Next purchase for fairly new pro-level photographer

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Next purchase for fairly new pro-level photographer

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Jeff H

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Not to offend anyone, or start a fire here... but I'm charging for my work - so I am refering to myself as pro. I've been doing this for about a year now - supplementing my decreasing paycheck as a teacher. (no sob story, just the facts.)

When I started out I got a lot of really usefull information from the diehards in this forum.

Here is what I use currently:

D700
24-70 2.8 VR Nikkor
70-200 2.8 VRI Nikkor
85 1.4G Nikkor

Macbook Pro 15" 1 1/2 years old- but running strong
(Calibrated monitor - but not positive that it is true)
LR3
CS5 (photoshop only)
Personal website

I shoot a mix of family portraits, seniors, and weddings. I do mostly outdoor photography, and almost entirely portrait.

So here is my question.
What should my next purchase be in this business.

1. A second body. ( I currently borrow a D200 as a backup at weddings)
2. A 27" imac for post
3. A D3s

I know I don't need the D3s, but I'd like one and things tend to look better in groups of 3. I don't have the cash lying around for any of these but I do enough business to justify puting more into it.

Thanks for your comments.

Jeff

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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Hi Jeff H
I'd get the 27" imac, continue to borrow a body when needed and see what Nikon bring out later this year as it might suit you better than a D3s.

Posted 2 years ago #
a-dobbins91

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as much as the d3s is great, id go for the imac.
I recently got one myself and there great, cuts post process time in half!!

Good luck with your venture.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jeff H

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Oh.. and I have an SB-600 flash. I've been looking at the Qflash (quantum). I should throw that into the mix as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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27" iMac. MBPs are great, but unless you are hooking it up to an external high resolution monitor they are a little limiting in terms of screen space and resolution.

Posted 2 years ago #
Super Shooter

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If you can't figure out what what piece of equipment fits your needs the most by yourself then you are no pro.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jeff H

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Thanks for that great piece of advice there Super shooter. I'll take that very lightly into consideration.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mike Gunter

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Hi Jeff,

I can assume that you feel that you need a new computer monitor or it wouldn't be on the list, so I'll agree with that.

As for a camera, I also agree with other posters that you should wait. I'll add that I don't think I'd get a D3s at all. Unless you have really compelling reason to add to your kit, I think you have enough camera now and should wait to see what's coming.

You light is a bit weak. A single SB600 isn't too much. You might consider augmenting your lighting over time. Others can comment, too, but I have a light kit with several speedlights and modifiers and stands, and they can do a variety of things on location, wired or wireless. (In another thread there is a discussion about PocketWizards compatible with the CLS which I'm seriously looking into getting for all of the speedlights. That would be something I'd recommend for you - _in the fullness of time_. ;-) )

Nor did I see a tripod - and you may not be using one or really need one for much of the work that you do, but it's a consideration. If I were getting one it would be a nice carbon fiber with ball head.

I would also get a rolling bag from LowePro to carry stuff to and from your jobs.

There are neat reflectors from Lastolite and some holders in case someone can't help you, too.

Much of this stuff costs a ton less than a computer or camera, and likely you have some or all of it, but not knowing which or what, or your priorities - well, it's hard to pick for you.

I guess the point is, that there is a _mountain_ of do dads that can improve one's shooting and actual picture taking, and there are even plug ins for post, that might be more advantageous to you than a D3s or another body.

I do hope this helps.

My best,

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
Super Shooter

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Jeff H said:
Thanks for that great piece of advice there Super shooter. I'll take that very lightly into consideration.

Any time Jeff but you knew it was coming.

Jeff H said:
Not to offend anyone, or start a fire here... but

You don't go online and ask what you should teach your students every week too do you?

Posted 2 years ago #
warprints

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Jeff, when I read your original post just now, the lack of a speedlight jumped out at me. After a bit of playing around, it's amazing how much better you can make outdoor portraits work with proper use of speedlights. You updated to note that you have an SB600. Do you use it? Play around with it - off camera - and you may find that your photos will improve more with that than with a new monitor or camera. I agree with Mike (damn, I'm doing that too much), you should look into getting a second speedlight (SB700 is the sweet spot), and some light modifiers. Umbrella's, stands, etc., are quite inexpensive.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jeff H

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Good words Mike, I appreciate it. Yes I have most of the stuff you mentioned; tripod and monopod (though I rarely use them), a bag, a reflector, etc.

Really I know my needs are for a 2nd body, better light, and possily a better monitor set up. I'm just looking for some direction from people who have found themselves in this position before... I'm just not sure which of these would give me the most bang for my buck right now.

I know the macbook has treated me well, but would an imac deliver color more trustworthy and would it really make post faster? I know I would appreciate the extra real estate. Or, would my cash be better spent on the safety/insurance of a second body (cheap D90 likely).

I really like the Qflash, but I rarely use flash. When I do, it is mostly fill... and mostly at weddings.

Sometimes it is just good to bounce ideas off of someone to get priorities straight.

I'll likely end up getting the imac, continuing to borrow a 2nd body until something else comes out, and sticking with my SB600.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jeff H

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Warprints,
Thanks for the comments. Yes I put my sb600 on a stand occasionally - more often just have someone hold it. My pop-up acts as a commander. Have you looked at the Qflash? I'm getting that you prefer a few speedlights over having one big soft light.

Light. It's really all about light isn't it. I admit using flash/strobes is my weakest area of photography.

Posted 2 years ago #
LoveTheBerry

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Buy it all,...you live,..then die,...so might as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
warprints

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LoveTheBerry said:
Buy it all,...you live,..then die,...so might as well.

