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02/04/2007 11:13:10 PM · #1 |
What? NightShy? You're still around? :o
Yes, I'm back. After a few months of no camera, I'm working my way back into the DPC lifestyle by getting $3000 dollars worth of equipment! (And, this time its for real, not like the other times when my saved up money was spent on stupid things like a guy instead of cameras, but I've since sorted my priorities...and found a new guy...).
I've also got me a job at a portrait studio (which is quite fun) and I have a whole frigging bunch of freelance stuff set up for this summer so I really need some good equipment. I'm going tomorrow to apply for the loan in which to fund my list of goodies (I've never applied for a loan, I'm a little nervous)!
Here is what I am thinking, it would be sooooo muchly appreciated if y'all could give me some excellent feedback:(All these prices are according to Amazon.com)
Canon EOS 30d (body only)....................................$1,174.95
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM ........................$454.95
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM..........................$819.95
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II...............................................$74.44
Opteka Battery Grip Pack w/ 2 extra batteries...........$99.95
MA-A High Quality Remote Switch.............................$17.99
Digital Concepts TR-60N Tripod..............................$14.95
LowePro Slingshot 100 all weather backpack..........$59.95
Gold/White 42â collapsible reflectors......................$24.95
TOTAL: $2,742.08
I was thinking I'll invest in a good ND filter too, so if anyone owns one they love, let me know the brand because I don't really know anything about filters and stuff.
SO, what do you think? Anything you love, anything you hate? Anywhere you know I could score an awesome deal?
THANKS AGAIN!!
And sorry this post is so long!
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02/04/2007 11:17:23 PM · #2 |
I love these sort of threads - roll in the opinions.
My only comment is: what, just the reflectors, not even one strobe?
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02/04/2007 11:18:34 PM · #3 |
Some lenses a Telephoto one and a macro then I think a camera bag lol
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02/04/2007 11:19:55 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by PaulE:
I love these sort of threads - roll in the opinions.
My only comment is: what, just the reflectors, not even one strobe? |
I've never been a big not-natrual light person. I'm learning more since I started my job, but I still like the way natural light looks and I'm better with it.
I was thinking MAYBE one of those nifty light rings people talk about, but I don't know anything about them.
You're thoughts?
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02/04/2007 11:28:07 PM · #5 |
Nifty light rings?
But, yes, your setup looks very nice.
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02/04/2007 11:30:53 PM · #6 |
I'd go for the 5D and Tamron 28-75 f2.8
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02/04/2007 11:32:20 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by xXxscarletxXx:
Some lenses a Telephoto one and a macro then I think a camera bag lol |
Look closely lmao he already has a telelphoto and a wide angle lense in there. Plus a 50mm not sure if they intend one for macro seen the 200mm lenses use din macros before not sure that a 50mm lense is really intended for that but i gues with a filter it probly has a good focusing range on it anyways. |
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02/04/2007 11:38:29 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
I was thinking MAYBE one of those nifty light rings people talk about, but I don't know anything about them.
You're thoughts? |
Hey K,
Talk to Pedro about building an inexpensive ring light.. his works well :)
So glad to hear there is no more messing around and that you are taking the steps needed to pursue your gift.... Cant wait to see what the future holds for you.. because I already know its going to be magical.
** I cant offer advice on equipment to buy.. (still trying to figure that out myself lol) but I wanted you to know.. I'm super happy for you and my fingers are crossed for that loan approval
R :) |
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02/04/2007 11:43:20 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by rainmotorsports:
Originally posted by xXxscarletxXx:
Some lenses a Telephoto one and a macro then I think a camera bag lol |
Look closely lmao he already has a telelphoto and a wide angle lense in there. Plus a 50mm not sure if they intend one for macro seen the 200mm lenses use din macros before not sure that a 50mm lense is really intended for that but i gues with a filter it probly has a good focusing range on it anyways. |
nooo thats what I want lol
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02/04/2007 11:46:02 PM · #10 |
Just throwing out some alternatives for no reason...
- There is the buy/sell here but a lot more activity on Fredmiranda - you see some decent prices here and there now and again.
- Have a look at the Tokina 12-24 instead of the Sigma 10-22. The big downside is that 2mm on the short end is a big deal.
- There have been some great prices on used 20D's recently - unless you have a use for the minor updates in the 30D, could save maybe 400 this way.
- Thought about a flash? The 430EX looks good on paper and I know the Sigma 500DG is a bit cheaper and more powerful with some extra features.
- Need some extra batteries - I have had good luck with sterlingtek (@$12 each).
