First off, thanks everyone for taking the time to provide all the input. It really is very much appreciated!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cmike2780
(Post 3318542)
Honestly, if you're just starting out,
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spending that much on a body is kind of pointless. There are advantages to shooting full-frame...heck medium format or even film. Buying the most expensive camera a company makes only gets you a lighter wallet. I think people forget why they even need the extra pixels and high ISO settings in the first place. The best night photographs are captured using low ISO and the right techniques. You don't need a billion trillion megapixels or ISO 1 billion for that. Just about any DSLR out there can do what you want.
Lenses are where you should really be spending money on. It's a better investment and they tend to hold their value. It's also the most important aspect of your gear. It's what that dictates what your sensor sees. That's not to say a good body isn't a good investment....just don't get caught up in the spec sheet or price. The D810 is a great camera.... but so is the D750, D610 or D7200.
Personally, I'd buy the D610 since it doesn't really hurt to go full frame if you can afford it. If you have more money leftover, buy a really nice zoom lens with a fast, continuous aperture or a bunch of fast prime lenses. I'd also grab the SB-910 speed-light. Comes in handy for indoor low-light shots and you won't need stupid high ISO's. ISO 6400 is plenty if you can't use a flash. Unless you're some wannabe paparazzi or someone shooting a once in lifetime event where for some reason you don't have a fast lens, can't use a flash, can't use a tripod/monopod and the only source of light is a flashlight 200' away, you really don't need to be shooting at that high of an ISO. The majority of my shots...especially the night shots are done at ISO 200 or less and with a longer exposure or with a flash. Once you understand the concepts, you can decide for yourself if its worth spending the extra cash.
Your gear accounts for a 1/4 of what makes for a great image.... and that's being generous. The rest is talent, technique, patience and a little bit of luck. I guarantee you you'll get better shots buying a used DSLR, a 50mm prime and taking 10,000 shots than you ever will buying the most expensive gear the camera store has on display. If you must spend money on the top of the line gear, there's also nothing wrong with refurbished or used gear. Adorama or B&H usually sell them with warranties which takes the worry out of the equation
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I'm not entirely "new" to photography, however, I am still very bad in the technique department. A lot of it has to do with the area where I lived when I really got into it because I just lacked the creativity to compose a good shot. And to a great degree I still do. I really need to learn technique and hopefully, if I have a good enough camera that makes me feel like it is worth doing seriously technical shots with, then I might start paying attention and figuring it out for once. Still to date the best shot I ever took was a B&W with a cheap, old, used 35mm film Olympus (I think) DSLR and a cheap lens I got off eBay back in 2007 for like, $180.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cmike2780
(Post 3318546)
I honestly wouldn't bother.
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Renting gear is great if you just need one for a shoot, but not if you're in the market to buy one. Try it in the store and just buy the camera which feels right. Return it if you're not happy. Even if they charge an open box fee, it's still cheaper than renting both cameras. Unless you have a nice lens already, you'll probably have to rent one of those too. That's probably around $150-$200 that could be going towards a piece of gear you're going to own
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While it does sound like I good idea, after renting the lenses and everything it'll set me back enough to upgrade to the next higher model so I'll agree with you on this one. I've played with them enough in the store that I think I can make a decent decision without having to rent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by forza370z
(Post 3318649)
Thanks man :tiphat:
Yea the D750's auto focus is so good at night.
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It's very accurate. My buddy and I was shooting under the bridge the other day. Both of us has aperture wide open at f1.4. He was shooting the D610 and had to use tripod. He was so surprised my image came out sharper than his without the tripod and flash. But then again, my lens is 24mm 1.4 which is superb in the low light too.
If you do decide to go with the D750, however, there is a known issue about unusual flare under the intense lighting condition in the early batch. But Nikon has addressed this issue by adjusting the auto focus unit position.
Thanks for the tips on the lenses. I still have a lot to learn about focal lengths and well, everything as I stated above. And yes, I did read up on the flare or noise issue and know what to look for on a fixed unit. Thanks for the warning!
So I think I'll narrow down on the 610 and 750 but I'll likely choose the 750 regardless. I like the flip out lens and the NFC. Had that on my last NEX camera which was a very nice feature.
Tigger
09-28-2015 05:05 PM
Oh, and last question for now... I want to get right into portrait shooting after I learn my way around the field. Any good avenues to take to find models? I know it is a fine line between weird, creepy stalker stuff and fine portrait photography. Just want to approach it the right way.
Cmike2780
09-29-2015 06:40 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tigger
(Post 3318693)
Oh, and last question for now... I want to get right into portrait shooting after I learn my way around the field. Any good avenues to take to find models? I know it is a fine line between weird, creepy stalker stuff and fine portrait photography. Just want to approach it the right way.
I know people that use Model Mayhem. Craigslist is a bit hit or miss and a bit higher in the creep factor. The easiest place to start would probably be friends and family.
Also, not trying to critique your choices or anything. Just letting you know it's not always about having the most expensive gear and hopefully saving you some cash that could be better spent for what you're after. Seems like you already kind of made up your mind though. Either way, It's great that you're giving photography a shot.
redstarcg
09-29-2015 11:34 AM
Really wanted to improve on parking deck photos and try to make them look more artistic than just a parking deck. So here is what I came up with on my first run.
I know the black car wasn't the best option because its pretty much a big black hole, but I am bored of my car so anything for me is better haha.
carlitos_370z
09-29-2015 12:32 PM
waooooo just insane man :drool: love the pics and the damn 350z Nismo... just awesome! unfortunately the 350z Nismo never arrive to PR:shakes head: i kill for one of those hahaha!
