Trying to go Pro Full Time need advice, please.

09/15/2010 10:35:20 AM · #1

I am working on doing portrait and wedding photography full time, right now I am doing it on my days off which sadly only work out to about 3 Friday evenings and 3 Saturdays a month but hey, I need to keep the money coming in from my day job for now so it will have to do.

So here are my plans. I will continue to build up my portfolio and book clients when I can and I hope to be able to rent a space for a studio in a year or so. In the mean time I am just doing jobs and buying the equipment I feel I need or want.

My current equipment list:
Canon 7D
Canon 1000D
(2) 430ex flashes with radio triggers
Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS
Sigma 10-22
Canon 28-135
Canon 50mm f2.0
Canon 18-55
Canon 75-300
Softbox, light stands, backdrop stand, muslin backdrops, umbrellas
LightRoom 2
Photoshop Elements 6
Cheap tripod

Stuff I want
Better backup camera
580ex flash
Canon 24-70 f2.8
Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro
Alien Bees Strobes
Sturdy Tripod
Monopod
CS5

I may be able to sell the Canon 1000D with the 18-55 and 75-300 to get a Canon 50D but should I just use my 1000D as a backup until I can get a 1D Mark IV? Should I worry about CS5 right now? Should my next lens be the 100mm macro or the 24-70?? Big price difference and I could likely get the macro in the next month. Should I forget all that and just keep what I have for now and add the third flash? Any advice would be appreciated and if you care to see my site is MinsoPhoto

Message edited by author 2010-09-15 11:59:38.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Tamron AF18-270/3,5-6,3 VC

09/15/2010 10:44:09 AM · #2

Sell the 1000D, the 18-55, the 75-300.
Get a used 5D or 5DMkII, the 100mm and the 24-70.
Try to get CS3, no need for CS5
Rather get Profoto or Hensel strobes than Alienbees.

my 0.02 �

mkfouche

Nikon D300

09/15/2010 11:13:50 AM · #3

Hurry! Call Adobe to see if the sale is still going on for the upgrade from PSE6, 7 and 8 for $299 is still going on. The upgrade is usually $599. If you buy LR3 at the same time, you save 30%. I got them both for $550 including tax and shipping. Hurry!! Call them now!!

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

09/15/2010 11:18:23 AM · #4

Originally posted by mkfouche:

I can get the student version for $200 but LR2 and Elements6 is working well for now and I think that money may be better spent on glass or a flash or a better backup.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

09/15/2010 11:43:35 AM · #5

Good luck on the Canon 100mm f2.0 Macro ... :) I assume you either mean the non-macro, or the 2.8 macro, I can tell you the 2.8 is superb.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

09/15/2010 11:59:11 AM · #6

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Good luck on the Canon 100mm f2.0 Macro ... :) I assume you either mean the non-macro, or the 2.8 macro, I can tell you the 2.8 is superb.

Oops, yeah I do mean the 2.8 macro. I think it would be useful for a lot of wedding shots. Rings and flowers and such things.

My problem is prioritizing the list. I am wondering if the 1000D is good enough to use a a second body for the time being or if I should drop it and get a better body now.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

09/15/2010 12:41:59 PM · #7

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by coryboehne:
Good luck on the Canon 100mm f2.0 Macro ... :) I assume you either mean the non-macro, or the 2.8 macro, I can tell you the 2.8 is superb.

Oops, yeah I do mean the 2.8 macro. I think it would be useful for a lot of wedding shots. Rings and flowers and such things.

My problem is prioritizing the list. I am wondering if the 1000D is good enough to use a a second body for the time being or if I should drop it and get a better body now.

If you want to look more pro, pick up a used 20D and sell the 1000D, cost should be fairly negligible.

MattO

Nikon D4

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

09/15/2010 12:48:34 PM · #8

There is an article in this months Rangefinder that applies to your last question. In order to be taken serious by your customers you at least need to have a better camera then they do.....with the cost of DSLR's coming down and the number of average consumers buying and using them, it's even more important according to the article. Imagine walking in and your client striking up a conversation with you about your camera because it's the same one they have......they are thinking I have the same equipment why am I paying "so and so" to do this? While it's true it's usually the person behind the camera that makes the difference in the results, client perception is a big part of what you can or can't charge, and what they are or aren't willing to pay you to take photos for them.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/15/2010 02:39:37 PM · #9

Originally posted by MattO:

Good point I can definetely see that happening, especially with all these $20 photo shoot kids running around with the 1000D or similar. I do have the 7D so at least that is inbetween what most starters have and what the busy pros have. This really has me scratching my head, the 7D with the 70-200 2.8 is a great combo I would like to have a full frame with the 24-70 to go along with it. I can't really see walking into a wedding shoot with my good stuff and then have the rebel with a consumer lens. It's like Jekyl and Hyde. If all else fails I can rent or borrow a backup body and look into renting the 24-70.

frisca

Nikon D70

09/15/2010 02:53:49 PM · #10

jmsetzler is currently selling a used 20D for a nice price. Check out his thread.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/15/2010 02:59:02 PM · #11

... oopS!

