Backup camera VS 85mm VS Flash equipment

[JustJazzie]

You all have given me much to think about! Thank you.

You'll find your Nikon Df FX sensor camera blows away the D700.
It's like when I was comparing the D700 to the D600. There's many threads about the D700 / D600 / Df in our forum.

I've been debating between the D7100 and D7200 for some various things. The specific difference between the two is the remote wireless shutter ability with the D7200.

The D7200 is always going to be a little better at everything, of course, at a little bit more $$$.

For sports, I've found the newest FX 70-300 lens to be really good (in testing - I have yet to buy it) and it fills in the short and long focal lengths. I love DX with my 80-200 except the 80 is 120 FOV and the 200 was 300FOV. I've found on a football field that 70-300 is the sweet spot on a FX, and 24-85 on a DX to get both near and far shots using lower cost lenses.

I also love the 85mm/1.4 AF-D. The background OOF is just creamy. I haven't used it lately as I haven't done any portraiture in a while but @Derrel can tell you all about it.

Thank you for your thoughts. I haven't used my 70-300 on sports yet, (other than dirt biking close up) but DS is starting up wrestling after the holiday so I will finally have a chance! I had a thread all about the 85 options a few weeks ago and am definitely in it for the 1.4D when the time comes. So dreamy!

Lens-wise, I would maybe consider the 70-200mm f/4 AF-S VR-G Nikkor zoom lens, used, for say $795 or so without the tripod collar, to as much as $950 used, with the tripod collar. That way you get a pro-grade lens optically, smaller than the f/2.8 Nikkors of various models, lighter, more compact, easier to handle, lighter, less costly too for a same-era lens.

I dunno...I think I would consider adding some more studio strobe stuff, like a 3- or 4-piece honeycomb grid set and barn doors set, if you so not already own those things, and a third and fourth light: IDENTICAL lights as your other studio flash units...I like "identical" lights because they use the same accessories, and have the same power and beam spread when used with the same accessories, and it is easier to adjust them in terms of ratios, if they are "the same lights"...I have six M-11 units, and six 102 flash units for my two flash systems...when each flash is "the same type" it's just easier to do a WYSIWYG multi-light setup.

You are already doing VERY nice lighting with your big scrim/shower curtain setup, as well as your big reflector board setup, and I think it's time for you to experiment with what having two extra lights can do: rim-light, separation light, background light,etc.,etc.. I'm not a fan of mixing speedlights with studio flash units due, for three reasons (not gonna explain here). I'd personally add two more monolights, the grid set, gel holder set, diffuser holder set,barn doors, maybe a nice boom stand (really helpful), and some grip stuff: clamps, arms, C-stand or two, etc.

For you? I think it might be a great time to allocate your next $800-$1,000 on lighting and grip gear, stuff that will be good for 10-20 years. I really think you're at the stage where your lighting is good...but more stuff,more options, a few little lighting refinements and 'wrinkles' could easily elevate it to great.

I appreciate you chiming in, Derrel! I do have a barn door and grid set. I don't have gels for it though. I hadn't really considered another strobe (because of my fallout with Adorama a few years back) but it is a brilliant suggestion. Ive always tried to use my speed lights as a background/rim light and it is so very inconsistent in power output that I have had several potentially great shots come out ruined. I will have to give that suggestion a good ponder!

As for the 70-200, I know its supposed to be a great lens, but oh so heavy! And my 70-300 is my least used lens. Until that gets a little more love, Im not sure I can justify another one in that focal length.

If you don't know what to buy, then don't buy anything! If you're not going to take on paid work, then you don't really need a second body, especially since your primary is such a nice piece of kit. You already have lighting gear, so do you need any more? Doesn't sound like it, really... you've got a fair range of glass.... Put the money from your sold gear in the bank and wait 'til you find a genuine NEED. Then you will KNOW what to buy.

This is probably the best advice so far (and also the least fun! :giggle But if I put it in the bank DH might get to it before I do. LOL Perhaps its better off under the mattress?

You are right though, I do have a nice kit built up already- and I don't really "need" a backup body. Although, I really did wish I had one at yellowstone this summer because I was changing lenses so darn much! That scenario is unlikely to repeat itself anytime soon though.

 

[Vtec44]

@JustJazzie , you should just consistently charge people so you can buy more gear without having to worry.

 

[JustJazzie]

@JustJazzie , you should just consistently charge people so you can buy more gear without having to worry.

Why hello, my green aura'd friend! :Giggle:

This is a good plan that I dream of implementing when the kiddos are in middle school or high school.

But most of all, I wonder if I actually like people enough to work with them every day. Its quite the conundrum you see, wanting to take portraits but not wanting to talk to people. Apparently the two things kind of go together in a photo business, or so I've been told. People+math=business; and I don't do either of the former very well.

 

[benhasajeep]

@JustJazzie , you should just consistently charge people so you can buy more gear without having to worry.

Why hello, my green aura'ed friend! :Giggle:

This is a good plan that I dream of implementing when the kiddos are in middle school or high school.

But most of all, I wonder if I actually like people enough to work with them every day. Its quite the conundrum you see, wanting to take portraits but not wanting to talk to people. Apparently the two things kind of go together in a photo business, or so I've been told. People+math=business; and I don't do either of the former very well.

Just think of it as being the boss and telling them what to do!