Back in the game; looking for new equipment.

kphillippo · 04-30-2014, 04:40 PM

Hi all.

After a couple months of having to put my photography on the back burner, I'm back and ready to get serious! New goal: build my skills and a solid photography business over the next 5 years, which will allow me to take photos for a living when I move back to my small town in Michigan.There is a demand for basic shoots (mainly family photos, weddings, and senior portraits) and I'm hoping to set myself up now so I can take over the town (photography-wise) upon my return from Chicago.

Let's get to the equipment talk. I sold my K-50 which came as a kit with a 18-55 f3.5-5.6 lens. Although this was a great camera, I'm taking it a bit more seriously now and want to get as much advice as I can before purchasing a new camera. To be honest, I didn't do enough research before buying my K-50 and quickly realized the basic lens wouldn't take me as far as I wanted to go. I'd like to stay under the $1,000 range with the hopes of purchasing lenses and equipment as my skills improve. I've read that my best bet is to buy the body and lens separately, which is likely what I'll do versus getting another kit lens.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Really glad to be back here and excited to get started on this new journey.

Thank you!

kphillippo · 04-30-2014, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by Dr. PhunkyPants

For what you're trying to do, I'd get:

1. Pentax K5-IIs, FA 50mm f1.4, and a used AF360-FGZ
2. Refurbished Nikon D7000, an AF-D 50mm f1.8, and a used SB-600

Pretty close to $1000 either way there. Both options also have a 35mm prime as an option. The Nikon strobes are hard to beat for portraiture. I like the look I get from Pentax more for landscapes and other non-people stuff. Good luck. At the end of the day, the camera is just a tool. It's how well you know it and learning how to extract your personal style from it that counts.

Great. Thanks for these options! I agree that the camera is just a tool; hoping to get the best tool possible within my price range so I can start working on my "craft". I haven't worked with an off-camera flash yet, so that will be something to work on!

Thanks again!

Dr. PhunkyPants · 04-30-2014, 06:31 PM

Well, if your goal is to get paid for portraiture, the flash is going to be mandatory...best of luck in your endeavors.

walgarch · 04-30-2014, 06:42 PM

I'd recommend setting aside some additional money for studio lighting starter kit (the Strobist has a good setup for a starter kit ~$110 Strobist: Lighting 101 - A Beginner's Lighting Kit , which you'll want to use with maybe an additional 5-in-1 reflector). You should of course to read the full Strobist Lighting 101 guide Strobist: Lighting 101 for a primer :-)

kphillippo · 05-01-2014, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by Dr. PhunkyPants

Well, if your goal is to get paid for portraiture, the flash is going to be mandatory...best of luck in your endeavors.

Thanks for the well wishes! I'm sure you'll see my name pop up quite a bit on this forum.

---------- Post added 05-01-14 at 06:29 AM ----------

Originally posted by walgarch

I'd recommend setting aside some additional money for studio lighting starter kit (the Strobist has a good setup for a starter kit ~$110 Strobist: Lighting 101 - A Beginner's Lighting Kit , which you'll want to use with maybe an additional 5-in-1 reflector). You should of course to read the full Strobist Lighting 101 guide Strobist: Lighting 101 for a primer :-)

Great! That's another thing to add to my list: studio lighting. I'll take a look at the Strobist!
Thanks again!

04-30-2014, 04:40 PM	#1
kphillippo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Albums Posts: 34	Back in the game; looking for new equipment. Hi all. After a couple months of having to put my photography on the back burner, I'm back and ready to get serious! New goal: build my skills and a solid photography business over the next 5 years, which will allow me to take photos for a living when I move back to my small town in Michigan.There is a demand for basic shoots (mainly family photos, weddings, and senior portraits) and I'm hoping to set myself up now so I can take over the town (photography-wise) upon my return from Chicago. Let's get to the equipment talk. I sold my K-50 which came as a kit with a 18-55 f3.5-5.6 lens. Although this was a great camera, I'm taking it a bit more seriously now and want to get as much advice as I can before purchasing a new camera. To be honest, I didn't do enough research before buying my K-50 and quickly realized the basic lens wouldn't take me as far as I wanted to go. I'd like to stay under the $1,000 range with the hopes of purchasing lenses and equipment as my skills improve. I've read that my best bet is to buy the body and lens separately, which is likely what I'll do versus getting another kit lens. Any advice would be much appreciated! Really glad to be back here and excited to get started on this new journey. Thank you!

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04-30-2014, 05:08 PM	#2
kphillippo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Albums Posts: 34 Original Poster	Originally posted by Dr. PhunkyPants For what you're trying to do, I'd get: 1. Pentax K5-IIs, FA 50mm f1.4, and a used AF360-FGZ 2. Refurbished Nikon D7000, an AF-D 50mm f1.8, and a used SB-600 Pretty close to $1000 either way there. Both options also have a 35mm prime as an option. The Nikon strobes are hard to beat for portraiture. I like the look I get from Pentax more for landscapes and other non-people stuff. Good luck. At the end of the day, the camera is just a tool. It's how well you know it and learning how to extract your personal style from it that counts. Great. Thanks for these options! I agree that the camera is just a tool; hoping to get the best tool possible within my price range so I can start working on my "craft". I haven't worked with an off-camera flash yet, so that will be something to work on! Thanks again!

04-30-2014, 06:31 PM	#3
Dr. PhunkyPants New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 18	Well, if your goal is to get paid for portraiture, the flash is going to be mandatory...best of luck in your endeavors.

04-30-2014, 06:42 PM	#4
walgarch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 26	I'd recommend setting aside some additional money for studio lighting starter kit (the Strobist has a good setup for a starter kit ~$110 Strobist: Lighting 101 - A Beginner's Lighting Kit , which you'll want to use with maybe an additional 5-in-1 reflector). You should of course to read the full Strobist Lighting 101 guide Strobist: Lighting 101 for a primer :-)

05-01-2014, 04:29 AM	#5
kphillippo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Albums Posts: 34 Original Poster	Originally posted by Dr. PhunkyPants Well, if your goal is to get paid for portraiture, the flash is going to be mandatory...best of luck in your endeavors. Thanks for the well wishes! I'm sure you'll see my name pop up quite a bit on this forum. ---------- Post added 05-01-14 at 06:29 AM ---------- Originally posted by walgarch I'd recommend setting aside some additional money for studio lighting starter kit (the Strobist has a good setup for a starter kit ~$110 Strobist: Lighting 101 - A Beginner's Lighting Kit , which you'll want to use with maybe an additional 5-in-1 reflector). You should of course to read the full Strobist Lighting 101 guide Strobist: Lighting 101 for a primer :-) Great! That's another thing to add to my list: studio lighting. I'll take a look at the Strobist! Thanks again!