Christmas art presents
 

I wanted to know what you all got this year for art supplies - just being nosey! I got a lens for my new camera so I can cut down on distortion - it goes to 300 mm and I am a happy camper. Dang thing is heavy though - must-get-a-tripod-immediatly. Next year it's a great easel.

Kim, congrats on the lens, but I think you hit the nail on the head. You MUST get a decent tripod or you will never get your pan/vertical adjustments to work on a cheaper one.

I wrote about this on another threat Linda B. started:

After a month of use, I am still in love with it! Here is a link for you to see the details:

http://www.slik.com/pro/4906752105122-e.html

My easel isn't to arrive until the 29th, but that's if a truck can even get up here!

I did get a remote shutter release and 1 gig rapid flash card for my Canon. Everyone should check out the memory cards for the cameras now, it is amazing how much the cost has come down. They did tell me it would not become a RAM for computers like market, meaning up and down, but were down to stay!

Get a Gitzo.
 

Dear Kim,

Get the best possible tripod you can afford; one that is extremely rigid and versatile at the same time. Having such a quality tripod, I wonder how I ever got along without it!

Here's a link to the Gitzo Explorer G2220 tripod I use:

http://www.gitzo.com/products/metric...ghtscreen.php3

Mine is the much more affordable aluminum one. The carbon fiber one is only a small fraction lighter. The stiffness, rigidity, and build quality are beyond belief. It also will set up in tight or uneven places 98% of other tripods can't! It's about $225.00

While not recommended, in a desperate emergency pinch last year, I used this tripod to help shore up the sagging foundation of my mother's house. It easily supported over 200 pounds of a huge hand hewn main beam until I could place and secure the jack posts!

For the Head, I use a Manfrotto 222 Grip Action Ball Head with a Quick Release Plate:

http://db.manfrotto.com/product/temp...d=8&itemid=269

This has proven to be an excellent choice for action photography. The trigger grip allows for quick positionings in large or minute adjustments, on the fly. I am experienced at shooting several hundred pictures of moving children in one rapid session, and this is the perfect head for that!
It cost's around $75.00

Another type of head I would recommend for you is a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head, which would be the ideal one for copying art with very precise and measured head adjustments:

http://db.manfrotto.com/product/temp...=10&itemid=278

This is well worth its price. I don't have one yet but I have used a friend's. It's about $149.00

Everything above is light weight but built like a tank, and can take the abuse cheaper tripods cannot. I personally have had nothing but grief, disappointment, and broken plastic parts from Slik products. Get yourself something good that will last you your whole career!

Congratulations on the new lens.

Garth

Oh yeah! Tripod wars, I love them.

I am not sure what SILK products Garth was using but I doubt seriously it was this one. For one there is very little plastic. My only dislike was it's not very light, but I am not a field photographer so it's not a real concern.

Like I said Kim it was my decision not to spend 350 to 400.00 on a tripod, I wanted to shift that money to the easel. Since the head comes with it is very affordable and has two bubble levels for those with challenges as myself. For an SLR with a long lens you don't need a ball head for a larger format camera.

The center bar is great for the added feature you can convert the head to the bottom and tada... it is a tripod for copying work. I have yet to try this feature but it shoots down, so I don't know the size of work it accommodates.

But, I am just a little portrait artist who uses photography as a tool, so here is a link to what the real photographers say from Photography Review.

Silk Review

Unlike Garth, I haven't used it to hold up my house, but I am pretty sure my car could roll over it a few times.

Kim, I suggest you go to a pro photo store and look at your options.

Not a War, Just two great recommendations!
 

Beth,

I trust you have a great tripod; I see it has a great user review rating. That reversable center post is real handy as you say for copy work. Mine achieves the same result with the center post pivoting to any angle (upside down too) as needed.

I did not mean to flame any war, only to offer a link to a product I was completely satisfied with and willing to stand behind with ample experience. :) I will admit, you have a better Slik than the ones that failed me.

By your recommendation or mine, I don't think Kim could possibly go wrong.

Kim: As Beth says, If at all possible, visit a better camera shop that has these tripods in stock and play with them with the weight of your camera attached, before putting your order in. You will find what meets your needs that way.

Peace, and a Happy New Year,

Garth

Just fun Garth, your old ones might have been like my old ones that I use to hold up shims etc. now, they are awful, I don't even know who made them.

I am replying because I am curious if you shoot your work with the copy function of the tripod? If so how large can you get? Do you use artificial light when doing this?

I bought myself a 300mm lens with the downpayment from my last commission. Without a tripod I got a double image every time - it's just so heavy.

But, I would agree with Garth and Linda (whoops - I meant BETH) - not about specific models, but about spending the money necessary to get quick-adjust features. I bought a cheapy tripod, and while it does have levels and such, adjusting it is a chore. I highly recommend bringing your camera to the store and trying them out. You'll quickly see which ones are no good.

As for Christmas presents - I received 3 gift certificates to Utrecht from my 3 kids, and my husband got me a HEATER for the dungeon (otherwise known as my studio) and some lights that clamp onto the rafters. Now I need to find some good full-spectrum bulbs.

