Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)
Hi everybody,
I am going to explain my situation asking for advice from you wise
people. I really appreciate any input on this. I have a day job in a
call centre (despite having a degree in Computer Science), job that I
hate while I am absolutely in love with photography. I can't help but
thinking all day about photography and take as many pictures as I can
whenever I have a chance. My plan is to start making money out of
photography till a point where I would be able to quit my day job and
"bet" on photography opening a full time business as photographer.
At the moment I have a compact digital camera (Canon A80) which is great
fun, but it has all the limits of compact cameras. I also have a Canon
EOS 30V that I absolutely like with 2 cheap Sigma zooms (plus tripods
and an EX420 Flash), but the costs of shooting films make me enjoy much
less my main hobby and force me to strongly limit the "shooting
sessions". I want to start putting my feet on the ladder in a serious
way. I am pretty confident about my abilities and I am sure the digital
"world" would help a lot to let me learn even more. Furthermore the low
cost per shot is a kicker in my plan.
All great, but I have a small issue... I am not rich at all... and to
switch to digital I will need a loan: this means I really have to be
careful on what to buy and what not.
I mainly shot for stock libraries but I do also commissioned work. My
main interest is focused on Potraits, Fashion, Glamour and artistic
nudes. I think I will do some weddings as well. My budget will be
3000Euro, but I live in Ireland where we have a huge economical rip-off.
Once again my aim is to reach professional levels with a not so big
budget. In the end it's the photographer not the equipment to take the
pictures .
My Sigma lenses won't work with the digital SLR so I have to start
(almost) from scratch, at least lens wise. I have two main choices
regarding the camera itself, 350D (1100 euro with the cheap kit 17-55
and 20D (1900 euro with the cheap kit 17-55). I need mainly portrait
lenses but a zoom on the tele side may help as well. Lenses of my
interest would be:
EF 50 1.8 MARK II - 150euro
EF 70-200MM F4L - 860euro
EF 85MM F1.8 - 530 euro
(prices taken from
http/www.connscameras.ie/flat_areaEQLproductsAMPCategoryIDEQL109_entry.html
)
Now considering my main subjects/usage (people photography), considering
that I have to allocate at least 600 euro for a small studio lighting, I
am left with 2400 euro of choice between Camera (possibly with vertical
grip), Lenses and memory cards.
What would you do guys? Could you give me some advice/insight on my
dillemas?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
Cheers,
Tony
PS: I have posted this message in another forum for getting a diversity
of opinions.
PS2: I have seen that with Pixmania.com I can save a lot, and I think I
am going to use them for price reference.
Hi everybody,
I am going to explain my situation asking for advice from you wise
people. I really appreciate any input on this. I have a day job in a
call centre (despite having a degree in Computer Science), job that I
hate while I am absolutely in love with photography. I can't help but
thinking all day about photography and take as many pictures as I can
whenever I have a chance. My plan is to start making money out of
photography till a point where I would be able to quit my day job and
"bet" on photography opening a full time business as photographer.
At the moment I have a compact digital camera (Canon A80) which is great
fun, but it has all the limits of compact cameras. I also have a Canon
EOS 30V that I absolutely like with 2 cheap Sigma zooms (plus tripods
and an EX420 Flash), but the costs of shooting films make me enjoy much
less my main hobby and force me to strongly limit the "shooting
sessions". I want to start putting my feet on the ladder in a serious
way. I am pretty confident about my abilities and I am sure the digital
"world" would help a lot to let me learn even more. Furthermore the low
cost per shot is a kicker in my plan.
All great, but I have a small issue... I am not rich at all... and to
switch to digital I will need a loan: this means I really have to be
careful on what to buy and what not.
I mainly shot for stock libraries but I do also commissioned work. My
main interest is focused on Potraits, Fashion, Glamour and artistic
nudes. I think I will do some weddings as well. My budget will be
3000Euro, but I live in Ireland where we have a huge economical rip-off.
Once again my aim is to reach professional levels with a not so big
budget. In the end it's the photographer not the equipment to take the
pictures .
My Sigma lenses won't work with the digital SLR so I have to start
(almost) from scratch, at least lens wise. I have two main choices
regarding the camera itself, 350D (1100 euro with the cheap kit 17-55
and 20D (1900 euro with the cheap kit 17-55). I need mainly portrait
lenses but a zoom on the tele side may help as well. Lenses of my
interest would be:
EF 50 1.8 MARK II - 150euro
EF 70-200MM F4L - 860euro
EF 85MM F1.8 - 530 euro
(prices taken from
http/www.connscameras.ie/flat_areaEQLproductsAMPCategoryIDEQL109_entry.html
)
Now considering my main subjects/usage (people photography), considering
that I have to allocate at least 600 euro for a small studio lighting, I
am left with 2400 euro of choice between Camera (possibly with vertical
grip), Lenses and memory cards.
What would you do guys? Could you give me some advice/insight on my
dillemas?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
Cheers,
Tony
PS: I have posted this message in another forum for getting a diversity
of opinions.
PS2: I have seen that with Pixmania.com I can save a lot, and I think I
am going to use them for price reference.