I have a selection of Bogen/Manfrotto tripods and heads that I use to create my photographic images. When in the studio, I use the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3258 Black Super Pro Tripod on the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3127 Portable Dolly, with the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3275 Geared Head. When out in the field, I use the Bogen/Manfrotto model 475B Black Pro Three-Section Tripod with the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3039 Super Pro Head and if needed the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3252 Long Lens Support. For getting down and in tight for close-up images, I use the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3021 Pro Black Tripod, this has a vertical column that can be repositioned to a horizontal column, using my second Bogen/Manfrotto model 3275 Geared Head. When in the studio, I also have the Bogen/Manfrotto background hanging system for background papers and drapes. Whether I’m shooting digital, 35mm, medium or large format cameras with short to long lenses and doing a lot of long exposures, having a vibration free tripod is a must. With Bogen/Manfrotto for the last forty plus years, I always have a great set of legs and a intelligent head with me when I travel. Bogen/Manfrotto keeps me steady and supported. |
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After being contacted by a Canon Rep in 1994 that all changed. It took almost a year to convince me that their technology had propelled them to the forefront in 35mm equipment. I now have a Canon 35mm EOS-1N with the Power Drive Booster and the Data Back. My lenses are; the 16-35mm zoom, 28-70mm zoom, the 70-200mm zoom, the 100mm Macro and the 400mm. All the lenses are the EF Autofocus, f/2.8L USM's. I also have the Extender EF 2.0x. The EF lenses have the largest diameter mount of any 35mm camera, which strengthens the whole system, but permits optical innovations never before possible. The L-Series telephotos use Ultralow Dispersion glass to reduce chromatic aberration resulting in more accurate colors. The built in Ultrasonic Focusing Motor in the lenses provide me with autofocus speed and split-second accuracy. I'm now producing prints  up to 32x48 inches with this technology and my choice of film. The ease of use, performance and compactness for packing and carrying the equipment is unbelievable. In August 2003, I received the new EOS 10D with a 1gb Simpletech flash card, battery grip, battery pack, compact power adapter and timer remote controller. This camera is unbelievable in performance. When can produce images right out in the field or in the studio on the camera's LCD or plug directly into my Canon CP-300 and produce a 4x6 inch print, no more Polaroids. When shooting rodeos, I'm not concerned with the lighting conditions, the built-in "white balance" lets me adjust for any light source. The EOS 10D works with all my EF lenses listed above and I don't have to reload film any more during the action. |
I stopped shooting 35mm in mid 1989 with the completion of my last Marlboro shoot. My 35mm equipment consisted of 3 pro motorized camera bodies and the following lenses; a 24mm, a 28mm, a 35mm, a 40mm, a 85mm, a 135mm, a 200mm, a 300mm and a 500mm. Wouldn't ever use a tele-converter or zoom lenses due to loss of quality. Sure missed the ease of operation and quickness in the setup for creating images with the small format equipment.
As I got older, I slowed down to getting a new one every two years. I never purchase off the lot, I always have them built to my specifications for power and appearance. My current Ford F-250, 4 by 4, 4-Door Crew Cab, short bed with a Leer Shell is all white with the Triton V10 engine. I get 17 mpg on the Interstate and 14 mpg in town or when driving around the ranch. I have always had them serviced every 3,000 miles and rotate the tires. I'm getting about 75,000 miles on a set of tires and never have any repair bills.
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Always in search for the better mouse trap. Shooting color film for the most part of my photography career has allowed me to “play” with different B/W films when having the desire to create in B/W. After trying several different manufactures, I’ve made the choice.
I’ve decided that the ultimate canvas for recording my creations is Ilfords B/W Professional Films. The many choices they offer, coupled with the films ability for pushing and pulling with complete control, makes it my canvas.
The demand for traditional monochrome films and papers remain strong. With Agfa no longer in the B/W photographic market, and Kodak pulling out of manufacturing B/W papers the future is with Ilford products.
Ilford has led the worldwide resurgence of B/W photography, and is now the only manufacture that provides a full range of film, paper and photochemistry that I can count on for my creativity.
I'm always in the know! 24/7 I'm in the know! Regardless of my location, in the office or while traveling, I'm in the know!
I know the exact inventory of my fine art photographic prints, the status of new orders, deposits received, invoices paid in full, what bills are due, who owes me money, my chart of accounts breakdown, general journal, bank register, vendors and customers addresses with phone numbers. My MYOB AccountEdge is fully customizable for my individual business requirements.
I can email invoices, month end statements and even email payments received confirmations to my customers. I have MYOB programmed for my month end reports, quarterly reports and MYOB AccountEdge even does my year end W2's.
I purchased my first MYOB in early 90's and have continued with their upgrades ever since. My new MYOB AccountEdge 2007 is installed on my iMac desktop and my PowerBook G4 laptop for traveling. They talk to each other by Ethernet when I'm in the office and over the internet when I'm on the road, to keep me updated and in the know.
The MYOB technical support people are always available to help me with any accounting problems that I might create, to keep me in the know.
It would be fair to say, MYOB AccountEdge accounting program is the main piece of equipment for operating Acrey's Photographics.
 After twelve years of continuously demanding a greater degree of quality control, I finally reached a point where I could no longer accept lesser quality prints. One out of four print orders required reprinting, and this was from the largest full service photo-lab in the Southwest. They made excuse after excuse, then promise after promise that their quality control would improve. To me, reliability is "Quality performance over time", and they had simply run out of time. And I quite frankly, was tired of wasting mine.One day, passing through Denver on a return trip from the Wyoming ranch, I stopped at Reed Photo Imaging, and asked to speak with the manager, or owner of the lab. They didn't ask my name or attempt to screen this unannounced visitor. Without hesitation, a customer service representative called for Bob Reed (the owner) via the intercom. When Bob arrived at the customer service desk, I introduced myself and described my current lab situation. He responded by saying that he had heard of me and was familiar with my work, and would like to have the chance to handle all of my lab work. He assured me that "quality control" is their number one goal. It took us almost a year to transition my large body of work over to Reed Photo-Imaging. Production and quality has been trouble-free ever since (this was early 1999), proving that Bob's employees take tremendous pride in their work, and the word "quality", is more that a phrase to be tossed about lightly. Reed Photo-Imaging is a full service photographic lab and they care. |  |
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My cameras and lenses; tripods; filters; and even my personal clothing are all protected by Tamrac. Strapped on pack mules, tied on the back of snowmobiles, hooked to rubber rafts, or banging around in the back of my 4 by 4 while off-roading these items ride securely. For years, Tamrac has been keeping my tools of the trade protected, secure and organized. |   |
