Top 10 things to Buy - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

11/20/2007 06:28:31 PM · #1

So I'm moving into year 2 of doing wedding pictures, and I've been doing fine with my d200 (and yes I have a back up), and mainly using my 35-105 1.8f sigma.

now I have a bunch of really happy brides, and a bunch of extra cash, and I'm going to go shopping... so what are the top 10 things I should consider buying? what are the things you you have that you can't live without... or what are the things that you have that you thought were great but never use. For the sake of argument, let's say that money is no object (it is... but let's pretend anyway)

frisca

Nikon D70

11/20/2007 06:42:11 PM · #2

I really like my 50mm 1.8 and my 105mm 2.8 (both nikkor).

Its hard to tell you what to buy when we don't know what you have!

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

11/20/2007 07:00:56 PM · #3

Right. Give us some more info. (Take it you want to learn from our mistakes - stuff we never use; from our successes; and from our fantasies - money no object. But if you have bunch of happy brides, well, keep em happy and just give them the money).

fotomann_forever

11/20/2007 07:15:08 PM · #4

My 85mm f/1.8 is the best investment I've ever made. I love that lens at weddings. Good fast glass is the best place to start.

Flashes and umbrella/stand kits for the formals is a good idea. I take both a wireless flash setup and studio strobes to weddings with me, Just incase.

Reflectors for outdoor shots.

D300 is coming out soon :-)

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

11/20/2007 07:59:37 PM · #5

Originally posted by Eyesup:

For the sake of argument, let's say that money is no object (it is... but let's pretend anyway)

I've been looking at the new Hassleblad HD39II lately. I'm trying to figure out how to pay for it.

Message edited by author 2007-11-20 20:00:46.

treyvus

Nikon D7200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

11/20/2007 08:02:05 PM · #6

According to your profile these are the lenses you currently have:

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon
Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Nikon
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200 f4-5.6 G IF-ED

Since you're a wedding photographer I would probably recommend one or two good prime lenses to shoot portraits. Although, I probably shouldn't say anything since I just got my first SLR camera like two months ago.

Seanachai

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

11/20/2007 08:36:29 PM · #7

A clean and elegant website to show my work. This link of Glen McClure's photography would be a good example of what I would want.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/20/2007 09:25:46 PM · #8

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Where in the world does one buy a 35-105 F1.8 lens at? I'd like to have one myself thats gotta rock for low light and have a zoom to boot.

MattO

MQuinn

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

11/20/2007 09:28:19 PM · #9

Originally posted by MattO:

Where in the world does one buy a 35-105 F1.8 lens at? I'd like to have one myself thats gotta rock for low light and have a zoom to boot.

MattO

I know where I can get a 35-100 F2:) Yeah that one is on my wish list..

11/20/2007 10:45:24 PM · #10

Originally posted by MQuinn:

Originally posted by MattO:

Where in the world does one buy a 35-105 F1.8 lens at? I'd like to have one myself thats gotta rock for low light and have a zoom to boot.

MattO

I know where I can get a 35-100 F2:) Yeah that one is on my wish list..

maybe if I could type you all wouldn't be drooling so much... my lens is a 2.8 not 1.8

11/20/2007 10:48:52 PM · #11

let's see stuff I have... well you can see my lenses and camera's in my profile beyond that I have a large 5-in-1 reflector a small sliver/gold reflector. my trusty sb-800 (with stock diffuser), I've got a crappy set of 2 studio strobs that I wouldn't take pics of my poop with (on the plus side I have a full set of Alien Bees on the way... took the busy bee package)... I think that's it of note

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

11/21/2007 12:26:14 AM · #12

bump for those who want something to do other than watch their averages for a minute or too

Kali

Nikon D7100

11/21/2007 12:47:36 AM · #13

If I could buy any piece of camera gear right now I would get a 80-200mm f/2.8

geoffb

11/21/2007 02:59:01 AM · #14

Buy the new 24-70 2.8.

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/21/2007 03:57:34 AM · #15

depends on how much $$ you have to spend. I bought the 70-200 2.8 and it stays on the camera all day, along with a second camera with the 24-70 or 18-35.

the 70-200 is great for portraits with very shallow depth of field and close ups at the church when you are farther away... you do have the 70-300 4.5 mind you so perhaps this is just overlapping, but you could sell that one for the faster lens.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

11/21/2007 09:58:41 AM · #16

Given the choice which would be better an 85mm 1.8f or the 80-700 2.8 type lens?

Kali

Nikon D7100

11/21/2007 12:39:49 PM · #17

Since you already have zooms I would say go for the prime.

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

11/21/2007 01:09:10 PM · #18

bump for the lunch crowd

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

11/21/2007 02:10:34 PM · #19

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Given the choice which would be better an 85mm 1.8f or the 80-700 2.8 type lens?

I have both. They are both fabulous lenses, probably my two favorites. For people work, though, I tend to use the 85 the most, because...

1) I have a bad shoulder and can't handhold the 80-200 for long, so it spends most of its time on a tripod or monopod. I can handhold the 85 without much trouble.

2) I don't do weddings, mostly simple portraits, and I can zoom with my feet just fine.

If I were trying to shoot indoor weddings, and wanted the 80-200 focal length, I think I'd spend the extra $$ on the 70-200 VR instead, because the VR would be handy in the dark.

edit: grammar

Message edited by author 2007-11-21 14:11:12.

Prof_Fate

11/21/2007 03:27:45 PM · #20

Fast computer, proper software (CS3 yes, but lots of other stuff too - winzip, breezebrower pro, FTP program, backup program, Fotofusion, ProSelect)

External HD for backup

Twin LCD monitors, the bigger the better, and calibration hardware (spyder pro 2 does multiple monitors)

Belt system if you change lenses a lot, or want to have everything on you at all times.

studio lights (alien bee, zeus, interfit stellar) and AB Vagabond, a big softbox or two
Pocket Wizards

Beyond gear....
Bigger better sample albums, or prints.
Better marketing handouts - letterhead on bond paper, envelopes, fancy folders, candy with your name/logo on it
In-home meeting space, studio space, display space type of thing to meet brides in
Large screen TV or projector for showing brides you work, selling larger prints.
framing - start doing it. samples ($70) and some tools ($150) and you sell an 8x10 for $150 instead of $30 (or less).

More advertising, better advertising - bring in better, richer brides

Have a lawyer look over your contracts and releases
Get insurance (if you don't already have it)

Join PPA or similar, or a local org and ATTEND the events.
Take a class - see PPA for such info. There are lots of week long schools that will blow your mind and open you up to a whole nother world

Attend WPPI or other national convention (see above)