Tigger
09-29-2015 03:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cmike2780
(Post 3318928)
I know people that use Model Mayhem. Craigslist is a bit hit or miss and a bit higher in the creep factor. The easiest place to start would probably be friends and family.
Also, not trying to critique your choices or anything. Just letting you know it's not always about having the most expensive gear and hopefully saving you some cash that could be better spent for what you're after. Seems like you already kind of made up your mind though. Either way, It's great that you're giving photography a shot.
Oh hey no worries. Not taking offense to any input. All is very much appreciated critical or otherwise. I get something in my head it is very hard to steer away. lol.
Model Mayhem... got it. :tup: Hopefully I'll have something worthy of posting in a couple of months!
Pintsize725
09-29-2015 04:01 PM
Still trying to get the hang of the 24mm pancake. The manual focus is finicky.
Took a few clichéd shots of the Driskill Hotel. Didn't have the tripod handy. Don't mind me, just bored here and trying to visit some places before the kiddo arrives.
I went scouting for new spots for night photos. Here are the best ones.
Found one myself today but not sure if I want to risk being out there at night while still pregnant. I'm not good at sunset shots but this spot would look awesome with some star trails in the sky.
Don't ever do natural light anymore so this weekend while going out to do some location scouting I decided to grab my camera with no strobes to do random shots.
Anyone interested in an excellent condition Canon 85mm f/1.8? Gonna be selling mine soon, giving the you guys on here first dibs. $290 shipped including PP fees.
HKYStormFront
10-08-2015 10:15 PM
Consider trade for 50 f/1.4 if you don't already have it?
6spd
10-09-2015 09:10 AM
I'd consider it Patrick, but I told my wife I'd sell the it to finance my recent purchase of the Sigma 85 1.4, and that was part of the deal. Wife deal = non-negotiable lol! I have a difficult time seeing and composing shots at 50mm, my eye just has a hard time with that focal length, but 85-135, thats where its at for how I like to shoot.
I really was hoping that the skylights would be a bit sharper.
HKYStormFront
10-12-2015 02:12 PM
A couple weeks ago, I took my best friend Dustin's 350z Nismo down to Z1 Motorsports in Carrollton, GA, to get another round of mods done. A few weeks before that Drew and I had helped him install a brand new set of Corbeau sport seats in the Z, as well. Z1 installed a set of their headers, new high flow cats, a Z1 ported intake manifold, and then retuned it all. All said and done, it ended up gaining ~20hp at the wheels out of the new setup, in combination with his Nismo CAI's and Amuse Titan exhaust. We haven't gotten the dyno sheets yet but I'm guessing the torque gains, especially in the mid range are probably where the most gain was. We washed our cars yesterday morning, met up with my local 370z friend Matt for lunch, then drove down to the Clemson ICAR center for a few pictures yesterday afternoon.
That first shot really catches the eye. I like all the color contrasts.
Pintsize725
10-12-2015 02:19 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by HKYStormFront
(Post 3326871)
A couple weeks ago, I took my best friend Dustin's 350z Nismo down to Z1 Motorsports in Carrollton, GA, to get another round of mods done. A few weeks before that Drew and I had helped him install a brand new set of Corbeau sport seats in the Z, as well. Z1 installed a set of their headers, new high flow cats, a Z1 ported intake manifold, and then retuned it all. All said and done, it ended up gaining ~20hp at the wheels out of the new setup, in combination with his Nismo CAI's and Amuse Titan exhaust. We haven't gotten the dyno sheets yet but I'm guessing the torque gains, especially in the mid range are probably where the most gain was. We washed our cars yesterday morning, met up with my local 370z friend Matt for lunch, then drove down to the Clemson ICAR center for a few pictures yesterday afternoon.
Yeah man, I have two AB800's with softboxes :happydance:
Nice dude! Looked like a 2light setup. Man I am jelly of that extra power you have haha.
HKYStormFront
10-12-2015 09:24 PM
Happiness would be adding a 1600 as a key light. I could do anything with a three light setup. I get by with two but three would be perfect. Unfortunately, the GXP has soaked up all available funds for that kind of thing and I haven't bought any new camera gear in literally years at this point... Speaking of which, I did snap off a shot of my car while we were there as well:
This is a nice shot but her eyes look sooooo incredibly fake, it looks like the Fremen in Dune. Also, the whole picture has a blue tint on the WB scale, to my eyes, it could go more to the yellow side of the balance... That's just me tho, and that "cool blue" look may have been what you were after :tiphat:
This is a nice shot but her eyes look sooooo incredibly fake, it looks like the Fremen in Dune. Also, the whole picture has a blue tint on the WB scale, to my eyes, it could go more to the yellow side of the balance... That's just me tho, and that "cool blue" look may have been what you were after :tiphat:
I wish I could say I was going for a blue tint. I was working with a broken monitor at the time without realizing it hahahahahaha.
redstarcg
10-13-2015 09:45 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by HKYStormFront
(Post 3327129)
Happiness would be adding a 1600 as a key light. I could do anything with a three light setup. I get by with two but three would be perfect. Unfortunately, the GXP has soaked up all available funds for that kind of thing and I haven't bought any new camera gear in literally years at this point... Speaking of which, I did snap off a shot of my car while we were there as well:
Nice shot man! Yeah a super powerful key light would be amazing!!! As of right now I have been using two little speedlights I have laying around to add another light to my lighting, but no speedlight will beat a strobe :(
