Canon Rebel and Price Quoting Questions

[Nitrospazzz]

Two questions for you.

First question, I went up to National Camera Exchange today with my parents to get dad a new camera. He picked up a Nikon D80 which is very nice from what I saw...but thats not the point. I have a 2gb card for my Rebel, shoot at highest resolution, lowest compression. When I shoot on the Large format/quality the camera pic counter shows I should get 550 or so pictures per card. Talking with the guy at the shop he said I should be getting around 250 max and need to adjust things so the images aren't compressed and I get better pictures. Doing the math the pictures are 2.99 or 3mb on a 2gb or 2000mb card. Thats 667 shots, am I missing something on this camera that would let me take better shots? I know shooting RAW would and does decrease the number of shots I can take...is this perhaps what he was talking about.

Ok second question. I am doing a shoot next weekend that will likely be an all day job because we need some shots in the morning, some around noon and a couple in the afternoon. He wants me to shoot 1 new set of condos along the water, an older set of condos and the clubhouse. As well as possibly doing some shots of a few greens and high altitude overview shot. Now I am debating how to quote this job. According to my site commercial shots are 200. I never thought of doing something this large with three commercial buildings in one. So should I charge 600 plus the 200 for overwater flight as stated on the website. Or should I talk to him about doing it hourly at something like 100 or so an hour. He hasn't asked about what it will cost or anything but I would like to get it figured out so I am ready when he asks or I just send him a sample invoice.

Thanks

[dreslism]

About the rebel, I think the guy is mistaken and that he thinks you had a 1 gig card.

With a 1 gig card and the rebel, highest quality jpg, you can get around 250-300 shots depending on the subject matter. So with a 2 gig card, your 667 does not sound out of reach.

About the second question, are you stuck there all day, or can you come back 3 times (i.e. is it local or are you gonna have to sit there all day?)

If you are stuck there all day, then a lot of people give a day rate for up to like 8 hours.

[Nate Dogg]

shooting in RAW would decrease your picture count to around what he said. anytime you can, shoot in RAW! get used to it, its much better! Canon has their digital imaging software update on their website to upgrade to from the imageviewer stuff. Called Digital Photo Professional, great stuff

[Tonystott]

My guess works like this - three sessionsover a day, of three different subjects, plus over water would make $800 as per your website. I would tend to either invoice him that less a small discount (call it reduction in travelling costs if you like) of say $50, or else charge him a day rate of $800.

[LoopBaCK]

If you think your total time is going to be over 5 hours then go with the day rate and put on some sort of discount if you prefer. Otherwise charge the session fee then add on excess hours. Just remember your costs in being there so make sure you're not giving it away. :)

If you want to lower it some that's OK just remember to quote the full price then note any discounts on the invoice. That way he'll see full price and know what this normally costs. Also you may be able to use the discount as a business expense on your taxes so definitely keep track of them. :glasses2:

[Nitrospazzz]

Thanks guys

I think the person at National Camera was thinking RAW instead of jpg. That makes sence now.

I think for pricing I will qoute the three jobs and over water fee as one. But if I am there for 5+ hours then switch over to a day fee that will be the same as the other quote with a little added on for each additional hour I need to be there. With the day quote he has the flexibility to add in other things which he might not have thought of until he sees what it can do. I also plan on making myself available Saturday and Sunday incase weather isn't favorable or we simply run out of light on the first day.