Newbie seeks advice on digital camera kit going from novice to pro
by Zed Grubwood
on
Sep 15, 2009 at 7:18:38 am
I have read a number of the posts on camera recommendations but technology changes so quickly so I wanted to see what people are saying about any new gear out there, hence the post.
I've always done photography as a side thing but people really like my work, so I want to take this hobby more seriously. Here's where I need your help and expertise. Most of my stuff is run and gun, nature, still life etc. so mostly outdoors. Although I do take some indoor event pics. Thinking of getting a digital SLR camera, I've been using a digital point & shoot so far with good results but want a more pro level camera because friends are starting to ask me to shoot events, parties, weddings. Any reccos? Also what equipment besides the camera would you pros recommend a newbie going pro invest in? Lights? Tripod? What printer would you recommend for a beginner? How much of a financial investment will this be? How low can I go and still be pro?
Re: Newbie seeks advice on digital camera kit going from novice to pro by Micah McDowell on Sep 15, 2009 at 7:42:58 pm
Well, advice on equipment depends on your budget first and foremost, so you should start by pinning down how much you can spend.
I'd invest in nice lenses above anything else, since lenses are usable long-term unlike digital camera bodies which become obsolete incredibly quickly. Remember that instead of exotic zoom lenses you can always get several primes that will do a much better job for the same or less money as long as you aren't too lazy to change lenses like so many photographers.
To me, the range of "pro" cameras begins with full-frame sensor cameras (the cheapest and most popular being the Canon 5D mkII and Nikon D700). A full frame camera (as opposed to a crop-frame sensor like most cheaper SLRs) will give much better low-light performance, more controllable depth of field, and also allow for more variety in quality lenses, especially wide angles.
After saying all that, pro results can come out of cheap cameras if you know what you're doing... a Nikon D40 and a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens and nothing else would be a very cheap multipurpose kit that would do anything I'd ever need, but your needs may vary.
Also, I'd skip the tripod and lights until you know you need them and know what you'd use them for; also, it's so cheap to have great prints made at so many different places that I wouldn't buy your own printer.
Re: Newbie seeks advice on digital camera kit going from novice to pro by Joe Fountain on Oct 14, 2009 at 11:09:53 pm
Good advice Micah,
Lenses should be high on the list, it's worth sacrificing 'camera' for quality lenses and I personally have opted for the Canon 7D instead of the Canon 5D mkII (which is a superb camera) as I had a limited budget and wanted to invest for the future, hence lenses were a lot more important to me. I'm not going to advise you as to what lenses to get as I'm sure you can make that decision based on the type of shooting you will be doing but the best quality you can afford should be a very serious consideration.
If you have friends and associates telling you how good your work is then take the "ease", what I mean is to find work outside your normal working hours and start to build your portfolio. This will allow you to gain a direction as to where you want this career to take you without a financial kick.
Get a good website built, advertise judiciously and make this work for you, you have the passion, go for it!
