Top 12 Dream List
OK. I actually had a few folks write and ask what are the things I am lusting after... and I have a birthday coming up, so it's not a bad list to pull together for hubby. As always, though, I don't know how to order these things. I want them all!!!!!
1. Nikkor 70-200 mm lens. I actually have an OLD film version of this lens which makes me happy, but the new one is tack sharp and has vibration reduction and makes shooting portraits a dream. A friend offered me her "last year's version" at half price (still $1300) but the reviews for the newest one make me want it (still, tough to substantiate $2400).
2. I want the IPad. And now there is a brand new version! Again, I have a tough time convincing myself I NEED this toy but I sure do want one. There have been recent reviews on non-Apple netbooks and I'm wondering if someone can help me find one that works as good as the ipad but doesn't cost as much. What a cool way to show off your images and keep yourself busy when you are stuck waiting.
3. Photoshop CS5. Now we are getting into an area that is more practical. As a photographer I need to keep up with current technology and Photoshop CS5 does offer the next level of digital darkroom coolness. The content aware feature is ALMOST worth it's price. I just downloaded the free trial! What the heck - maybe it really is worth the price and this is the first thing I should invest in.
4. New tripod. Unfortunately the one that is calling my name is $849 with a ball head/pistol grip that is an additional $349...so this isn't going to happen anytime soon. I have a really decent tripod but it has screwy leg adjusters that are a pain in the neck - not those quick snap jobbys (or twist tighteners). And why, oh why, did I not get the pistol grip when I knew it was cool? Perhaps I can find one of these on some secondhand site. I really want this but don't want to settle for "not good enough" any more.
5. A new background would be nice. I have white seamless paper but it is a dull white and boring. I am contemplating getting one of those collapsible backgrounds but I fear going to a client's and not being able to collapse it!
6. Hey, here's something that I can probably order today. A Gary Fong lightsphere. When I went to the Hudson Valley Click shoot out last week, several photographers had these. They called them their "tupperware." I liked the quality of light I saw when these friends posted their images. I can get the whole basic kit for $83. Not bad. By the way, here's one of my pictures from that shoot.
7. A colleague has been raving about the Totally RAD actions. As a matter of fact, he applied 2 actions to the image above and her skin sure does look soft. For $149 this is probably a very good investment.
8. A new hard drive! This was not on my list originally, since I just purchased one recently. But I asked a friend why my Lightroom is running so slow and he informed me that the HD I bought is attached via USB which makes it very SLOW. I need to get a Firewire 8 hard drive to store my images on and then I can use the USB one as a nightly back up. This is not a fun purchase, but it is definitely a NEED.
9. The Nikon Telephoto AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Autofocus Lens. I love looking at Ryan Brenizer's posts - he's got a system with this lens and it's beautiful. But at $1000, it is not going to happen for me anytime soon.
10. How could I have forgotten either the Radio Poppers or the Pocket Wizards. I know the latter are more expensive but I really must research the pros and cons of both. At any rate, I enjoy shooting with the flash remotely and have been doing OK with the Nikon CLS system, but it is time to take it up a notch and use a radio tranceiver. My friend Nuby raves about the Poppers, so I think I'm headed down that road. I just have a tough time figuring out which exact pieces I need. Someone please help!
1. Nikkor 70-200 mm lens. I actually have an OLD film version of this lens which makes me happy, but the new one is tack sharp and has vibration reduction and makes shooting portraits a dream. A friend offered me her "last year's version" at half price (still $1300) but the reviews for the newest one make me want it (still, tough to substantiate $2400).
2. I want the IPad. And now there is a brand new version! Again, I have a tough time convincing myself I NEED this toy but I sure do want one. There have been recent reviews on non-Apple netbooks and I'm wondering if someone can help me find one that works as good as the ipad but doesn't cost as much. What a cool way to show off your images and keep yourself busy when you are stuck waiting.
3. Photoshop CS5. Now we are getting into an area that is more practical. As a photographer I need to keep up with current technology and Photoshop CS5 does offer the next level of digital darkroom coolness. The content aware feature is ALMOST worth it's price. I just downloaded the free trial! What the heck - maybe it really is worth the price and this is the first thing I should invest in.
4. New tripod. Unfortunately the one that is calling my name is $849 with a ball head/pistol grip that is an additional $349...so this isn't going to happen anytime soon. I have a really decent tripod but it has screwy leg adjusters that are a pain in the neck - not those quick snap jobbys (or twist tighteners). And why, oh why, did I not get the pistol grip when I knew it was cool? Perhaps I can find one of these on some secondhand site. I really want this but don't want to settle for "not good enough" any more.
5. A new background would be nice. I have white seamless paper but it is a dull white and boring. I am contemplating getting one of those collapsible backgrounds but I fear going to a client's and not being able to collapse it!
6. Hey, here's something that I can probably order today. A Gary Fong lightsphere. When I went to the Hudson Valley Click shoot out last week, several photographers had these. They called them their "tupperware." I liked the quality of light I saw when these friends posted their images. I can get the whole basic kit for $83. Not bad. By the way, here's one of my pictures from that shoot.
8. A new hard drive! This was not on my list originally, since I just purchased one recently. But I asked a friend why my Lightroom is running so slow and he informed me that the HD I bought is attached via USB which makes it very SLOW. I need to get a Firewire 8 hard drive to store my images on and then I can use the USB one as a nightly back up. This is not a fun purchase, but it is definitely a NEED.
9. The Nikon Telephoto AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Autofocus Lens. I love looking at Ryan Brenizer's posts - he's got a system with this lens and it's beautiful. But at $1000, it is not going to happen for me anytime soon.
10. How could I have forgotten either the Radio Poppers or the Pocket Wizards. I know the latter are more expensive but I really must research the pros and cons of both. At any rate, I enjoy shooting with the flash remotely and have been doing OK with the Nikon CLS system, but it is time to take it up a notch and use a radio tranceiver. My friend Nuby raves about the Poppers, so I think I'm headed down that road. I just have a tough time figuring out which exact pieces I need. Someone please help!
Did i hear that Andy is taking a long vacation past your B`day??? lol.. just kidding.. thats a nice want list..
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