resolution of around 10 MP:
(http://www.robwood.net/photos/redbull_IMG_7363.jpg)
I'm anxious to try my 60D this Saturday at the local model boat lake at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Saturdays are set aside at the lake for go-fasties like this one.
I would be very interested to see how my 60D and your FZ200 do in similar conditions. I'm also curious to see how the video capabilities stack up, and I especially want to see some high speed HD footage from your FZ200. I bet that's going to be a lot of fun to play with.
Rob
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"I would be very interested to see how my 60D and your FZ200 do in similar conditions. I'm also curious to see how the video capabilities stack up, and I especially want to see some high speed HD footage from your FZ200. I bet that's going to be a lot of fun to play with.
Rob"
Will do Rob.... I don't get down the lake much these days but I'll remember when I am.
NB. a Canon 60D is a real camera! ok2
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Hi Martin,
Have a look at Finepix HS30 exr, zooms from 24mmm to720mmm, panorarma mode has all the usal bits, macro extra ,
sold my nikon pro uot fit last year , this camera does all work i did in a very packed camera bag, now in a one compact package ,
picture quality is first class , and photo shop friendly,........Larry.....
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Hi Larry,
I have a HS10, didn't like the 'feel' of the zoom..... {:-{
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O0 :-))
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Anyone had experience of slide scanning?
I have a couple of thousand slides I would like to scan / digitize and I've been looking
at several options, the ION scanners and these which seem quite intriguing:
http://youtu.be/jnvhBXQrfzQ
http://youtu.be/eyEvsa9DB0g
https://picasaweb.google.com/diascanner/OpstellingVanDeDiascannerEnEnkeleVoorbeeldenVanScans#
What people experiences with the ION type scanners?
PS: I plumped for the Panasonic Fz200 in the end. :-))
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I used an Epson Perfection 2400 which has an inbuilt slide scanner to digitise 20 years of slides. I found it easy to set up and use. An hour a night for ever ! %%
Good luck to you Martin
Doug
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I have used the one from Maplin to scan in both slides and negatives with good results , quite easy even for an old man like me {-)
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you can 'scan' slides using a light box and a digital camera in macro mode, - in fact this is how the ion scanners work, I bought one for my dad, and have borrowed it on occasion to scan in negatives, they work quite well and are easy to use, it does however take time to scan thousands of slides. I also have a slide copier attachment for an old 35mm camera, unfortunately my digital doesnt get the whole slide in one go.
Grendel
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Martin,
The choice is endless! Canon produce the largest range of lenses for DSLR's but are (or were) inclined to cram too many photocells into their sensors whereas Nikon have always maintained a sensible pixel count.
I can't comment on the Nikon range beyond acknowledging the quality as my missus and I are Canon-ites. This has evolved from starting with a 350d years ago and subsequently building a range of lenses to suit most circumstances.
By far the best value, the 40d has served us well and although no longer available they can be picked up very cheaply. Our biggest mistake was the 50d, a classic moment in Canons history of over-stuffing cropped sensors. I would advise anyone to avoid this model as it serves as a turning-point in Canons development. I know a chap who has a good copy of the 50d but for me, the image quality and low-light handling is truly atrocious even compared to the 350d.
I can't speak highly enough of the Canon 5d MK2. The full-frame sensor sucks in more light than a black hole and as with the newer 550d's has impeccable low-light handling. The focus and burst rate is its greatest let down. It's a camera created for a purpose and up until this weekend I would've avoided using the 5d for sport/motorsport for this reason alone. However, catching the first round of the European Rallycross championship at Lydden Hill proves my theory to be wrong. The images are superb, the slow 3fps burst proved not to be a problem and the reduced focal length (1:1) presented little image degradation on cropping.
On the subject of compact cameras, again, I'd recommend the latest version of the Canon S90. It carries many of the technical elements of the Canon G12 but fits in the pocket and costs significantly less. It sports full manual mode and was one of the first to stop up to f2. It features a control ring around the lens that can be assigned to most parameters - quite a departure from most compacts. This is an old model now and image quality has allegedly improved amongst all manufacturers. It remains a nice compact with superb features.
I am unsure if you have made a decision re which camera to get yet (I shall read this thread completely).
