What would be the ideal set up for a semi-pro?

05/15/2008 04:31:50 AM · #1

I'm looking for upgrade advice. I have already decided that the camera will be the D300. I'm interested in knowing what others think about good but not extremely high priced equipment and accessories. I'd like to upgrade my computer system as well, I would like something that is dedicated to digital photography. I don't know all the words, but I want to take and instantly see shots (with the usb or whatever attached to the pc/laptop) what is the best pc for this and the best accessories; looking for info on lighting kits, should I use something like this (link) or SB-800's with umbrella's?; a tripod with decent head, one that also will work from ground level, like to shoot flowers and such inches from the ground; maybe a wacom tablet (are they any good for editing?), also interested in learning about flash/light meters and how much of a necessity are they.. etc etc.. I'd just like to have a great little semi-pro set up. I've got some lenses in mind that I want but am open to suggestions. Please throw me some links, suggestions, questions, etc. THANKS!!

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 19:26:04.

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

05/15/2008 05:47:56 PM · #2

bump

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 19:26:38.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/15/2008 05:56:17 PM · #3

You should have went with Canon. Canon people would have responded by now. :P

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

05/15/2008 05:59:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by yanko:

You should have went with Canon. Canon people would have responded by now. :P

you know, I have thought about it... I love the sharp USM (i think thats what they are called) lenses, they take such sharp and clear photos... I'm not addicted to Nikon, but I love the new Live View feature of the D300.

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 18:54:19.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

05/15/2008 06:00:35 PM · #5

What do you mean semi-pro? Do you plan on possibly doing weddings,events, etc after a little playing with your new equipment?

If you are having trouble with files on your current computer then upgrading immediately to the D300 will cause you even more trouble. It would be nice to have a nice camera though :).

Wacom tablet is useful if you do a lot of detail editing. Which model you should purchase depends on your budget and how much detailed editing you do.

Tripod depends on what kind of equipment you plan to buy later and if you plan to hike or carry them around. Larger tripods for heavier equipment. Lighter tripod if you decided to hike around. Different style heads depending on what you shoot.

The big question is how much you want to spend?

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

05/15/2008 06:25:37 PM · #6

Visit mac refurb and get a nice 17" iMac with 2GB RAM
If staying with nikon grab a D300 or even a used D200 or Fuji S5 Pro
get some nice lenses to suit your photography style.
You will always get a better deal buying used lenses (as I often do)
24-120 VR a classic
17-35 f2.8 expensive but awesome
60mm Macro

If going to Canon then a 40D will be great
24-105 L lens
17-40 L for wider or even the 10-22 EFS

Really depends on what you fancy doing with it all but I do recommend the mac for editing, refurb have some great deals I just got a 24" iMac and filled it up with 4GB RAM it is the 2.8 ghz core2 extreme and it fly's.

Good luck with it, you will have a lot of fun playing around with it.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/15/2008 06:46:12 PM · #7

Thanks for the reply

faidoi.

1. Yes my current computer (laptop) is a crap Compaq with 512mb ram. I also have a desktop that the kids use, 256mb ram athlon, old as... I will be upgrading my personal computer regardless. But I want something FOR photography. I do get online a bit, but I want to use it primarily for digital photography editing/viewing, etc. Desktop or Laptop? I like the laptop convenience, but I am not against going back to a Desktop. Make a move to Mac or is it really that much better for photography? I've been watching America's Next Top Model, and alot of the shoots they use Mac.

2. I do detail edit. I also would like the convenience of being able to sit in my easy chair and edit a photo. I just don't know.. I have never used a tablet before and just wondered exactly how useful they were?

3. Tripod, Carbon-Fiber. My health won't allow me to carry anything very heavy. I do not understand about heads. I really need to research them. I definitely want something I can use a Manfrotto Magic Arm with, for low ground flower shooting.

