Hi Steve-oh

Just wanted to ask about the inconsistencies in the StockXpert review process.  Now I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I just wanted to ask for myself after experiencing one inconsistency - over the past week I've been steadily uploading some photos of a waterfall/fountain that I took a few photos of, some slow shutter, some quick shutter, and a few were accepted but today all the ones uploaded were simply rejected for "not what we are looking for" or whatever.  I just want to know why such variance in that and I myself believe that is why I'm having a very hard time trying to figure out what to upload to StockXpert.

If you have any insight, please share.

I'm not trying to rant, I'm just looking for answers so that I can figure out what it is that I'm suppose to do.

I'm gonna hope that the super volcano under yellowstone will not break out because that would be freaky/unfortunate/scary/any other words that describe terror and awe...

I was looking at the Giga One and I think I'm gonna invest in something like that (probably 80GB because there is going to be 2 of us shooting at 8MP each and most likely in RAW).  I figure that, at 8 MP, over 7 days, times 2 cameras, we'd do about 1400 to 2000 photos a day, so upwards of 10000 photos at 8 MP average gives you about 80 GB 

Pretty awesome technology if you ask me.  Now I just have to see if I have the battery power lol

Technology should run its course eventually, and quality control will become good enough but until then prices will be high.

Things I am looking for in a new sensor (possibly 40D?)

- 7 stop range compared to 5
- zero to low noise at 1600 and 3200 ISO
- 9+ autofocus points
- Better low light autofocusing
- Self-cleaning sensor (does it really work though?)

This is what I'd be looking for compared to my 350D.

But until then, I'll just shoot with what I have

Pixart,

You said that its a capital expense for 3 years?  From what I saw in the Revenue Canada business guide, it was classified as Class 8.  What would happen then after the third year, do you just expense it all at that point?  I know that Class 8 is 20%, but thats about it.

I've never been to either, which is why I'm keen on going.  I have come to understand that Banff is terribly expensive and I think it would be ideal to go to the US given the awesome FX rate.  I wouldn't be looking to stay on campgrounds, but at a hotel just outside the park to avoid the human traffic. 

Do you have any other suggestions to Banff in Canada such as Kananaskis or other places in BC? (Don't want to spend toooooo much money)

Gee, I've started two threads in one day, thats pretty good for me.   I'd just like to thank everyone in advance for their input, since its been so wonderful in the Wacom thread.

Anyhow, I'm looking to go away for a week and go to a national park.  Being Canadian, I thought a good candidate would be Banff National Park since its such a cornerstone in terms of nature and wildlife.  I'm going with the idea of taking pictures suitable for microstock and macrostock and am aiming at taking 5000-10000 photographs (will probably buy a 30D and 17-40 f/4L in addition to my Digital Rebel XT, 100mm f/2.8, lens kit and 70-200mm f/4L.

My first question is this:

What would you recommend for a portable hard drive with 40GB to 60GB of space?  I want to keep weight down and don't want to have a laptop but still want a reliable dumping source for my files until I get back and burn them all to DVDs.

My second question is this:

I really want the 5D but its way to expensive and I'm not making enough to justify it at the moment.  Is the 30D good enough?

Third question:

Banff or Yellowstone?  Your pick and why would you go there.  As well, does anyone have any experiences and suggestions of where to go and hotspots for wildlife?

Fourth question:

I want a ball joint manfrotto head, which one do you recommend?  As well, what actual legs of the tripod do you recommend because the one I have is too stiff.

Fifth question:

I hope that I haven't bored you by now, but I really wanna get the most out of this.  Good time to spend with my dad too.

Are the pictures taken (assuming highest quality and good colours etc) be microstock worthy and the returns will justify taking the trip?  How should I go about dividing the photos between macro and micro?

Thanks everyone again, I know its long but I really wanna get this right.   

Joseph

Awesome

I do indeed have lots of desk space.  Now that I finished my undergrad degree, I don't plan on having any books around until my MBA in about 27 months, which means lots of space and lots of time for photos and stuff like that apart from my day job.

In addition, I'm planning to spike my submission of pictures and I'm also planning a trip to Banff or Yellowstone National Park (new thread coming for that) specifically for pictures so I will be buying a portable harddrive and will definitely need to have good tools for editing those photos.

I just hope that in the long run all this spending pays off because I've gone a bit mad lately.  I am however writing off anything that has to do with photography from my personal income tax because I'm considering microstock as a business.  Its good because I'm gonna buy this stuff anyways, so in essence I will save 25-30% in the end in taxes I won't be paying 

Thats crazy....definitely not gonna get the Graphire then. 

Can I ask how it actually works in terms of use?  How do you know where the pen (or mouse) is on the the tablet relative to the screen?
(Sorry, I've never actually used this but my current set-up tends to hurt my wrist after a while and I'd love to be able to make things easier on it)

Hi everyone,

I maintain an account with a distributor that sells electronic goods on the side and can get the Wacom Intuos3 6x8 - Mouse, digitizer, stylus - 8 x 6 in graphic tablet.  I'm just wondering if anyone has any information on this type of tablet and how effective it would be for photography given your experiences.

In Canada, Futureshop retails them for $500 but I can snag them for almost 40% off, so I figure if its useful I'd go for it.  I just can't find anywhere that gives a video demo in action.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Joseph

Too bad that even if I decide to try and submit, everything will be "not what they are looking for" just like everything I submit with iStock has phantom "artifacting"

I'm not saying that 0 download days are bad, but the overall projections for the month are going to be lower than last month.  Only once before has a current month been less than the previous.  I have 170 photos online (I would have more but they have this ridiculous rejection policy) and I upload the maximum per week.

I just hope the downloads pick up again because I just bought some new lenses and a 430EX and I'd like to pay for it.

Their review is horrible...I just accept it and move on, especially when SS accepts something or even IS and they don't...its pretty sad at that point

Quick question:  I'm getting the 430EX flash too.  Is this important to have with the macro?  I mean, it would probably make holding the camera in odd situations easier than using a tripod?

Not sure about this because I haven't had much macro experience.

Thanks