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Going pro on the cheap
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<blockquote data-quote="BackdoorArts" data-source="post: 240398" data-attributes="member: 9240"><p>OK, so avoiding the question of "should it be done?"...</p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Software & Website</strong>:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$120 for Creative Cloud subscription and Behance membership. Assumes you are capable of all maintenance on you own without having to contract additional support. </li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Cameras</strong>: You need two, assumes you are buying new</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$2000 for a D610, which would be my recommendation not knowing anything else. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$1100 for a D7100 as a second. Depending on what you're shooting you could go $2200 for a pair and skip the D610. </li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Lenses</strong>: Given the budget you will want/need to go with zooms and one or two good primes. Choices would include:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$999 for a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 as a basic lens for an FX shooter. Could opt for the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 and save 1/2. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">~$800 for a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 as a low light shooter on the D7100 (essentially a 27-50mm f/1.8 that acts like 2 low light primes and all the room in between) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$500 for a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 as a portrait lens (if required, otherwise you are covered by the zoom at that length) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Either $600 for a Nikkor 70-300mm DX zoom or $920 for a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom depending on the needs of the business.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">One more specialty lens, either an ultra-wide, fish or macro, depending on the business plan - $400-800. </li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Other Equipment:</strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$200 for a good tripod and head </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$500 for 2 flashes and remotes (figure Yonguo w/ Vello remotes - you can't afford Speedlights) </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$??? Lights, stands, umbrellas, softboxes, reflectors - it all depends on what you need </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$200-500 for carry bags and/or cases assuming you're not in a studio </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">$100-300 for SD cards </li> </ul><p></p><p>So, let's see. I would want 1 FX and 1 DX camera, so that's $3000 on bodies. I want the 18-35mm f/1.8 for the D7100 as it kills more than 2 birds with one stone, and the 85mm portrait lens is a must if I'm shooting people, so that's $1300. Given that I have low light near range covered with the Sigma I'll opt for the 24-85mm "kit" lens which saves me $500 over the 24-120mm and covers similar territory before hitting the next zoom level. From here it depends if I need reach or light performance. For reach I go with the 70-300mm (and if that's important then I may also have been able to get away with a pair of D7100's), otherwise it's the Sigma 70-200mm because I'm not allowed to spend more. </p><p></p><p>Sub-total for basic gear: somewhere between $5000-5700 depending on the choice of bodies and minimal lenses. Tack on $$ for filters and software and let's just say that somehow you got in at $6000. That's without any of the ancillary stuff. Oh, and did you mention that you'll need a dedicated computer, storage and backup solution for all of this, because God forbid you lose a client's work.</p><p></p><p>You can likely nit-pick at some of my choices, but if you are thinking "pro" then you're going to want something above mid-level consumer gear, even to start, otherwise you're not taking yourself seriously, and if you don't no one else will. Either way, I am of the firm belief that you can't start from scratch with that budget and make a serious go at it. You can try and get by with a single camera solution, which is likely more than enough for certain types of work. But if that goes in for service you're screwed and out of business until it comes back.</p><p></p><p>So, in conclusion, I have to believe you've only got about 2/3 of what you need to make a serious go at shooting pro. You can compromise, buy used and keep your fingers crossed, but I don't believe those are parameters you ever want to enter into a business plan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BackdoorArts, post: 240398, member: 9240"] OK, so avoiding the question of "should it be done?"... [B] Software & Website[/B]: [LIST] [*]$120 for Creative Cloud subscription and Behance membership. Assumes you are capable of all maintenance on you own without having to contract additional support. [/LIST] [B]Cameras[/B]: You need two, assumes you are buying new [LIST] [*]$2000 for a D610, which would be my recommendation not knowing anything else. [*]$1100 for a D7100 as a second. Depending on what you're shooting you could go $2200 for a pair and skip the D610. [/LIST] [B]Lenses[/B]: Given the budget you will want/need to go with zooms and one or two good primes. Choices would include: [LIST] [*]$999 for a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 as a basic lens for an FX shooter. Could opt for the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 and save 1/2. [*]~$800 for a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 as a low light shooter on the D7100 (essentially a 27-50mm f/1.8 that acts like 2 low light primes and all the room in between) [*]$500 for a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 as a portrait lens (if required, otherwise you are covered by the zoom at that length) [*]Either $600 for a Nikkor 70-300mm DX zoom or $920 for a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom depending on the needs of the business. [*]One more specialty lens, either an ultra-wide, fish or macro, depending on the business plan - $400-800. [/LIST] [B]Other Equipment:[/B] [LIST] [*]$200 for a good tripod and head [*]$500 for 2 flashes and remotes (figure Yonguo w/ Vello remotes - you can't afford Speedlights) [*]$??? Lights, stands, umbrellas, softboxes, reflectors - it all depends on what you need [*]$200-500 for carry bags and/or cases assuming you're not in a studio [*]$100-300 for SD cards [/LIST] So, let's see. I would want 1 FX and 1 DX camera, so that's $3000 on bodies. I want the 18-35mm f/1.8 for the D7100 as it kills more than 2 birds with one stone, and the 85mm portrait lens is a must if I'm shooting people, so that's $1300. Given that I have low light near range covered with the Sigma I'll opt for the 24-85mm "kit" lens which saves me $500 over the 24-120mm and covers similar territory before hitting the next zoom level. From here it depends if I need reach or light performance. For reach I go with the 70-300mm (and if that's important then I may also have been able to get away with a pair of D7100's), otherwise it's the Sigma 70-200mm because I'm not allowed to spend more. Sub-total for basic gear: somewhere between $5000-5700 depending on the choice of bodies and minimal lenses. Tack on $$ for filters and software and let's just say that somehow you got in at $6000. That's without any of the ancillary stuff. Oh, and did you mention that you'll need a dedicated computer, storage and backup solution for all of this, because God forbid you lose a client's work. You can likely nit-pick at some of my choices, but if you are thinking "pro" then you're going to want something above mid-level consumer gear, even to start, otherwise you're not taking yourself seriously, and if you don't no one else will. Either way, I am of the firm belief that you can't start from scratch with that budget and make a serious go at it. You can try and get by with a single camera solution, which is likely more than enough for certain types of work. But if that goes in for service you're screwed and out of business until it comes back. So, in conclusion, I have to believe you've only got about 2/3 of what you need to make a serious go at shooting pro. You can compromise, buy used and keep your fingers crossed, but I don't believe those are parameters you ever want to enter into a business plan. [/QUOTE]
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