Whats in your kit????

[laws]

I know a lot of people have their kits in their sig but would like people to expand on what they like to use each piece for.

I am still really new to this but already have my canon 450D and 18-55mm kit lens. I also have a tamron 70-300mm macro lens (one I have barely used as I am still learning) and a canon fit 360AFD flashgun.

I work for tilllate.com so I mainly shoot nightlife events but am just starting to do more portrait style photography.

What lens or other piece of kit could anyone recommend I should buy next??

I dont want to spend a fortune as I am still learning

 

[Slimbert]

I know a lot of people have their kits in their sig but would like people to expand on what they like to use each piece for.

I am still really new to this but already have my canon 450D and 18-55mm kit lens. I also have a tamron 70-300mm macro lens (one I have barely used as I am still learning) and a canon fit 360AFD flashgun.

I work for tilllate.com so I mainly shoot nightlife events but am just starting to do more portrait style photography.

What lens or other piece of kit could anyone recommend I should buy next??

I dont want to spend a fortune as I am still learning

I'd guess a 50mm f1.8 for low light stuff would be good next purchase for you?! See Kerso on these forums who does 'em well cheap!! http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=114467&highlight=kerso

I seldom do low light pics so don't really need anything so wide!

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I know a lot of people have their kits in their sig but would like people to expand on what they like to use each piece for.

I am still really new to this but already have my canon 450D and 18-55mm kit lens. I also have a tamron 70-300mm macro lens (one I have barely used as I am still learning) and a canon fit 360AFD flashgun.

I work for tilllate.com so I mainly shoot nightlife events but am just starting to do more portrait style photography.

What lens or other piece of kit could anyone recommend I should buy next??

I dont want to spend a fortune as I am still learning

A cable to get your flash off the camera (about £20) and perhaps a Stroboframe bracket (clones about £20 again) to stop all your flash shots looking like they were taken with a point n shoot

 

[specialman]

Nikon D200 + grip - have used Canons for the past 10 years but chose to go Nikon in January 2008 and haven't looked back since: Better handling, better build quality and less 'clutter' than the 10/20/30/40Ds we use at work. Battery life isn't great but the dual-battery slot in the grip is good. AF is fast, noise levels are good and it's quick to start up.

Nikon 18-70mm - general walkabout lens for taking grabs shots. useful for portraits and some landscapes but despite a good zoom range, it doesn't get as much use as it should these days.

Nikon 12-24 f/4 - I like to call this my DPS lens. Produces great results and for magazine work over a DPS is really does help you make something a little boring into something eye-catching. Great build quality. Only had it a month but it's now my most-used lens because it's so versatile.

Sigma 70-200m f/2.8 - Had problems with it (backfocussing) and sometime it's not as sharp at the log end when shooting from 50yrds+ away, but it's an amazing portrait lens. I've had a ton of cover shots and main openers done with this lens and it's just spectacular. Weighs a ton but is built like a brick poophouse

SB800 + SB26 + SB28 Speedlights - brilliant selection of flashes that allow me to do loads of off-camera stuff in conjunction with an SU-4 unit for the SB28 )the others have built-in slaves). As with all nikon flashes, build quality is great and they're really powerful and easy to use. Full manual mode is mega-useful.

Got my eye on a few things but am currently in the process of getting a new set-up paid for by work - D3, 24-70mm f/2.8, SB900, 60mm macro, 70-200mm VR. My D200 does the job well though for now

My advice to you is just to concentrate on the technique and getting used to settings etc before even tempting yourself with loads of new kit - buying lenses etc gets very, very addictive!!

If you ae looking at a new lens though, go for an 85mm or 100mm as a portrait lens, something fast like an f.28 or an f/4. Image Quality will be through the roof :

 

[laws]

My advice to you is just to concentrate on the technique and getting used to settings etc before even tempting yourself with loads of new kit - buying lenses etc gets very, very addictive!!

:

I am trying hard to do this, i am an OCD shopper who usually spends all of her money on clothes but I am getting better and saving at the mo so am trying to control myself from going down the same route with the kit haha.

I have been reading so much lately and it is starting to make sense. So much so that I actually got a migraine today from being fixed to the comp from 8am - 2.30pm non stop reading up on photography haha.

I did actually read an interview today with a photographer and his advise was that you dont always need fancy kit to get outstanding pics.

I just hope this is true haha

 

[RichardC27]

I did actually read an interview today with a photographer and his advise was that you dont always need fancy kit to get outstanding pics.

I just hope this is true haha

Very true, but you need a certain level of kit to get decent shots. If you've got a crap lens screwed to the front of your camera, your shots will always be sub-standard no matter how good you are. Looking at your first post, a 50mm f1.8, would be a great (and cheap) addition to your line up.

For me:

Canon EOS 40D - Bought as an upgrade from my EOS 400D, due to better AF and better high ISO performance. I've never regretted the £550 outlay for an instant, it's a brilliant body and worth every penny. That and the fact that my Dad bought one, and the minute I had it in my hands it made my 400D feel like a toy.

Sigma 18-125mm f3.8-f5.6 DC OS HSM
I spend the vast majority of my photography time shooting motorsport, so this lens is used when my other lens is too big, or if I want to capture a wider view to show scenery/the crowd/the weather etc.

Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-f5.6 APO DG OS HSM
Used for the majority of my motorsport photography, because of its reach. I bought this for £490 to replace my 11 year old Canon 75-300mm USM lens, which was awful. It's huge increase in image quality, and the OS (optical stabilisation) system lets me get away with stupidly low shutter speeds. The maximum apertures are a bit slow but for the money I really don't think you can argue, it's an excellent lens.

I used to own a Canon 50mm f1.8 and would recommend it to anyone. I only sold it because it was the least used out of all my lenses and I didn't use it that much. I will get another one thought, because it is useful sometimes and it's an awesome lens for the cash.