- I think that Sigma 70-220 is a great lens, don't change it (unless you plan to go for the Canon 2.8 with IS :-) ). |
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02/04/2007 11:48:06 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I'd go for the 5D and Tamron 28-75 f2.8 |
I thought of the 5d, but I decided that I should invest in lenses more than bodies I don't REALLLLY need.
I was originally planning of getting that Tamron, but realized I wouldn't really use it that much. I don't often use anything besides telephotos for portraits (I like the DOF) and always wish I had something a little bit wider for landscapes than the kit 18-55mm.
Originally posted by robs:
Just throwing out some alternatives for no reason...
- There is the buy/sell here but a lot more activity on Fredmiranda - you see some decent prices here and there now and again.
- Have a look at the Tokina 12-24 instead of the Sigma 10-22. The big downside is that 2mm on the short end is a big deal.
- There have been some great prices on used 20D's recently - unless you have a use for the minor updates in the 30D, could save maybe 400 this way.
- Thought about a flash? The 430EX looks good on paper and I know the Sigma 500DG is a bit cheaper and more powerful with some extra features.
- Need some extra batteries - I have had good luck with sterlingtek (@$12 each).
- I think that Sigma 70-220 is a great lens, don't change it (unless you plan to go for the Canon 2.8 with IS :-) ). |
Hey robs, thanks a lot for all this advice!
Yeah, I've kind of looked here and there on FredMiranda, but not recently so I definitly should.
I'm looking into that tokina, thanks for the suggestion! Its the wide angle that I need the most advice on!
I do love the 20d, but I think I love the 30d more and feel pretty ok about spending the bucks for it. But that was quite the mind battle for a while.
I don't know a whole lot about flashes just because I never use them. I think I'm probably too scared to start, haha. Maybe someday...
Thanks for the tip about extra battaries. Glad I don't have to pay my arm for them :)
And, yep, all I hear is excellent things about that sigma, i'm pretty excited for it. Maybe someday I'll have enough to get the big time canon L stuff. Haha.
And Shecoya, my dear, thank you :) I appreciate your soul!
Message edited by author 2007-02-04 23:58:28.
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02/04/2007 11:52:32 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I'd go for the 5D and Tamron 28-75 f2.8 |
I thought of the 5d, but I decided that I should invest in lenses more than bodies I don't REALLLLY need.
I was originally planning of getting that Tamron, but realized I wouldn't really use it that much. I don't often use anything besides telephotos for portraits (I like the DOF) and always wish I had something a little bit wider for landscapes than the kit 18-55mm. |
If you like telephoto for portraits, try the 85 f1.8, you won't regret it.
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02/04/2007 11:55:09 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
I thought of the 5d, but I decided that I should invest in lenses more than bodies I don't REALLLLY need.
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I think you're right on that one.
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02/04/2007 11:58:36 PM · #14 |
Well only two things I would do is exchange the 50mm for a 85mm 1.8 but that is pure preference. And also is an Opteka Battery Grip a generic one? If so I would get the Canon version.
Message edited by author 2007-02-04 23:58:57.
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02/05/2007 12:25:22 AM · #15 |
Yeah, that 85mm 1.8 is looking more and more tasty....
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02/05/2007 12:30:42 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
Yeah, that 85mm 1.8 is looking more and more tasty.... |
If you lived closer I would let you borrow it.
Keep in mind the 50mm has a plastic mount and the 85mm has a metal mount.
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02/05/2007 12:34:31 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
Yeah, that 85mm 1.8 is looking more and more tasty.... |
I'd keep the 50 f1.8 on your list too, if you really want to shoot portraits.
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02/05/2007 01:00:52 AM · #18 |
| Hey, since you're here in Utah, if you'd like to borrow one of my flashes just to get a feel for it, I'd be happy to loan one to you for awhile (420Ex, 550EX or 580EX). |
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02/05/2007 01:17:31 AM · #19 |
| Hey there.. I wish I was the one buying the equipment. LOL I would buy Nikon, but that is just me... Anyway, I would not skimp on the Tripod. A good Tripod is just as important as your camera and lenses. I work for a high end camera store, and we just got in a new line of Tipods called "Induro". They have a great line of Carbon Fiber tripods that are much less expensive than Gitzo. They seem to have a better build quality and are sturdier than the Gitzo's. This would be great for your Landscape stuff. Also for the Neutral Density filter, you can't go wrong with a Hoya. I personaly own a three stop super slim and love it. On the filter aspect, buy a 77mm and step up rings. It's better than buying a filter for each lens. If you have any questions just give me a shout. |
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02/05/2007 01:29:00 AM · #20 |
5d with a 50 1.4 and a tamron 28-75. Id also buy some of it used to fit under 3000.
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02/05/2007 10:22:18 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by jtlee321:
Hey there.. I wish I was the one buying the equipment. LOL I would buy Nikon, but that is just me... Anyway, I would not skimp on the Tripod. A good Tripod is just as important as your camera and lenses. I work for a high end camera store, and we just got in a new line of Tipods called "Induro". They have a great line of Carbon Fiber tripods that are much less expensive than Gitzo. They seem to have a better build quality and are sturdier than the Gitzo's. This would be great for your Landscape stuff. Also for the Neutral Density filter, you can't go wrong with a Hoya. I personaly own a three stop super slim and love it. On the filter aspect, buy a 77mm and step up rings. It's better than buying a filter for each lens. If you have any questions just give me a shout. |
Yeah, I think I will go for a better tripod now that I think about it more, and thanks for the suggestion on the ND filter :)
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02/05/2007 10:28:34 AM · #22 |
bah!!!! canon thread! :)
$3000 could get me a sweet nikon rig ... D200 and a bunch of lenses. i'd be happy as hell.
LOL
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02/05/2007 10:33:33 AM · #23 |
I would just say that the original package sounded resonable enough, only thing is I would get the official canon batterygrip and batteries, just for the sake is that the price difference is negligible and I just don´t want to take risks with the electricity of the camera, I mean those grips and batteries are reverse engineered to fit Canon and I don´t want to save a couple of bucks on them and just have it in the back of my head that they might someday fry my camera. That´s just me though and I am known to be slightly nuts from time to time...
Edit to add: I also would reccomend getting a good tripod right away, if you buy a junk tripod you will end up chucking it away and buying a more expensive anyway and just spend those initial $ for nothing. Trust me on this, everyone does that and better to buy an 200-300$ tripod right away and own it for life rather than to spend first 20$, then 50$, then 100$ and finally ending up being so frustrated by all three that you end up with the 300$ tripod in the end and have spent then 500$...
In short, do NOT save money on a cheap tripod, trust me...
Message edited by author 2007-02-05 10:38:49. |
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02/05/2007 10:47:04 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
Canon EOS 30d (body only)....................................$1,174.95
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM ........................$454.95
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM..........................$819.95
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II...............................................$74.44
Opteka Battery Grip Pack w/ 2 extra batteries...........$99.95
MA-A High Quality Remote Switch.............................$17.99
Digital Concepts TR-60N Tripod..............................$14.95
LowePro Slingshot 100 all weather backpack..........$59.95
Gold/White 42â collapsible reflectors......................$24.95
TOTAL: $2,742.08
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camera, good.
sigma 70-200 2.8 - good.
sigma 10-20...the canon 10-22 is better, but more money. The tokina 12-24 is better, but not as wide...go for either and skip the sigma.
50 1.8...good lens for the money, but not that good of a lens. You get what you pay for. cheap, and you can get your money back out of it when you sell it
sell your kit lens and get a tamron 17-50 2.8 SP. It's great.
$15 tripod? Skip it - it won't hold the camera - the 30D is not light like the 300D.
battery grip and batteries - an extra battery is a good thing, but your 300D batt(s) will work. Unless you want the extra weight or something, skip the grip. ONE standard batter has lasted me 1400 shots on a charge on my 30D, and 1000+ is very common. And a 70-200 2.8 on a 20D is pushing 5 pounds - you don't need or want the extra weight of a grip.
backpack - personal choice on that.
remote switch - good
reflector - good.
add to the list an Op/Tech Pro strap and throw away the cheap junk one that comes with the camera - your neck will thank you! (About $16)
Message edited by author 2007-02-05 10:48:58.
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02/05/2007 10:49:26 AM · #25 |
you should definitely add a flash unit, like the 430 EX. even if you're not a fan of non-natural light, a flash does come handy more often than not (low light situations, fill flash...). While you're at it I would buy also the remote flash transmitter (ST-E2) to remotely start your flash - its changes your life. and then you can add some diffusers, and some rechargeable batteries.
as for the lenses, your choice is right on IMHO. Personnally I prefer the 85mm 1.8 to the 50mm for portrait, but that's also because my other base lense is a 18-50 2.8 (hence the 50mm is somewhat redundant). In your case, the 50mm makes more sense, sitting between the 10-20 and the 70-200. But I'm sure we can have a "what's the best between the 50 and the 85mm" debate ;)
tripod: buy a real good one, not a cheap one. Trust me, I bought a cheap one.
I buy all my equipment (except body) on EBAY from HK. Cheaper (at least vs. european prices).
For lenses, you might also want to check this website, with extensive comparison re. quality.
//www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html
Message edited by author 2007-02-05 10:59:16. |
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