Below are a few shots my good lady took of our first boats up in Skye three years ago using the 40d/100-400mm combo in rough water. The RC boats are thunder tiger rtr trawlers (?Kingfisher) stripped and hand-painted before being plunged into a freezing loch in Skye. These boats are unsinkable and indestructible.
Good luck if you've not made your decision yet!
Dave
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Er....I'm a burke!
I meant to post this in the thread about cameras. Doh!
Sadly, I know nothing about transferring slides to disk.
Sorry!
Dave
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Maybe so, but it was a most excellent post! I recently purchased the Canon 60D, after 5 solid years with my Canon 40D, and I have to say that the 60D is everything we all hoped the 50D would be. The 40D is a very good camera, though, and for those who have never used a full-on DSLR, if you can find a 40D for a good price, in good condition, you might give it a try.
Great photos of the trawler, by the way! Was the photographer in the water?
Rob
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Agreed Rob, Excellent post... very informative, a great read ...
..... and good contender for 'post of the week'! :-))
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Thanks chaps,
No Rob, my wife laid on her front just above the water level. I love her photography. 40-50mph winds that day.
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Tell her I said this is some of the best RC model boat action photography I've seen. Getting down low that way really emphasizes the dramatic weather conditions.
Rob
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She certainly appreciates the compliment Rob. I feel proud by proxy!
Nearly all the boat photography we have has been taken by the very talented missus.
I'd like to post more of them but I'm a little dense working out where. Gallery? Your photos?
Two more of the Robbe Katje running 10-cells.
Dave
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Having owned a 50d and a 40d I must beg to differ with you...the 50d is a far superior camera than the 40 in my opinion,But maybee I am slightly Biased when I say that...reason being the processor on the 40d is a Digic 3 and has only a top ISO of 3200 now the 50d on the other hand uses the same sensor as it's Big Brother the 7d a Digic 4 which is also used I believe in the 60d and others whilst the iso is expandable to 12800 and is a superb low light and action photography camera.
I used to own a 50 and a 7d but unfortuantly due to a thieving toe rag who relived me of their presence.
My good lady has just bought me a 30d so I can get back into photography but I must admit I do miss the 50 let alone the 7d simply because of the processor which is far superior in both and makes the 20/30/40d series camers so slow in comparison.I must admit I have never heard of anyone critisising canon for over-stuffing cropped sensors.Funny isnt it that they use the same processor in the highly acclaimed 5dmkii.
Possibly your 50d needed a firware update as a lot did need it...as soon as I had mine I went straight to the canon site and updated it as a matter of course and it was used and believe you me abused it had everything thrown at it including getting wet on Rallies and bouced back for more every time and the same could be said for the 7d......A couple of my friends have had 40d's die on then in wet conditions as the Waterproofing of the 20/30/40d's were ok in their time BUT Canon improved the 50d 7d 5dmkiii But the Waterproofing of the 60d is NOT The same and should NOT be used when it is wet also the same can be said for the 400/500/600/1000d range of cameras.A very good friend of mine tests the newest Bodies long before they come into the publoc domain and I must admit to borrowing some sometimes and was Privy to one of the first Canon 7d's ever made and didnt want to give it back belive you me....and yes when funds allow I will get another .
Anothe advantage of the 50 as opposed to the 40 is the video facility
Dave
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Dave....I have little experience in quality photographic images.....but I must agree with BigGun Rob when he noted.... "this is some of the best RC model boat action photography I've seen"
So congratulations....you have an excellent photographer/wife...... :-)) ....Derek
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Cant agree More about the images your wife produces they are simply STUNNING
Dave
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She certainly appreciates the compliment Rob. I feel proud by proxy!
Nearly all the boat photography we have has been taken by the very talented missus.
I'd like to post more of them but I'm a little dense working out where. Gallery? Your photos?
Dave
Hi Dave,
If you do have more photos, just post as many as you want here in this topic and I'll collate them together into their own gallery. :-))
Martin
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Stavros,
Fair dinkum! Reading your post has almost made me like my 50d again! I toured my Flickr account and noticed quite a few photographs taken using the 50d with good image quality. I also noted that none of them were taken in very low light!
Yes, it's a fine camera and the image quality is good however, my copy is consistently appalling in low light. I would consider the maximum useable ISO to be 800 and I would be expecting to use Noise Ninja to address this whilst editing.