How much to spend.... minus the camera or wacom tablet if I decide, not over $1500 for a computer unless its really necessary to spend more than that.. a thousand or so on equipment.. depending on how much I get. At present I want lighting kit (I'd like to maybe get some backdrop stuff too, gel lighting thingies, tripod/head/arm, flash meter (necessary?).

and about what i plan to do... I've already done lots of sport photography, team and individual school sport portraits, outdoor prom and portrait shoots, had many photos published in newspapers (sport and event), etc.. My kids have one more year left in high school then they go off to college (both are already being scouted for wrestling) and I plan to turn the room into a studio space [its about 14'(wide) x 30'(long) x 10' (high) with a 10' wide natural light window] for maybe family or senior portraits, macro work, I would also do a wedding if asked, even though the last one I did was a nightmare, etc.. I want to start shooting more landscape (when I can find it, there is nothing around here) and I plan to travel when the kids are gone. I just feel I am very limited with what equipment I currently have. I want to be able to continue to work if I want, but in a more professional manner, however at the end of the day, I Love Photography and want better equipment for better personal photography.

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 18:50:18.

Jib

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/15/2008 06:54:02 PM · #8

you wont even get a good camera body for 1000, let alone multiple lenses, and an apple computer it all sounds good till you start priceing it and realizeing all the little things that cost money... with that computer youre gonna need software, and a new keyboard and mouse and youre gonna need a camera bag to carry it all in and youll most likely want a pare camera battery...if youre planning on getting good lights, camera, and a computer look at spending about 7-10k on it...

dont mean to put a damper on things, but ive already gone through this so just passing knowledge

05/15/2008 06:56:11 PM · #9

Originally posted by Jib:

I have a nice lowepro nova5 bag, I also have all needed software. I said a grand for equipment/accessories.. not including lenses, camera, pc... but I'll have the 10k +, so no damper.. I just don't want to throw that much into it.. Budget all the way for me! I'm a woman, I love sales, used, ebay, bargains!

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 18:57:56.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

05/15/2008 07:10:27 PM · #10

Thanks

MAK for the MAC post ;)

I definitely will be considering going to Mac. I was thinking 19", 2gb ram, dvd/rw.. then again, thinking laptop for location and traveling. I do plan to do some traveling. A PC would be way way cheaper if I went laptop.. so I dunno yet.. but thanks, I will DEF be looking into refurbs.

I also plan to get my lenses used, ebay, something.. I have a few decent ones in mind...
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

I am def interested in VR,Image Stabilization, Sharpest Glass.

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 19:18:26.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

05/15/2008 07:13:23 PM · #11

Originally posted by aerogurl:

I also have all needed software.

Go PC unless you want to repurchase for Mac.

Jib

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/15/2008 07:48:05 PM · #12

you can run windows applications on a mac now, although you will need to run paralells...howeve macs run windows better than PCs according //www.pirillo.com he bought one and did alot of testing... just check it out

Quigley

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/15/2008 07:56:36 PM · #13

Well you have the right idea as to your camera(drool) the D300 is awesome and worth the money.
Going with used glass is great if you trust the person/reseller and you feel the price is right. Most of the time though you're better off getting new with Nikkor lenses because of the five year warranty that comes with them it, comes in handy from time to time. That being said there's nothing wrong with used glass to save some money if you know where the lens came from.
These are the lenses I use almost daily:
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED VR
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6D ED
I do all kinds of photography and I'm not tied to just one form, so that's why I have such a selection of glass.
For lighting I use a lot of natural light and reflectors and a small 160ws lighting rig my wife and children picked up for me this past Christmas. I have a soft box and a 48" umbrella as well as my SB600. A small lighting rig and some reflectors can do lots if you take some time to try things out.

Now there are two schools of thought for the computer and both sides have advantages over the other so this is one for research and only you can know what you truly want out of your computer so go in to both a well known MAC dealer and a PC dealer and ask all the tough questions of them. Three things I will stress though are 1) Get the biggest monitor you can afford and make sure it has a decent refresh time (the sales guy should explain this to you if he/she is worth their salt) I use a 26" Samsung Flat screen with a digital feed. 2) On board memory, photo editing software takes up a lot of ram so a quad core and 4gigs of ram is where I'd start and 3)storage space, I have a tara bite of storage in the PC I use and a 500gig of external memory. Memory is cheap so get as much as you can with the money you have.

