Where to start with professianl equipment?

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Maurizio

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Hi all,
I'm a completely new here and I'm just starting with professional photography.
So far I've been using a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. But now I want to buy a digital SLR. I have lot of doubts of what I should buy. I do mostly portrait in studio and low light pictures with no flash like gigs in clubs etc...

If I don't want to spend too much, should I buy a bit old body (like EOS 30D) and invest in a good lens or new body (like EOS 50D) to have the latest technology?

Or maybe a Nikon which allow me to buy lens of different brands?

I'm really confused, hope you can point me in the right direction! :thinking:

Thanks in advance

Maurizio
 
I mean that I'm opening a new business transforming my hobby in money. So I need a decent equipment to deal with the two areas in which I would like to work: portraits and indoor low light photos.
 
Maurizio said:
I mean that I'm opening a new business transforming my hobby in money. So I need a decent equipment to deal with the two areas in which I would like to work: portraits and indoor low light photos.
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O.K, the first thing to do before you even CONSIDER starting up a business is learn how to take photos. It's not a case of buying the equipment, and start charging. I've been into photography for quite a few years now and don't consider myself even close to being ready to go pro.

Sooooo, assuming that the new business isn't going to be open for at least a few years, browse through here a lot, read up on shutter speeds, apertures, ISO, off-camera flash, and a lot of other terms. When, and only when you have a full understanding of this, and can say with near 100% certainty that you could deliver results for a customer 100% of the time, should you start thinking about going into business.

However, if you're planning on buying pro equipment tomorrow, and start charging the next day, find a safe place to hide and good luck to you :D

Chris
 
Although, for indoor, lowlight photos a Nikon D3 or D700 may be a better bet, then you could use other brands of lenses. Having said that, there's nothing to stop you using Sigma, Tamron et al. lenses on Canons, Pentaxes, Minolta/Sonys, Olympuses etc.
 
chris321 said:
However, if you're planning on buying pro equipment tomorrow, and start charging the next day, find a safe place to hide and good luck to you :D
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But if he buys really high end pro equipment like a Canon 30D :lol: :lol: :lol: then surely he'll be able to take professional photos within minutes of taking the camera out of the box. I'm assuming he'll read the manual, what else does he need? :thinking:
 
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
 
Maurizio said:
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
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You seem to be getting very confused between professional photography and improving your hobby with better equipment.

If you're not going to charge like a pro then you're not going to be a pro.
 
Maurizio said:
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome:)

Does your 5 years experience give you a good understanding of the relationships between ISO, light, aperture, shutter speed and depth of field?

Also bear in mind in a photography business, the shooting is only a small proportion in the scheme of things.

What is your budget?

You need to go and hold all the different bodies and see which you like.
All can take good shots you make them great.
 
Maurizio said:
Hi all,
I'm a completely new here and I'm just starting with professional photography.
So far I've been using a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. But now I want to buy a digital SLR. I have lot of doubts of what I should buy. I do mostly portrait in studio and low light pictures with no flash like gigs in clubs etc...

If I don't want to spend too much, should I buy a bit old body (like EOS 30D) and invest in a good lens or new body (like EOS 50D) to have the latest technology?

Or maybe a Nikon which allow me to buy lens of different brands?

I'm really confused, hope you can point me in the right direction! :thinking:

Thanks in advance

Maurizio
Click to expand...

Maurizio said:
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
Click to expand...

gwc anyone :D
 
Maurizio said:
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
Click to expand...

Maurizio, nobody is having a go at you, it's just that it's a bit of a tall order to say that you've been using a Powershot for a few years, and, armed with the experience you've gained with that camera, you'll be able to pick up an SLR and leap straight into professional photography; an SX20 may look a bit like an SLR, but even an entry/consumer level DSLR is a far more complex beast, and that's not to mention learning about how to get the most out of all the peripherals (off camera flash, lens choices, etc) and post processing that go with it.

