Ed Peters
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Upload & Sell: Off
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For those of you not able to reach the G1 board, the following is the reply to Paul's
comments from Rolando:
Ok, to make it easier on the eyes and minds, I've only added numbers for reference purposes and to make it easier for the readers.
Quote #1--OK, I stand corrected, but we all know that "effective" watt seconds is just marketing hype and hyperbole. Nothing against free enterprise, my hat off to Mr. Buff.
Quote #2--90% of the photographers? C'mon Mr. Buff, we all know 85% of the statistics are made up? Did you really do a survey? Photographers don't physically touch, at least not models, they mentally judge, they first learn to see the light then feel the light--every pro knows that. When exact color, lighting output and light temperature is needed, there is a world of difference between light based on human touch and lights with digital readouts with decimal points that reference light meters. Even at 2/10th's of an F/stop you've got some super sensitive hands. Again, as an analogy I ask you to get your water temperature in your shower within 2/10th's of a degree accuracy, better yet, within a 5-degree accuracy without some sort of visual verification. Accuracy is important more in digital photography today than the large latitude of color negative film--don't believe me, blow out a digital image verses a negative film image. I rest my case.
Quote #3--Obviously you know the inverse square law, but models don't. Again, try flashing more than once a ring-flash at a model 8-feet away from her verses 16-feet, a helluva of a difference. Better yet, you stand in front of your ringflash for at least 10 pops in two minutes at 8-feet and full power and see if you don't get nauseated? I'm no model, but I can gurantee you if we impaneled a focus group of models and placed them 8-feet then 16-feet they would not like being close to a ring flash. This has to do with the "face" of the model, the most important part of the image. Be real!
Quote #4--See Quote #3 first then anwser, how much does the Zuess cost?
Quote #5--With the $400 ring, how close (your words, close, please explain what is "pleasing" at that F/stop 16 to 32 that you claim) to get F/22 as you state with the Moon adapter?
Quote #6--You are publicly calling pros "esoterics," please explain that to those that don't know the definition. I have no hidden doctrine nor do most pros. We all start from the bottom, even I started with a Smith Victor hot light kit.
Quote #7--- Very ambiguous answer. First, you knock pros and then you say they are judged on talent and results. I agree on the latter, but how different are pro ring-flash units than yours? What I mean, you state they are limited? Explain.
Quote #8--Your customers pay your bills, nothing wrong with that, but they are not sponsors, they are you beta testers.
Now I just supplied a rebuttel as I'm having fun playing Devil's Advocate while I hope I don't get a letter from Mr. Buff's attorney to cease and desist my opinions. Which would be totally uncalled for, but I understand business.
Let's get something straight, I have nothing against Mr. Buff and have heard great things about him. I wish him well and I publicly ask him to let me try his products and give my honest opinion--win me over as they say. I've been shooting for 27 years and as I've said before, I've used them all--from Novatrons to Pro Photo, even at one time WL's. Make a believer out of me if you belive in your products that much--I'm open for ideas. I will personally work with you, Mr. Buff, by your side. C'mon, I just photographed a New York Times best selling author for one of the top publishing houses in the world, with a $700 camera, so using a $700 light won't bother me. Seriously, I challenge Mr. Buff to a shoot with his products with him there, let's do this right, unbiased, and as professionals.
With that said, my original point was be careful what you spend money on, don't get caught up in the marketing hype and make un-nformed decisions, don't purchase on impulse. Buy the right tool for what you need, not what you want.
I will say, I've heard great things about Mr. Buff and his company and with his money back guarantee for a full 100% satisfaction, how can you go wrong? Buy his products, if it works for you, more power to you, if it doesn't, ask for you money back. I wish him, WL, AB and his fans all the luck, I also hope to have a drink with him someday--seriously, printed words often sound harsher than spoken words and Mr. Buff sounds like a cool guy. For the record, I did approach WL/Buff years ago after I started GG and never received a response as I felt a majority of our folks here could use their products--still feel that way today. Wishing all the best, rg sends!
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