Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
I think TTL is rather amazing on matrix metered cameras. The advanced metering works really well and is so intergrated. I'm speaking of my experience with my Pentax 67II from Fashion Night Out several years ago. The camera figured everything out and the exposures were perfect, and that was with unforgiving Fuji 50 ISO slide film.
The Pentax 67II was kinda like a Louis Mendez rig, and this model at Berdorf took exception that a photographer was paying more attention to me and my camera than her, a live semi-clad model in a Berdorf window on 5th Avenue. BTW I looked rather dapper wearing some Paul Smith that flatters my boyish body.
I expect that with the D3 that the TTL metering is even more advanced and precise. I received delivery yesterday. Now I'm considering using my 45/2.8P AIS as my normal lens because it is a "chipped" lens. The 28/1.4 is even better because it is chipped and autofocus. I might have to avoid my stubborn "Brooklyn Hill Billy" ways and avoid the "spackling" I do using manual focus lenses. Basically I might have to use my camera as intended. LOL. I'm hoping that the 28/1.4 AF-D gets that cell phone picture look that "Maggie" likes. BTW the rendering wide open with shallow DOF is a look I really like, but I have to avoid getting too close like I would street shooting with a Leica and 28 Cron.
I expect about the same performance as the most powerful Pentax flash, which means you miss shots because the flash has to cycle and then there is this black out mode. The worse case was in darkness with ambient street light. I'll be bringing sets of fresh batteries to avoid long charging times. This experience I strongly remember. Basically it pays to wait for the shot, and like Louis Mendez says, "You only have one shot."
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Another slashing took place in my neighborhood (SpaHa) at the 116th Street station of the 6 train. The New York Times reported the location as "Harlem" and not East Harlem which in my book is incorrect.
Anyways these slashings seem to be related to rage and are kinda random, except for the ones that begin with a dispute that quickly esculates out of control. There also seems to be a link to mental illness in many of these cases.
Not a bad idea to put your back to a wall when waiting for a train. Like sucker punching this seems like a new trend. I think it started last year when a machette wielding mentally ill man attacked a woman for no apparent reason in Bryant Park, although earlier last year in Williamsburg there was an attack by yet another mentally ill man who used a meat cleaver.
Cal
Anyways these slashings seem to be related to rage and are kinda random, except for the ones that begin with a dispute that quickly esculates out of control. There also seems to be a link to mental illness in many of these cases.
Not a bad idea to put your back to a wall when waiting for a train. Like sucker punching this seems like a new trend. I think it started last year when a machette wielding mentally ill man attacked a woman for no apparent reason in Bryant Park, although earlier last year in Williamsburg there was an attack by yet another mentally ill man who used a meat cleaver.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
I just purchased a set of Duracell Quantum batteries for the Metz, this
morning I downloaded the manual for it and all the while I been using
it I had the flash set in the wrong TTL mode I have it now in TTL-BL
which matches my D3 and improves the corner to corner light levels.
I'm still going so I'm taking the D3 and full flash rig to see how it works
I know I won't have full access but It's better than no access at all.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
Good idea. You never know.
I'm boning up on the SB-910 which is loaded with features I likely don't need. I'll be using mine in i-TTL-BL mode and now the lens selection is narrowing down to 28/1.4 AF-D and the 45/2.8P AIS because it is chipped.
I want to have the camera recognize any lens change rather than have to manually set the camera and flash for lens changes. In a crowd and indoors I figure slightly wider is better.
I also learned that with switching from spot metering to matrix I can effectively switch from plain TTL for the illumination of my model using just TTL, and by switching to matrix metering on my prism I can effectively get TTL-BL to expose more for the background.
Already I can see eventually getting another flash and buying one of those diffuser domes that Steve recommends to use a second flash as a fill light. Call me a lazy slacker who is clever, but i-TTL can make me and my photos look rather good without all that complicated GN crunching.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
So February 7th is just one week from this Sunday.
The venue is a gym/auditorium that has bleachers that fold on the sides with a raised stage on the far wall. The near long wall has double doors by the folded bleachers. 20 round tables will be set up for the guests (sold out 225 seats). The left entrance will be where the models enter, and just outside in the hallway will be a dressing and staging area where the make-up artists, 19-20 models, and 10 designers will be busy.
