The next thing you need to do is to determine if you have the initial equipment that you need. Do you need the top of the line DSLR? No. You really do need a DSLR though. A point and shoot camera isn't going to cut it in the professional world. For one, if you show up to a shoot with a point and shoot, it isn't going to do anything for your credibility, but two, there really is a difference in the quality between the two different styles of cameras.
There is a really good chance you already own a DSLR. This is a good thing. It will save you that initial investment. To save a little time at this point, we're going to go with that assumption. (we'll talk about purchasing DSLR's a little later) Owning a DSLR is the first step in the right direction. More than likely you did get it with a lens, case and all the things that you felt you needed. It's a good start.
Now, the following items aren't necessities in life, but they sure don't hurt when you are wanting to be a professional. The first thing is a tripod. I know, you want to be that shoot on the go, move and shoot, move and shoot kind of photographer. And that's a good thing. But if you are going to shoot a family session, maybe a large family reunion, or possibly end up in a low light situation, there is no need to take that chance. So invest in a tripod. With that said, don't go with an inexpensive tripod. You probably don't need the most expensive heaviest tripod out there either. Remember that you have an expensive piece of equipment that you are going to be sitting on top of this three legged friend, and you really don't want it blowing over in the wind. Take a look at the weight of your camera plus the lens, and at a minimum get a tripod that is going to manage the weight of those items. It is probably going to be best if you make sure you get a tripod that is going to handle more weight than that for the simple reason that if you end up getting a heavier lens, you'll want your tripod to handle the whole package. As an example, if you are currently shooting with the lens that came with the camera, and then you eventually buy (assuming you shoot with Canon) a 70-200 f2.8, you are suddenly going to be adding at least a pound to your set up. That's pretty significant. Doesn't sound like much, but with a lens that runs around $1500.00, do you really want to take a chance on a $30.00 tripod that is designed for a light weight camera? So buy for your future needs. A good tripod could very well be one that has the body, then you buy the head separate. You might be looking a little over $100.00. But again, if you have over $2000.00 in camera equipment, what's $100.00?
As far as future needs are concerned, you will find that you will probably never have enough "toys" as a professional. You'll buy a lens, and realize that it's the best lens for xyz shots, but it doesn't quite cover abc shots.... You get the idea. And it's pretty much true. There are a couple of lens' out there that can cover all needs, almost... Now, I shoot with Canon equipment, so I'm going to be using examples with their equipment. The reason for that is that I don't know about the other brands equipment. It's all good, but I know Canon fairly well. The reason I say that you'll really never find one lens that's going to take care of all of your needs, is that unless you are shooting with what is known as a "full frame" camera, you just aren't going to be able to truly do it. In the Canon world, there are only two camera's that are Full Frame, and I don't know, but I think Nikon might have one. Full Frame camera's are capable of giving you the ability to have the true focal length of your lens, like a 35mm film camera would. As an example, if you have a 100mm lens, you actually have the focal plane of 100mm. All other DSLR's out there are going to have a magnification factor of around 1.5. What this means is take your lens focal length, and multiply it by 1.5. If you have a 100mm lens on it, you now have 150mm lens. Now, this is great if you have a long "reach out and touch someone" lens. Especially for wildlife or sports. If you have a 300mm lens, you now have a 450mm. Can't beat that. But, if you want wide angle, it's not so good. Now, that isn't to say that you have a bad camera. There isn't a thing wrong with and DSLR. What happens though is that it makes it harder to use just one lens if you are wanting to do several things. As an example, most portrait photographers absolutely love the Canon 70-200 f2,8. I don't know if there is a lens out there that has better depth of field (DOF)(That is in reference to a zoom lens. There are set lenses out there with a 1.8 or less that will blow your mind.). It's incredible, with an incredible price, but well worth it. Has image stabilization... Just makes your heart melt the first time you view images on your computer after you've shot with it. With a full frame, it's so nice to be able to have that full availability of the 70-200. But I've also used it on a camera with a mag factor, and there still isn't anything wrong with it, i just have to stand back a little further. I have to adjust where i'm at. So it is possible. Canon also has a lens that is somewhere along the lines of a 28-300. Perfect for a full frame. And is pretty much designed for it. It's about a $2800.00 lens. Why is it perfect for a full frame? It has a nice wide angle. On a camera with a mag factor, you lose that nice wide angle ability. So you kind of get the idea. In short, it doesn't matter what kind of body you shoot with, you will always read about the next best lens that has come out for your brand of camera and you'll want it.
