Thursday, June 7, 2012

Some Thoughts On Photo Equipment

I am an amateur photographer (one who does photography purely for the love of it.) Except for the simple Brownie Point and Shoot cameras that were prevalent in the 1950's, my first serious camera was a used 35mm rangefinder camera with a fixed lens. I was able to make some very good 16X20 inch prints from Tri-X pan film shot with this camera.

My first flash was a folding flash gun that used M2 flashbulbs. After several years, I found a smaller flash that used the much smaller AG-1 bulbs that were small enough that I could carry a couple of dozen flashbulbs in my pocket. At that time, many photojournalists were using Norman electronic flash units with a power pack that they carried on their shoulder, and Rollei 2-1/4" square twin reflex cameras. (Not long afterwards, the Nikon F 35mm camera became the favorite.)  At that time I broke into the electronic flash world by purchasing a Spiratone AC powered electronic flash that was one of the cheapest electronic flash units on the market. I also purchased a battery powered pack for it that used C-batteries (I think it was 6 C-cells, but it may have been 8). I didn't get many flashes from the battery pack, and the C-cells were not cheap. If there were no cheap knock-offs like the Spiratone at the time, I would not have purchased an electronic flash. Honeywell was a very popular, but expensive portable electronic flash at the time, and I was fortunate to be able to use one that belonged to the student photography club when I was in college, but there was no way I could afford to buy one. About that time, the Honeywell flash became one of the most popular units among photojournalists.

My first SLR was a Nikon FT2 with a 50mm f/2 lens. I purchased a knock-off 200mm lens and a knock-off 2X tele-extender. If knock-off lenses were not available, I would have stayed with just the 50mm lens. There was no way I could afford a Nikon telephoto lens at the time. In later years, I did purchase a Nikon 105mm f/2.5 lens which I still own, as well as a 24mm, and 35mm (all Nikon AI.) I also added Nikon FE and Nikon FM bodies.

When I switched to digital (in 2007 I think) I switched to Canon. I now own a Canon 50D and a Canon 5D MarkII. I use only Canon lenses. I don't even use cheap knock-off filters. I put a Canon UV filter on the front of each of my lenses. I also own 3 Canon flashes: 2 580 EXII's and a 430 EX. I believe in paying the price to purchase top quality camera gear from top manufacturers with reputations for quality.

However, I own 7 other flashes, and plan to buy more. I do not want eTTL flashes, nor do I want to pay the price for eTTL when I only plan to use them manually. I have 3 used Nikon SB-26's, one of which works, the second one is being repaired at a cost of $120, and I'm not sure whether I will get the third one repaired which would cost $150. I also own a Vivitar 283 that I purchased new in 1976, and Vivitar 285 HV that I purchased two years ago. The last two are a Lumopro LP160, and a Yongnuo YN-560II.

If Canon made a manual-only flash that had the features of the Lumopro LP 160 or the Yongnuo YN-560II, and if they priced it in the neighborhood of $200, I would purchase several. (This would not be an unreasonable price, considering that I can purchase a new 430 EXII for $279.) However, Canon has not cared to make a manual-only flash, and I doubt if they ever will. Thus, my only option is to look elsewhere. The used Nikons used to be a good option, but their e-Bay prices have become unattractive, especially since the probability is high that such used flashes would need repair soon.

That brings me to the Lumopro LP 160, which is an excellent value. The one shortcoming of the LP160, from my perspective, is that it will not fit into the new innovative Saberstrip light modifiers that are especially good for use outdoors in somewhat windy conditions. The LP120 would fit, but Lumopro has discontinued that model. This has led me to try the Yongnuo YN-560II. This flash not only fits the Saberstrip, but it can be set from full-power down to 1/128th power in 1/3 stop increments, while the LP160 will only to go down to 1/64th power in full stop increments. So my attraction to the Yongnuo is not due to it being a cheap knock-off to anything, but the the unique features it has: manual only, built in slave, settable between full power and 1/128th in 1/3 stop increments and it fits into the Saberstrip. The only drawback to the Yongnuo is its manufacturer's shaky reputation for quality control and reliability.

Since I now own 10 flashes, the marginal utility of additional units does not come anywhere near the price of a new Canon eTTL flash. If I could find a manual flash with all the features that I want for $200, I would probably purchase a half-dozen of them over a reasonable period of time. As it happens, the Yongnuo is the only flash that fully meets the specifications of what I am looking for. The fact that its price, at under $90, is less than half the price I would be willing to pay a reliable manufacturer for one, makes me willing to take a chance that Yongnuo has improved its reliability. Even if 50 per-cent of the units prove to be lemons, I am still ahead of the game. So far, my one YN-560II has been working like a charm. If it should fail, I have pleny of backup with my other flashes.

The free enterprise system, with free and open markets, provides the greatest value to the greatest number of people, at the lowest cost. New product innovations usually command, and get premium prices for the new value they present. But after the initial (and substantial) cost of R&D is covered, and with improvements in production techniques and materials, there is room for prices to drop substantially. (Consider the fact that the first 36 inch flat screen, HD tv's sold for more than $10,000.) History's greatest free market innovators have always provided great value for everyone and helped to bring the prices down below the point where such value would have cost before they came on the scene. However, innovative producers cannot just rest on their laurels. To remain relevant, they must constantly work toward improving their products and lowering their costs. Consider the performance and contributions of John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, James J. Hill, Henry Ford, John Hartford (A&P), J. C. Penney, Sam Walton, and Steve Jobs, just to name a few.

Consider Apple. Practically every product produced by Apple met with knock-off's from almost every direction. However, the genius of Steve Jobs was able to keep at least one or, more often, several steps ahead of the competition. It will be interesting to see if Apple can stay out in front now that Jobs is gone. As long as entrepreneurs are free to apply their innovative skills to compete in the marketplace, those who can provide us with spectacular breakthroughs in new products and lower prices will do so. Those who can not keep up with the truly exceptional entrepreneurs will become more prosperous themselves by working for the ones who can. (Many talented people who could never compete with Steve Jobs' genius became millionaires by working for him.)

One additional thought, on the subject of amateurs versus professionals: consider the fact that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark was built by an amateur. Just because some experts have created high quality products does not mean they can sit back and rake in profits without constant improvement and innovation. A free and open market keeps all businessmen on their toes to keep improving their business and staying ahead of the competition. At the same time, it provides the opportunity for the individual with a great idea to break in to the market with new innovations that can make everyones' lives better.


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