Out of the 10 designers 7 are clothing and 3 are accessories. Behind the dais set up on the stage images of the accessories will be projected. The designers will get a chance to speak and introduce their collection. Each designer has 3 models/looks that will move around the tables where they will eventually line up on the far side. When all the models and designers are assembled on the lineup there will be a group walk through the tables.
A 15 minute intermission is scheduled where the designers and models will mix with the crowd will provide a break before the panel discussion on women empowerment and sustainable fashion. (but I think it might be longer).
Sometime during the event a gift bag provided by Eileen Fisher that includes a bag, a scarf and a $250.00 gift certificate will raffled off to an attendee. The food provided are basically healthy snacks, and there will be a gift bag for everyone attending on every seat. I expect the fashion show to go rather quickly where it may elapse in about an hour. A call list is being made, but I think Maggie wants us there at 3:00 PM even though the event will start at 6:00.
Fordham has pro video and its own photographers, but we are there shooting for the designers, models and make-up artists.
Cal
The venue is a gym/auditorium that has bleachers that fold on the sides with a raised stage on the far wall. The near long wall has double doors by the folded bleachers. 20 round tables will be set up for the guests (sold out 225 seats). The left entrance will be where the models enter, and just outside in the hallway will be a dressing and staging area where the make-up artists, 19-20 models, and 10 designers will be busy.
Out of the 10 designers 7 are clothing and 3 are accessories. Behind the dais set up on the stage images of the accessories will be projected. The designers will get a chance to speak and introduce their collection. Each designer has 3 models/looks that will move around the tables where they will eventually line up on the far side. When all the models and designers are assembled on the lineup there will be a group walk through the tables.
A 15 minute intermission is scheduled where the designers and models will mix with the crowd will provide a break before the panel discussion on women empowerment and sustainable fashion. (but I think it might be longer).
Sometime during the event a gift bag provided by Eileen Fisher that includes a bag, a scarf and a $250.00 gift certificate will raffled off to an attendee. The food provided are basically healthy snacks, and there will be a gift bag for everyone attending on every seat. I expect the fashion show to go rather quickly where it may elapse in about an hour. A call list is being made, but I think Maggie wants us there at 3:00 PM even though the event will start at 6:00.
Fordham has pro video and its own photographers, but we are there shooting for the designers, models and make-up artists.
Cal
Thanks for the info Cal. I think it's smart to get there early to scope out the room and test the camera in the space.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
I am still going to try and see the space. I'm currently sweating bullets trying to learn as much as I can about flash so that I don't blow shots. I just got delivery of the SB-910 yesterday. I'll be bringing mucho batteries to keep the cycle times short as possible.
Check to see if you can switch between TTL and TTL-BL with changing your metering from spot to matrix. This is a great asset. On my camera I have a switch on my prism.
Also like the Mermaid Parade I think the best shooting will be during the set up. Maggie wants us to get those personal moments where there is interaction between the Designers/models and models/Make-Up Artists. I think a woman getting made up is inherently intimate.
Anyways behind the scenes expect mucho rushing around and stress, while the show is a display of smoothness that goes by in a blur of time. I kinda love it and hate it. LOL.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
Sweating bullets no way Cal, with the Nikon it has the best TTL flash system
of any camera out there so it's real easy.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
Easy is good. You know me I'm a lazy slacker, but I'm also obsessive. In this manner I am like my dog Beagle-Face. BTW my dog is OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Dog).
Recently I made the mistake of waiting to get more of his prescription dried kibble that costs $57.00 for an 8 pound bag. Thankfully a bag lasts a month, but when I called my vet was out. This is really bad because if I don't use his special kibble Baby-Dog gets stress Colitis and it gets messy rather fast if you know what I mean.
My vet did have a canned version of his prescription food, but it costs $70.00 for a case. Add on top of that the insult that basically you are paying a premium for basically water and that the nutitional equivelent is four of these little cans a day where a case of this prescription food will only last about 2 weeks. You have to understand that Baby-Dog only weighs 14 pounds.
Anyways Beagles are difficult to train. Snoopy is his own dog, and any command is basically only a suggestion. Getting my dog to sit is a struggle, and many times my toy hound just looks at me with the expression, "Are you talking to me?"
Anyways he loves this new food. Just like Snoopy he will annoy me with his bowl, carrying it around, and showing me it is empty. Understand Pig-Dog has a tendency of overeating to the point he gets sick.