Message edited by author 2010-09-15 15:00:37.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

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

09/15/2010 03:01:36 PM · #12

n/m

Message edited by author 2010-09-15 15:01:58.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

09/15/2010 03:17:01 PM · #13

hmm.. wonder what i missed.

Well I may have bought something...
but there is a 30 return policy so we will see. Ordered a 5D Mark II.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

09/15/2010 03:41:49 PM · #14

Originally posted by jminso:

hmm.. wonder what i missed.

Well I may have bought something...
but there is a 30 return policy so we will see. Ordered a 5D Mark II.

Wow..

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

09/15/2010 05:34:09 PM · #15

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by jminso:
hmm.. wonder what i missed.

Well I may have bought something...
but there is a 30 return policy so we will see. Ordered a 5D Mark II.

Wow..

Yeah I kinda jumped on it since I got a great deal on it. And right now is the best time for me to try and build up my equipment so I have been doing what I can.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

09/15/2010 06:20:26 PM · #16

You might want to consider the new Einsteins from Paul Buff instead of their Alien Bees. To be sure, the ABs are less expensive individually, but there is a one stop separation in output between each of the 3 ABs on both the high and low end. So, a single Einstein will cover the high to low output range of 3 ABs (400, 800, 1600), making them more versatile. And you don't have to try and guess the mix of ABs you need, since the Einsteins just do it. There are numerous other advantages of the Einsteins over the ABs, too. I have used ABs for a long time, but when I purchased my own lights, I got the Einsteins, and highly recommend them.

On the other hand, as Einsteins ship out, there may be a buncha good deals on used ABs around, too.

(if you can spontaneously buy a 5d MkII, maybe the investment in Einsteins won't be an issue :-P )

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

09/15/2010 07:55:58 PM · #17

regarding the 24-70 2.8 -- does someone know of an equivalent, non-canon lens that's a bit cheaper? I thought someone mentioned another brand that they thought was as good...

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/15/2010 08:01:32 PM · #18

Originally posted by vawendy:

regarding the 24-70 2.8 -- does someone know of an equivalent, non-canon lens that's a bit cheaper? I thought someone mentioned another brand that they thought was as good...

Tamron 28-75 f2.8 - awesome lens for the money..

lynnesite

Canon EOS-1D X

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

09/15/2010 09:56:04 PM · #19

Agree with Simms on the Tamron XR. But do get the Canon if you can afford it.

In the FWIW category, Robert Evans was the speaker at our local SmugPro users group last week, and his main lens is the 24-70, closely followed by the 70-200 f2.8 IS. He also uses the 85 1.2 and 50 1.2.

Glad you got the 5DII, it's what I would have recommended over the MK IV for your specialty.

09/16/2010 07:05:15 AM · #20

Originally posted by chromeydome:

(if you can spontaneously buy a 5d MkII, maybe the investment in Einsteins won't be an issue :-P )

lol, yeah I think I am about out of my impulse buys, at least until after my next few sessions. Thanks for the advice on the strobes. They will be one of the last things I purchase since I use off camera flash on location but when I get the studio place I will want a more permenant set up.

Originally posted by lynnesite:

The 24-70 is one that I will get when I can, that and the 100mm macro. Right now I have to decide if I want (This is the last of my photo equip funds till my fall shoots pick up) to get a 580ex with another radiopopper receiver or if I should pick up the 100mm macro. I can do quite a bit with two off camera flashes so I think the lens will be next. Then I will rent the 24-70 for the next couple of weddings I have then buy it.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/16/2010 08:15:10 AM · #21

Originally posted by jminso:

...The 24-70 is one that I will get when I can, that and the 100mm macro....

I haven't touched my 100 ever since I got a 24-70 years ago.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

09/16/2010 08:38:59 AM · #22

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by jminso:
...The 24-70 is one that I will get when I can, that and the 100mm macro....

I haven't touched my 100 ever since I got a 24-70 years ago.

ditto. 100mm paperweight :P

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

09/16/2010 08:47:59 AM · #23

Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by jminso:
...The 24-70 is one that I will get when I can, that and the 100mm macro....

I haven't touched my 100 ever since I got a 24-70 years ago.

ditto. 100mm paperweight :P

So you don't want to buy my 100mm ? ;-D

Bear_Music

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

09/16/2010 08:54:15 AM · #24

Originally posted by Skip:

Not me... I haven't touched my 28-75mm f/2.8 since I got the 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS... I'm about 50% 17-40mm and 50% 100mm, with nothing in between. Occasional forays into the 70-200mm, but not many...

That new IS version of the 100mm is just plain awesome.

R.

Message edited by author 2010-09-16 08:57:21.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D