D80 and D300

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Turkishdeelite

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Hello, I am hoping to start a small photography business after I finish my college course. I now want to buy a camera and can't decide between Nikon d80 and d300. Can anyone give advice? Thank you...
 
They are in a different league in my opinion. What will your business be doing, what kind of photography. The D300 costs a lot more, second hand D200 maybe?
 
Hi Thank you for your response, I am planning to do weddings, family, baby, event, maybe a bit commercial... There is quite a lot of price difference between the two, I am wondering if D80 will be enough for the kind of jobs I am hoping to do...
Do you know where I can find second hand ones?
 
Also weigh up on what glass you would need and spend the money here as this is where the quality will really show. The D80 is a very capable camera, but the D300 has a faster autofocus and much better high iso performance, so it very much depends on what you will be shooting for the benefits between them both to show.
 
The cunningly named "For Sale" section may be a starting place.........:D
 
From your last post, I may be inclined to check out the Fujifilm S5 Pro. At £500 its a good deal and from what I have heard/read great for its dynamic range and skin tones.
 
Mattyh- I will definitely need a back up. Sounds like you know someone who may help!
:p
Can I post my phone number here?
I am new to the site as well hence I didn't see the for sale bit...
Oh- beginnings can be SO frustrating!
 
I was just pulling your leg.......:), try the for sale section, Ebay and the other usual sources of secondhand gear.
 
e-bay is where the bargains are had! More camera for your money second hand. D300 and D80 as a backup is a decent combo if you get some good glass too
 
I currently use a D80 and while (as stated) it's a very capable camera, I would shoot for the D300 because of the higher ISO capabilities.

But, if you're on a budget, don't think the D80 can't handle it. :) Great camera, just lacking in the higher ISO department.
 
i have a D80 and its my main Body and a D70 as a Back up, the D80 is a Great camera well worth the cash, seen them as cheap a £389.00 online
 
Turkishdeelite said:
Oh- beginnings can be SO frustrating!
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If you mean that at all - you should strongly reconsider your thoughts on starting a business as you may not have what it takes to handle the endless annoyances, red-tape, disappointments and let-downs one faces in business

However, of your choices - 2 D300s and a good range of fast glass, 20gb flashcards at least, 2 SB-800s, flashmeter, £2,000 of samples/stock to show potential clients should be a MUST starting place for anyone - then fast computer, CS3, big monitor, external HDs, office desks, cabinets, business name, business plan, friendly bank and to stand a reasonable chance - lots of talent helps

Still wanna do it?

Good luck then

DD
 
I guess "glass" refers to "lens"?
:o)
hehheh... see I am already learning.
I will be getting a 18-135mm and 85Mm F1.8D Af Nikkor Lens.
 
DiddyDave said:
If you mean that at all - you should strongly reconsider your thoughts on starting a business as you may not have what it takes to handle the endless annoyances, red-tape, disappointments and let-downs one faces in business

However, of your choices - 2 D300s and a good range of fast glass, 20gb flashcards at least, 2 SB-800s, flashmeter, £2,000 of samples/stock to show potential clients should be a MUST starting place for anyone - then fast computer, CS3, big monitor, external HDs, office desks, cabinets, business name, business plan, friendly bank and to stand a reasonable chance - lots of talent helps

Still wanna do it?

Good luck then

DD
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Lol. Sheesh. You don't need all that. Trust me.
 
F-Stop said:
Lol. Sheesh. You don't need all that. Trust me.
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Trust you ??? On what basis? :shrug:

He's right of course - you could just start off half-arsed and hope you can wing it; I'm sure all those Wedding couples would understand when your ONLY camera broke so you're using your camera-phone instead

Bit like starting a business as a Plumber - you don't really need all those tools do you, a hammer and a spanner should do fine

Derrrr

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
If you mean that at all - you should strongly reconsider your thoughts on starting a business as you may not have what it takes to handle the endless annoyances, red-tape, disappointments and let-downs one faces in business

However, of your choices - 2 D300s and a good range of fast glass, 20gb flashcards at least, 2 SB-800s, flashmeter, £2,000 of samples/stock to show potential clients should be a MUST starting place for anyone - then fast computer, CS3, big monitor, external HDs, office desks, cabinets, business name, business plan, friendly bank and to stand a reasonable chance - lots of talent helps

Still wanna do it?

