> Many thanks William, and everybody else for your thoughtful responses to this thread... > > In regards to the digital/film thingy: > > I KNOW that I need to go digital. I know that I would recoup the $$ in very little time and I also know that it would be SOOOOOO beneficial for me out here having no labs etc. BUT, in Australian dollars, the outlay to go over to the *istD is over $3000. > > I HAVE decided that I am going to lease one for tax/technology reasons, but due to my business only being set up this year, I am still required to place an au$1500 deposit for security. Might not be much to most "pro" photographers, but I have 3 kids hanging out for a very generous Santa in a couple of weeks aaaaaaannd, another little story to tell... > > Three weeks ago, I was shooting graduation portraits in the bush in a town about 2 hours from mine (it is called Moranbah, if any of you Aussies have heard of it). Anyways, light was running out, the kids were all bloody late (little brats!), and I was RUSHING to get them all through. So, I was running across a road when I tripped, dropped everything I was carrying and then turned to watch the next passing car run over everything that I was carrying! Aaaaaargh! So just WHAT was I carrying? Well, it was a (very poorly made) Sigma EF430st flashgun, three rolls of NPH400, a Pentax Pz-20, and a Tamron 28-200mm lens (the same one that shel's friend is selling). Combined, this was my favourite set up for shooting portraits! Ok, so of course I had backup gear, and went ahead with the job no problems (although with my hands shaking!). I was very lucky, cause looking back it most easily could have been MYSELF that got collected by the car. Anyways, I had prompt flash backs of the PZ-1P that I "threw" over a cliff a few years back (anyone remember that? Stan saved my butt on that one...), and which I never did replace. For some reason, that I can't put my finger on, I have since come to LOVE the Pz-20 body, and have 3 (well, 2 and one smashed one!) of them, and think I will stick with them. They do everything that I have come to need. > > Of course, everything WAS insured (not that I would get much back, cause it was all used gear), BUT decided against claiming them due to the time factor involved. I would need to source 3 or 4 quotes and then send them to my insurance company etc, because of course there isn't an agent here in my town. To put it into perspective, a gecko crawled into my power supply on > my pc last year and it took me 6 months to get another one! > > Sooo, basically, my *istD "fund" has disappeared for now, as over the past three weeks, I have enabled myself with the following items: another Pz-20, Pentax FA 28-105mm lens, Pentax FA 50mm f1.7mm lens, 360fgz flashgun. And whilst I was at it, I went a bit mad and also bought an Incablitz flashmeter, Lowepro Nova 5 Camera Bag, SLS 160ws monolight (300 effective ws), light stand, softbox, umbrella, carry bag. Phew!
Of course, I am well aware that what I have spent over the past few weeks, could very well have purchased my *istD outright, BUT I am intending of going down the "shoot digital have film backup" path, so want to get that side of things sorted out too. > > I am now at a point where I am quite confident and comfortable in my "collection" of equipment that I can offer consistent results to my clients. I do OF COURSE, still want to go digital, but that won't happen until the New Year now... > > William, I already scan most of my work, and ftp (upload) it to my lab where they print just as they would if I were shooting digital. As they are a Pro lab, the turn around time is generally about 3-5 days, which would only differ by a day or so if I had actually hand delivered it/picked it up myself, so I am happy with that side of things. They also do a fantastic job. For Aussie members, the lab's website is www.imt.net.au if anyone wants to check it out. The delay for me is that I have to send the film off to be processed first, before I can get to work on it. That adds another 3-5 days, sometimes more, to the turn around. > > Moral of the story is that when I do get my *istD that side of things won't really change where my lab is concerned, BUT I won't have to a) mail order film (as no-one locally stocks any Pro films), and b) won't have to send film off to be processed. The trips to Brisbane are for work/bookings. I am travelling there to shoot weddings, and couldn't possibly comprehend travelling there for lab stuff (it is a 14 hour drive!). I welcome the Brisbane trips as they give me the chance to display a larger variety of backdrops and locations on my website and also give me a great break for a day or two from my kids! lol. > > Ok, so sorry that was all so long winded, just wanted to fill you all in on my "butter fingers" and say thanks for all of your encouraging comments... > > tan. >
