Help me choose my gear!

Cheesy feet

Cheesy feet

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Name
Ollie
Edit My Images
Yes
So far
Sony A33
Standard Kit lens
Up until a week ago a 70-300mm tamron telephoto/macro (1:2, which was rather frustrating at times) lens. Hopefully will get repaired, replaced or refunded as I've only had it 5 months. I used it a lot in macro.
Have a lowepro case that comfortably fitted my gear in with space for another small lens.

Deal is I will have £900 to spend.
I would like to do macro, landscapes, people and also wildlife (so pretty much everything).
For certain:

First off I want a light tent and lights to go with it. One of like at least 3ft x 1ft in size. Will use to take pictures of my reptiles and other things for my website eastanglianreptiles.co.uk
A flash (or two) for certain as well. - For portraits and general creative use.
ND filters, for landscapes etc. (seen an attachment thingy that uses square interchangeable filters that looked pretty good?)
I would like a wide angle lens for landscapes and people.
Also a step up in the macro department.
And a better quality telephoto.

So if the telephot does get fixed I will probably sell it...If I have enough left for anything.

Ideas and your opinions? Know of any good buys? :thinking:

Need your help photography geniuses

Check out my flickr if you want an idea of some of the photos I take... My A2 project will be based around portraits.
 
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Cheesy feet said:
First off I want a light tent and lights to go with it.
Click to expand...
Check out EBay - there are plenty available for £20 or so.

Cheesy feet said:
A flash (or two) for certain as well. - For portraits and general creative use.
Click to expand...
Wide range of choice in respect of price here.
If you're wanting off-camera flash then the Sony 42 is a good balance between price and performance. The Minolta 3600d (s/h only) is cheaper, but less powerful and only does bounce, not swivel. A 56 (or 5600d) is more powerful, a 58 is even more powerful, and very flexible in operation.

Cheesy feet said:
ND filters, for landscapes etc. (seen an attachment thingy that uses square interchangeable filters that looked pretty good?)
Click to expand...
Cokin, Hitech or Lee (in increasing quality and price)
Cokin have recently gone into receivership I believe, so may be difficult to source. Lee are expensive and can't make enough to satisfy demand, so s/h is also expensive!

Cheesy feet said:
I would like a wide angle lens for landscapes and people.
Also a step up in the macro department.
And a better quality telephoto.
Click to expand...
The kit lens should be wide enough initially, otherwise you're thinking £350 upwards for an UWA.
Best options for Macro are the Sigma 105, Tamro 90 or Sony 100, from ~ £400 upwards new
Next step up for a telephoto is the new Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, about £350 I think.
 
Faldrax said:
Check out EBay - there are plenty available for £20 or so.


Wide range of choice in respect of price here.
If you're wanting off-camera flash then the Sony 42 is a good balance between price and performance. The Minolta 3600d (s/h only) is cheaper, but less powerful and only does bounce, not swivel. A 56 (or 5600d) is more powerful, a 58 is even more powerful, and very flexible in operation.


Cokin, Hitech or Lee (in increasing quality and price)
Cokin have recently gone into receivership I believe, so may be difficult to source. Lee are expensive and can't make enough to satisfy demand, so s/h is also expensive!


The kit lens should be wide enough initially, otherwise you're thinking £350 upwards for an UWA.
Best options for Macro are the Sigma 105, Tamro 90 or Sony 100, from ~ £400 upwards new
Next step up for a telephoto is the new Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, about £350 I think.
Click to expand...
Hmm yeh, I'm going to have to try and balance my money out carefully.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/75417/show.html Sure is an expensive beast.

As a light tent set-up something like this would work perfectly I think:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PhotoSEL-LB...IU/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1311254584&sr=8-46

Good value or not?