+1 :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
sevencrossing

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unless you need video, I would buy another D700 as a spare (nothing new to learn)
A 15" monitor is way too small, so yes a bigger one would be much better
I would also buy AT LEAST one SB900 ( I use 3 and am about to buy another )
and a brolly ( or two)or some other light modifiers
Ooh, and treat your self to a subscription to Kelby Training
finally, when they come out in the US, Nikon Pocket wizard thingies

Posted 2 years ago #
Jeff H

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Seven,
fill me in on Kelby

Posted 2 years ago #
warprints

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*Link Removed*
Hey admins, I'm not promoting this. I've never signed up for Kelby Training myself, but am just passing along a response to a request.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Guys I know a lot of you want one answer solutions to your purchasing questions but please do some of your own research!

Posted 2 years ago #
warprints

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Aaaaaaaaaggggghhhhh.
Busted.

Posted 2 years ago #
sevencrossing

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Jeff H said:
Seven,
fill me in on Kelby

Try that thingy invented by Larry Page and Sergey Brin

Ooh and do look at M K's lessons on LR3 and CS5

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

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I too have a d700 and bought a d300s for field sports and as a backup body. If you are pro, you need to own two bodies, or three if one is dx.

You also need to light, with at least 3 light sources most of the time (portraits), if one is the sun, then you need 2 speedlites and a backup (one breaks/no sun). umbrellas, snoots, grids, stands, VALs (people holding the flashes) are all necessary, unless you shoot a journalistic style, and proabably even then.

And yes, i would get a desktop with a nice big 30" monitor you can edit on without having to zoom to 100% all of the time. Most of the really good monitors are from Eizo, Lacie, NEC and HP from my uinderstanding (haven't bought one yet).

Posted 2 years ago #
aetas

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It looks like you got some good advice. I was in the same spot for a little while. I bought another speedlight and a few light modifiers and it really did make a world of difference. The other thing I recommend if you do alot of off camera lighting is some sort of radio triggers.

I use radiopoppers and they have not let me down. It helps being able to get my flashes out of the line of site sometimes. I would leave a link but it seems as though everyone is having a hard time with that. So I would just say look it up. Oh and good luck and happy shooting.
~Cheers

:edit
Checked out your site. Really nice, great work.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Can I suggest some Alien Bees and cheap wireless triggers (search ebay for ishoot, for example)? I know it's not on your list, but they're nice.

warprints, everyone should agree with Mike at every chance they get.

Posted 2 years ago #
JorPet

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jonnyapple said:
... warprints, everyone should agree with Mike at every chance they get.

A greater truth was never told. Mike has some of the most grounded comments on this board.

I would continue to borrow the D200 as needed and, if possible, try to borrow some of the other equipment that is mentioned here. That has been my saving grace as I have a friend who has a lot of lenses, flash guns, and bodies that I can borrow. I am just now getting to a point were I have somethings he wants but doesn't have and he can borrow those. Some things you will go, meh, don't see a use for that. Others you will wonder how you lived without them. Way cheaper to borrow and discover they don't work the way you do than to buy them and then find that out.

Posted 2 years ago #
Pierre

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A big monitor is definitely a good idea, a dual monitor setup is even better. I have a DELL XPS with a LG 30 inch + a Dell 27 inch (I should have got a 24 inch instead). The color on them is definitely not calibrated (yet) but I still love them. I tend to put all of the CS5 tools on the second monitor and keep the big one for the photo. Santa got me a Medium Intuos4 Wacom pen pad that I am still trying to get accustomed to but so far I find it great, especially in CS5. The gestures and the 1024 pressure points of the pen are impossible to reproduce with a mouse. For serious photo editing I think a pad is a must. At $500 it comes with Adobe Element 8 and the ability to upgrade to CS5 Photoshop for about $300. It comes with a ton of other apps so the pad is basically a freebee.

My wife just bought an IMac 27 inch I7, 1TB disk, 8gig of ram and a 2TB USB disk for backups. I would not recommend the I3 or I5 versions. We have installed Fusion on it and are running both snow leopard and windows 7 simultaneously. We have hooked a 24 inch to it for the second monitor via a Mini-DVI adapter. I find this setup very nice as you have the best of both MAC-Windows world and Fusion really let you blend the two OS very nicely. On the left side of the IMAC we put the MAC task bar and on the right side (of the 24 inch), the Windows 7 one. We have split the 8 cores and the RAM in half for each of the OS. I still find that when using the Windows 7 (which run in a virtual machine) apps extensively, the IMAC tends to get pretty hot (I would not leave my hand on the top for too long). I would suspect that a MAC tower and a 30 inch would be a safer route (heat wise). Unfortunately, this system is kind of off-limit for me, my wife tends to be pretty protective of it.

Like you, more lights would benefit me and I probably do not need more than my D700 but I wouldn't mind adding a D3s or perhaps better a D3x as a second body and I may go for one of them if Nikon do not release the D4 or D800 (or whatever it will be called) soon enough. I wouldn't mind playing with some medium formats neither just for the fun of it (despite claims that the D3x sensor beats many of them).

I have the 24-70 and 70-200 F2.8 along with a 105mm. I know the F2.8 are supposed to be very good lenses but I find them soft for my taste. I would expect them to be much sharper. The 105mm macro is visibly sharper and I would love trying some 1.4 primes just for comparison. Perhaps there is something wrong with my camera or settings or with the way I do things.

Posted 2 years ago #