Good luck then

DD
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Thanks, business plan/marketing/finance/office etc. part of it is pretty much under control. I am weak on the tech side but the college course and working with a couple of good photographers which I recently met should hopefully help.

Computer: I need to get a new one... any ideas??
 
2gig of ram minimum for software to run well I would advise. Hard drive not soo important as they are all 80 gig minimum nowadays I think, plus external hard drives are cheap as chips.
 
Diddy- you are absolutely right- a second camera is a must.
And yes I will start slow- probably with absolute minimum. I plan to add things on as I make money rather than invest at the start.
 
DiddyDave said:
Trust you ??? On what basis? :shrug:

He's right of course - you could just start off half-arsed and hope you can wing it; I'm sure all those Wedding couples would understand when your ONLY camera broke so you're using your camera-phone instead

Bit like starting a business as a Plumber - you don't really need all those tools do you, a hammer and a spanner should do fine

Derrrr

DD
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You are absolutely correct. Pardon my uneducated, inexperienced opinion DD. You are the man and know everything (as usual). Cheers.
 
Turkishdeelite said:
Thanks, business plan/marketing/finance/office etc. part of it is pretty much under control. I am weak on the tech side but the college course and working with a couple of good photographers which I recently met should hopefully help.

Computer: I need to get a new one... any ideas??
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Goodo - glad you're taking it seriously then

Computer? I'm no computer techie, but anything around a £1,000 should be good enough (not a lappy though); just remember the external HDs too

Suck the life-blood of knowledge from others, find your 20 fav pro websites and visit them often for ideas - being original is only something to think about & aim for when established; most couples don't want avantgarde existentialism - they want a good record of their day with granny smiling; simple though that sounds it's not always easy, but its a good place to begin

:thumbs:

DD
 
I use MacBook Pro with 4gb of ram:thumbs: I also use aperture 2 software if thats of any use? Really good software and has ideal library facilities for editing and storing photographs.
 
As DiddyDave said though, I too would advise for desktop and not laptop.
 
F-Stop said:
You are absolutely correct. Pardon my uneducated, inexperienced opinion DD. You are the man and know everything (as usual). Cheers.
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While that may all be true compared to my dog, my query to you is valid

You're asking someone to Trust you - without posting any obvious credentials of knowing anything about the business of being a pro tog

If you are one, great, and your input is no doubt welcome - if you have no experience in this matter, why offer such a comment?

DD
 
DiddyDave
Thanks for the good advice.
I will do a few free jobs to begin with to see how I am getting on. Will get grandma smiling and take a few pounds off the bride and see how I get on.
 
Turkishdeelite said:
and take a few pounds off the bride and see how I get on.
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I presume you mean by charging her loads of money? :D

If you mean 'fat', then try to learn how to do it with light and posing rather than in Photoshop !!!

DD
 
Where is Papa............:lol:
 
devitt said:
I use MacBook Pro with 4gb of ram:thumbs: I also use aperture 2 software if thats of any use? Really good software and has ideal library facilities for editing and storing photographs.
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Devitt
Aperture 2. Never heard of it. Is it user friendly? (is it TDeelite friendly??) :p
I know lots of people use Photoshop. I will need to see when the course starts what they will teach.:)
 
:lol::lol:

I do not get on with photoshop that well as it is an intensive program (well cs3 extended and full are) but I find Aperture 2 very user friendly. Plus Apple have some good tutorials on their website which are helpful. It does not however, have lots of trick tools like cs3 eg cloning and layers and so on, just depends how far you want to go with processing your photos. But im sure you will find out what suits your needs soon enough.

Hope that helps:thumbs:
 
D3 would be better for what you want, have you looked at some of the other camera manufacturers wares?
 
How about a new D200? Probably pick one up for a song these days if there are any left, and get a 2 yr warranty with it....

Just a thought...
 
fracster said:
D3 would be better for what you want, have you looked at some of the other camera manufacturers wares?
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No I haven't looked...
I have been recommended to get a D300.
Just looked on ebay and there are lots of sellers that do refurb ones or used ones but worried I will end up getting something bad! Maybe I will just pay whatever and get it from Jessops or Amazon. Or Digital Rev.:shrug:
 
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