Then I could get either a solely macro lens such as http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/76886/show.html, but it wouldn't be very good in the field as I would have to get very close...So yeh scratch that. Or I could one such as (similar to the ones you recommended but I couldn't find them on jessops, apart from the 90mm):
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/35801/show.html
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/47152/show.html
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/29444/show.html
Yeh, regards to the telephoto I'll think I'll leave it with what I've got at the moment, as it isn't the most important aspect.
*minds swirls*
I really need a new monitor too, as I'm on a 15" box at the moment. That's £200-300 gone.
Also and S/h? Sorry
I would love a decent UWA, but yeh my budget doesn't really stretch :'(

So £200-£300 on monitor, possibly £135 on that light tent set-up. £465-£565 left.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/46861/show.html
- £340
£125-£225.
Just a simply ND filter. £30. (how much would it cost to invest in a lee attachment so I could use many different filters?)
Flashh... Hmmm not quite sure what I want it to be able to do tbh.
 
Cheesy feet said:
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/75417/show.html Sure is an expensive beast.
Click to expand...
Yes, but not so expensive if you shop around
Amazon

Cheesy feet said:
As a light tent set-up something like this would work perfectly I think:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PhotoSEL-LB...IU/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1311254584&sr=8-46

Good value or not?
Click to expand...

I went for something like this;
EBay
which you can then add your own lights to - flashguns, table lamps or dedicated 'studio' lights.
If you search for 'Light tent' on ebay photographic there are kits with a couple of lights and a 40cm tent for ~£30 - possibly could get one of those and use the lights with the bigger tent.

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/29444/show.html

Fairly good price on the Tamron, look like the one to get currently (the prices vary from time to time)

Cheesy feet said:
I really need a new monitor too, as I'm on a 15" box at the moment. That's £200-300 gone.
Click to expand...
Try the Dell U2311, I'm very happy with mine
Seems to be a touch cheaper with a silver bezel!
Amazon


S/h = Second hand

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/46861/show.html

A good option, a lot of Sony shooters go with that or the equivalent Sigma to replace the kit lens.
Google can again save a few £
Warehouse Express

Flashgun
Either look for one of the ones I mentioned to come up second hand, or try the jessops one Jessops, it is reasonably flexible, and a big step up from a built in flash.

Filters: A lee holder will cost £45-£60, plus adaptor rings (one for each lens filter size you need) at £10-£30 each, then the ND and ND Grad filters (£45 up each). If you're lucky you can get a collection of bits when someone is selling up, which can reduce the overall cost, but it's not a cheap option by any means.
Oh, and you might want a Circular Polariser to fit on as well. That's another £30 for the adaptor and upwards of £120 for the CPL itself...
On the plus side, the s/h prices have been stable for some time, so you can always get the bulk of your money back later...

It's not a cheap hobby, not by any means...:(
 
Faldrax said:
Yes, but not so expensive if you shop around
Amazon

Indeed, now that is a big difference! Love to see the how big the difference in price from jessops and other places can sometimes be:cool:

I went for something like this;
EBay
which you can then add your own lights to - flashguns, table lamps or dedicated 'studio' lights.
If you search for 'Light tent' on ebay photographic there are kits with a couple of lights and a 40cm tent for ~£30 - possibly could get one of those and use the lights with the bigger tent.

Hmm, the thing is I would also take pictures of things that are likely to move in the light tent, so would need powerful lights in order to allow for quicker exposures. Someone sent us a DIY link that I might look at doing, as it allows me to have a large size one...Still need lights though!
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/29444/show.html

Fairly good price on the Tamron, look like the one to get currently (the prices vary from time to time)


Try the Dell U2311, I'm very happy with mine
Seems to be a touch cheaper with a silver bezel!
Amazon

Looks pretty good.
S/h = Second hand

Of course:bonk:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/46861/show.html

A good option, a lot of Sony shooters go with that or the equivalent Sigma to replace the kit lens.
Google can again save a few £
Warehouse Express

Interesting, doubt my funds will stretch that far though:|

Flashgun
Either look for one of the ones I mentioned to come up second hand, or try the jessops one Jessops, it is reasonably flexible, and a big step up from a built in flash.

