$1000 to spend....what to get?

TedG954

Senior Member
Take this for what it's worth, which is approximately two cents. I am anal when it comes to sharpness and noise. I want totally sharp and zero noise.

Over the past Summer, I participated in several photo competitions. The judges, in most cases, had very respectable credentials. In those competitions, it appeared that noise wasn't a consideration in the judging and sharpness didn't carry the weight i gave it.

I learned a lesson. I'm now shooting with higher ISOs and learning to "accept" noise. With that said, I'd put my $1000 in the best lens I could find, and keep the D7000 a bit longer.

My therapist said I should make significant progress when I can finally accept ISO 3200. Ewwww.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member


Ok, with headshots, you can likely get away with a crop-sensor camera, but with real estate (RE) and some family shots, you'll sometimes do better with a full frame camera.

All of them are likely going to require multiple lighting units, unless you already have many. (I know a local pro here who does many RE shots each month uses up to six lights per assignment. He rarely uses less than three in a shot. However, going HDR is an option, if your clients like that look. Many don't.)

Any lights you get would also likely be useful for the headshot and family portraits, but you're likely to need different modifiers than you use for RE shooting.

So, with $1000, I'd spend some of it on lighting, in addition to what you already are thinking about. I'd also try to find a local professional, and I mean a real one, not just someone who owns a camera and has a stack of business cards that says they're a photographer. After you've found one, ask if you can assist them; it helps if you can find a local photographers guild and get contacts there.

Don't believe I really answered your question, but that's my $0.02 worth. Good luck with whatever you do.

WM
 
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Blacktop

Senior Member
Take this for what it's worth, which is approximately two cents. I am anal when it comes to sharpness and noise. I want totally sharp and zero noise.

Over the past Summer, I participated in several photo competitions. The judges, in most cases, had very respectable credentials. In those competitions, it appeared that noise wasn't a consideration in the judging and sharpness didn't carry the weight i gave it.

I learned a lesson. I'm now shooting with higher ISOs and learning to "accept" noise. With that said, I'd put my $1000 in the best lens I could find, and keep the D7000 a bit longer.

My therapist said I should make significant progress when I can finally accept ISO 3200. Ewwww.

I am not a "sharp" fanatic as most, (this does not mean that I don't want sharp shots, it just means that I'm not spending 2 grand on a lens that gives me a tiny bit of extra sharpness, imagined or real over another.)

Noise however is another thing. I despise and loath noise. It makes me break out in a cold sweat. (film grain on a B&W is nice however).
This is why I got the D750. I laugh at ISO 3200 now. I use it like I used to use Iso 400 on my D300.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I am not a "sharp" fanatic as most, (this does not mean that I don't want sharp shots, it just means that I'm not spending 2 grand on a lens that gives me a tiny bit of extra sharpness, imagined or real over another.)

Noise however is another thing. I despise and loath noise. It makes me break out in a cold sweat. (film grain on a B&W is nice however).
This is why I got the D750. I laugh at ISO 3200 now. I use it like I used to use Iso 400 on my D300.

I love sharpness, and also despise noise. Your testimony makes me want to get a D750 now!! That and a 200mm f/2 and I'd be happy for a couple of months.

WM
 
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