Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on May 12, 2013, 08:36

.. This month they have died completely - only one sale for $.25. ..

Alas, you are not alone. Rather interesting sales graphs and stats have been posted at http://www.canstockphoto.com/forum_read.php?id=6054

I had not seen that - thanks for posting.  My graph would be very similar - steady for the past few months with a huge drop this month.

Every batch I've submitted there all year has been reviewed within a day, including a batch submitted yesterday that is online this morning.  For you it must be a release thing as suggested by Poncke?

The problem I'm having there is that sales have dried up almost completely - one sale this month for 25c.  They have always had a large variance but not this low - this is the worst in more than 3 years since I started with them.  Hope it is just a statistical anomaly and not a long-term trend.

DT also is very variable in sales with huge swings from month to month, presumably due to changes in best match placement.  Last month I had a BME there, this month is looking to be the worst in about a year at about one-tenth of last month's earnings.  I'm sure others who were low last month are now having BMEs.  You need a few months at least to gauge sales there.

For me so far this year I have been getting an OD about every 11-20 DLs, depending on the month.  This month it is the slowest at one OD per every 25 DLs.  So 80 DLs with no ODs is very unusual in my experience.  However, it is probably just statistical variation in a small port - just keep uploading and the ODs will come.

I use Helicon for the same reason mentioned above - it will take raws but Zerene does not AFAIK.  Helicon also is quite fast while Zerene took forever on my Mac - might work better with a PC.  Helicon does make mistakes that have to be cleaned up but basically eliminates focus rejections, although it can take a lot of time.  I use PS CS4 and Helicon is better - might not need it with CS6.  I don't usually stack a ton of images - not worth it for microstock.  From the example you posted, it looks like you know what you are doing already.

Has anybody used the Stackshot system (http://www.cognisys-inc.com/stackshot/stackshot.php)?  It looks like a cool toy and I really want one but can't justify the price for microstock.  If it will make a great improvement I'll try to talk myself into spending the money so if anyone has used it and thinks it's a good investment please let me know.

There have been a couple of negative comments but nothing backed up with actual statistics.  I have the 10-22 and the 17-55 S series lenses and both are quite sharp, particularly the 17-55.  In an independent review it was rated better than the two lenses you mentioned in the OP.  See here (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-55mm-f-2.8-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx) for a review plus additional links to the other lenses.  Unfortunately he doesn't compare them to other manufacturers such as Tokina or Sigma.  The problem I have had with the 17-55 is that CA is often pretty bad so it takes another step or two to clean it up in PS, but it is very sharp.  Good luck with your decision!

I agree with the others about the lighting and I also thought the composition could be improved.  Here's my version - tried to tone down the differences in lighting and cropped it so the subject is more prominent.

How wide angle do you need?  With that camera you also can use EF-S lenses so you have a couple more options.  If you want super wide angle, you could get the EF-S 10-22 mm lens.  It's pretty sharp and is small and light weight if you need to carry it around.  Perfectly fine for stock - I use mine all the time.  That one gives a focal length equivalent to 16-35 mm on a full-frame camera and it's about the same price as the 17-40.  If you're shooting large subjects in tight spaces it's very helpful.  The other lenses you mentioned are equivalent to around 25 or 27 mm so not nearly as wide.  There also is the EF-S 17-55 f2.8 lens.  It is very sharp but has a problem with CA in my experience.  I use that one a lot too but have to pay special attention to remove fringing in PS.

I think the choice will depend on how it will be used.  If for travel then small and light weight may be issues - those are very important to me.  If you think you'll be doing a lot of hand-held shots in low light then f2.8 might be important.  For me I almost never shoot wide open so it is not such a big issue.  Good luck with your decision!

That is hilarious!

I've also sometimes had them take a couple of weeks to go through QC.  I submitted a batch on Monday and am still waiting so maybe they are just a little slower than usual.  Process some more while you're waiting - that's what I'm doing.

Thanks - I did not know about this.  Very few keywords seem to be important - 2 or 3 per image.  Very interesting and helpful.

That's a bummer.  I'm still using CS4 and was thinking of going to CS6.  Guess I'd better do it while I can - I don't do subscription programs.  Their pricing will make it a non-issue for me - 600 bucks a year, every year for PS?  I will have to find another program.  Too bad.

Quote from: Poncke v2 on May 01, 2013, 10:29

Quote from: rimglow on May 01, 2013, 08:06

BME. First time to clear over $1000.00. 516 files in portfolio.

I am shooting the wrong stuff.

DITTO Poncke! In total agreement! 

I don't think it's the stuff he shoots but how he shoots it - have you taken a look at rimglow's portfolio?  Very simple isolations but beautifully executed - I'm not surprised he has such a high return.  Wish I knew how to make isolations like those - they are amazing.