I'd really want one that twizzles, although someone said it can be used detached from the camera?

Filters: A lee holder will cost £45-£60, plus adaptor rings (one for each lens filter size you need) at £10-£30 each, then the ND and ND Grad filters (£45 up each). If you're lucky you can get a collection of bits when someone is selling up, which can reduce the overall cost, but it's not a cheap option by any means.
Oh, and you might want a Circular Polariser to fit on as well. That's another £30 for the adaptor and upwards of £120 for the CPL itself...
On the plus side, the s/h prices have been stable for some time, so you can always get the bulk of your money back later...

It's not a cheap hobby, not by any means...:(
Click to expand...
Unfortunately!
I bought some cheap filters from 7dayshop but they're awful.
Cheers for the help
 
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Cheesy feet said:
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/1198/show.html
How would that fair as a portrait/macro?
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-50mm-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311730487&sr=1-1
Fair bit cheaper than the longer macro! But I guess it means I have to get as close as 18.8 cm in order to get the 1:1 macro... hmm
Click to expand...

It depends on what you want to take macros of.
If it's flowers, coins, etc (IE Things that can't run away!) then a 50mm macro is fine.
If it's insects then a 50mm is generally too short, you will need to get too close, and scare them off.

The s/h Sigma in Nez link looks a good option.
 
Faldrax said:
It depends on what you want to take macros of.
If it's flowers, coins, etc (IE Things that can't run away!) then a 50mm macro is fine.
If it's insects then a 50mm is generally too short, you will need to get too close, and scare them off.

The s/h Sigma in Nez link looks a good option.
Click to expand...
Definitely insects as well...
I would like to have a warranty for peace of mind, so ideally not second hand.
It's looking like it's between the 90mm tamron, 105mm sigma and 100mm sony macro/portraits at the moment! Leaning towards the sigma.
 
Cheesy feet said:
Definitely insects as well...
I would like to have a warranty for peace of mind, so ideally not second hand.
It's looking like it's between the 90mm tamron, 105mm sigma and 100mm sony macro/portraits at the moment! Leaning towards the sigma.
Click to expand...



I use the Sigma and tbh if i was doing it again I'd lean more towards the tamron simply due to the weight difference which when your hand holding for any length of time and needing such precise movements the lighter the better.

Don't forget you'll need an off camera cord for any flash you buy even though you could trigger it with your pop up.

And start thinking about bracket and diffuser arrangements.
 
Or get a ringflash - they screw into the filter thread on the lens so a close to the subject - and hence don't need much power.

See Ebay Delta 14

I have one, and it seems to work OK.
Delivery from Poland takes a few days, but otherwise no problems, and EU so no import duty implications.

(See, spending money is easy :D)
 
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Nez said:
I use the Sigma and tbh if i was doing it again I'd lean more towards the tamron simply due to the weight difference which when your hand holding for any length of time and needing such precise movements the lighter the better.

Don't forget you'll need an off camera cord for any flash you buy even though you could trigger it with your pop up.

And start thinking about bracket and diffuser arrangements.
Click to expand...
Hmm, I'm sure I could have the extra 45grams surely? It's supposed to be a better quality lens?.. *sigh, so many things!

Faldrax said:
Or get a ringflash - they screw into the filter thread on the lens so a close to the subject - and hence don't need much power.

See Ebay Delta 14

I have one, and it seems to work OK.
Delivery from Poland takes a few days, but otherwise no problems, and EU so no import duty implications.

(See, spending money is easy :D)
Click to expand...

