p.1 #1 · PLEASE HELP/how to consolidate equipment, thanks.
All,
I've done all photoshop on an old T42 laptop w/512 mb RAM. It's my med school laptop. I graduate in 3 months and no longer work in photoshop on this laptop because it's so SLOW! I'm planning on getting a mac tower to replace this, but in order to do so i need to sell some gear. I'd like advice on what to sell, THANKS! (I have tons of images to process, but just don't because of time constraints w/this laptop).
PLEASE ADVISE ON THE BELOW, WHAT TO SELL AND WHAT TO KEEP: THANKS!!!
1.) DELL ultrasharp 2407 wpf: i've used it very little, as i don't live in the apt that the monitor is located. I've compared the contrast ratio/resolution to Apple ACD's and it seems like this dell is pretty nice. Plus it's matte, not glossy. But, maybe i could get a NEC or Samsung w/compatible value for less than the cost of this. I could sell this easily as it's hardly ever been used and in great condition.
2.) Sekonic L-358 lightmeter: I used this twice. I've found that mainly trial and error w/flash/iso is easier for me. However, I got my LCD on the camera to match the relative brightness of my laptop monitor (which was calibrated w/ greg macbeth eye one match software). However, what if the monitor is off and i'm aiming for exposures that are all off. With a lightmeter, you know you're right. but again, i hardly ever use this and could sell it for a good bit of what i paid for it.
3.) gary fong's latest lighsphere. this is nice in that it adds good contrast and you can use canon speedlight w/ETL auto-exposure to take nice candid/party pics. But, i hardly ever do this, mostly what i do is studio work. it's never been used and worth 90, so the money would be nice. plus, i've got older lightspheres and i think w/ a little bit of tinfoil and trial and error i could replicate the effect of this easily.
4.) Photoflex 5'octadome. when i first started studio work, i thought this would be the end all/be all. but, it's very, very big, esp for a city apartment. i really like it but think it may be impractical. it's not portable either. i have the 3' version as well.
Please let me know which of these are a "wise" sell, as i know a fast photoshop computer would really help me produce/process my iimages much, much faster.
p.1 #2 · PLEASE HELP/how to consolidate equipment, thanks.
The display is a good display for the cost. You can only make money by replacing it with a lower quality display. If you don't use it then I wonder what you do use? I assume your laptop...yuck. NOt good for color work. save the dell for your Mac Pro.
The light meter is a great tool, but it sounds like you are using it wrong. Your exposure should determine your exposure. Forget how that looks or compares to your display. If you are dialing down exposure to make it look right on your display that is a very bad idea. Chances are your display is far too bright (most are). At the very least stop doing this. If you use studio lights a 358 is a great way to set up your lighting ratios. Of course that requires pocket wizards...more money, not savings. I'd say you could sell this, but you will soon buy another if you stick with photography and studio work.
Ditch the lightsphere. The best thing I ever did was loose mine at a wedding. Learn to bounce light to get nice directional light. Not the flat straight on fill effect of these money makers. Ever wonder why he constantly sells new versions? Thats right...its a profit device, not a photography device. In a pinch a sock over the flash gives good results and is essentially free (white sock mind you).
You could ditch this too. Think of it as refining your shooting style. Learn to use the modifiers you have in new and creative ways. its not about having more tools, its more about using what you have very well. I've seen amazing work from a single beauty dish. That or a single 4' soft box would be my choice if I could have just one modifier (for portrait work).
FYI...look at the old Mac Pros. The old 2.66 is selling for $2000 right now in the refurb store. Plenty of speed as PS does not use 8 cores that much. Switching to that from what you have will be a HUGE boost. No need to spend the extra $800 on the new 2.8. Heck, for $800 in a year you can probably drop in 3+ ghz 4 core processors. The RAM will be slower, but for the most part it will be the same.
