Good Idea or Bad Idea? - DPChallenge Forums

08/23/2006 02:20:35 PM · #1

I call upon the vast knowladge of DPC.

OOooohhhhmmmm....

I am inquiring with my bank to look into a personal loan to purchase $5000 (CND) of camera equipment.

This would include:

Nikon D200 (with vertical grip and extra battery)
Nikkor AFS VR 18-200
Nikkor AF 50mm 1.8D
8 GB worth of CF cards
Nikon SB-800 Speedlight
Backpack
Manfrotto Tripod and head

My hope is to start shooting weddings within the next 3 or 4 months, at least the first one for costs only, to gain experience and a portfolio.

I have a secure job at which I make enough to make the payments which would be spread over 2 years. It would be a little tight, but I am pretty sure I can do it. The thing is, I am not looking to just play around with this equipment. I will be looking to make some $$$ and pursue a career (or at least some serious money on the side) in photography. Any money made by the photography for the first while would be put towards the loan.

In your photography business experienced opinion, is this a good idea or a bad idea?

PS. I was looking at getting the Nikon D80 but the low FPS is no good for shooting skateboarding, which I want to get into.

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 14:24:21.

DjFenzl

08/23/2006 02:28:41 PM · #2

Personally I'd be hesitant on the 18-200mm if you will be shooting weddings and would lean towards something a bit faster. VR is great for steadying shots but in low light such as weddings a higher shutter speed would be preferable.

I would also recommend at least 2 4gb cf cards so one can be being cleared off while the other one is shooting (you never have to stop shooting that way). Get more if you can.

Ever shot a wedding? If not you might want to rent something and try one first. Shooting weddinngs is HARD work and definately not for everyone.

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 14:29:54.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

08/23/2006 02:40:11 PM · #3

Originally posted by Megatherian:

My friend's just had a wedding in May, and their photographer used the D200 18-200 combo for most of the ceremony, and the shots are amazing. I will definately ponder this, but what would you suggest instead? Trying to keep the price on this around the $5000 mark. Plus I am hoping I can cut down on this with the SB-800 (or is that a big no-no with weddings?)

Originally posted by Megatherian:

I would also recommend at least 2 4gb cf cards so one can be being cleared off while the other one is shooting (you never have to stop shooting that way). Get more if you can.

This is what I have priced out. Two Sandisk Extreme III 4GB cards.

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Ever shot a wedding? If not you might want to rent something and try one first. Shooting weddinngs is HARD work and definately not for everyone.

I definately want to shoot my friend's wedding, and I may borrow his D70s if I don't have my own camera by then. I am pretty sure I am up for the challenge when it comes to shooting weddings though.

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/23/2006 02:40:12 PM · #4

oh, and if your shooting weddings best make that 2 bodies!

08/23/2006 02:40:45 PM · #5

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

oh, and if your shooting weddings best make that 2 bodies!

My friend has offered his D100 as a backup body.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

08/23/2006 02:41:34 PM · #6

I was wondering if the idea of a loan was a good idea or a bad idea.

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

08/23/2006 02:47:19 PM · #7

not if you have a job and can afford it.

Apple iPhone 5

08/23/2006 02:48:31 PM · #8

Originally posted by AlphaTrooper:

I was wondering if the idea of a loan was a good idea or a bad idea.

I would measure it in terms of risk.

One objective here is to make enough money to pay off the loan + interest. The risk is that you won't make that money back, and end up paying out of your own pocket.

The risk is increased by the fact you haven't shot a wedding before, so you don't even know if you're going to enjoy that line of work.

So, to alleviate the risk (and reassure yourself you're making the right decision) - Why not shoot a friends wedding using the gear you've already got?

At least then you can decide if you want to make that kind of investment and get into the business seriously.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/23/2006 02:53:18 PM · #9

Originally posted by AlphaTrooper:

I was wondering if the idea of a loan was a good idea or a bad idea.

Financing a loan through your day job, if you make enough money to keep up with the payments, is fine. Where people really get into trouble is when they try to do this my maxing a credit card, because the interest rates are exorbitant. It sounds like you actually HAVE some work lined up, so it seems a reasonable risk to me. Good luck!

R.

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

08/23/2006 02:54:09 PM · #10

another cost risk idea
Equipment rental. Manny areas have places that will rent equipment, try it out. You may be able to do that and save up the money to get the better gear instead of taking out a loan. Also will give you a chance to use the gear and see how it works for you. while it will be more expensive to do this up front it could save you in long run and help you find the right glass ect.

TonyT

Nikon D3X

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

08/23/2006 02:56:59 PM · #11

I bought a D200 and some lenes, an SB-600 flash, a good bag, some memory cards and some filters. I am doing this just for fun. I am, however, trying to get some projects going where I could start making some of that money back.

I have a deal to shoot some portfolios at a local modeling school. If that works out I might get 30+ guaranteed clients two times a year. I also set up a studio in my basement to start some portraits.

Weddings wouldn't be for me. I can't stand going to ones that I am invited to, and I never once in my life stayed for a whole wedding.

Since I ran off to the Bahamas to get married, my ceremony was only 10 minutes, but our photographer charged us $400 for a plastic case with 36 4 x 6es in it.

I could shoot one of those weddings, but not a regular one.

TonyT

DjFenzl

08/23/2006 02:57:39 PM · #12

for weddings IMO it'd be better to get the Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8

While it doesn't have the zoom it will be more versatile in low light situations and focus faster.

Yes the sb600 is great, definitely use it, however sometimes they won't allow flash photography during the ceremony and you want to pick up as much ambient light as possible so that the flash is just complimenting the surrounding light.