Hmm, thing is I am going to be taking portrait's as well.:thinking:
 
Hmm yeh, I'm going to have to try and balance my money out carefully.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...5417/show.html Sure is an expensive beast.

got mine from kerso here for £255..do a search for him and ask him if he has,or can get any for you :thumbs:

it's a fantastic flashgun that will cover all the situations you're likely to encounter...does great macro too..

meadowbrownbutterfly.jpg
 
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stan the man said:
Hmm yeh, I'm going to have to try and balance my money out carefully.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...5417/show.html Sure is an expensive beast.

got mine from kerso here for £255..do a search for him and ask him if he has,or can get any for you :thumbs:

it's a fantastic flashgun that will cover all the situations you're likely to encounter...does great macro too..

meadowbrownbutterfly.jpg
Click to expand...
By the time I get all this money it will probably be near Christmas, hopefully be able to get some extra money for it then; but neither parent is good financially at the moment :(. Cheers for the head up:)
Lovely shot, saw that when browsing the other day actually, what setting was it on out of curiosity?
 
Cheesy feet said:
Hmm, I'm sure I could have the extra 45grams surely? It's supposed to be a better quality lens?.. *sigh, so many things!
Click to expand...

I honestly don't think you'll go wrong with either the sig or the tam tbh, I've certainly never seen any complaints about either.

And yes the weight might seem little but when using extension tubes and walking around for a few hours with everything else on the camera and still trying to be precise, I'd go for the lighter of the two.
 
Cheesy feet said:
By the time I get all this money it will probably be near Christmas, hopefully be able to get some extra money for it then; but neither parent is good financially at the moment :(. Cheers for the head up:)
Lovely shot, saw that when browsing the other day actually, what setting was it on out of curiosity?
Click to expand...

shot this on aperture priority @ f11 1/125th sec using my 58 flashgun :thumbs:
 
For macro I'd get a sigma 105mm DG EX. Usually about £300 s/h
For wildlife then probably a sigma 150-500 s/h if you can find one. They're about £500. Or a 50-500 if you drop on one.

But with sigma they may need a trip to sigma to have a mod to work with SLTs if it hasn't already been done. About 30-70 per lens.

Sony do a 100mm macro. And tamron a 90mm. Avoid the 50mm as you'll be inhaling the subject...

There's also the option of extension tubes/macro filters.

El cheapo jessops flashgun is ok. Just needs diffusing or bouncing. Can be set in slave mode so you can use the wireless flash ability. Also the old vivitar ring flash works ok for shadowless lighting. The sony flash is expensive but adds HSS support.

Old tamron 28-300 is ok for wildlife and general knocking about too. I picked one up for £70 and it will be more robust than the modern 70-300s, particularly the sigma. It also has macro but it isn't as frame filling or high quality as the sigma 105mm.

Get on Dyxum and have a mooch. :thumbs:
 
srichards said:
For macro I'd get a sigma 105mm DG EX. Usually about £300 s/h
For wildlife then probably a sigma 150-500 s/h if you can find one. They're about £500. Or a 50-500 if you drop on one.

But with sigma they may need a trip to sigma to have a mod to work with SLTs if it hasn't already been done. About 30-70 per lens.

Sony do a 100mm macro. And tamron a 90mm. Avoid the 50mm as you'll be inhaling the subject...

There's also the option of extension tubes/macro filters.

El cheapo jessops flashgun is ok. Just needs diffusing or bouncing. Can be set in slave mode so you can use the wireless flash ability. Also the old vivitar ring flash works ok for shadowless lighting. The sony flash is expensive but adds HSS support.

Old tamron 28-300 is ok for wildlife and general knocking about too. I picked one up for £70 and it will be more robust than the modern 70-300s, particularly the sigma. It also has macro but it isn't as frame filling or high quality as the sigma 105mm.