Neither the 40d or 50d have video capability with/without firmware upgrades and dust/water resistance is as theoretical as the quoted improvement re ISO handling. The 50d uses software ramping above 3200 (artificial post-capture noise reduction over actual sensor gain amplification - a trick more frequently associated with compact cameras). Both cameras are brilliantly built, both have been exposed to the rigours of the Scottish Highlands handling plenty of rain without so much as a glitch but neither have been treated to drops, knocks, kicks or tantrums.
Sorry to hear you had your 7d stolen - I'm not sure I'd know how I would react to such an insult. The 30d is a cracking camera with great image quality however old.
Sensor-stuffing reached critical mass with the 50d in 2008, a technique avoided by Nikon who, at the time held their prosumer models back to 12mp yet after the release of the Canon 5d mk3 with 22.3mp (full-frame cmos) Nikon released their own full-frame D800 featuring no less than 36.3mp? Hmmmmm. The 550d (and onwards) have absolutely stunning low-light performance but lack the toughness or features of the 40/50/60d.
I guess my motivation to dissuade people from buying the 50d over the 40d is based on VFM (50d still demanding a respectable second-hand resale value over the 40d) and my bitter disappointment (with myself) for believing the hype (and that's nobody else's fault Dave) 15mp v 10mp? Subjective, theoretical hyperbole that annoyed me so much I forgot how many decent photographs I've taken using the 50d.
Try Ken Rockwell's website for an insight into the truth behind how, why and the way we use/purchase DSLR's. He rates the 50d highly, insists on shooting in Jpeg format over RAW, never uses a tripod unless he's taking long night time exposures and happily rips into all the major DSLR manufacturers when they deserve such criticism.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/
The Fake Chuck Westfall website is hilarious but quite clearly hyper-critical of nearly all Canon products. Quite a potty-mouth about it too. Again, well worth a visit but only if you want an insight into the mentality of the Canon Corporation. His motto appears to be "I'm sorry to hear that the truth offends you".
http://fakechuckwestfall.wordpress.com/
Finally, http://www.flickr.com/photos/bardick/ where images from the 350d, 40d, 50d and 5d mk2 reside.
Whilst the wife is a wonderful photographer she remains largely uninterested in self-promotion so has a badly-managed flickr account with a few images on it. I hope to add some of her more recent photography for her once I've stopped playing with boats!
Dave
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Martin,
Thanks for that. I shall post a few more of her RC boating photos. I just love the fact that she has her own model trawler, great camera skills and now can't fit her massive head through the door courtesy of the compliments received here on this forum. That's me doing all the cooking for the next two weeks then!
Chicken Kiev and chips it is!
Dave
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Dave Have you tried a software update if not DO IT you will be amased at the difference....must admit to never having a problem with Noise on mine
Dave
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Stavros,
Did two ages back. Got my hopes up ended up miffed.
I've nought to lose by doing the firmware update and maybe summat to gain indeed.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Cheers,
Dave
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Chicken Kiev and chips it is!
Dave
Dinner of true artists & artisans! O0
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Aye,
The food of gods.
Here are a few more photos from the missus.
Dave.
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I've been asked to take the photos at a wedding in a couple of months, anyone done the official / professional wedding photography?
If you've been involved in organizing a wedding and a photographer, and advice, expectations, hints & tips?
Why ask me.... because our mutual real photographer friend is on holiday! >:-o
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Just be sure to take lots and lots of photos, Martin, then you can keep the best.
Peter.
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Martin , that is a terrible, terrible responsibility. Say no!
Colin
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1. Discuss with the happy couple as to what they want to do i.e. formal/informal/ a mixture of both. Also emphasise that you will need plenty of time to do the formal pictures so allow at least an hour for this.
2. Reconnoitre the venues at a similar time to the ceremony and wedding breakfast check positions, lighting etc. Discuss with priest if in church as to when it is permissible to take pictures, most do not allow any photography during the service itself but you can restage it later if you want too; if register office or other venue, have a word with the registrar first, generally they are more relaxed about things. Also pays to have a word with the people who drive the cars to see if they have time to hang around.