I agree. I love the one I ended up getting, also a Manfrotto. Even taking a photo of your work in progress is made so much easier with something like this; it's so much easier to square up the painting.

Did anybody get a new monitor to set up next to your easel? Beth, how about starting a new thread, showing your monitor setup?

Oh my - I had no idea it was going to be all this to decide on a tripod. I have an old one that was for a video camera, but I lost a screw and can't seem to get it back together. The more professional I get - the more confusing any purchases are!

Thanks for all the info guys - I'll let you know what I end up with.

Linda, did we not stipulate as a term of the probation agreement that you would not display this type of "accessory" on this site?

Steven, LOL, I can't stop laughing! Oh, I am sorry - you were serious? ;)

Linda, my monitor top is not very impressive, just my wonderful PowerBook. I believe Garth, Michael G. and Bill W. have the cool set ups!

Scott Bingham - side note; do I recommend this fella for an easel, it has been wonderful dealing with him he has even sent me pictures of the three bolts I need to fix upon arrival - sent me this jpeg when he crated my easel for travels.

I received a call from the shipping company today, and remember the picture I posted of our house with the snow? Well... we are 1/2 mile off the main street and they will not come up our drive.

This baby weighs 200 lbs. Scott say's the easel is around 150 lbs. so now I have to find some young muscular type Santa guys to get it off the truck into something else then to my house and up the steps.

Would anyone like to visit?

Santa's D70
 

Well, Mistah Rhet Santa must have been psychic. A Nikon D70 was wrapped beneath my tree with my name on the tag!!!

"Oh, mah! What a lovely surprise...way more than I could have saved for considering the cost of painting supplies and my January, 2005 class with Chris Saper." she sighed.

"Nevah' did ah expect such an generous and extravagent gift," she said modestly," while batting her eyelashes and crossing her fingers behind her back, eyes cast shyly upon the ground.

According to comments from my one and only painting post in the oil critique section, (My Teddy...) my next post should have a wonderful photo reference. AND BOY COULD I USE ONE!!! I continue to try to paint from requests of friends and their snapshots. Arghhh! The few times that I have had good references, the painting almost painted itself. What a relief it will be to learn to use this wonderful Santa gift.

So there you have it. I'm launched. Up, up and away. Next stop, Sorg Easel.

PS It wasn't REALLY a "shy, modest response," that resulted in seeing the D70, but a war-hoop that resulted from seeing this wonderful camera! A quiet, modest MO isn't really my style. And, now, I plan to ask Mike a few billion questions about photography. Look out, Mike M.
;)

Kimberly, so the rumor that you have a screw loose is true after all!

I've owned a gitzo for many years. It's a real warhorse but also very heavy, not to mention expensive but it's quite cumbersome if I'm on the run. I bought it after having many manfrotto tripods fall apart. That was a long time ago but I did have trouble with the heads loosening up and developing some play. I prefer the heads that have two adjustments and my gitzo has a gitzo head.

I also have a travel tripod, a Velbon Ultra LUXiF 5-Section Trunnion Shaft Tripod with PH-145Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release)

It folds down to about 15 inches and weighs 2 1/2 lbs. I literally don't leave home without it. The legs lock and unlock with a half turn twist. It's hard to describe but is very cool and fast to set up. It's a gadgeteer's delight. See link below to B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...#goto_itemInfo

Marvin - a truer statement I havent heard. :o

Thanks for this info - got to do my research now. Is there anything as an artist that is easy to choose?

Seriously - I thought a tripod would be a fairly cheap buy. After visiting Garth's links to start with I am discouraged. I am sure you are all right that they are worth it though. I wonder if the kids would let me take the trampoline back? ;)

This isnt a brand anyone has mentioned so far - but check out this on ebay -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...862072525&rd=1


I just bought myself a tripod for $4. Umm- there was one minute left and I got all excited. I hardly read the description. I am sure its a cheapy and I will need another....freakin Ebay fever. I need a 12-step program.

Edit -
anyone know the standard weight of a Rebel? Stepping on and off the scale doesnt work well. There are no camera shops near me - and if I have to go shopping again in person soon I will collapse.

Whose workshop to take. It's a slam dunk. Unfortunately it won't be in Houston this year.

As far as a really good inexpensive tripod. Tiltall makes a terrific sturdily built tripod for around $100. They've been making this design for over thirty years, probably longer. I also have one of these for when I want a very sturdy tripod but don't want to drag my gitzo because of it's weight. You can't go wrong with this one. It used to come only in black but now the've added other color finishes as well.

Tiltall STO1 Tripod (Black) with 3-Way Pan / Tilt Head - Supports 13.00 lb

B&H page below.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=169817&is=REG

6.7 oz. w/o lens

Wow, Beth, I think Dracula could sleep in this box in your basement after you take out the easel!

Thanks Marvin!

Could you just hang here online for a few more hours in case I have any other questions? That goes for Garth & Beth too - my own personal advisors. This forum does indeed rock.

:)

Linda see how good you are! I was thinking a few children - well now that I see it again, maybe a spouse!


