Which mobile studio equipment?

carrying-window.jpg
 
GMAN thanks for the inbox - didnt notice till last night - I take on board what you said thankyou

Anyway, when I said mobile - really its not my best option but just starting out I dont have a studio or anything so really thats the only thing I can do - Im not keen on dragging everything around all the time but cant do much else.

I have been to have a look at the cameras today and Im still liking the 600D - it felt better for me than the Nikon although that was a nice camera too.

I will be going for this and the 50mm f1.8 lens too
 
V8burble said:
Yes, of course I agree Jonathan.

All I'm trying to say is that it really depends on the photographer and their style of shot... at f/11 with a studio flash in a big soft box it makes no difference, but shallow DoF at f/1.6 it is essential (without a lot of luck).

Sorry to the OP, confusion wasn't the intension.

But back to your choice of camera... I would get what feels good in your hand, through the viewfinder and what 'fits you best' rather than wade through reviews. I started (digital) with a Nikon D200 with a grip which below iso 800 was perfect for me. In fact I use it for pro shoots now and I shoot with a D3 also. A camera is not for ever and can be swapped at any time. Swapping manufacturers is a bit more of a struggle depending on what lenses you build up but again not really a problem as many have swapped from Canon to Nikon (one or two might even have gone the wrong way too ;)) I can't speak for Canon bodies like I say but most modern bodies will do what you want them to do. I would go second hand and get a body a step up from what I could get new but some people just pref new :shrug:

In the studio I set focus and have the camera on a tripod for babies when they're contained (Gaffer tape works ;+) ) so I can concentrate on capturing moments and maintaining rapport.
 
GMAN thanks for the inbox - didnt notice till last night - I take on board what you said thankyou

Anyway, when I said mobile - really its not my best option but just starting out I dont have a studio or anything so really thats the only thing I can do - Im not keen on dragging everything around all the time but cant do much else.

I have been to have a look at the cameras today and Im still liking the 600D - it felt better for me than the Nikon although that was a nice camera too.

I will be going for this and the 50mm f1.8 lens too

Well done for resisting the lure of the dark side.. there's hope for you yet young padawan :naughty:
 
The force is strong in this one...
You will succumb eventually, don't fight it!

Newborns are easy... 4 year olds are a PITA... especially when you've got 75 of the little @£$%&**

Excellent, that's the camera sorted, well probably, now you just need everything else ;)

Talking of newborns and 50mm f/1.8 (although Nikon) this was taken with one, at f/2.8 as rather close so DoF narrow, with just a single SB600 and silver brolly overhead with wireless trigger.

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(If you look on her right heal you can see the heal prick mark)
 
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For the price of a new 600D you can get a second hand 5D and that puts you in full frame goodness territory. The 5D and 50mm 1.8 is a very nice combination. :)

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I understand what your saying but I'm not paying outright for it so can't do that otherwise I would

Lovely pic by the way
 
For the price of a new 600D you can get a second hand 5D and that puts you in full frame goodness territory. The 5D and 50mm 1.8 is a very nice combination. :)

That's a really good example. Light in the baby's eyes would have set this alive.

Flash, reflector, or as the clicking moms on Flickr do - Photoshop ;)
 
I'd spend my money on this to start:
http://www.creativelive.com/courses/newborn-baby-photography-sandy-puc

It's been mentioned, but it's worth repeating.

Camera:
You can start with a 600d, but I'd buy a 35 F2 over the 50 F1.8 any day, esp for a crop camera. An 85 (50 equivalent) is just too long as your only fast (read narrow depth of field) lens. Unfortunately, neither focuses that fast. I'd start saving hard for a 17-55 F2.8 also.

Lights:
While experimenting and learning (probably for several years before you have skills and confidence sufficient to charge (and that isn't a criticism of you)), I'd recommend starting with speedlites too, as others have said. Manual only Canon 430ez go for approx £25 or less on ebay, add stands and umbrellas and triggers and battery packs and you should be fine.
 
With new born, I would try and not use flash. I would prefer to use a high iso and a fast aperture.

This with will reduce the chances of distrubing the baby. other option would be cool lights, LED or even desk lamp.

Natural light would be a easiest.
 
Its interesting to read everyone has different ways of doing things when it comes to photography - some say flash some say no flash lol

Im not going to buy anything else until I have completed the newborn workshop and seen for myself :)
 
Ask 10 people how to shoot something and you'll get 26 different opinions, half of which will be the "only" way to do it :-P
 
I believe from another thread you said you have already purchased the 600d. I think V8 suggestion of window light and reflectors sounds like a good place to start. Then when you feel you have a handle on that, buy a speed light or studio head and so on.
 
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