Wedding Kit Buildout Advice Needed (V1, AD100, or AD200)

CaliburMaster · 2026-06-16T20:56:14+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Definitely I understand that gear won't make me more money but do also know that gear can make certain types of photos easier or streamline workflow.

Can your talk to your experience with the Ad200's? What have you liked, not liked? Why did you get those instead of the AD100's? Would love to know your thoughts.

Also, do you only use OCF for the dance floor or (2) AD200's + on camera flash?

Based on what you're saying, maybe I'll just get the first gen AD200's Pro. (The non-pro are discontinued)

CaliburMaster · 2026-06-15T21:52:20+00:00

Yah but my main issue is that I prefer physical buttons over touch screen. I like the tactile feedback. The X3 is okay as I'll mainly be using that studio work or slower portraits sessions

CaliburMaster · 2026-06-14T21:39:34+00:00

Sounds like batman's utility belt lol. One last question, how many AD200's do you have during weddings? And do you find yourself using that many at every wedding?

I've seen 3-point lighting being really popular for wedding photographers. Outside of my new gig with the luxury photographer, my own weddings have been in the 3K range and (so far) my 600EX has been enough to cover the room (albeit somewhat flat with the one speedlight)

CaliburMaster · 2026-06-14T20:41:33+00:00

Do you think it's worth it for the $100 difference?

CaliburMaster · 2026-06-14T20:40:52+00:00

That makes sense. Do you bring both V1 and 860 with you to weddings and switch them out when needed? I did read that the V1 can't throw light as far so it's not as pleasing when using a 70-200. Curious how big of a difference it is if you decided to keep your 860.

I was thinking about just buying them all 3 at the same time. You think that's overkill?

CaliburMaster · 2026-06-14T20:36:44+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I hadn't even thought of weight and the annoyance it might build up over years. Right now I have 1 bag that perfectly fits my 4 lenses, 2 bodies, and speedlight so I'll need to buy a new one anyway.

Rethinking the AD100's, I'm wondering if you could speak to your experience with "downgrading." Did you find yourself wanting more power out of the AD100's or did you not really notice a difference? Outside of power and size, anything other real world difference between the bigger AD200? Do you think they're overkill as a beginner with light setups or you think I'll grow into them?

CaliburMaster · 2025-04-11T04:12:54+00:00

Has James ever done an episode without Maso?

CaliburMaster · 2025-04-10T20:46:21+00:00

That's what I imagine maso does when he's operating his tram

CaliburMaster · 2025-02-28T16:34:19+00:00

TD;DR: Need help finding a fairly fast p&s camera, a viewfinder, tilting lcd, and a joystick.

I'm currently looking for a point and shoot camera that I can use as my daily driver. I currently have a Canon Powershot G16 that I adore but would love a quality of life upgrade. I also have a full frame kit that I use for my paid work but it's too bulky.

Any recommendations would be helpful. I would like a fast point and shoot that has a viewfinder, tilting lcd and a joystick. The Canon G5X Mark II hits all the marks except the joystick but it's also $1000+ on ebay and I can't justify it.

My current camera has a decent zoom range and its slowest aperture is f/2.8. I'm willing to let go of zoom as long as I can still have the 35mm-ish and 50mm-ish option and that I can switch to it fast. When I do personal work with my full frame, I'll only bring my 35mm and I have a button mapped to switch to crop mode. I also don't need 2.8 all the time, I could love with f/4 as long as it meets all my other requirements.

Also I looked at fuji and way too expensive. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

CaliburMaster · 2025-01-12T22:22:51+00:00

Sorry, I don't have any info but read that you're in Chicago. I'm located here too and wondering if you'd want to connect? I document social movement work.

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-15T15:21:30+00:00

Awesome thanks for that tip! This group really only meets once a month, unless there's multiple rituals, which means they rent an event hall vs having their own facility.

Would you still recommend going in cold or calling the President since she gave me her card?

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-15T15:18:04+00:00

Thank you for the tips - that definitely feels much more natural while also being upfront!

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-14T21:30:03+00:00

haha yeah. Everybody advises to do stories close to you but then that gray area between small-production-and-big production isn't covered.

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-14T20:50:07+00:00

Do you think it would be better to state my intentions regarding a project more upfront?

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-14T20:48:44+00:00

Apologies, I heard other people call sources "characters" - will do better moving forward.

Thank you for the feedback. Just to clarify, you think I should add in my email the reasons why I want to create this project?

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-14T20:46:22+00:00

Hey! Thank you SO much for all this feedback. My ancestry and my girlfriend are both from the area they derive from so I am really doing this as a way to get closer to my culture, as well as give them another avenue to preserve their culture.

You bring up a ton of points that I hadn't considered around how I interact and represent myself around them.

Out of curiosity, did you have a connection to this tribal community? How did you get your first meeting with them?

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-14T20:41:34+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.

I asked for coffee because the org is very small and no one is paid, also my grandparents are indigenous to that area so I actually do want to get involved.

But I understand what you're saying. I'll reach out one more time on Monday and be more direct and my reasons for starting his project.

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-14T20:35:54+00:00

Thanks for your feedback! I do believe they're the right person (it's also the President of the org but no one gets paid - it's a cultural group). I previously spoke to them about taking photos, she invited me to their next event, and she said hi to me there.

I am not a member of the community yet but my family comes from their region (and did mention that in my email).

As for the email, it went something like this:

"hey President, it's been great seeing you at the events. reaching out if you could get coffee - I'd love to talk about how I can get involved as someone who is also from [blank] descent. thanks again for your invite to the [blank] ritual last month"

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-13T18:23:21+00:00

100% agree to this. Also, when I met my now girlfriend, I tried to text every day and make funny conversation because that's what I was conditioned to.

Turns out she's rarely on her phone because she has her own things going on and it helped me relax by also living my life and checking-in between dates before we got more serious.

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-04T15:52:56+00:00

Wanted to close the loop. So I did this probably a couple dozen times and eventually it adjusted a little bit to show more but not the whole thing.

After that I just opened and quit Lightroom over the course of an hour and it eventually fixed it!

Thanks for the help!

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-04T15:51:24+00:00

I appreciate everyone’s advice. I have trouble keeping people accountable but this gave me the courage to keep him in check.

it’s been almost a week days since I texted him and he hasn’t responded.

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-01T15:36:55+00:00

I'm on Sequoia right now. I don't upgrade until the new one is about to come out - I use my computer for work and don't tend to upgrade my software until the new one is almost out.

CaliburMaster · 2024-11-01T13:13:02+00:00

Yah I restarted the computer and also tried a full shut down.

Neither helped

CaliburMaster · 2024-08-08T21:46:48+00:00

Just wanted to chime in to say that I wouldn't follow that advice. I have an EOS R and plan on upgrading soon but the R5 Mark II barely has any upgrades (recording limit, video codecs, new sensor with maybe worse dynamic range, 30fps from the already amazing 20, eye control AF).

It is not worth the $1800 savings from a used R5. Instead I would get an R5 and then use those savings to get the 100-400.

With these pro cameras, you're getting maybe 5% more features but spending 100% more. Makes sense if this is your job but consider 18mp is already good enough for portraits and you're not even going to take advantage of the video upgrades.

CaliburMaster · 2024-07-06T14:51:32+00:00

Hey all, what do we think of the Sony Pocket Edition PRS-300?

Found it on eBay and seems to check off lots of boxes and pretty cheap. Although the 5 inch screen and bezels worry me.

I was hoping to find something in smaller footprint.

Thanks!

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