There's been a rise in the amount of people who, due to the economic climate, have tried to make a career out of turning their hobby into a money spinner, undercutting established professionals' prices and ending up with, to be honest, dire results. If you really want to get into pro photography, I would give yourself a few years with a DSLR to really get a feel and understanding for it; otherwise it would be easy to get out of your depth quite quickly :thumbs:
 
Nifkin said:
There's been a rise in the amount of people who, due to the economic climate, have tried to make a career out of turning their hobby into a money spinner, undercutting established professionals' prices and ending up with, to be honest, dire results. If you really want to get into pro photography, I would give yourself a few years with a DSLR to really get a feel and understanding for it; otherwise it would be easy to get out of your depth quite quickly :thumbs:
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This should be made a forum sticky; applies to plenty of other members on here too.
 
I belive the OP already stated his exect intentions. He spent the last 5 years handling a compact taking pics of teenage bands or other rock bands who as long as their faces is inside the picture its all great, and pretty much branded The Photographer.

Now the OP has the unfortunalty wrong impression that by just going to the garage to clean the car that makes you a mechanic.

Same as the OP in a way in my last 2 jobs I was always the guy with the camera (compact) in hand thus branded the photographer in both jobs. I bought my 1st DSLR recently and 1st thing when I held it was.... Ummmm whats all these buttons for???.........
 
Maurizio said:
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
Click to expand...

Why do you think pros charge as they do? You can't afford to buy pro gear unless you charge pro rates!
 
Loving this thread already......
 
Let me put it into context.

I'm currently what I would call semi pro working at building up to fully pro. My business plan does not even see me turn a profit until year three and my initial investment in equipment was £10K.

I have a marketing budget of £1000 a year to start with and a training budget to match that. So my total overheads for a year with those plus insurances, travel, professional association fees, travel etc is £3500. That's before I earn a bean and because I also shoot weddings the sample albums can easily add another £1000. The add ecommerce with gallery hosting fees and web design and hosting and you are looking at £5K before you put a foot out the door.

Simply buying a 30D does not a professional make I'm afraid :)
 
Well guys you've surprised me again

I had imagined a complete and utter taking of the P :D but while there is evidence of that there are also those trying to offer advice too :)

The biggest problem being we don't actually know what to advise on as the OP isn't being too helpful either, and aside from perhaps not the best photographic knowledge seems to have little or no business acumen either :(

If he hasn't already thought 'Sod 'em' and left this forum I'm pretty sure he will soon - so to offer some help

Buy 2x D3s cameras, the 3 best loved Nikon f2.8 lenses and a 50mm f1.4 too, a couple of SB900s and spend a loooooonnnnnnggggggggg time figuring out how to use them and you'll be fine :)

Best £12,000 you'll ever spend - and perhaps a good reason to charge a reasonable amount too :thumbs:

Good luck

DD
 
Maurizio said:
Hi all,
I'm a completely new here and I'm just starting with professional photography.
So far I've been using a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. But now I want to buy a digital SLR. I have lot of doubts of what I should buy. I do mostly portrait in studio and low light pictures with no flash like gigs in clubs etc...

If I don't want to spend too much, should I buy a bit old body (like EOS 30D) and invest in a good lens or new body (like EOS 50D) to have the latest technology?

Or maybe a Nikon which allow me to buy lens of different brands?

I'm really confused, hope you can point me in the right direction! :thinking:

Thanks in advance

Maurizio
Click to expand...


What a welcoming lot the TP posse is. Somebody's first post, English not their first language (by the looks of it), has aspirations of earning a living from something he enjoys and just after a bit of advice.

Happy Christmas :clap:
 
RaglanSurf said:
What a welcoming lot the TP posse is. Somebody's first post, English not their first language (by the looks of it), has aspirations of earning a living from something he enjoys and just after a bit of advice.

Happy Christmas :clap:
Click to expand...

I hope he hasn't gone, coz I'd love to see some of the low light, no flash shots he's been taking at gigs and clubs with his SX20 ;)
 
Maurizio said:
Chris
I've got 5 years experience, I know a bit about photography and I don't intend to charge like a pro, I would like to continuing do small jobs for bands and beginners actors and models (which I already do). I just would like to have a better equipment. Unfortunately never had enough money to buy a dslr.
Sorry I asked!
Click to expand...

Woah woah woah people, this thread has got a little out of hand! My reply was honestly not a personal attack, just making it clear how much work is involved in going pro.

