T42(P) configuration for Pro Photographer?

Message

ericphoto · #1 Post by **ericphoto** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:20 pm

BACKGROUND:

I do a TON of Photoshop (7.0 now and soon to be CS) post production work for my photography business and am constantly loading, thumbnailing, reviewing, and editing large image files. Often several hundred from a single shoot. Images are typically 2-4MB out of camera and some can easily become 50-150MB Photoshop files depending on my needs. I really don't do any video work or hardcore gaming, although I wouldn't mind being able to do some DVD creating (music and images) and playing the occasional game.

I need the notebook to be as snappy and responsive as possible in dealing with the images. I'm liking the T42P (size, weight, quality, etc.), but am trying to decide the best config for my needs. Definitely going with 1GB or more RAM and want the 15" display.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is the FireGL and the additional resolution worth the extra $$ for my needs, or should I just beef up the T42? I understand that Photoshop doesn't make use of the graphics accelerator, but should I consider having it anyway?
2. I need disk space, but also speed. Since speed only comes in a 60GB drive, I would need to add the 80GB 5400 as an additional Ultrabay drive. Would probably have to consider keeping the image work on the 80GB and primary apps on the 60GB. If that's the case, should I just stick with the 80GB primary since that is where the images are anyway? The choices here are somewhat limited on 2nd hard drives. Should I just go with the 60GB 7200 primary and hold out for something soon to be released for the 2nd drive?

Any help or suggestions here would be muchly appreciated!

Eric

WilsonF · #2 Post by **WilsonF** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:57 pm

I do a lot of Photoshop 7 editing of digital images with my T42p. I use the 80GB 5400 in the ultraslim bay as a second drive when editing images and don't notice a very much time facing the hourglass even when I wind up with humungous PSD files with multiple layers etc. If you want to store raw imaqes until you get back to your studio, just get a couple of toshiba 80GB/5400rpm drives (no need to get them from IBM) and USB 2 enclosures. You will run out of charged batteries for your cameras and flashes before you fill these up even with RAW or TIF files.

Leon · #3 Post by **Leon** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:02 pm

I use the same drive similarly, with no problems.

Welcome to our Forum. Please add Location and other relevant data to your profile. Not required, but appreciated.

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:59 pm

ericphoto,

We have many professional photographers here in the forums, several of whom have been around since the old Compuserve days and whose names you'd probably recognize if you've been in the trade for a while.

Hopefully some of them will chime in on your request for info, but I can tell you that the T42p and/or T43p are the direct descendants of the previous Thinkpads of choice for photo work, the A30p and A31p.

WRT storage requirements, a couple of the Seagate 5400RPM 100GB HDs for use in the Ultrabay Slim with the adapter will keep you going for a good long time without having to worry about getting back to your "base" desktop, if you use one.

Use a 7K60 for your OS and primary apps, max out the RAM and you won't have to worry about the machine keeping up with your PhotoShop requirements.

Regards,

James

ericphoto · #5 Post by **ericphoto** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:28 pm

Great feedback. Thanks. Any input on the video end?

Eric

kev009 · #6 Post by **kev009** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:56 pm

You'll probably want to go with (or need) a 'p' for the flexview. FireGL doesn't hurt performance, adds additional life time to the notebook, and increases resale value as well. If you have the money, you wont regret it but on the other hand the FVU is a very powerful machine for the price, the only drawback being the lack of a flexview screen in favor of smaller form factor. I think that is really the only thing that will affect your decision.

Kenn · #7 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:59 pm

Hi Eric,

Regarding video, what I can tell you is that UXGA and the increased vertical (y-axis) viewing angle of the 15" displays is a GODSEND for photoshop work. If you're going for a 15" and are used to high resolutions (and if you're working with 6-14MP images out of pro DSLRs I'm sure you are), it's definitely worth going for the UXGA option.

The big question, and here I'm sure the Robgalbraith.com and fredmiranda.com folks can help out more, is whether the LCD screen on the 14" or the LCD IPS/Flexview screen on the 15" is accurate enough in terms of color reproduction to be useful in a pro workflow. LCD manufacturers are just now starting to advertise special screens to be color-space accurate.

What I can tell you is that color rendition in the blue end of the spectrum is noticeably different between the 14" and 15" versions. Other colors are nominally equivalent, but IMO 15" flexview tends to shift blues more towards teal/aquamarine (or the 14" biases teal towards blue). Without a calibrated CRT handy, I really can't say which is more accurate, but it's the most noticeable color reproduction difference between the two screens.