3. When you are shooting the guest and family pictures before the breakfast start with the guests, family picture first, ensure no one disappears into the bar and gets missed out. Then whittle it down until you are left with the happy couple then take them somewhere more private and do all the lovey dovie stuff. Tips: do not allow other guest to get in the way and start doing their own pictures while you are working, tell them to go away and get a drink and do any they want to do later. Remember at this point you are in charge and if anything should go wrong it will your fault - even if it's not. Have a supply of tubes of Smarty's available to bribe the little tinkers who won't behave. Give them a couple first and then promise that you will give them the rest if they have behaved. Ask the parents' permission first though. Take a whistle and use it to make sure everyone in the main picture is looking at you, do several shots at all locations after all you are only wasting electrons , not film.
4. Take a lady friend with you so that she can assist in keeping order and ensuring that the dresses are laid out correctly, hold reflector, extra flash gun etc.
5. Get the money before the wedding not afterwards, remember that that a set of wedding pictures from a reputable photographer will cost at least £1000 these days.
6. Enjoy it - if you can and use your imagination or peruse wedding mags if not.
LB
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Liverbudgie
See from paragraph 3 that you advocate the same things as a certain Lord Lichfield. He didn't turn out to be too bad a wedding photographer.
Martin.
Having been an happy snapper for many years, I have been asked to "do" friends weddings many times. I am afraid that I have always chickened out in case they were disappointed with the results and advised them to find a professional, although this can't be guaranteed to work.
At my own wedding some 36 years ago , we engaged a long established local wedding specialist. He turned up on a lovely sunny wedding day and took the photos with his new Hasselblad set up. After the honeymoon and several weeks after we heard nothing and when we chased him, he admitted that the photo lab that he used had "xxxxx" up the film. They had salvaged some shots and offered to retake the rest. Thankfully the family groups were small so getting them together in the same clothes was no problem. Unfortunately the retake day was rather dull compared to the original day and the roses that had been in full bloom in the originals were now no longer in that state!. Cutting the cake print came from my new brother-in-law's negative which was only a 110 size (i.e.miniscule) and he thought he was being helpful cutting the single negative out of the complete strip before giving it to the photog!
To say that our wedding album looks a bit strange would be an understatement. Poor photographer never did send us a bill!. Suppose if you are a professional at anything, something will always go wrong sometime, even if it isn't your fault
Digital photography does make things a lot more likely to suceed rather than silver halide job as you can at least check results as you go along
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I can only advise as above. I couldn't agree more with the above advice.
My wife and I have been asked to provide the wedding photos however, this is high-pressure work compared to our other work. We only do the informal style (which we prefer by far). A combination of formal/informal is best.
I took some great advice from a pro photographer at a wedding. He never uses larger CF/SD cards than 1-2gb having had to pay a company to recover the contents of a 4gb card that decided to corrupt itself. Always shoot in RAW mode to deal with the extreme contrast of brides in white and grooms in black if you can as problematic highlights and shadows are easy to deal with in a RAW editor post production (Lightroom/Aperture/RAW editor that comes free with most RAW-capable cameras). A lot of people feel that shooting in RAW is cheating but when one shoots a wedding one needs to know errors can be corrected.
Good luck! With our present heatwave upon us low light levels shouldn't be a problem!
Here's the latest Video on YouTube using the modified NQD Jet Boat with the GoPro on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQtX7rF0P3w
Good luck with the photography!
Dave
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Martin,
As an ex pro, I would advise you to respectfully decline. If it goes wrong it will always be remembered as your fault.
Pro wedding photographers have more than one camera, several pieces of lighting equipment and very often a second photographer in case it all goes pear shaped. Not to mention, spare batteries, memory cards and tripods that are essential.
It matters not if you are a great photographer, bless you are well prepared and have the right equipment and knowledgeable helpers, it simply is a responsibility too far.
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Martin
there is PANSONIC DMC-TZ10 is truly exceptional
.
And it has a GPS, it is very handy to know where you are if you abused the amber liquid
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Hullo GAZOU................. I think from a previous thread %) .....that Martin has purchased a PANSONIC DMC-TZ?? O0
I agree brilliant ......I have a TZ11......... :-)) ....Derek
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Yes, the Panasonic FZ200, (see post 23 below).
I'm inviting the couple over for dinner to have a good chat with them, to set their expectations and state my capabilities. personally I've not got a problem with it but as been said, I do need a 2nd person with a half decent camera.
I love the FZ200, very impressive for a bridge camera and my 2 backup cameras consistently give very high quality photos. I think I have everything I basically need except a couple of decent flashes with soft-boxes but I do have an ancient but very reliable off camera flash.