Seriously - consider shooting a wedding before the loan. I know it's tempting but often times people get an idea of what a wedding is like to shoot that is skewed. Until you shoot one you just don't know.

(edit to fix a moment of babbling idiocy)

Message edited by author 2006-08-23 15:00:17.

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

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

08/23/2006 02:59:25 PM · #13

Originally posted by AlphaTrooper:

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
oh, and if your shooting weddings best make that 2 bodies!

My friend has offered his D100 as a backup body.

It's not just about having a backup. Oft times, I'm carrying 2 bodies with different lenses on them. I'm flipping back and forth ALOT! You have no time to change a lens - if you try, you've lost the opportunity for the shot.

Consider the distance you have to work with. At times, you'll be very close to the scene with no room to move back and a lens that won't focus because you're too close does no good. Other times the light is very low and the people are moving. You need a fast lens. Close up and full body are needed from the same spot. Two bodies with different lenses makes a BIG difference.

Becky

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

08/23/2006 03:04:54 PM · #14

Rental would be a good way to supplement a basic set of equipment for specific needs. I'd stop short of renting all equipment for several reasons
- There's always the chance of something beng unavailable even if reserved far in advance
- Renting precludes gaining expoerience in off-time without significantly increased cost
- Even over a year's time, if shooting a lot of events, renting could be more expensive than purchasing.

Here's another interesting option... watch for Calumet Photo's "10 months no payment/no interest" offer. They offer it once or twice a year, but only for purchases made on a Calumet credit card. Last year I applied for the card, purchased the 5D and 24/1.4L lens, received both on September 28, 2005 and just sent in the cash a couple weeks ago. The downside of that you have to be *very* careful to meet all the terms, and the folks that the card is offered through are incredible... well, I won't use the word I was thinking of. It was a hassle dealing with their shenenagans over the past 10 months, but in the end the terms were honored.
On the flip side, I cannot say enough good about the folks at Calumet, particularly James and Wendy at the Bensenville location. Y'all rock.

08/23/2006 03:13:13 PM · #15

Another thing is that I do plan on getting an DSLR anyways. whether it's higher end equipment to shoot weddings, or a little bit lower equip. to just mess around with the possibility of getting better equipment in the future.

fotomann_forever

08/23/2006 03:17:38 PM · #16

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by AlphaTrooper:
I was wondering if the idea of a loan was a good idea or a bad idea.

Financing a loan through your day job, if you make enough money to keep up with the payments, is fine. Where people really get into trouble is when they try to do this my maxing a credit card, because the interest rates are exorbitant. It sounds like you actually HAVE some work lined up, so it seems a reasonable risk to me. Good luck!

R.

I agree with Bear wholeheartedly here. If you are serious about this, go for it. $5,000 is not a lot of money really when you are considering starting your own business. IMO wedding photography is the quickest/most profitable route to owning your own photography business.

By all means, go for it.

08/23/2006 03:23:11 PM · #17

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by AlphaTrooper:
I was wondering if the idea of a loan was a good idea or a bad idea.

Financing a loan through your day job, if you make enough money to keep up with the payments, is fine. Where people really get into trouble is when they try to do this my maxing a credit card, because the interest rates are exorbitant. It sounds like you actually HAVE some work lined up, so it seems a reasonable risk to me. Good luck!

R.

I agree with Bear wholeheartedly here. If you are serious about this, go for it. $5,000 is not a lot of money really when you are considering starting your own business. IMO wedding photography is the quickest/most profitable route to owning your own photography business.

By all means, go for it.

Thank you both. I consider you both "heavyweights" in the business of photography and on this site.

Everyone's opinions are greatly appreciated. Thank you all. Please, don't stop posting your thoughts on this!

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

08/24/2006 12:13:40 AM · #18

So I took the plunge, and have offered to shoot my friend's wedding for costs only. I will probably either use my friend's D100 or the groom's D70s. I will most likely be using mostly a 50 1.8 and the 18-70 along with a SB-800.

We will see how this pans out. This will definately be more stressful than being an usher, which I was going to be before this.

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

08/24/2006 12:17:27 AM · #19

Originally posted by AlphaTrooper:

Good luck!! I'm sure you'll do great :-)

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

08/24/2006 12:18:41 AM · #20

Congratulations! Get yourself a softbox/diffuser for the SB800 or a lumisphere. Not too much $ but makes a big difference.

Becky

08/24/2006 12:20:43 AM · #21

Originally posted by rjkstesch:

Congratulations! Get yourself a softbox/diffuser for the SB800 or a lumisphere. Not too much $ but makes a big difference.

Becky

Oh, yea, I definately have access to one of those as well. My friend (with the D100

shorterthanjesus) has a bunch of useful goodies.

sea2c

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 I

08/24/2006 12:21:18 AM · #22

If you're trustworthy (heheh) you can borrow my 24-105 VR. It might not be wide enough though. I dunno. I've not done a wedding, yet.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/24/2006 12:24:30 AM · #23

Originally posted by sea2c:

If you're trustworthy (heheh) you can borrow my 24-105 VR. It might not be wide enough though. I dunno. I've not done a wedding, yet.

I'm sure I could make it work, lol.

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/24/2006 12:28:25 AM · #24

Good luck, Cyler! One thing to keep in mind is that there is a learning curve when you jump from point-and-shoot to SLR. Your photos are likely to be worse for awhile than the ones that you were taking with your P&S. If you don't already have practice with an SLR, then read the manual thoroughl and practice as much as you can before the wedding. I'm sure you'll do great!