To the OP - my initial advice stands, get yourself a DSLR, and play with it for a while before going pro. The majority of new cameras these days are excellent, it comes down more to how you get on with the button layout, feeling of it etc. The best camera in the world won't give good results if it feels terrible in your hands (broadly speaking).
 
Maurizio said:
Hi all,
I'm a completely new here and I'm just starting with professional photography.
So far I've been using a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. But now I want to buy a digital SLR. I have lot of doubts of what I should buy. I do mostly portrait in studio and low light pictures with no flash like gigs in clubs etc...

If I don't want to spend too much, should I buy a bit old body (like EOS 30D) and invest in a good lens or new body (like EOS 50D) to have the latest technology?

Or maybe a Nikon which allow me to buy lens of different brands?

I'm really confused, hope you can point me in the right direction! :thinking:

Thanks in advance

Maurizio
Click to expand...

Maurizio, if you're still reading, ignore most of the previous replies. They are from rude, judgemental people who ought to know better.

For the type of photography you are doing in low light, you will benefit from the latest sensor technology so I would suggest buying a new camera, according to your budget. You will not go wrong with either Nikon or Canon.

To the rest of you, manners please guys :thumbsdown:
 
This place gets more like an internet forum everyday..

Thread #1 - you don't need fancy gear to take good photos, some of the best shooters ever use basic equipment, blah, blah.

Thread #2 - you've only got basic equipment!! omgwtf roflcopter loser.

To the OP, if you're still around, Hoppy has given good basic advice above. But as said, if you can give us a few more details on your budget and existing knowledge, some people will be willing to point you in the right direction. :thumbs:
 
HoppyUK said:
For the type of photography you are doing in low light, you will benefit from the latest sensor technology so I would suggest buying a new camera, according to your budget. You will not go wrong with either Nikon or Canon.

To the rest of you, manners please guys :thumbsdown:
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But if he takes your advice literally he wont get any decent shots as you've failed to mention anything about lenses :bonk:
 
Had to look at the top of the page for a moment. Thought I had logged onto DP Review. But apparantly not.
Has anyone considered that his interperation of professional may just be due to poor translation into english.
Now the only thing I can consider myself to be pro at is repairing cars. If a member asked me what gear he needed to buy, I would advise him/her to buy a basic set of tools and get some training before even attempting to go near someones car.
So to the opening post, any modern mid range dslr will help you achieve what you require.Find a nice 50mm f1.8 and keep your budget as low as possible.Even consider seconhand. Go to a shop and hold a few cameras and you will soon find what 'fits' you.
But most of all, get some training/experience and take what some of these jokers say with a pinch of salt.
They are only having a bit of fun and are a great bunch usually. ;) :D
Welcome to the forum and stick around...:wave:

Kev.
 
Somewhat OT - but where does all this - 'poor translation into English' - idea come from???

Surely it's not just from a name that you're assuming he's a foreign chap with English as a 2nd language???

I've had quite a few dealing with people with foreign names that are not only English by birth but speak/write it far better than I

Don't be so presumptuous :shake:

And back OT - I think he's gone :(

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
I've had quite a few dealing with people with foreign names that are not only English by birth but speak/write it far better than I

Don't be so presumptuous
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Exactly.

I have come across many participants in forums whose second language English is better than the lazy, phone text inspired excuse for English some primary English speakers seem to write.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Exactly.

I have come across many participants in forums whose second language English is better than the lazy, phone text inspired excuse for English some primary English speakers seem to write.


Steve.
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Thats *** I thort 2 :D

DD

EDIT - well I neer - we're **ing out words such as w o t now :lol:
 
Yikes people,

what happened to the friendliest forum on the net idea?

That was a nice way to scare off a new member. I respect the hard work you "Pro's" put in to making your buisness your main income, but this guy asked some innocent questions and camehere for advice. You lot managed to cut him down big style.

Poor chap was judged by his camera before he even got a chance.

Taking the P when people ask for help is really off, and the sarcastic nature of some of the replies stinks. Ok, so you may be better than him, and a real Pro, thats no need to make others feel rubbish for trying.

Everyone starts somewhere.
 
Excuse me but I think you will find that a number of us offered some decent advice and didn't take the mick.

I'll have that apology now if you don't mind.
 
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