now and next?!

Mp4

Mp4

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Hi all,

Sorry this might go on for a bit! :P

Basically since I’ve had my gear around 2 years (look below) I haven’t used it to its full extent and become lazy using the auto features etc.

My Gear
Canon 400D + Kit Lens
Manfrotto 190XPROB / 804RC2
Sigma 70-300mm 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro
LOWEPRO Mini Trekker AW

Last week I had a new beginning taking photos of my niece Rubie Rose whom is 7 months old now.

See this post
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=230072&page=2

A few decent guys from this forum helped me discover Av settings and I was extremely happy with the outcome.

Is there any other gear I can do with (a new flash as I’m using built in) as I want for sure to carry on as much as possible doing photographs of babies / kids / family anything to give me a better edge taking photos out in the open & indoors etc
 
Hey :wave:

If you love portraits and using AV you may want to look at the Canon 50mm 1.8.
Seriously much loved lens that is only £75 ish (check out the Forum Advertisers section for Kerso). It is capable of producing excellent results with its 1.8 aperture.

The nifty was the lens that I purchased when I was first venturing away from the kit lens and it provided me with excellent value and capability especially for low light and creamy bokeh.

HTH
 
Thanks for that smoothedit i shall look at that lens

What about a new flash gun?
 
Well, a Canon, Metz or Sigma (I have an EF500 DG Super) is likely to serve you well, but the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital is stronger, still has a fair price for what it can do and has a few extra features the Sigma doesn't have, although I haven't used the Metz (nor a Canon, I have a Nikon D50). I'm not sure you'd use the extra features the Metz or Canons provide them but that's for you to decide.
 
The beauty of the nifty fifty is that it is a very fast lens - f1.8 means that you can use it in low light situations without a flash - which sounds as if it could be useful with you taking shots of your niece ie no flash when she is asleep :)

There are lots of people on here who are awesome at speedlite photography - the strobists! I have a Canon 580ex but rarely use it on people - I much prefer to use fast lenses such as the nifty alongside any natural light I can find.

As for flash - you could try one of the models that Flash in The Pan sells on TP - very good budget flash to get started. The other alternative is a Canon 430EX - very good flash and can sync with 580's so a bit more advanced but has a much higher price tag.

If it were me I would seriously consider the nifty as a first port of call - especially since you are already comfortable changing aperture in AV etc and enjoy the DOF changes - the 1.8 is seriously shallow!
 
Thanks Slapo / Smootheidt (again)

Going to sound dumb here, what else can the 50mm achieve apart from taking good portraits?

As i also have the Sigma 70-300mm i wanted a flash for that and the kit lens or just something to acompany my gear as i have the default pop up built in lens
 
Review on TP of the Nifty

It is generally seen as the best budget prime lens - the depth of field at 1.8 makes it extremely good for portraits, but also useable for subjects such as still life and a general walkabout lens. Check out this gallery - you will see that it can be used for anything and everything! The main advantages of the 1.8 is that you can use it in low light and it produces a small DOF so that you can isolate your subject or model from the background.

Will let someone who uses flash a lot more than me answer the other half. HTH :thumbs:
 
No heard any marked difference in sharpness but the MK1 is a Metal mount and better build quality as a result.

As for the flash - the canon would be my choice over sigma/jessops as it will stand you in good stead for the future with sync capabilities.
 
hmm i can't seem to find a Mk1 at all so going to have to get MK2 , But apart from Ebay i can't seem to get any decent prices in the UK

Also how better is this than the 18-55 you get as a kit lens?
 
Thanks for that smooth

I wen't to Boots today and a guy was their taking photos for babies he had alot of reflectors & lights his camera was a nikon which was linked to a laptop.

How much would a setup like that cost?
 
Could have been an Interfit style kit mixed with a nice background. You would then need a set of pocket wizards to trigger the lights, or a flash sync cable.

Then you are looking at a standard laptop with Lightroom or camera manufacturer software that allows for tethered shooting.

A fairly large outlay of cash! I would get to grips with a faster lens and possibly a flash gun before moving into studio equipment! All the studio stuff would add too many elements IMO unless you have a lust for jumping in at the deep end to learn.

HTH.
 
Ta smooth,

As im a total noob i always jump in the deep end with no idea what i'm doing :) at a stretch can afford about 1k on new camera gear at the moment
 
:eek:

Whoa! Thats SOME investment right there!

There are going to be a gazzilion differing opinions as to what you could spend that on..... so this is VERY MUCH in my opinion only but howsabout:

Looking at spending some of that on faster glass; it will give you the speeds and creamy bokeh required for some awesome portraits.

The sky is the limit with lenses but the 50 is £80 which would be an awesome entry level choice for you to build up knowledge on.

Alternatives:
24-70 2.8 £650ish Second Hand
50mm 1.4 £250ish second hand

OR

Doing some serious research into strobist togging and see if you like it. People get awesome results with slower glass but awesome and creative lighting.

I think you need to have a sit down and have a good browse at the different styles of portraiture.

You could look at spending a little of the money on trying out a studio portrait day and get some advice and feel for the different types of equipment - from natural portraits with fast glass to more using the studio/speedlite lighting.

I know it sounds a cliche but seriously either look at starting nearer the ground or using someone elses experience in a studio to learn from. You need to decide where you want to go with your togging before choosing the equipment to do it with.

:)
 
Cheers Smooth,

I shall look at some studio time i think that would be the best option for me and get a 50mm atm :) might just get the 1.4 insted of the 1.8 :)
 
Which wireless remote is best for 400D?
Shall be using it for macro shots so i don't touch when on the tripod
 
:lol: This is turning into a monster kit thread!

My recommendation would be go wired - wireless is ok but I have found that wired connections are 100% reliable - just make sure you get a decent length of cord with it - so you can operate from distance - especially useful for natural light macro when you dont want to cause shadows.

I think flash in the pan on here might sell some?
 
Yep - good purchase. I tried wireless and it was a bit hit or miss - which was infuriating when going after lightning strikes.
 
Hi all,

Well i now have the Nifty Fifty MK 2 50mm,

Any tips / tricks / insperation ?

:)

Mp4
 
Dial it down to f1.8 and shoot anything and everything. I think the mk2's real strong spot is about f2 or so - have a play and see where the sharpness lies.

And always focus on the eyes...if the subject has any!

Awesome choice that man!

Edit- and make sure you enter the 'face behind the tp'er competition using it. :thumbs:
 
Thanks for the info - reply as always smooth.

Is there anything else that the fifty can take insted of portraits? :)
 
It copes well with most things actually - as a walkabout lens.
Try it as your one stop shop lens for the next few weeks - drive yourself to consider aperture for each subject and pay close attention to composition/framing.
 
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