Kim the rebel really runs into tripod problems once you put the long lens on, then it is totally out of balance. I think most of the tripods and ball heads above accomodate at least 15 lbs.

Well Santa finally made it through the mid west snow storms and look what arrived safely today... HOORAY!

Congratulations Beth!

That's a nice simple portrait. Is it done? I kind of like it tentative at the bottom like that.

Garth

Thanks Garth, actually it is only my second day of color.

I didn't think about the bottom as such, but it is one of three children, so I don't know how that would work. This is the second, one is 90% and the other I have yet to start. I should have said it's 16 x20 so people could get an idea of the easel size.

What a beautiful new easel! Isn't it thrilling to have such a terrific new support? And the painting is coming along very nicely, too. Do you really paint on that lovely hardwood floor? Or that just temporary quarters for your new possession?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks Leslie,

If you look at the bottom of the easel you'll see my lovely throw rug, HA! It is just about down to bare threads. I learned my lessons the first year I started with oils with spots and funny, it is always the incredibly slow drying, power pigment tubes that get where they shouldn't!

Beth, That easel is so beautiful how can you paint on it!? All of my easels are covered with blobs of paint. Will you try to keep it this way?
Those windows in your house are fabulous too!

Uh, Kim, thanks for sending the ebay trigger finger over here. I followed your link to that dynatran tripod, decided to see what else they had and the next thing I knew I was the owner of this. . Who knows where they come up with a retail value of $495, but I figure for $51 it will be better than what I currently have which is nothing more than one of those pitiful table top tripods that come with the cheap digital camera kits.

Has your $4 tripod shown up yet?

By the way, Beth, do you have to use some sort of opaque backing for your stretched canvas? I see that your easel is backlit by windows as well. I use masonite boards, cut to various sizes to accommodate different sized canvas, but have begun to set them up on the easel so that there are several extra inches on either side of the painting. That way I can clip my reference photos right to the board and they're at eye-level and quite handy. It doesn't look as though you would have room for that extension on either side on your new easel, or would you? It works well with my Sorg.

Mary,

No - it hasnt. I am sure it will not be good enough, but maybe for the moment... That one you ordered looks like it will work well. Glad to be of help- if you order something that is one less item I am tempted to bid on.

Mary, you'll understand my reaction yesterday when I let out a little scream and my family all wanted to know what was wrong... I said I got paint on my easel! HA! I will remember it is not a piece of furniture, but will take better care of it because of the investment.

Leslie the canvas is a Belgium linen that is toned, so both sides are about the same value, this is if your question was regarding light shining through. I have a bank of high windows on the northwest side too, but I roll my work around.

This easel has a large back, what you are actually seeing with the knobs is the attachment for smaller canvas. I'll go ahead and repost the detail I posted elsewhere.

Isn't it funny to think this is the prototype? Imagine what Michael George's looks like!

Leslie, sorry ...I forgot to address the picture question.

I pretty much stick them anywhere if I need too. Honestly I pretty much just use a monitor now, it is much more productive for me to zoom in and out, plus I can hold my brush up and size.

The bad thing about this practice is I keep looking for the "zoom" button on my canvas so I can blow up the detail to work on there too! :)

There's that wall color again!
 

Beth,

That's not your studio is it (in your easel pictures below)? Is it Michael Georges'? It's funny how many of us Forum dwellers now have exactly the same formula:

Leffel/Sherrie McGraw/Whitaker/Georges/Herrick/?who else?/ Olive Green

on our studio walls. It's kind of dark, but everything sure looks great next to it!

Just wondering,

Garth

Beautiful easel Beth!

Santa was nice to me this year also. My hands have gotten very shaky so I got a remote cord for my camera and 13x19 paper for our new i9900 Canon printer. So far I'm pleased, it takes all the guess work out of printing, and now that I can take photos that aren't blurry I'm much happier.

I managed to paint a portrait commision, and do a landscape before Christmas. The landscape was from a photo my son took while on vacation in Montana. He won a trip to a ranch along with all the necessary equipment for a winter trip. While on the top of a mountain he shot a picture that he loves, so I suprised him with a painting of it.

Jean

Back to the easel in two hyperlink clicks.
 

If one clicks on the Olive Green wall paint link in my past post above, one will find Michael Geoges's Benjamin Moore paint formula for this versatile color, and to make things go full circle, he provides another hyperlink showing his new Bingham Barclay Easel against this wall color. Full circle... easel.....paint....more about that easel!

Garth

That wall color look

Thanks for re linking those subjects Garth.

Yes, Leffel green, I am not sure if Leffel or Bill Whitaker were responsible for the Scottsdale Artist School using it on the walls in one of their larger studios. I know it's the only one Bill likes to teach in.

I think the Easel shots are from Bill's studio. Scott sent them to me, it might be Michael's. Scott is studying Architecture, I don't think he is a painter so I doubt it's his place.

Since my studio sticks out in our house, I do not have the color on the walls, but when needed I have drapes that are this color.

BTW, did you see where Bill told Michael he better not get paint on his easel? Yikes, now I have to figure out how to clean it!