Cal
dshfoto
Well-known
Cal,
I think there is a Quantum adapter for the Nikon SB-910 to link it to a Quantum Turbo. I don't think that I have the cable, but if you locate one, I have a Turbo sitting around that you can try with the flash. I like the turbo power much better than the Quantum battery adapters that fit into the flash's battery compartment.
Steve
I think there is a Quantum adapter for the Nikon SB-910 to link it to a Quantum Turbo. I don't think that I have the cable, but if you locate one, I have a Turbo sitting around that you can try with the flash. I like the turbo power much better than the Quantum battery adapters that fit into the flash's battery compartment.
Steve
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Steve,
Thank you for your offer. I'll be mining my sources pronto. You know me: go all the way or don't go.
Waiting for a flash to cycle is kinda brutal.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
Yesterday a parcel came which is the paper goods from some sustainable/green supplier. I have a hand truck full of goods to bring to Fordham Lincoln Center that includes the dry goods, the Eileen Fisher gift bag, and a lot of Maggie's academic books, so sometime this weekend look for a vintage hipster with a ponytail that might be mistaken for a dressed up homeless person.
Perhaps I might be mistaken for what I am: a Hill Billy from Brooklyn. LOL.
I will likely take care of this errand this weekend and finally see the space.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
WOW: I finally printed a desaturated M9 file. I am mucho impressed with how much higher resolution a Monochrom file is. Makes me want to send my D3X to New Jersey to get the anti alias filter removed to make it more like a D800E.
Anyways the difference is profound. The original Monochrom is a brutal camera. It was clearly the best money I ever spent. I don't think it is too much of an exaggeration that the resolution, sharpness and detail is almost twice that of a M9. Now I fully understand why I can print so big. Also now I'm really excited to be able to print up to 24x36.
On the Muji frame front I figured out that a 13x19 image with an almost one inch border is the perfect/ideal size for an exhibition print of my street photography. At $32.50 a frame I won't go broke, and no mat is required. I figure I can print the 13x19 on 17x22 and then trim the borders. The framed print looks mighty elegant, and the overall package looks engineered. Bold borders make a huge difference in presentation and greatly magnify the image size in a sculptual manner.
The larger Muji frames allow for a 17 x 25 1/2 image size and a full two inch border, but this custom print size will require getting my 7800 printer online. At $39.50 a frame these big prints will scale up nicely. I will also need the 7800 to print on the Canson papers I really like to avoid "Pizzawheeling," an artifact that comes from the 3880 paper transport. 21 x 29 1/2 inch prints are mighty big. I expect I will see no fuzziness and the images could be made even bigger, but then I'll need an even bigger printer.
The Canson papers are truely glossy, while the Jon Cone Type 5 is kinda satin. I kinda love the Canson midrange which has this extended gelatin like glow of a wet print. The JC Type 5 has a cooler tonality, prints darker in the quarter tones, and I think has a blacker black. Joe disagrees.
On the Canson paper extra work is required (a second printing of Gloss Overcoat. A Canson glossy print gets printed 3 times. A 17x22 takes 22 minutes for one pass 2880 DPI unidirectional, so it is 3 times 22 minutes plus days of drying.) Anyways all of this is crazy extreme printing, but the results speak for themselves. Never thought I could do this at home, none the less in a 650 square foot apartment with a girlfriend (Maggie) and a rescue dog (Beagle-Face).
A.I. Friedman has this "Art Envelope" which is great for the homeless artist gypsy. Basically they are cheap (less than $20.00 for a 18x24 version), are made of vinyl, and have handles like a portfolio case, but the closure is just a flap like an envelope. Basically it is pretty easy to carry say 5-6 framed prints in Muji frames. Talk about street art. Who needs a gallery? Artist by definition are exhibitionists.
Cal
Anyways the difference is profound. The original Monochrom is a brutal camera. It was clearly the best money I ever spent. I don't think it is too much of an exaggeration that the resolution, sharpness and detail is almost twice that of a M9. Now I fully understand why I can print so big. Also now I'm really excited to be able to print up to 24x36.
On the Muji frame front I figured out that a 13x19 image with an almost one inch border is the perfect/ideal size for an exhibition print of my street photography. At $32.50 a frame I won't go broke, and no mat is required. I figure I can print the 13x19 on 17x22 and then trim the borders. The framed print looks mighty elegant, and the overall package looks engineered. Bold borders make a huge difference in presentation and greatly magnify the image size in a sculptual manner.