I would still like the Canon 650d or 700d but that's a lot of wonga....!
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Martin PLEASE dont bother getting a 6 or a 700d total waste of wonga go out and get a S/H Canon 40d plenty out there and it is a far superior camera or you might get a 50d for about the same wonga around £250 to £300 AND GET DECENT GLASS for it
Dave..............speaking from experience
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Martin,
I have the Leica version of your FZ200 and yes it is a superb camera,but I am sorry, it is not good enough to do a serious wedding job. The sensor is simply too small. I wish I could say differently, but you have to ask why pro wedding photographers use full frame DSLR's. I wish you the best of luck.
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Have to agree with Footski on this. 'Official' wedding photography is a specialist field as opposed to doing informal coverage. It's very much a case of practice makes perfect too. I would be happy to take 'backup' photos of a wedding but never the primary ones.
Colin
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Hello,
I used to do lots of Weddings, my camera was a Rolleiflex 6cm x 6cm twin lens reflex.
A selection of colour films were used, the slowest one was used to suit the light conditions on the Day.
This was to enable the largest enlargments, in case they were asked for.
My Light meter was a Gossen Lunasix, very sensitive and accurate.
Never seen results from a digital camera that could match the quality I used to get from that setup!.
Used to do "cheap" ones with a Nikon F, - - - usually "Rush Jobs".
John.
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Martin
As a long time Canon user ( I have about 12 of them inc 3x F-1n) , if I was looking for a used digital camera to take weddings, it wouldn't be a Canon .Even a 40D which is a great camera which works really well for landscapes for me.
There is a camera that was made by Fuji known as the Fuji S5 Pro. It is a 12mp sensor but actually acts as two 6 mp ones which each take a different contrast picture then combines them.
They are simply the dogs danglies for wedding and portrait photography, take any Nikon lens made since about 1977 and can be had on Ebay for about £300. Google it and see what people say about them
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I got this on the day it was launched & never looked at another camera since.
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/digital-cameras/278440/fujifilm-finepix-hs10 (http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/digital-cameras/278440/fujifilm-finepix-hs10)
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Hi TourerJim,
Fuji HS10... had one, couldn't get on with it, sold it here on Mayhem.
Great camera though!
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Hi TourerJim,
Fuji HS10... had one, couldn't get on with it, sold it here on Mayhem.
Great camera though!
Arrr well.!!! that's a bit like everything...? great when we buy it :-)) Me" I like to buy cheep & make something of it.
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I recently shot a group of young folks all dressed up for Senior Prom night. I got lucky that when we met in the park, the sky was overcast. This was not a wedding, but it shared one important characteristic: There was no way to do it over if something went wrong. A wedding is around a thousand times more stressful. In my case, my Canon 60D did the job beautifully, but suppose it hadn't? The entire photo op hinged on one camera and cloudy skies. If something had gone wrong, everyone would have gotten over it.
A wedding, on the other hand, is fraught with emotional peril. There is absolutely no way I would shoot a wedding except to take candid shots to supplement the professional. Those candid shots can be really interesting, and provide some opportunities to grab some drama, humor, and fun. But you have nothing whatsoever to gain by agreeing to shoot this wedding, and everything to lose - including your friendship.
All that said, I did grab a few decent shots of the prom-goers:
(http://www.hypergold-dev.com/prom_night_may4_2013/2048px/couples/IMG_2120.jpg)
(http://www.hypergold-dev.com/prom_night_may4_2013/2048px/couples/IMG_2122.jpg)
(http://www.hypergold-dev.com/prom_night_may4_2013/2048px/friends/IMG_2171.jpg)
(http://www.hypergold-dev.com/prom_night_may4_2013/2048px/miscellaneous/IMG_2157.jpg)
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Are light field cameras going to be the new latest thing?
This camera does away with all the fancy software rendering in light field photography.
Review here [size=78%]http://tech.uk.msn.com/cameras/lytro-light-field-camera-hands-on-review (http://tech.uk.msn.com/cameras/lytro-light-field-camera-hands-on-review)[/size]
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I've been following the development of this camera for some time. Whether this particular make and model - or manufacturer - succeeds is anybody's guess. The technology is certainly fascinating, and I've played with the editing software, but it's going to have to evolve light years beyond where it is currently before it is anything more than a clever toy, played with for a short while and then put up on a shelf.