I hope this helps.

All the best to you and yours.

MAX!

ralph

Nikon Z9

05/15/2008 08:30:54 PM · #14

if i was to dump all current lenses+ start over
+money was noobject;)
14-24f2.8 nikkors
24-70f2.8
70-200vrf2.8
200-400f4

60mm + 200micro

28f1.4 if you can find one ...
50f1.4
85f1.4
...20k$ ...sigh....
----
realisticly though....

10-20sigma is a good choice
17-55f2.8 nikon
70-200vr f2.8 nikon
teleconverter x1.4 for the 70-200vr f2.8

50 f1.4
60micro
all for ~$5k

05/15/2008 08:37:05 PM · #15

Originally posted by Quigley:

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED VR
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6D ED

lol, funny that you posted these lenses! I have been looking at almost exactly the same lenses on

HotPasta,

Ursula,

Librodo and

labuda'S profiles! :)

I really like the AF-S DX 18-70mm and the Sigma 105mm Macro, I think they are going to be Must Have's.

Thanks for your insight about the monitor. I will def do my research!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/15/2008 09:26:50 PM · #16

as far as lighting... I am thinking of getting the Adorama Budget Studio Monolight Flash Kit with Adorama Filter Set for Budget Monolight Flash, Four Colored Plastic Filters and Adorama 18" x 18" Softbox. Unless there are other suggestions. This is the cheapest and looks like the easiest to use kit. These are called "strobe" lighting, correct? Flash, as opposed to continuous lighting? Would it be cheaper/better to buy the stands, umbrella's seperate and use like SB-800's? I currently only have 1 SB-600 and an old 35mm Vivitar flash I use for backup on a digital flash adapter.

Would I need something like this that mounts on my hotshoe to trigger the lighting, PocketWizard Plus II??

Can someone explain "Flash/Light/Exposure Meters" to me? Are they only for use with continuous lighting or whats the deal? (Example)

Message edited by author 2008-05-15 21:30:47.

Jib

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/15/2008 09:58:13 PM · #17

go with alien bees, they are portable, and cheaper,

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

05/15/2008 10:06:18 PM · #18

Originally posted by Jib:

go with alien bees, they are portable, and cheaper,

The Beginner Bee package is $358.66, which is one light unit, umbrella, stand and case. The one I listed is two of everything for $250.

Is the one I listed the same as an Alien Bee? I have def heard a lot of good things about Alien Bee's.. but they don't seem to be the cheapest.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

05/15/2008 10:46:49 PM · #19

Originally posted by aerogurl:

Originally posted by Jib:
go with alien bees, they are portable, and cheaper,

The Beginner Bee package is $358.66, which is one light unit, umbrella, stand and case. The one I listed is two of everything for $250.

Is the one I listed the same as an Alien Bee? I have def heard a lot of good things about Alien Bee's.. but they don't seem to be the cheapest.

I would recommend investing in in the Alien Bees. They seem to have better build and more reliable. Even though its only one light, here is a thread of single light strobes with reflectors. There is alot to learn with just one light. You would probably find the limits of the set up you have in mind quickly and wished you would have upgraded in the first place. Link to single strobe shots with some setups.

Originally posted by ralph:

----
realisticly though....

10-20sigma is a good choice
17-55f2.8 nikon
70-200vr f2.8 nikon
teleconverter x1.4 for the 70-200vr f2.8

50 f1.4
60micro
all for ~$5k

This is pretty good kit if you can swing it price wise. I have a much cheaper version of this kit.
Sigma 10-20
50 mm 1.8D
70-300mm 4-5.6G
Tamron 17-50 2.8 <-- A nice alternative if you can't afford the Nikon 17-55
For macro I use little +1, +2, +3 filters on my 50 mm. But I am not serious about macro work really.
I had the Nikon 18-70 before it met the ground harshly. It is good but I think the Tamron is better, and the Nikon is pretty amazing.
My two cents...