Jumping ship to Nikon?

Fair point. :) I also shoot weddings and I do use a lightmeter some of the time. Bridal prep is a good example. Pop your bride near a window and meter for the light, you'll get much better exposures. :) Any of the posed shots of the B&G I'll also grab a quick reading. Setting up a flash for first dance I don't bother. I know I'll need it pretty high and I use second curtain synch with the flash a distance off or on camera depending on the location.

I agree that you can't really go metering off the brides face during the ceremony, the vicar might get a bit miffed. In those situations I spot meter and I've not had any huge problems doing that.

What do you think you would realistically gain by moving? All of the above togs shoot weddings on Canon cameras (and charge a small fortune BTW) Have a look at Jeff Ascough, voted one of the world's top 5 wedding togs. Uses a 1DsIII. What are you going to be doing that's so different to them? (and I don't mean that in a nasty way BTW, it's a question I ask myself anytime I have a bank card near me!) :)
 
Most cameras will now instantly bracket exposure and shooting in raw ensures you must have the shot. But a quick trial shot and review of the histogram is all that is usually required. Or shooting a grey card and locking the exposure. Or using the spot meter. That is essentially using the camera as a lightmeter anyway.

Nothing replaces experience of course. They are all just tools and even the worst tool in the right hands will do the job.

Graham
 
I think Ali was refering to using a flash meter to control flash to ambient light levels.

If you want main flash with a bit of fill in flash to overpower the available light by 2 stops for example no built in meter will understand that.
 
What does the OP perceive to be the advantage of swapping? How much will it cost?

When you work that out you can look at how much those features will cost you. Its no different to considering an upgrade from say his 1DS MkII to a MkIII.... you end up with a list of new capabilities and a price tag. Very few of us will justify spend by being able to attribute it directly to extra income created by it, so its all money down the drain :D

I don't know why you all get so emotive about the whole thing everytime this comes up??

Do you feel that its knocking your own personal kit choice, making you feel inferior or something?
 
AliB said:
I agree that you can't really go metering off the brides face during the ceremony, the vicar might get a bit miffed. In those situations I spot meter and I've not had any huge problems doing that.
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I always like to meter incident lighting rather than reflected, so I simply walk through the exact spot the couple will be standing and take a reading or two as I go, I rarely find the lighting changes on the couple during the ceremony so this method works just fine for me

Being 'static' it's also one of the times when shooting Manual works best for a consistent exposure between different focal lengths and even swapping cameras :thumbs:

DD
 
AliB said:
Fair point. :) I also shoot weddings and I do use a lightmeter some of the time. Bridal prep is a good example. Pop your bride near a window and meter for the light, you'll get much better exposures. :) Any of the posed shots of the B&G I'll also grab a quick reading. Setting up a flash for first dance I don't bother. I know I'll need it pretty high and I use second curtain synch with the flash a distance off or on camera depending on the location.

I agree that you can't really go metering off the brides face during the ceremony, the vicar might get a bit miffed. In those situations I spot meter and I've not had any huge problems doing that.

What do you think you would realistically gain by moving? All of the above togs shoot weddings on Canon cameras (and charge a small fortune BTW) Have a look at Jeff Ascough, voted one of the world's top 5 wedding togs. Uses a 1DsIII. What are you going to be doing that's so different to them? (and I don't mean that in a nasty way BTW, it's a question I ask myself anytime I have a bank card near me!) :)
Click to expand...

My gripe is not so much metering as such as I have lately given loads of attention to my exposure technique.

I am very close to perfecting controlled bounce flash with balancing ambient. What does get to me is balancing flash and ambient in direct sunlight...


Also, I cannot get the true colour reproduction in reds, purples and similar colours as a mate of mine with a Nikon system gets. I have tried different WB settings and all that but I have not had the time money and patience to get a Gretag Macbeth system and ACR calibrations.

On this point I am also looking at getting a Mac but that is also a project for later in the year...
 
A further consideration is colour reproduction.

Canon seems to struggle with reds, pinks, purples and similar shades and I have tried justabout all the tricks I know except for spending loads of time and money on a Gretag Macbeth system and ACR calibration.

I am also looking at going Mac but that is also a project for later in the year.
 
given loads of attention to my exposure technique there just has to be laws protecting us all from that :D:D:D:D

antonroland said:
A further consideration is colour reproduction.

Canon seems to struggle with reds, pinks, purples and similar shades and I have tried justabout all the tricks I know except for spending loads of time and money on a Gretag Macbeth system and ACR calibration.

I am also looking at going Mac but that is also a project for later in the year.
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Have you any examples? Are you setting up a custom white balance?

stew
 
Nikon & Mac, lovely combo :D
Apple screens come calibrated too, unfortunately it's the way they like it, looks great but it's not what everybody else sees!
 
I notice nobody has mentioned Canons recent "issues", quite a few of their recent cameras have suffered problems of one sort or another, personally I wouldn't buy a new Canon at the moment, not untill they get their quality control sorted out, and test new cameras before releasing them on the public. Wayne
 
I'm still waiting for canon to catch up with nikon on the wireless flash stakes..

i can't rely on ebay triggers forever!
 
Nope ya can't hence why i love using the SB900 off camera with no need for them triggers. :)

And Olympus to as even their E-420 has wirless flash built in to it cheapest body.
 
artona said:
Over the years this has been my equipment

Nikon F (origonally owned by Victor Blackman)
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Now that's a name from the past. I remember going to the public library on Saturdays when I was growing up, to read his column in one of the photography magazines. This was probably 40 years ago. For some reason, I can even remember him talking about the "new" Photomic Head - he was impressed.
 
if you like it and can afford it then just do it, no need to defend, it's your life your choice.
 
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