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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> $1000: new lens or back-up body?
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Showing posts 76 - 100 of 131, (reverse)
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12/07/2004 01:59:24 PM · #76
Thanks Alecia :-) Nice to hear first-hand experience.
12/07/2004 03:35:06 PM · #77
The pressure is on!

I just had a band from Vancouver call and want to book for December 18th. Now, I'd LOVE to have a new lens by then. It's a group of 4, standard band size, would the 50mm 1.4 work for this job? It's winter so there's a good chance there won't be much light out (outdoors job).
12/07/2004 04:39:28 PM · #78
Of course, you could just rent (another 100% deduction, hooray!) a 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 for your concert gig. Vistek has both available for rent. A used 85/1.2 would be pretty good for concert photography, maybe better for low-light weddings.
12/07/2004 04:42:33 PM · #79
Originally posted by dwoolridge:

Of course, you could just rent (another 100% deduction, hooray!) a 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 for your concert gig. Vistek has both available for rent. A used 85/1.2 would be pretty good for concert photography, maybe better for low-light weddings.


It's not a concert, a setup band shoot actually. So a bit different. And all outdoors. I can't afford to rent equipment (I don't get paid for a job till after it's done and I'm broke broke broke), plus I can't stand Vistek anymore. But yea, I see your point!
12/07/2004 04:44:33 PM · #80
Some of the best band photography I have seen are done with wide angle. Then again it depends on the type of band/artist we're talking about.
12/07/2004 05:03:01 PM · #81
Originally posted by xion:

Some of the best band photography I have seen are done with wide angle. Then again it depends on the type of band/artist we're talking about.


So do you think the 50mm is still a good choice? I like wide angle and the bit of distortion you get sometimes, but I don't personally have a lot of experience with it. No time like the present to learn!
12/07/2004 05:05:54 PM · #82
i have shot bands with the fisheye and they love it! u can even buy a 8mm peleng fisheye for like 150 bucks i think.
12/07/2004 05:14:53 PM · #83
Originally posted by petrakka:

i have shot bands with the fisheye and they love it! u can even buy a 8mm peleng fisheye for like 150 bucks i think.


Yea I really like the effect, but I was reading on here that with the 1.6X on the 10D you lose most of the effect. Have you had that problem?
12/07/2004 05:25:30 PM · #84
well my nikon is a 10.5 mm fisheye, so its like 16 mm...they made it to compensate for the crop factor. however with an 8mm sigma or peleng its just like 13 mm with the crop factor, so no u dont lose the effect. with the 15 mm fisheyes the effect is much less noticeable, but still a cool looking image. I know there are places to see samples of fisheyes with the crop factor, just not off hand.
12/07/2004 07:40:55 PM · #85
Obvious:
If you have to think about it, get the lens.
12/08/2004 07:47:44 AM · #86
Originally posted by GoldBerry:

It's not a concert, a setup band shoot actually. So a bit different. And all outdoors. I can't afford to rent equipment (I don't get paid for a job till after it's done and I'm broke broke broke), plus I can't stand Vistek anymore. But yea, I see your point!


Oops, I assumed it was a concert. I'm not a friend to Vistek either, but they're one of the few places that will rent lenses/equipment (and leasing is available for other items too, like bodies).

Seriously, if you have $1000 bucks to spend, leasing a new 20D is worthwhile, especially if you anticipate income to be generated with the new equipment. On the lens side of things, I have rented from Vistek for just such occasions and it has helped enormously in helping me make decisions. You can solicit advice from anyone, read up on all the crazy specs for lenses, and wallow in desire and indecision for days and days. Field testing tells you everything you need to know: is this lens good enough for me?

You can rent both the 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 for something like $30/day. Hell, rent a few lenses just for one upcoming shoot. If you don't have a big budget, you can plan to have this equipment for you on shooting days and your total operating cost will be lower in the short term until you generate enough profit to make purchases.
12/08/2004 11:40:43 AM · #87
Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I can't afford to rent equipment (I don't get paid for a job till after it's done and I'm broke broke broke).


If you don't have enough money to operate your business, maybe you need to look into ways to finance your operating costs (investors, loans etc.). That or just close up shop and do something else 'til you can raise some minimal amount of operating capital.

As far as equipment rental fees go, it's just another overhead expense that you have to pass on to your clients, either as a line item on your invoice or included as a part of your rate. If you can't afford a minor expense such as lens rentals, you seriously need to examine your business from a financial standpoint.
12/08/2004 11:50:18 AM · #88
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

...you seriously need to examine your business from a financial standpoint.


Puh-lease stop posting like I'm a tool. I didn't just fall off a turnip truck or any other truck for that matter. I really don't need or want financial lectures from anyone who doesn't know me or my life (only what's said in jest on a forum). Seriously. That's not the point of this thread.

Edit: if every business took your bland advice of shutting down due to hard times, my goodness, there'd be no businesses.

Message edited by author 2004-12-08 11:53:02.
12/08/2004 12:04:04 PM · #89
Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

...you seriously need to examine your business from a financial standpoint.


Puh-lease stop posting like I'm a tool. I didn't just fall off a turnip truck or any other truck for that matter. I really don't need or want financial lectures from anyone who doesn't know me or my life (only what's said in jest on a forum). Seriously. That's not the point of this thread.

