Comments on: location photography gear

By: Jorge

Jorge — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:03:11 +0000

Azanana,
Your combination of lens and camera is ready for wireless by Nikon. Read up on it. Maybe your should start there.. if you have only one strobe that’s all you need… I don’t think you need the Pocket Wizards yet ..

-Jorge

By: Azanana_Dani

Azanana_Dani — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:36:57 +0000

I’m using The Nikon D300 with SB900…

By: Jorge

Jorge — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:13:49 +0000

Azanana,
One thing you should also look at if you have all Nikon gear and at least a D200 camera is the Nikon using the Nikon Remote system. It allows Nikon cameras and flashes to talk to each other .. it works great but in ideal conditions.. So it doesn’t work for larger distances and is dependent on line of sight communications between Nikon elements. Neat thing is you can shoot using iTTL which is really neat. Read up on it on Nikon’s site: http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/speedlight/index.htm
I use it ‘when it makes sense’ typically in simple shoots, but when I need more flexibility and distance, or reliability, I will hands down prefer the Elinchrome remote setup (equivalent to the PWs).
But all in all, you can save some serious $ using the Nikon system initially if you have the components (Nikon Camera and flashes .. SB600, SB800, SB900, etc.).

-Jorge

By: Azanana_Dani

Azanana_Dani — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:37:33 +0000

Thank you very much guys!!
I think I’m getting the Pocket Wizard…

By: Petr

Petr — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:17:14 +0000

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/352553-REG/Bowens__Pulsar_Radio_Slave_2.html
very flexible, both for Speedlights & studio flashes

By: Jorge

Jorge — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:07:20 +0000

Azanana,
There a few options out there. Depends on price. But it seems like the most popular option is the PocketWizard devices. These are Transceivers that you plug to your lights and to your camera so you are able to shoot from good distances and flawlessly fire up your strobes. The only kaveat is price (expensive) and they are bit on bulky side. Then there are a bunch of other brands that are cheaper, smaller, lighter, some are really good and some are a little less reliable too. I use Elinchrom Skyport remotes, which are absolutely great, smaller, less expensive, reliable, etc.. but a bit more fragile then the PocketWizards. In the end you need to use something that will be reliable and will have batteries that charge quick and stay charged for a long time ..

-Jorge

By: Azanana_Dani

Azanana_Dani — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:49:58 +0000

Hey jim

:\ I want to get a transmitter for my Speedlight SB-900 so I can shoot the flash off camera but I don’t know anything about transmitters would you help me on this please?…. the only transmitter I know is the Canon ST-E2 but I don’t know If I can use that on my Nikon.

By: Petr

Petr — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:05:06 +0000

Right 70-200 mm f/2.8G is a must for serious work. Also with VR it gives a lot of flexibility in usage. I would also look at primes 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 but the second one is rather expensive option.

By: Jorge

Jorge — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:32:15 +0000

Another five cents:
YES - The 70-200mm lens is one of the best pro lens in the market. Widely used for many things but I have seen it quite often now used for portraits, fashion and that sort of thing. Price tag is as expected up there in the 1500s. But worth its price in gold if you are a pro (will pay for itself). The other one the 85mm is an awesome lens, but it is a prime lens so you give up some flexibility in range (you are the zoom), but its tack sharp, exceptional quality glass and is a true portrait prime!
I think once you see money coming back from this art, you start looking at lenses differently. The lenses are so important that they become a prime investment in your profession and are definitely more than just a nice expensive thing to have .. but they have to go along with the type of work you do.
But as you get into this, the lens is only quarter of the battle. Before you start investing oodles of money on lens, understand that you need to master this art first.. There are guys out there shooting out of a pin hole making incredible art. Because they have the eye… that’s the first thing, the comes the fancy lenses and all the other equipment…
I am not assuming anyone in this post (and of course not Jim) is not talented or doesn’t know this stuff already, but it’s surprising how many folks out there spend tons of money on equipment before they really learn basic photography (e.g. composition exposure, lighting, etc.). It’s real easy to take pictures, but it’s hard take real good ones, despite the equipment.

-Jorge

By: Azanana_Dani

Azanana_Dani — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:30:51 +0000

70-200 mm f/2.8G It is expensive but fast and if its good lens I’ll buy it…
Thank you very much Jim, you’re really good on this many thanks!!!