Good luck!

ericphoto · #8 Post by **ericphoto** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:26 am

Also looking at an additional battery, but sounds like I'll be pretty dependant upon the UltraBay slot either for the 2nd HD or the CD/DVD. I guess that rules out the Ultrabay Slim. I guess I should just stick with an additional Hi Capacity. Am I missing anything on this?

stgreek · #9 Post by **stgreek** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:49 am

ericphoto wrote:Also looking at an additional battery, but sounds like I'll be pretty dependant upon the UltraBay slot either for the 2nd HD or the CD/DVD. I guess that rules out the Ultrabay Slim. I guess I should just stick with an additional Hi Capacity. Am I missing anything on this?

The 9-cell on the 14" on full brightness and processor speed will go for at least 3.5 hours, I don't think any other notebook (on these settings) can do more than 2 hours. By adapting the processor speed and lowering brightness (which you might not like on your line of work) it can get to 7, which is a godsend.

Leon · #10 Post by **Leon** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:08 am

yes, 9 cell is the way to go!

btw, was just in Buckhead this last weekend. Had a hard time getting out of the airport; too much rain!

warmstrong · #11 Post by **warmstrong** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:08 pm

I'm a big fan of the 1600x1200 resolution display that I beleive is only availabe on the T4xp models. I find that it is essential for my PS photo editing and also for the extensive AutoCAD drawing I need to do. Some people complain about the small size of the print and icons, but I think they usually are just not using good enough eyeglasses or no eyeglasses at all. JMTCW.

Bill Armstrong

bpetterson · #12 Post by **bpetterson** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:29 pm

I am currently using A30P, and two A31P for my photo work.
However with the Nikon D2X, and Nikon Capture 4.2.1 I need a bit more HP.
So I'm upgrading to a T43P 2668-H8U as soon as Bill gets it.

Running XP, I partion the 60 and 80 gb drives-23gb as "C", the balance as "D".

For Storage, I use a USB 250gb from datacom [$200.00 at Comp USA] again backed up with a duplicate drive.

I also clone my computer drives at least once a month.

My reason for the partion is so [unless the moter fails] I will not lose my images. If the OS fails, I have a cloned drive ready. I can reclaim my new images via the ultrabay.

Hello Bill Armstrong- Long time no hear,\.

Birger

JHEM · #13 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:01 am

Hello Birger, about time you got here!

Regards,

James

lfeagan · #14 Post by **lfeagan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:56 am

Yes, there are some other attributes that make it particularly well-suited for photo work, namely that it is an S-IPS panel, and not an TN+. As such, it should have far more faithful color reproduction. Every LCD that is geared for work where color matters is an S-IPS, namely because they are true 8-bit per channel for 24-bit RGB color. TN+ displays are almost always 6-bit, and many that claim to be 8-bit have some odd dithering of color spaces and stuff to try to make them fast often times. S-IPS displays are virtually never setup like that. FMI see the link about LCDs in the T42 FAQ.

ericphoto · #15 Post by **ericphoto** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:10 pm

This is all a big help. What a great forum! Thanks for the input. At this point, I'm only a wee bit concerned about the print/icon sizes on the 1600x1200, but pretty well sold otherwise.

One other thing on the Ultrabay. How big a deal is it to swap out the 2nd 80G HD and the Multiburner as needed? I understand the Multiburner is hot swappable, what about the HD?

Actually, that leads me to one more question... Assuming I am plugged in of course, can I swap out 9 cells batteries on the fly, or does it need to be powered off to do the swap?

Leon · #16 Post by **Leon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:42 pm

MultiBurner- hot swap ok

Battery- hot swap ok IF you're sure your plug won't come out

Disk- never hot swap

JHEM · #17 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:55 pm

Eric,

Leon wrote:Disk- never hot swap

Meaning you only need to "Stop" it first using the utility icon on the toolbar.

You should also consider getting a USB2.0 external housing for your extra HDs. They can be found for $10 and even less on eBay. At that price, get a couple!

That would allow you to keep either the multi-burner or extra battery in the bay.

Regards,

James

Leon · #18 Post by **Leon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:01 pm

Good advice... this is the setup that has worked for me for close to a year!

bpetterson · #19 Post by **bpetterson** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:34 pm

While we are talking about pro photo work.
I think that the most important item, is to calibrate your LCD.
Whereas the IBM icm is pretty good- it is far from perfect.

I am using Epson 1270 and 2200-
So if what I print is what I see on the screen- That is what you want. However chances are that is not your case unless your LCD is calibrated and you are using the icm that your calibrating tool has made.

I use Optical Spyder to do my screens [Can also do cathode ray screens]

I have a ViewSonic VB211b which is 21.3" dia.
The ViewSonic furnished icm is very good, but I had to make minor changes on the ViewSonic.

So now, no matter what ThinkPad I am using, or printer, or using the ViewSonic 211b-- what I see on the screen is what my print looks like.

Tying everything together- PhotoShop, Nikon Capture, and Qimage,
is a nice feeling to have.