Here's a decent video review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aWU1j94fEAU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aWU1j94fEAU)
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Me too Rob, fascinating but a long way to go yet...
Martin
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Is this the sort of camera that our eyes see or what the camera eye sees.???
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It's hard to answer that question. The camera collects reflected light off every surface in its angle of view. Unlike human eyes or the lens of a traditional camera, which both focus on a particular subject in a whole field of images, automatically blurring those objects not in focus, this camera literally focuses on every object, and records all of that data. You can decide after you get home exactly what you want to be in focus, and what you want to be soft or blurred.
Why this is revolutionary - especially for event photos - is that it's very common with a traditional camera to focus on the wrong object - especially in a busy background, such as a crowd, field of flowers, etc. This is especially true on a very bright day in direct sunlight, when it's really difficult to tell if the subject you're after is what you're focused on. With this type of a camera, you simply aim it in the desired direction and take the shot. Back home, you review the shots, and then move the focal point exactly where you want it. It's even possible to focus on two objects simultaneously, which seems a bit strange when you look at it.
You can play with this technology and actually move the focus around on some sample images, here: http://www.lytro.com/learn/ (http://www.lytro.com/learn/)
Rob
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... blurring those objects not in focus,...
...It's even possible to focus on two objects simultaneously...
This blurring is a real problem for macro or zoom photos.
A common subject seen for the two objects composition might be a close up of a person (perhaps next to the corner of a building), and another object, building, or person, in the distance behind them. I have seen this used a lot of CD album covers. In the past (long time ago) there were special lenses with a split field of vision.
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The key to fully enjoying the hobby of photography, at least for me, is to have the knowledge to know what is possible in a given shot, how to set my camera to get that result, and a camera that will cooperate with my grandiose plans. %%
Sometimes, I want the background to be blurred - especially when it's ugly, too busy, or just uninteresting. In this example, I want the focus primarily on the bee, and only secondarily on the flower. The background, cluttered with leaves, would only detract from the principle subject:
(http://robwood.net/photos/bee-xlarge-800-IMG_5946.jpg)
In contrast, this photo is a wide angle view of an event, in an effort to capture the entire view as the subject. By pulling back, the very clutter puts the viewer into the extremely busy scene. Even though there's a helicopter in the foreground, the sailboats in the mid-range, and the fort and the bridge in the background, are all in focus. If the helicopter in the foreground had been the subject, I would have zoomed in on it, and deliberately blurred the background:
(http://robwood.net/photos/americas-cup.jpg)
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Re: The wedding I've been asked to take photos at....
I've got the 'couple' coming round for dinner tomorrow night, ( we are long time family friends ), I'm going to see if I can talk them out of using me. Pity, I would love to do it but only if they arrange a safety backup photographer.
This made my blood run cold!
http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2012/01/should-i-book-a-professional-wedding-photographer-or-get-a-friend-to-do-it-for-free-a-cautionary-tale/
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Martin,
YOU should be the backup and will probably capture spontaneous images that the official photographer might miss and which will be greatly valued. But don't take on the burden of the official photos, it isn't fair on either yourself or the happy couple. If the official photographer slips up then you will be the hero of the day with your own shots. If YOU slip up as 'official' photographer then you will all feel rotten about it for the rest of your lives.
Remember, if you do the job you will be constantly nervous and that is when mistakes are made, the pros do it all the time and while they can come unstuck it is much less likely.
Put these arguments to your friends tomorrow and stress the advice you have received on this. It is not fair for them to put you on the spot as if things do go wrong they will still blame you.
Colin
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Sage words Colin... but I expect no less! :-))
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I absolutely agree with Colin, except I would completely remove "backup photographer" from your vocabulary. There is no such thing. If you're skilled and equipped enough to be the backup photographer, you don't need the pro, because you are a pro. The thing that is really of paramount importance to keep in mind is that wedding photographs - the kind suitable for high-res print and framing - are products. Because the expectations are extremely high, the photographer has to be able to produce top-drawer products on demand, in every type of situation, every lighting condition, and every mood, from high stress to excitement to hellish "bridezilla" circumstances that a friend could walk away from, but that a hired pro cannot. The pro can afford to be despised or treated like a slave, because he has no emotional attachment. He only needs to produce the product, and he's used to this.
