Hi Gareth, I am in a similar position to you in Australia. Supplying digital files almost exclusively for the last 3 or so years but shooting film using various Hasselblads and Nikons. Just on 2 months ago I decided to get a Nikon D70 to use as a practise camera to see how a digital kit would fit in my workflow. The camera cost "only" $2000 Aus. Of course I also needed memory, batteries, chargers, an SB800 flash to take advantage, and to see what advantage Nikons Advanced TTL wireless lighting would be. Along with about $600 worth of odds and ends, Circ Polarizer, adaptor cables etc etc. Then I needed to upgrade To Photoshop CS to process and handle the Raw files, which meant I had to upgrade the OS to WinXP, witch meant I had to upgrade other Sware and bits and pieces as well. Then I found my exsisting computer system was WAY too inadequate. So a new computer, with dual monitors was required. To learn how to run this stuff and get a better idea of workflow issues several visits to Borders bookshops and another $500 lighter!!! ( By far the most useful are Martin Evenings: Adobe Photoshop CS for Photographers and Blatner and Frasers: Real World Photoshop CS) So far the $2000 camera has cost me over $8000 in additional "stuff" to make a "workable" system. And I haven't bought any additional lenses yet! I was strongly considering getting a Canon 1ds or a Kodak 14n to start with. If I had, I would have had insufficient funds for the essential extras and ended up with an unworkable camera. After one weekend of testing I took the camera on a few jobs whilst continuing to shoot film. I found the ability to have inumerable instant "free " previews the most invaluable part of this equipment. Most of my shooting involves varying levels of supplementary lighting, for annual report /Editorial style shooting. I have found an average saving in time of a setup that might ave taken 1 hour, can now be done in 1/2 the time!! Not just that but the Images are FAR more refined lighting and compositionally. The ability to show subjects what I am doing and how they look invaluable and helps build rapport. Even without taking a single stored Image with the camera, my exsisting film equipment is producing better results! After 2 months I have started using the D70 on assignments and have almost stopped using film. The quality it produces up to 20 x25cm @300DPI is IMO better than 35mm film, especially at higher ISOs. The ability to change ISO, White Balance, etc from frame to frame is fantastic. If the 1Ds or the 14n (or whatever is around in 6 months) exceed my expectations by even a half of what the Prosumer "low end" D70 has then the Hasselblads will most certainly be retired. By far the greatest issue I see with this type of gear is workflow. Being confronted by 400 Raw NEF images on a monitor is daunting. Transparency culling was so much quicker at around 10- 15secs per frame. I am still working out how to quickly cull and process images (and although no wiz I have been Photoshopping for over 5 years). On average my processing times are around double my shoot times. ie a 4 hour shoot takes me at least 8 hours to process, colour correct, cull, proof, burn for client and burn(twice )and verify for backup. I have had to turn down some work already because I have backlogs of deadlined material that needs to be done. That means my billable hours are less. I shoot the jobs more quickly because of the preview ability, so my billable hours are less. Constant equip upgrades, constant learning of new Software, keeping up to date with things for instance on Prodig etc so my billable hours are less. So billing is a major issue I need to work out as my "costs" have gone up. I am working harder, I am working smarter, I am also working much longer (unbillable hours). I have not yet struck a client who has complained about the increased cost of my work. On film my minimum fee for 1 hour, travel, materials etc is half what I am charging now for a similar assignment done digitally.
The only advice I would give anyone progressing from film to digital is to do your homework, be comfortable, nay proficient with whatever computor you will use. Definetly, definetly, definetly be comfortable with at least Photoshop before you even think of which camera you will get. Know enough about colour management that you can explain to your client why all you lovely Images are washed out and green on their monitor. Goodness! this Digital stuff is SO complicated! Though I must admit it is exciting and invigorating after over 25 years as a photographer. Whew, is that the time? Now how can I bill for this...........................? Regards, Frank from Australia >----- Original Message ----- >From: Blow Up Studios >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 5:43 PM >Subject: [PRODIG] introduction & capture advice >Hello everyone > >my name is gareth brown, i have moved (very) slowly and a little unsurely down the digital >road and am now at the point where my post production is totally > >now, i need advice on what camera or back is right for me, i'm not >sure if this rather basic question is the remit of this forum, so if >not then please point me in the right direction of a more basic >resource. > >currently i am stuck with very old but very extensive manual film >cameras, which i truly love and cherish! >a Canon F system with all the FD lenses & a >Bronica SQA system with practically every bit Bronica/Tamron ever made for it > >the main issue seems to be should i buy a serious amateur learning >type camera ie not much money and grade up when i get the hang of it. >a decent top of the range light SLR type camera such as the Canon Eos >1Ds, or a more expensive film back i understand the Phase One backs >will fit the Bronica SQ by way of an adaptor from a company called >Kapture. are there alternatives people would recommend? > >money is quite tight as i've just taken on a much larger studio, >however i'm more concerned about making the wrong decision and buying >something i'll never use. > > >tel (852) 2540 4794 >fax (852) 2234 0692 >mob (852) 9800 7124 >e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >web page: http://www.blowupstudios.com.hk =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