I need to put this in right now, DO NOT go into debt for any piece of equipment. Save save save and save. Camera equipment is going to do nothing but come down in price. So buy the time you have saved, more than likely, the price will have come down. Lens' are about the only thing i have never seen come down in any significant amount. But do not let yourself fall into that trap of "it will pay for itself". I've seen to many people do that in order to get that new camera body, or whatever it is. If it takes you two years to save, more than likely not only will the price come down, but there will be a newer better camera body out, and that price will have come down. **Watch where you equipment is coming from. A lot of equipment is made in either the U.S. or Japan, both of which are quality equipment. I saw a lens on line the other day which had a price which was to good to be true, was showing all of the Canon markings on it, and it was made in Malasia. Had never heard of anything Canon being made in Malasia. So if you see a lens that normally runs close to $1000.00 for around $150, and it is brand new, be aware.
The Lens: There is more to the lens than the "length" of the lens. It seems like you'll hear people talk about their lens is a xxmm-xxmm. Most of they time when you hear a professional talk about their lens, they may say it's a xxmm-xxmm, but they will also throw in it's a 1.8, 2.8, etc... What we're talking about is the depth of field. In other words, the simple way to put it if you've never heard the term, is if we focus right on your nose, how much behind you is going to be out of focus if we have our lens set on 2.8. It also helps a whole lot in low light situations. You might ask yourself "how much difference can there possibly be between a 2.8 and my 3.5 or 4.0?" The difference is HUGE!! All i can say is when I switch from my 70-200 which is a 2.8 to my 28-135 which is a 3.5/4.0 (depends on where my length is), I get so frustrated because of the amount of light I can shoot in, and my depth of field is sooo much less. Still a good shot, but so much different. This is where you need to study, take a class, or whatever method of learning suits you best if you aren't familiar with these things. I could be here forever talking about it. And I'll talk about how to utilize these properly later on. On the cost aspect of them, a "good piece of glass" (or a good lens) is going to start around $1000.00, where a lens which is still a good quality with a higher f stop, is going to start around $400.00 or so. So there has got to be a reason in there somewhere.
Camera Bodies: In the Canon line, you can buy an 18 megapixel body with lens for around $1400.00, or you can buy their newest body without lens, at 10.1 megapixes for about 2000.00 more. Now, logically you'd say that the $1400.00 is the best buy right? More megapixels, has a lens... Well, research your choice of cameras before you even go buy. Think about it, why would that 10.1 newest body cost so much more? Well, for one, the body is almost impossible to destroy. Also, could one fit your needs more? Is one built more for sports type photography? And, are megapixels really the thing you want, or are you just a "megapixel snob"? Here's what I mean. On Canon's top of the line model, 21.1 megapixels, if you looks at the specifications, you can shoot RAW (we'll get into this debate later), and have all 21 megapixels, or shoot the highest jpeg and have all 21 megapixels. So as far as that goes, it doesn't matter right? I will concede it doesn't matter. Now, while you're looking at that, look at the megabytes available in each file. The jpg file as about 25% of the available megabytes that the RAW file has. Now, if you go to print an image, the company that is printing your image could really care less how many megapixels your camera has, but megabytes are going to play a little more importance. Being a professional, I would hope you are trying to sell that 30x40, and not just an 8x10. So, I'm not saying you have to buy a $4000-$6000 camera, but research what your needs truly are. If you are a sports photographer, yup... you are definately going to need a camer that has a high rate of fire, and can load those images onto the card really quickly. If you don't plan on shooting sports but maybe on rare occassion, then that high rate of fire isn't as important, so when you are looking, if there are other things in a camera that are more important, look for those. If you are going to be out shooting outdoor portraits, or in the mountains, or wildlife, you might start looking at what the camera body is made of. It's going to take a beating. So I hope that helps. Research, research research. Reading reviews are helpful, talking to friends are helpful, but reading the specifications on the makers sites are going to tell you more than anything. If you aren't quite sure what something means, look it up. But truly understand what you are getting, not just off the word of someone else.
Being a professional photographer can be a never ending money pit. These are just three things that are the very basics that are going to get you started. We'll get into more and more items that you are going to be looking at later on. But start adding it up now.
No comments:
Post a Comment