I get a few frantic calls from people who have P&S cameras with real small files [ which stink] who want a 5x7 or 8x10 from a 150kb or smaller file.

So I just pop the file into Qimage and a few seconds later the file is on the way to the printer.
Now Qimage [ $35] with unlimited updates- is rather difficult to under stand for anybody. --- But in time you will really like the program.

What the ViewSonic 211b looks like.

http://photos.imageevent.com/gwen/nikon ... 11bWEB.jpg

Birger

JHEM · #20 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:59 pm

WOW Birger! Only two posts and already a member of the Four Feather Club!

Regards,

James

Leon · #21 Post by **Leon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:26 pm

It pays to have "connections".

#22 Post by **JaneL** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:44 pm

Leon wrote:It pays to have "connections".

I think he was grandfathered in!

ericphoto · #23 Post by **ericphoto** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:00 pm

10-4 on the calibration. That'll be high on the "to do" list!

lfeagan · #24 Post by **lfeagan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:09 pm

Yeah, and I still only have one feather in my cap

Oh well, maybe I could get a neato forum title, something idiotic, such as intead of the boring "General Member", which we won't even get into what that could be about, maybe I could be "General Specific."

Though, I hate to even ask, at some other forums I have picked up some funny forum titles, such as "The Ladykiller" among others.

Which I shoud add, I did not request that one.

Leon · #25 Post by **Leon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:17 pm

nonny wrote: I think he was grandfathered in!

WELL, he Joined almost a year ago, but didn't care to speak...quite the lurker

bpetterson · #26 Post by **bpetterson** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:02 pm

Well actually I've been around since the 755 came out.
My specialty has been Voice dictation and microphones which I helped with in the past.
I also have purchased many many Thinkpads from Bill.
And still have quite a few operational units around the house.

This past year I have been having blood circulation problems in
my legs and feet. I'm making headway, but it is slow.

I will be 80 this August. And enjoying Photography [digital] to the fullest.

Many of the old timers know me, and know that I have paid my dues.

http://photos.imageevent.com/gwen/nikon ... 133WEB.jpg

Birger

lfeagan · #27 Post by **lfeagan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:22 pm

Whoa, Birger, you have a D2x and a D100? Very nice cameras. I am going to pickup a 20D this weekend myself. Finally making the move to DSLR from film. It sure took a long time for DSLRs to get to the right level to be worth getting with prices that aren't above $2000 for the body. So, what type of photo work do you do?

As a quick note, I was just kidding around after a long hard day in my earlier message. Besides, I heard you couldn't be a senior member unless over age 55!

<Ba dum dum ching!> LOL

Just couldn't resist the temptation.

Hopefully I didn't ruffle anyones feathers. If so, sorry about that. Take it easy guys.

Leon · #28 Post by **Leon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:24 pm

Great Shot!

Welcome back (as a poster). Please take the good-natured ribbing in the spirit that it's given (there'll be more if you stick around

).

Glad to hear the circulation problems are getting better; my Dad has them too, so I know how difficult they can be.

Were you a photographer pre-digital? If so, when did you make the transition, and was it difficult in the beginning?

note to lfeagan: Don't worry. Down in Palm Beach there are so many Feathers that they get ruffled every day!

bpetterson · #29 Post by **bpetterson** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:02 pm

Have no fear- I do not get ruffled.
I just try to make any comments on the fun side.

I started to take film photos at age 12 on a trip to Europe .
Never really got to interested in it until I took family to the south pacific fifty years after WW II to vist many of the islands where I had been.
That was when I was shooting with Minolta.It was'nt until 1999 when I got the Nikon D1. Then each succeding model and lots of glass.

I had a company that built a lot of stuff for the trip to the moon incuding cryogenic hardware.

Guess that I have always been interested in pushing the state of the art.

Digital Photography is not a cheap hooby, but it can be a very satisfying hobby. Yes I do have a studio so I can do many things.
Primarily my preference is birds.

The fun photo work is taking pictures of Ladies and then removing crows feet , blemishes, and wrinkles. In other words make them look 15 years younger.

To the chap getting a 20D. You will enjoy your new venture.

Birger

Kenn · #30 Post by **Kenn** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:27 pm

It's a nice surprise coming onto a general computing forum and finding that we have a lot of closet-digital-photographers after all!

I had one of the first few batches of the original (now dinosauric) Nikon D1s through an NPS connection back in the day. While I shot with and generally liked the D1X, it's still hard to believe that the "true successor" (the D2X) is just now becoming available. I wish I had more time to pursue photography right now, but unfortunately it'll have to wait until I get more permanently settled. Happy shooting, guys!

T42(P) configuration for Pro Photographer?

T42(P) configuration for Pro Photographer?

Who is online