A Bit of Advice Please

[meaghanmalone]

I posted the other thread AFTER this one... after I learned the pros of having a film camera.
You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.

 

[gnorknik]

Do you already have lenses? If you only need a body, I would suggest a D800. Here is a link to a noise test for a D800: Nikon D800 vs. Nikon D700 high ISO comparison | Nikon Rumors . The D800 will run you $3,000, though. It is also sometimes hard to find; they sell out often.

 

[meaghanmalone]

You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.

 

[Patriot]

If you want DX I would get a D7000 as it offer more user controls. Trade in your old camera for cash towards a new or used D7000 or Canon of equal playing field. Having no lens right now means you can look at other brands. However the D7000 does a really good job in lowlight for a DX body.

 

[meaghanmalone]

You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.

 

[tirediron]

Hokay... a'splain this to me Lucy. None of the types of photography (With the possible exception of "live birth"; something about which I know absolutely nothing) are "low light" situations, so why is that your primary critieria? Are you sure what you need isn't more/better lighting gear?

$2500 is not even going to touch a wedding set-up (MINIMUM: 2 x "prosumer" body @ $2500 each; 2 x speedlight @ $300 each; 15-200mm glass at constant 2.8 - $3500 - 5000, monolights $2000, plus all the other odds & ends, add another $1000), and if you're doing well at family photography, stick with it.

The D800 is a great body, no doubt about it, but it's also at the top end of your budget without even touching glass. Consider a used D700 which does well in low light, and produces file-sizes which do superb 11x14s, and then start on your glass. A used 24-70 would be my first choice, followed by either a 70-200 or 80-200.

 

[sm4him]

I want to go into wedding photography eventually, but am currently still a student and building my portfolio so it will be probably about 2 years before I get to that point. Anyways, I am looking to spending about 2,500 in January on new equipment. I can go as high as $3,000 but my goal is to spend no more than $2,500 on new DSLR equipment.

I currently shoot portraits, newborns, live birth, families, kids, and some events. I need a camera that does great in low-light settings and has low noise at high ISO and the D3000 (my first amateur camera) just isn't doing it for me.

I am currently a nikon user, but am open to switching if need be.

:scratch: Something isn't adding up here.

In THIS THREAD, you said you don't even HAVE a camera right now--meaning you can't "currently shoot portraits, newborns..." nor would it make you currently a Nikon user. It would make you someone who wants a camera.
In another thread, you said you just want to get a film camera and develop your own film; no mention there either of shooting weddings, or shooting professionally at all.

I'm really not trying to be rude here, but I really AM confused about what you actually have NOW, what your experience level actually is, and what you actually want in a camera.

 

[Light Guru]

In another thread, you said you just want to get a film camera and develop your own film; no mention there either of shooting weddings, or shooting professionally at all.

In the other thread I saw from the same person it was asking about large format film cameras to shoot weddings. And later it said they had shot a few weddings for friends.

I will say the same thing here shooting for friends and shooting for paying clients are VARY different things.

For weddings you need to get exposure, posing lighting etc down extremely well. In my opinion you will learn this much easier with digital then with film.

Find a local photographer that shoots weddings and ask to be their intern, assistant or whatever so you can learn from someone who is already doing what you want to do.

 

[meaghanmalone]

Some receptions are low light...

and You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.

 

[meaghanmalone]

I want to go into wedding photography eventually, but am currently still a student and building my portfolio so it will be probably about 2 years before I get to that point. Anyways, I am looking to spending about 2,500 in January on new equipment. I can go as high as $3,000 but my goal is to spend no more than $2,500 on new DSLR equipment.

I currently shoot portraits, newborns, live birth, families, kids, and some events. I need a camera that does great in low-light settings and has low noise at high ISO and the D3000 (my first amateur camera) just isn't doing it for me.

I am currently a nikon user, but am open to switching if need be.

:scratch: Something isn't adding up here.

In THIS THREAD, you said you don't even HAVE a camera right now--meaning you can't "currently shoot portraits, newborns..." nor would it make you currently a Nikon user. It would make you someone who wants a camera.
In another thread, you said you just want to get a film camera and develop your own film; no mention there either of shooting weddings, or shooting professionally at all.

I'm really not trying to be rude here, but I really AM confused about what you actually have NOW, what your experience level actually is, and what you actually want in a camera.

I posted the other thread AFTER this one... after I learned the pros of having a film camera.
You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.

 

[meaghanmalone]

I want to go into wedding photography eventually, but am currently still a student and building my portfolio so it will be probably about 2 years before I get to that point. Anyways, I am looking to spending about 2,500 in January on new equipment. I can go as high as $3,000 but my goal is to spend no more than $2,500 on new DSLR equipment.

I currently shoot portraits, newborns, live birth, families, kids, and some events. I need a camera that does great in low-light settings and has low noise at high ISO and the D3000 (my first amateur camera) just isn't doing it for me.

I am currently a nikon user, but am open to switching if need be.

:scratch: Something isn't adding up here.

In THIS THREAD, you said you don't even HAVE a camera right now--meaning you can't "currently shoot portraits, newborns..." nor would it make you currently a Nikon user. It would make you someone who wants a camera.
In another thread, you said you just want to get a film camera and develop your own film; no mention there either of shooting weddings, or shooting professionally at all.

I'm really not trying to be rude here, but I really AM confused about what you actually have NOW, what your experience level actually is, and what you actually want in a camera.

You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.
And currently basically means I was shooting all of those things...and will continue to as soon as I purchase a new camera... and those that had asked me to photograph them are unphased by my switch because my friend loaned me his camera to use until I purchase a new one... whether that be for a week or 6 months from now... he said to use it as long as I need to.

 

[Light Guru]

You can ignore this entire post because I have since changed my mind and decided to pursue film.

You say you want to do weddings, then do yourself a favor and learn on digital first. You will save yourself a LOT of time and effort.

In my personal opinion if your going to do film then shoot large format, otherwise go digital.

 

[tirediron]

Not sure what's going on here, but I'm guessing we don't need any more of it.