The larger Muji frames allow for a 17 x 25 1/2 image size and a full two inch border, but this custom print size will require getting my 7800 printer online. At $39.50 a frame these big prints will scale up nicely. I will also need the 7800 to print on the Canson papers I really like to avoid "Pizzawheeling," an artifact that comes from the 3880 paper transport. 21 x 29 1/2 inch prints are mighty big. I expect I will see no fuzziness and the images could be made even bigger, but then I'll need an even bigger printer.
The Canson papers are truely glossy, while the Jon Cone Type 5 is kinda satin. I kinda love the Canson midrange which has this extended gelatin like glow of a wet print. The JC Type 5 has a cooler tonality, prints darker in the quarter tones, and I think has a blacker black. Joe disagrees.
On the Canson paper extra work is required (a second printing of Gloss Overcoat. A Canson glossy print gets printed 3 times. A 17x22 takes 22 minutes for one pass 2880 DPI unidirectional, so it is 3 times 22 minutes plus days of drying.) Anyways all of this is crazy extreme printing, but the results speak for themselves. Never thought I could do this at home, none the less in a 650 square foot apartment with a girlfriend (Maggie) and a rescue dog (Beagle-Face).
A.I. Friedman has this "Art Envelope" which is great for the homeless artist gypsy. Basically they are cheap (less than $20.00 for a 18x24 version), are made of vinyl, and have handles like a portfolio case, but the closure is just a flap like an envelope. Basically it is pretty easy to carry say 5-6 framed prints in Muji frames. Talk about street art. Who needs a gallery? Artist by definition are exhibitionists.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
That's what I'm taken to the show, the Metz flash and Quantum battery pack for the
famous pop pop pop!
famous pop pop pop!
Looks like I'll be the most low tech guy there... and I might not end up using flash... I'm just not sure.
Whose M9 file... ?
Range-rover
Veteran
If it's a brightly lit place you could use a high ISO and that should work.
T.V. Alert!
The next few weeks I'll be watching one of my favorite shows
"The X Files" it's back and good as ever!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
John Chee.
The image is one I wish I took. It has both texture and a wonderful highlight. The image is of a run down staircase of a house in China that looks kinda abandoned. The tonality really is beautiful.
Interesting to note that this image looks great on three different papers. My choice would be the Canson for the warmth, but if you prefer a cool tone then the Jon Cone Type 5. I think for this image that the Canson has "Glow Factor."
The Epson Exhibition Fiber with the whitest-white had the most contrast, but unfortunately had less shadow detail.
Anyways a very elegant image that conveys a lot of loneliness and history.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Because this is not a typical runway show and there will be close audience involvement (up close and personal), I can assume that the house lighting won't be dim.
Use of flash for added detail or to highlight the models is my intent. I have a D3X which has mucho megapixels, but for low light and high ISO this is not the best camera. Sometimes it is pixel size that matters over how many pixels. My D3X will likely benefit utilizing a flash. I don't like my D3X above 800 ISO. Basically it is a camera especially made for studio and fashion and its intent in its design was to have controled lighting.
Remember that the Designers, Make-Up Artist, and models only require JPEGS to put in their "Book."
X Files related: Back in the day I was once a performance artist. I was part of the collective known as "Peeling The Banana" that dealt with Asian identity. Back then I basically I had a confused identity where basically I was a white boy trapped in an Asian body.
As a group we performed throughout the northeast at colleges and universities, but also at the Joseph Papp Public Theater by Cooper Union and off-off Broadway at the Second Stage Theater in Times Square.
Back on being off topic: so I have a half page review from the New York Daily News with a picture of me performing a scene from a skit called "The Asia Files" that riffed off the X Files. Instead of Agent Scully and Agent Mulder it was Asian Scully and Asian Mulder. LOL. In the scene I am a dead body being manipulated during an investigation.
During this crazy part of my life: I lived in Amityville on Long Island; but I worked near the twin forks on eastern Long Island (Brookhaven National Labs); and I would drive to Madhattan 3-4 times a week for rehearsals. I literally was putting 1,000 miles a week on my car, a month's worth of driving in a week, for about a month. No sleep, kinda restless, and not sustainable.
Cal
I don't know what route I will go until I go there... the Df is a high ISO magician.