Edit: if every business took your bland advice of shutting down due to hard times, my goodness, there'd be no businesses.


When businesses don't have enough money to operate, they do shut down. It's called bankruptcy. Sometimes they can rebuild and start again, like K-Mart for one. Other times their assets are just auctioned off like scrap parts to more successful competitors. Thousands of businesses, large and small, do it every year. The failure rate of small businesses is well over 50%, mostly due to poor financial management, so while you may deem my advice "bland", it is valid.

Best of luck. It appears you'll need it in significant quantities.

Message edited by author 2004-12-08 12:04:27.
12/08/2004 12:09:28 PM · #90
Spaz, You have some valid points here. I have been building my lens / camera collection over the course of a couple years, and just now feel that I have all my bases covered. While I do have the gear, I'm missing the marketing side of the business. I hope to spend this next year working on getting my name out there more.

-danny

Originally posted by Spazmo99:


When businesses don't have enough money to operate, they do shut down. It's called bankruptcy. Sometimes they can rebuild and start again, like K-Mart for one. Other times their assets are just auctioned off like scrap parts to more successful competitors. Thousands of businesses, large and small, do it every year. The failure rate of small businesses is well over 50%, mostly due to poor financial management, so while you may deem my advice "bland", it is valid.

Best of luck. It appears you'll need it in significant quantities.


Message edited by author 2004-12-08 12:10:24.
12/08/2004 12:13:40 PM · #91
Originally posted by Spazmo99:


Best of luck. It appears you'll need it in significant quantities.


I think you're onto something!!! You could probably make millions (of yen) starting a fast-food financial service with your minutes of knowledge. I'm sure ones and twos of people would line up for that! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Mid-morning chuckles are always welcomed and we can all always count you you, Spazmo!

12/08/2004 12:15:54 PM · #92
Originally posted by crabappl3:

I hope to spend this next year working on getting my name out there more.

-danny


Good for you Danny! Good luck with the marketing....you could always move to Calgary where if you throw a rock out a window you're bound to hit at leaset one or two photographers. :-)
12/08/2004 12:28:33 PM · #93
Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:


Best of luck. It appears you'll need it in significant quantities.


I think you're onto something!!! You could probably make millions (of yen) starting a fast-food financial service with your minutes of knowledge. I'm sure ones and twos of people would line up for that! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Mid-morning chuckles are always welcomed and we can all always count you you, Spazmo!


If it were not for your follies, where would I start?
12/08/2004 12:50:36 PM · #94
Just a reminder folks, don't make your posts into personal attacks (even if in jest - sarcasm is hard to spot in plain text)...
12/08/2004 12:57:03 PM · #95
Originally posted by Manic:

Just a reminder folks, don't make your posts into personal attacks (even if in jest - sarcasm is hard to spot in plain text)...


true true
12/08/2004 12:57:47 PM · #96
Hi Lori - so have you decided .. Lens or Body?
12/08/2004 12:59:41 PM · #97
Originally posted by agwright:

Hi Lori - so have you decided .. Lens or Body?


I'm 75% sure that I'll get a 580EX flash and the 50mm 1.8 lens. That's just over a grand canadian which I think it duable.

The body will be next..then portable strobes...then a zoom (the last two may change in order).

:-)
12/09/2004 11:47:13 AM · #98
UPDATE:

I can finally get a new lens next week. I've decided on, hopefully, one of the Canon zoom lenses (the pretty white ones).

I think the 70-200 F.28L USM would be great for concerts/lowlight, but the cheapest I found it in town is $1700. I don't want to have it shipped, but if it means saving oodles of cash, I'd be willing.

How competitive are places like B&H?
12/09/2004 11:49:29 AM · #99
Originally posted by GoldBerry:

UPDATE:

I can finally get a new lens next week. I've decided on, hopefully, one of the Canon zoom lenses (the pretty white ones).

I think the 70-200 F.28L USM would be great for concerts/lowlight, but the cheapest I found it in town is $1700. I don't want to have it shipped, but if it means saving oodles of cash, I'd be willing.

How competitive are places like B&H?


Is the 70-200 yer looking at with or without IS?
12/09/2004 12:21:53 PM · #100
SO what's happened with the funds? That's a really good lens - for that price in a Canadian retail store I'd think it was the non-IS version. If money's still tight I'd still consider that you can get both the 17-40 and the 70-200 F4L versions for the same or less. For pricing check adorama.com or bhphotovideo.com. I've ordered all the gear I have from adorama and everything has come in perfect condition. They pack them very well.

I paid roughly $700 for the 17-40 F4L and $600 for the 70-200 F4L at adorama (both USD). I think the 2.8 (non-IS) version sells for around $1100 USD online whereas the IS version is closer to $1600.

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

UPDATE:

I can finally get a new lens next week. I've decided on, hopefully, one of the Canon zoom lenses (the pretty white ones).

I think the 70-200 F.28L USM would be great for concerts/lowlight, but the cheapest I found it in town is $1700. I don't want to have it shipped, but if it means saving oodles of cash, I'd be willing.

How competitive are places like B&H?

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