My advice is to insist that your skills and equipment qualify you to capture some candid moments (SNAPSHOTS) that the pro might miss, and especially those that the pro - not having the level of friendship you share with the bride and groom - would not even see. Let me give you an example.
My friend's parents paid a huge amount of money for her wedding, including a lavish budget for the photographer. While the photographer was inside the reception hall, shooting formal pics of family, friends, bridesmaids, cake, etc., the happy couple sneaked outside for a bit of quiet time. I happened upon them and snapped this, and if I hadn't, this moment would not have been captured. Purely candid, and not posed:
(http://www.robwood.net/Kiss.jpg)
Here's another. The couple is walking across the grass with the minister, prior to the ceremony. She has a long train, and to protect it the groom is holding it off the ground. These are moments - not products - captured by roving around without a bunch of lighting equipment.
(http://www.robwood.net/will-tracey-dress.jpg)
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Rob is quite right. Anything you take is supplementary and no less valuable because of that.
Colin
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I strongly agree with Rob. Go to the wedding and take lots of reportage photo's, let the pro do the formal shots.
Our middle child's wedding last year had a professional photographer who managed to take hundreds of photo's - and although we were footing the bill there were only three pictures of me escorting her down the aisle, and two of the mother of the bride.....okay, there were no 'formal' shots requested except of the bride and groom, that was how my daughter wanted it....but to miss the father and mother of the bride out of most of the reportage shots?
Fortunately the father of the groom is a keen amateur photographer and got some fantastic shots that saved the day as far as my wife and I were concerned, he had a whole book of photo's printed up as a thank gift for us and we would have been happier giving him the £1500 rather than the comedian who was paid. When we talk of the wedding we always get that album out rather than the one we paid so much for.
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So, bottom line is that by offering to capture candid moments, each shot you take that "works" is a gift - not a product. By removing yourself from the vendor for-hire end of your friends' wedding, you are free to be relaxed, creative and a joyful participant - the exact opposite of a wedding photographer.
Rob
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So, bottom line is that by offering to capture candid moments, each shot you take that "works" is a gift - not a product. By removing yourself from the vendor for-hire end of your friends' wedding, you are free to be relaxed, creative and a joyful participant - the exact opposite of a wedding photographer.
Rob
Excellent thought Rob, very succinct! :-))
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Hello,
Long, long time ago, I used to do wedding photos for a local Studio when they were very busy.
Went along to the Church, in plenty of time for the service.
The Very Rev saw me and asked what I was doing.
"I am here to do the wedding at 1 o/clock", - - - you have missed it was his reply !!!.
I asked what time was the wedding?, "At 11 o/clock" was his reply!.
The Bride and Groom and all the guests had left for the Reception hours ago.
I rushed to a phone box and phoned the studio, the owner and his wife started the mad dash to the reception, along with myself.
We all arrived to cries of "Here are the photographers !!".
Lots of cars and Taxis were amassed and we took them all back to the church.
Amid lots of giggling and falling over, we got all of the photos done, then back to the reception for more photos.
By this time nearly all of the wedding party were rather tipsy!, and surprisingly, enjoying all the dashing about.
So how did this happen ??.
The wedding arrangements were made on the phone to the studio office.
The secretary wrote all the details into a very large Ledger.
On the left hand side of each page in the ledger was a blue line running top to bottom.
The secretary had wrote the time with a blue ink pen onto the line and the 11o/clock looked just like 1 o/clock!!.
The 11o/clock entry was only visible when you knew it was there.
The studio got paid in full and I got a Bonus !!
John. ok2 ok2 ok2
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ok2
I may be happy flap
I find it odd to spend £ 1,000 of pictures for an important event: the wedding
I find it odd not to spend £ 1 pictures for an important event: the divorce
Yet there is an important market
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ok2
I may be happy flap
I find it odd to spend £ 1,000 of pictures for an important event: the wedding
I find it odd not to spend £ 1 pictures for an important event: the divorce
Yet there is an important market
A man who believes in living dangerously ( but perhaps not too long if the wife catches him!)
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I've done weddings & events the first thing ive done is to get to know who's who for the photo shoots but many of them have said the best pictures are the ones they never knew I took of them, also ive often got told" I don't like myself in that picture.!!! I think a good photographer can see the camera shy's & focus away from them & still get the perfect capture.
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"I am here to do the wedding at 1 o/clock", - - - you have missed it was his reply !!!.
I asked what time was the wedding?, "At 11 o/clock" was his reply!.
The studio got paid in full and I got a Bonus !!
Brilliant! {-)
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Well I am taking the photos at the wedding today... against all your better advice!
Honest, I had them round for dinner twice and couldn't take them out of it!
I only finally agreed when his dad gave the 'go-ahead' and I was sure that he wouldn't.
.... and I am absolutely certain he can easily get me 'eliminated' if it all goes wrong! {:-{
Better get to bed i guess.
Photos later
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Hello Martin,
No need to worry, you CAN do it.
We have all seen you photos on here, a Wedding will be no different !!!!.
John. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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Well, put us out of our misery Martin. How did they turn out? I guess that the fact that there isn't a new post on the 'Funny Photos' topic is an encouraging sign....
Colin
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Well, put us out of our misery Martin. How did they turn out? I guess that the fact that there isn't a new post on the 'Funny Photos' topic is an encouraging sign....
Colin
{-) {-) Good one Colin!
-----------------------
Well it was a long day, very long day, started at 9:30, got home about 02:30 so slept in a bit this morning! Not looked at the photos get, still uploading them to this PC.
First thoughts:
1. Get the bride and groom on your side at the outset.
2. ( See point one! )
3. Make sure the brides mother knows, 'she IS the the most important person of the day'.
4. Get involved with the organization of the bride and brides family, even if they don't want
you too as it seems the photographer is the only one that is aware of the time.
5. Carry drinking water, chocolate and bay type wet wipes in one of your camera cases.
Use industrial strength deodorant... fortunately I did.
6. If you think you know you camera gear intimately, you won't / don't in a panic!
7. Get a good manual flash gun, resell it 3 days later on fleabay, buy a highly recommend
'TTL' flashgun, then buy a better one!
8. Keep cleaning your lens front element through the day.
9. Be a calming influence when the bride starts to panic,
(even if you are panicking even more than she is on the inside!).
10. Be prepared to do a LOT more than gust take the photos.
11. Everyone thinks you know what you're doing just because you say;
"I know what I'm doing!"
12. If you ask someone to do something for you, give VERY PRECISE instructions and then
check they've actually done it... then do it yourself anyway.
13. Don't drink the Champagne when offered in the bridal suite no matter how thirsty you are!
14. Don't loose a major tooth filing the night before!!!
Still smiling. Photos later.
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Don't loose a major tooth filing the night before!!!
No self portraits included then...
Colin
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remember - DO NOT PUT MODEL MEYHEM ACROSS THE PHOTO's - the bride will have a hissy fit {-) :D ,
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remember - DO NOT PUT MODEL MEYHEM ACROSS THE PHOTO's - the bride will have a hissy fit {-) :D ,
{-) {-)
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Absolutely stunning photography ,good beyond magnificent..
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I can now show a couple of the photos...
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Yea, where??
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...here :embarrassed:
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If the rest are of the same standard Martin,
I would say you have given them an album
to be in pride of place with the memories
of their special day.
Well played Sir :-))
Ned
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WOW
YOU HAVE SURPASSED YOURSELF
:-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
DAVE
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Superb photos Martin, they won't be disappointed with those.
Colin
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Superb Pictures
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Thanks chaps, much appreciated! :-)
I was very nervous about the whole thing I can tell ya!
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PHEW !!!!!!!!!!!!
Really glad to see them
John, :-)) :-)) :-))
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The last one is just about the best of that bunch.
LB
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Brilliant photo's Martin. :-)) Well done. Give yourself a medal.
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Smashing pictures. Don't know what all the worry was about. We knew you'd come through. :}
Ken
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Wow, Martin, your magnificent photos leave me well-and-truly GOBSMACKED!!!!! :-))
I'm 51 years old; even if I were to live to be 510 years old or 5100 years old (or 510 Millennia old!) I'd NEVER be able to match your talents!!!!! O0
Tom
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You were NERVOUS????
If I were a wedding photo pro living anywhere near you it would be ME that was nervous. :D
Superb work, I wish my photographers (I did the wedding thing twice - with different girls!) had done anything like that. The first one managed to lose a reel of film, I had visions of getting everyone back for a rerun of the ceremony.