$1200 - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/19/2008 12:52:39 AM · #1

For income tax this year, I wanna get some stuff.

I have about $1200 to spend and want to get a portable background stand, maybe a couple of backgrounds, some lights, and possibly some nicer glass.

Suggestions to get as much of this as possible, but still get decent equipment??

TIA,

Mike

JamesKW

Canon EOS-5D

01/19/2008 01:11:17 AM · #2

You can just give it to me. I have to pay 1800.

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

01/19/2008 08:04:42 AM · #3

I'm sure many others will suggest alienbees for the lights. I can't speak for glass though. And the only background I've had was the seamless paper on a permanent mount. But now you've got me thinking about my return... :)

Quasimojo

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/19/2008 10:37:20 AM · #4

Personally if I was spending $1200 I'd probably go for a nice lens and some lighting to go with it. I see you've already got 28-300 covered, so why not something wide like the Sigma 10-22mm ($500) and two Speedlite 430ex ($480) with an ST-E2 transmitter ($209) for a total of $1189 (prices from B&H). That ought to keep you happy and give lots of options for a long time. The background you can make for cheap (dye blackout material and bulldog clips!), and if you wanted to get more for your money buy 2nd hand Speedlites and transmitters on eBay, saving you more money to buy really decent glass (personally I avoid EF-S lenses because I dream of a 5D or better one day).

N

cheekymunky

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/19/2008 11:06:32 AM · #5

Pocket wizards! If I had the cash thats what I'd get.

fotomann_forever

01/19/2008 11:36:50 AM · #6

Originally posted by bdenny:

And the only background I've had was the seamless paper on a permanent mount.

I can tell ya from experience that portable stands and seamless paper SUCK when used together. Go for muslin or the Vinyl backdrops like Cindi uses.

As far as lights go, I can't recommend the Impact kits enough. Great lights and significantly less expensive than Alien Bees.
The kit

Message edited by author 2008-01-19 11:37:01.

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

01/19/2008 06:26:32 PM · #7

bump for some more ideas. Also, I'm NOT happy with my 70-300, would like something else in this range.

Greetmir

Nikon D60

01/19/2008 06:42:06 PM · #8

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by bdenny:
And the only background I've had was the seamless paper on a permanent mount.

I can tell ya from experience that portable stands and seamless paper SUCK when used together. Go for muslin or the Vinyl backdrops like Cindi uses.

As far as lights go, I can't recommend the Impact kits enough. Great lights and significantly less expensive than Alien Bees.
The kit

As us old folks say ... They look like the "bee's knees" for budget high result lighting ...

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/19/2008 06:50:07 PM · #9

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I can tell ya from experience that portable stands and seamless paper SUCK when used together. Go for muslin or the Vinyl backdrops like Cindi uses.

Curious, why do you say that? I've never had any issues with either (muslin or paper). The only thing I don't like about paper is how long (wide) it is, which makes transporting it fairly difficult. So I mostly use the paper only in studio, but the stands I use in studio are the same ones I take on the road, and that's why I'm wondering what you mean by "portable stands and seamless paper suck".

fotomann_forever

01/19/2008 06:53:43 PM · #10

Originally posted by dwterry:

I'm wondering what you mean by "portable stands and seamless paper suck".

The fact of having to take the paper on and off the stand and rolling it back up.. it's a royal pain to do by yourself... it may be easier with help, which I rarely have at setup or breakdown.

Prof_Fate

01/19/2008 07:54:56 PM · #11

Paterson Interfit Stellar 300WS monolights from B&H - $500 for the two umbrella kit. comes with the PC cord.
You'll NEED a light meter..sekonic L358 is great, but they may make a lesser one (model/cost). If not, gosseen makes some affordable ones.

glass..canon 70-200 F4, about $550. If you really need more reach, tamron 1.4 Teleconverter.

OK, all $1200 is gone now...and you will be on the path to an L glass addiction.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/19/2008 11:50:41 PM · #12

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by dwterry:
I'm wondering what you mean by "portable stands and seamless paper suck".

The fact of having to take the paper on and off the stand and rolling it back up.. it's a royal pain to do by yourself... it may be easier with help, which I rarely have at setup or breakdown.

Ah, yes... I can agree with that. :-)

I was thinking, some day, if I have a larger studio, I'll put in permanent background stands will roll holders so that I can just pull down whatever color I want instead of having to change it all the time.

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

01/21/2008 04:31:07 PM · #13

Gonna bump this again for more ideas...

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

01/22/2008 02:26:40 AM · #14

Originally posted by cryingdragon:

What are you planning on doing? How portable do you need things to be?

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

01/22/2008 02:28:38 AM · #15

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

But it builds up your forearms!