--- Mike Johnston <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I payed $125 for mine, but that was 25 years ago. > > Paul > > > > "J. C. O'Connell" wrote: > >> > >> http://jcoconnell.com/temp/sg2.jpg > >> > >> Actually I did it for only $150, but that was > >> about 15 years ago. :) :) :) > > > This thread has me kind of mystified. > > In what way does a press camera "beat" an $8000 DSLR > for $300? Unless for > some reason you _want_ to shoot a job with eight > sheets of film--and then be > stuck with developing sheet film. Historically, the > Rollei TLR "beat" the > press camera and the 35mm camera "beat" the Rollei, > in each case rather > decisiviely. Or do you see guys shooting with press > cameras and Rolleiflexes > at the jobs _you_ go on?? > > I'd say having 140 shots on one card with no film > costs, no developing > chores, and no need to wait to see the results is > light years away from the > era of the press camera. You're welcome to go back > if you prefer, but > shooting with a press camera is no picnic. > > --Mike > The last job I worked on paid me $37.41 and hour. I have no idea of how long it would take or what it might cost an experienced person to download, "fix" (manipulate) 140 digital shots, adjust for RGB, Gamma-etc., then do the test prints, color match them to the monitor, (presuming they two have been color "synced"), then print 140 "acceptable" prints. I might be able to do it in two whole working days but who knows? I also wonder how much 140 regular + test prints (say 200) tests and final prints cost. I do know printer ink cartridges are the most expensive components of digital (color) printing. Time is money and I smell a lot of time involved here. Meanwhile, I can go to the lab at 8 AM Monday, give them the film and come back at 1PM to pick them up. OR, if I buy the paper (and I usually do), I can get them to print 140 semi-custom prints by 5PM @ 67 cents per copy. So I can shoot, print and distribute for far less than my day's pre-sold Each presold print costs $19.95 at fairs so I gross $2800 and net, after expenses and salaries, maybe $750 for the weekend. Do that twice a month like we sometimes do and boy, you can slice huge chunks of principle off your mortgage with that kind of extra income.
When I look at your investment and money in time, paper, printing, printing cartridges, computer time, I fail to see any benefit or advantage in "do it yourphoto-realistic4;photorealistic" imaging. And sheet film, while far costlier than 35mm, can and does produce end use products worth sometimthousandseds, or thosands of dollars each. So an old, out of date 4x5 Speed Graphic can and does kick all but large format digital images to the curb, then backs up and runs them down again. Finally, an $8,000 DSLR is good for professional photographers with massive support systems behind them. They are not for "ordinary"people: who dare not dream of owning two of them (which most "pros" do) (or three if you work for a major publication) like National Geographic. Any "ordinary" citizen with an $8,000 DSLR can NEVER recover their investment. (They'll look good, but they'll be as broke as Humpty-Dumpty). Matt I get it done with YAHOO! DSL! ===== Matt Greene I get it done with YAHOO! DSL!
