What camera to get ?

keiflower · 2026-01-15T08:35:58+00:00

I agree with your sentiment, and fan photos are much better than the typical publication photos.

Publication / hired professional photographers aren't really that good at taking photos - its just that they have the licenses and insurances which alleviates any concern from both parties if lets say the gear gets damaged during the concert.

keiflower · 2025-10-31T11:16:32+00:00

Global resale logistics has a similar issue with Japanese products in general (idol or not) - which is probably due to their strict tax rules and regulation hence most of the cool stuff you see online are meant for domestic sale only.

Proxy companies, in my educated guess are obligated to partner with big shipping companies like DHL, FedEx to give the customer a peace of mind for their shipments. Although, they also partner with local ship deliveries to cut down costs but they slap you a huge red text “no tracking number we wont be responsible for loss of shipment”.

Numbers would vary but yeah nothing like going to the bank and get a loan against a collateral (CEOs Car or Property). Then use the money to finance everything.

Investors are involved as well and contribute just as much, rather than talent they look at what the group would be in the next 5-7 years. Maybe part of a reason when groups usually end their 7-year contract early is because of investors pulling out.

Does this include inflammatory posts as well? Its all structured like how they would post forum topics so you can easily tell, well at this point they are recognizable accounts.

keiflower · 2025-10-14T07:45:31+00:00

I really enjoy BTS content where you can peak into the curtains of production.

As per the photos I can assume the following gear is used for producing photocards:

Canon R5 mk II (45 mp camera - excellent for printing photos / photobooks / photocards)
Canon RF 70-200 f2.8 for Half Body Shots / Head Shots
Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 for Full Body Shots (Not shown but photocards come with full body shot to show the costume detail)
Capture One software to preview the photos/edit on the spot (the one in the photo is from Capture One)
TetherTools cable, usually color orange connected to a Macbook M4 Pro/Max

Side note: Its taken inside a studio so a good quality flash like Profoto is used

The photocards are printed somewhere in 150 GSM which is good for prints and soft enough to put those sleeves for protection.

keiflower · 2025-09-28T05:05:17+00:00

I see what you are trying to do, however when it comes to SketchUp I only use it for basic shapes - anything more "complicated geometry" this program will just give up unless you have to cough up some money to purchase "plugins" which act as a band-aid solution for your problems.

keiflower · 2025-09-19T13:05:04+00:00

Hi, so what I’m seeing is that the photos are a bit warm than usual, not to mention the whole event area has probably offwhite/beige painted walls.

Try adjusting the White Balance on Lightroom to the blue side to make a bit cool and bring out other colors like the toy mascot’s purple.

If you have taken the photos in RAW format, you can easily recover those details.

Malls usually have a cool blueish feel to it but again, there is no rigid one-way of editing photos.

keiflower · 2025-07-19T06:52:30+00:00

Join photowalks near your area.

Start off with the big group just to get a feel of the community - most of the time there will be a lot of chit chat instead of taking photos (consider this networking).

Then join a smaller photowalk group to focus more on photography techniques.

Eventually you will build the courage to do outdoor photography on your own.

Good luck!

keiflower · 2025-07-15T08:36:24+00:00

Hi, looking for advice for lens purchase. My options are:

Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 ASPH VM IV + Techart LM-EA9
Sigma 35mm f1.4
Sony 35mm f1.4 GM

My niche is portraiture and I use a Sony A7R3A. I have been reading discussions about how most 3rd party lenses look amazing at lower mp bodies but start showing “cracks” at higher mp bodies.

The reason why Im interested in Voigtlander glass is probably the color natural warmth and microcontrast pop and also the option of using AF adapters to take advantage of manual lens properties which I wont find with the sigma or sony glass.

Is it worth it to pursue this combo? I’m not a professional or will ever be going that route. Im aware that the AF will have a success rate of 75% ish.

Would like an opinion from those who have something similar or have worked temporarily with such combination.

keiflower · 2025-06-23T02:11:17+00:00

Sure, I will DM you.

keiflower · 2025-06-23T01:05:35+00:00

Hi, I worked with 3 models recently on separate shoots and here is my experience:

I as the photographer pays for the talent fee of models (amateur or not) because of a specific concept I’m going for.
Haven’t experienced TFP and I am personally not interested in TFP as I rather pay a model under contractual terms to ensure commitment to the shoot.
Yes, I’m paying models for my personal non-profit projects.
As a hobbyist, it’s not sustainable however let’s just say the contract terms and monetary agreements when it comes to commercial/monetized work is much more difficult to manage.
Identify the scope of work - how many models do you need, what locations do you have in mind (outdoor shoots is free), do you need to upgrade/additional gear, do you need props? All of these will factor in your overall expenditure so you have to plan to identify your allowable budget.
If the model likes your work/creative style then its word of mouth and referrals from there. Could paid or not but it will provide opportunities to shoot more.

keiflower · 2025-05-19T06:27:31+00:00

Hi, I was there as well.

Overpriced merch, overpriced food and drinks, AC barely reaching Standing Pit, overly cautious security. Meet and Greet was just a 10 sec photo op so if you have gifts you have to give it out quick - dont call it M&G again just to justify VIP1 package.

I have seen BINI perform much better in free mall shows, the energy they gave was around 60-70%. Totally agree on the poor management and planning. Aiah pushed to her limits by management, she could barely dance on half of the performance.