Get on Dyxum and have a mooch. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Cheers for the advice, I'm leaving towards the tamron 90mm as it's so much cheaper though! £260 from simply electronics. Already mooching on dyxum;)

I do want a flash I can do a lot with.
Now, I've found this http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80964/show.html sigma flash that seems to do pretty much all the expensive http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/75417/show.html does? Slightly higher guide no., swivels 90 degrees more to the left
Although it doesn't say about HSS support (or things like WB correction but I'm sure I can get that right in raw if not at the time), will it just flash at the same time for whatever shutter speed? Does it really matter? Oh I've just noticed it has little flexibility between stops, only full power and 1/16, against 6 different stops for the sony one.

Also, what is meant by these features (will go have a search now):
Twin
Slave - Can trigger it separately?
Hammerhead
 
I don't know! The sigma looks useful if you'll use the extra directional capability. Not sure why you'd want to be able to bounce further one way than another. Apart from that it is very like the jessops only slightly more powerful.

Don't know about compatibility with the A33. Seems odd that if it isn't as I thought all the sony bodies basically were the same as the old Konica Minolta cameras.

Slave is just a mode where you can use another flash to trigger it wirelessly. The wireless mode is handy if you want to do off camera flash.

Hammerhead are just ones that look more like a hammer - like the massive Metz guns you used to see.
 
srichards said:
I don't know! The sigma looks useful if you'll use the extra directional capability. Not sure why you'd want to be able to bounce further one way than another. Apart from that it is very like the jessops only slightly more powerful.

Don't know about compatibility with the A33. Seems odd that if it isn't as I thought all the sony bodies basically were the same as the old Konica Minolta cameras.

Slave is just a mode where you can use another flash to trigger it wirelessly. The wireless mode is handy if you want to do off camera flash.

Hammerhead are just ones that look more like a hammer - like the massive Metz guns you used to see.
Click to expand...
Decisions decisions. Yeh, I don't get it either, but I guess the design maybe allowed for it so they included the extra swivel.:shrug:
Oops, I was wrong.
 
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The sony series use wireless flash by using the flash itself not infrared communication.

You should be able to use any of the remote flash triggery things with the aid of interfits hotshoe adapter and pc sync thingy they make for sony bodies. It's about £15. It basically gives you a standard hot shoe and pc sync to plug into. Not sure how metering works etc. I'd hope it was just TTL so would work fairly simply. I bought one a while ago but haven't used it.
 
The sony would be a safer choice as it has voltage protection built in. The interfit ones doesn't so I'd guess you could damage the body with some flashguns depending on sync voltage and such like. I'd assume the hot shoe adapter would let you use any TTL manual flash but not necessarily a dedicated one for another brand. You'd have to try it out to see...I'd ask on the flickr groups for sony cameras and see if anyone has tried it and what their results were.
 
Pop over to the Flickr "Alpha Strobist" group for advice on the various options for remote flash triggering.

If you have an a33 you're going to hit a problem when working with radio triggers. There are workarounds, but the easiest and most flexible solution is to stick to Sony flashguns. Unlike some 3rd party compatible guns, Sony ones will trigger from the pop-up using TTL and HSS, both of which are very handy.

Sadly it's not the cheapest solution to use Sony flashguns, but the swivel head of the 43 and 58 is particularly nice and quite unique.
 
Johnd2000 said:
Pop over to the Flickr "Alpha Strobist" group for advice on the various options for remote flash triggering.

If you have an a33 you're going to hit a problem when working with radio triggers. There are workarounds, but the easiest and most flexible solution is to stick to Sony flashguns. Unlike some 3rd party compatible guns, Sony ones will trigger from the pop-up using TTL and HSS, both of which are very handy.

Sadly it's not the cheapest solution to use Sony flashguns, but the swivel head of the 43 and 58 is particularly nice and quite unique.
Click to expand...

Will do:)
I see, I could imagine that being quite annoying when shooting on location. Why couldn't they just make them all compatible.:thumbsdown:
Also I just won a 50mm f 1.4 for £185 inc P&P, used once. Not too bad I think!
 
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Bidding on a sony HVL-F58Am as we speak!
Had to give a lot of the money to my dad and still have a few snakes to sell.
 
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