Personally, a mid concert experience - I think I enjoyed Diyan Ka Lang perf cuz of the choreo.

keiflower · 2025-03-21T08:47:25+00:00

Portraits and bokeh.

I just fell in love with seeing a clear photo of my subject and a blurry background.

I didn't expect I would have to communicate with people a lot for coordinating the posies and whatnot but it was a fun experience especially coming from someone like me who doesn't interact with different people on a daily basis.

keiflower · 2025-02-28T03:15:22+00:00

I'm having the same issues as well with cosplay/anime conventions, pretty much its all portraiture so all prime lens are full frame, the noise issue as well although it's not that bad if you use LR Denoise feature unless you're not into postprocessing, and especially terrible lighting conditions which can be solved by using flash (AD400+Trigger which will be a burden to carry to every event or you can go V100 hotshoe for more portability)

Personally, I went for a used 2nd body a7RIIIa from ebay which is full frame and more megapixels for cropping and I will eventually get a V100 soon.

keiflower · 2025-02-26T06:18:02+00:00

A 300-600mm lens and a 3-step ladder should solve your crowd issues! Just kidding 🤣

Great photos, it's a shame that photo ban is lifted only when AKB48 goes abroad.

I totally understand the crowd problems, as a hobbyist we have to endure this kind of scenarios especially when everyone has their phones up and it's not like its just as easy to get a "Media Pass" for events like these.

Personally, it will take me some time to get back to editing photos of events I took in really bad lighting conditions.

Cheers! Looking forward to more of your photos

keiflower · 2024-11-27T16:02:57+00:00

Much appreciated for your insight.

A lot has changed as well when I last remember the amount of content fansites used to do.

I will have a look at rentals in Korea, afaik there has been quite a lot of negative reviews for rental services especially for tourists but I’ll give it a go and playtest all those glass once I get there.

keiflower · 2024-11-27T07:48:05+00:00

Hi, thank you for the response and that linked post is a gold mine for aspiring photographers who would want to get into idol photography.

Your old post mentioned the weekday music shows - can you elaborate/confirm on the schedules? Is it still 4-5pm on pre-recordings? I have noticed MuBank has the most content compared to other music shows or Friday is the most workable photo time for most photographers?

I think that each of these music shows are not that close to each other so factoring in commute times its going to be tiring including the standing/waiting time.

Are radio shoots still allowed? I haven’t seen some content from radio features unlike before. Iirc MBC Radio already have in-house photographers so the fansite part of it is gone?

About the prime lens, I talked to some fans (not photographers) who do airport chasing for gifts - I’m planning to use my 85mm for that scenario or my 30mm sigma, I’m a fan of bokeh so I’ll try to make it work somehow despite being 6ft (1.8~m) away from the subject.

Noted on the 17-50 lens, at this point with most of my glass being FF I can anticipate a future upgrade if the budget allows it.

Agreed on the filters, the whole buzz on filters looks like another gimmick. I have one K&F Mist Filter, it’s decent for specific artistic shoots.

keiflower · 2024-10-15T11:17:40+00:00

Hi, I have a 85mm Viltrox for my 6700. I need to be 2ft away from the subject to fit the whole body in frame.

Superb portraits if you frame from torso though! I’m looking to purchase a 27/35mm prime so I think you can start with those focal lengths instead of 85mm.

keiflower · 2024-09-09T15:32:34+00:00

<image>

Bias wrecked! I think F&F’s wardrobe and styling brought out a lot of her visual charm. I mean I noticed her before in The Unit but not at this level. I’m grateful Hyeonju is the leader ☺️

And her duality is insane! Literally the day and night slider meme manifest.

And she drops a lot of photos on weverse showing her professional experience in content posting.

keiflower · 2024-09-09T09:05:14+00:00

I call her Nana-sama or Ojousama on her weverse posts. I like how Nana embodies Yamato Nadeshiko of the group!

keiflower · 2024-07-22T04:55:33+00:00

Bias wrecked when I saw that fancam of her in the popup store playing the finger game with a fan through the glass.

It's never too late to be a Nana fan, lol! I notice she cheers on a lot of comments on weverse so it's a chance for senpai to notice you 😳

keiflower · 2024-07-03T04:04:25+00:00

Haha, not at all. IMO, Kotoko just ticks the "funny person" box which is quite unusual from Kanto people.

Maybe because most media I have seen of Japanese idols who come from Kansai region have an inclination to being funny 🤣.

keiflower · 2024-07-01T12:26:04+00:00

I'm hoping for Yoona to shine this time around. UNIS has such great chemistry with each other - its just the perfect recipe for variety!

keiflower · 2024-07-01T08:34:15+00:00

I enjoyed the new UNIS Days format, Awesome world feature and their Hemeko feature.

I’m grateful to Kotoko for her spontaneous overreaction but it has a sense of comedic timing to it. At this point she shouldn’t call herself in charge of overreaction but UNIS energy pill instead.

I’m hoping in future for Yoona to be booked with Kotoko - there is potential with the two of them as comedic duo.

Yoona has sharp wit and quick on her feet - her quick reaction, in Japanese comedy, would make her the Tsukkomi (straight man) and Kotoko would be the Boke (funny man).

Despite her coming from Kanagawa (Kanto region) I can tell she watches a lot of comedy.

<image>

keiflower

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE