Help me choose my future "pro gear"

[MarshallG]

For that, you'd be better using a 36 MPix full frame camera, or a medium format instead.

If you can afford it, sure, it's great. But I got excellent results even back when I only had 12 mpixels. Having a flat field macro, a copy stand and good lighting control mattered far, far more for me. YMMV.

 

[D-B-J]

Reproduction of artwork for reprints. Or photographing circuit boards in which you want to be able to zoom in and read the value on each resistor.

For that, you'd be better using a 36 MPix full frame camera, or a medium format instead.

I agree, but we digress. Sorry to the OP for detailing the thread.


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[MarshallG]

I agree, but we digress. Sorry to the OP for detailing the thread.

I think we helped him understand that you choose a macro lens for the kind of work you want to photograph. For small items in nature, a longer focal length. For larger items, a smaller focal length.

 

[Sid51]

Are you sure you want a 105mm macro? 105mm means fairly long camera-to-subject distance. Unusable in many I door scenarios, such as with a copy stand.

Not saying the lens is unusable or you shouldn't buy it, just try to make sure you want a focal range like that.

Your lighting equipment is inadequate, in my opinion. Sounds like you have very little knowledge and experience with lighting to have such a barebones lighting selection.

I didnt decid what macro lens i will get yet, but you have a good point, since my dad will use the lens mostly, and he has a crop-sensor camera, i maybe look into a different focus length.

About the light, you are 100% right. I have no experience with lightning. One person told me to switch the flash out to the newer Phottix Mitro+, since it system works way better than nikon's in a off-camera situation with lot of sunlight. He recommended me that kit: Phottix Scott Kelby Mitros+ TTL Flash and Odin TCU TTL PH80378, which costs less than the sb-910 itself. What would you recommend?

You need to decide what kind of flash photography you want to do. For professional quality results, you basically cannot fire the flash directly straight-on to the subject, except as fill flash in bright sunlight.

If you want to do studio portrait photography, then you should look for three studio flashes with big stands and diffusers. If you want to do wedding photography, you need more portable equipment. If you do event photography, such as weddings and business functions of people indoors, then you want an on-camera flash that's very powerful, (maybe an external power source) as well as a diffuser of some type.

So, unfortunately, it really depends and it takes work with the equipment to decide what you want. Another really popular piece of gear are "radio poppers," which remotely trigger your flashes using radio transmitter/receivers. One excellent book I recommend is Syl Arena's Speedlighter's Handbook. He is Canon-based, but everything he does can be done with Nikon. Another resource, which is more budget minded, is www.strobist.com. Although he recommends very low-cost equipment, the techniques can be used with any kind of equipment. The Strobist-recommended equipment isn't very durable, which you'll learn the first time yuk use an umbrella and flash on a lightstand outdoors. As soon as a gust of wind blows, your equipment will fall over and break.

I am gonna use the flash on indoor situations like Skate bowls, indoor music shows, etc. At first, i dont plan to use that much on the outside, but later on i can buy decent off camera flash gear for that.

 

[Tailgunner]

Yes i will. NY and Washington are on my list for sure,

I'm assuming you're talking about D.C.

Washington D.C. isn't the most tripod friend place in the U.S. You can set up a tripod out way from the Lincoln memorial for example but your can't set up a tripod up inside the Lincoln memorial. The lighting inside the memorial isn't all that great and will require fast glass and high ISO. FX doesn't mean noise free either. So I would suggest picking up a Joby Gorilla pod. I saw a gentleman using one for a smaller P&S camera. He would wrap it around a pole and no one paid him any attention. I told my self I would by my self one the next time I visited D.C.

JOBY GorillaPod SLR-Zoom - Portable, flexible tripod for telephoto lens cameras

I am gonna use the flash on indoor situations like Skate bowls, indoor music shows, etc. At first, i dont plan to use that much on the outside, but later on i can buy decent off camera flash gear for that.

You're not going to make a lot of friends using flash in an indoor music event or in indoor event for that fact. A lot of places want allow flash, art museums for example or plays. We couldn't even use our camera phones watching a play at the Ford theater in D.C. You can forget about taking pictures of the U.S. Constitution...anyone caught taking pictures is thrown our.

 

[Sid51]

Yes i will. NY and Washington are on my list for sure,

I'm assuming you're talking about D.C.

Washington D.C. isn't the most tripod friend place in the U.S. You can set up a tripod out way from the Lincoln memorial for example but your can't set up a tripod up inside the Lincoln memorial. The lighting inside the memorial isn't all that great and will require fast glass and high ISO. FX doesn't mean noise free either. So I would suggest picking up a Joby Gorilla pod. I saw a gentleman using one for a smaller P&S camera. He would wrap it around a pole and no one paid him any attention. I told my self I would by my self one the next time I visited D.C.

JOBY GorillaPod SLR-Zoom - Portable, flexible tripod for telephoto lens cameras

I am gonna use the flash on indoor situations like Skate bowls, indoor music shows, etc. At first, i dont plan to use that much on the outside, but later on i can buy decent off camera flash gear for that.

You're not going to make a lot of friends using flash in an indoor music event or in indoor event for that fact. A lot of places want allow flash, art museums for example or plays. We couldn't even use our camera phones watching a play at the Ford theater in D.C. You can forget about taking pictures of the U.S. Constitution...anyone caught taking pictures is thrown our.

Oh, i think i didnt make myself clear enough, i am not buying this gear to use in that trip (i mean, i will probably gonna use that there, but its not the reason why i am buying it). I am concern about my needs here in Brazil.
And i know there will be places i wont be able to use the flash, but i will have a fast lens (50mm f/1.4) and will be able to crank up the iso with the d810 in these kind of situations. I also have a good tripod here.

But thanks for the advices, tho.

 

[MarshallG]

I didnt decid what macro lens i will get yet, but you have a good point, since my dad will use the lens mostly, and he has a crop-sensor camera, i maybe look into a different focus length.

About the light, you are 100% right. I have no experience with lightning. One person told me to switch the flash out to the newer Phottix Mitro+, since it system works way better than nikon's in a off-camera situation with lot of sunlight. He recommended me that kit: Phottix Scott Kelby Mitros+ TTL Flash and Odin TCU TTL PH80378, which costs less than the sb-910 itself. What would you recommend?

You need to decide what kind of flash photography you want to do. For professional quality results, you basically cannot fire the flash directly straight-on to the subject, except as fill flash in bright sunlight.

If you want to do studio portrait photography, then you should look for three studio flashes with big stands and diffusers. If you want to do wedding photography, you need more portable equipment. If you do event photography, such as weddings and business functions of people indoors, then you want an on-camera flash that's very powerful, (maybe an external power source) as well as a diffuser of some type.

So, unfortunately, it really depends and it takes work with the equipment to decide what you want. Another really popular piece of gear are "radio poppers," which remotely trigger your flashes using radio transmitter/receivers. One excellent book I recommend is Syl Arena's Speedlighter's Handbook. He is Canon-based, but everything he does can be done with Nikon. Another resource, which is more budget minded, is www.strobist.com. Although he recommends very low-cost equipment, the techniques can be used with any kind of equipment. The Strobist-recommended equipment isn't very durable, which you'll learn the first time yuk use an umbrella and flash on a lightstand outdoors. As soon as a gust of wind blows, your equipment will fall over and break.

I am gonna use the flash on indoor situations like Skate bowls, indoor music shows, etc. At first, i dont plan to use that much on the outside, but later on i can buy decent off camera flash gear for that.

Are you able to use flash for those events? Performers usually hate it. Off-camera can still work well in those situations if you're allowed to set up the flashes that way.

When I do concert photography indoors,
I use a 50mm f/1.4 and black and white. Flash bothers the performers, but I can use the large IR transmitter on my flash to improve focus.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

If you're already planning on dropping the 50mm go all out and get the 70-200 f/2.8
Its the sharpest zoom lens I have ever worked with not to mention it has the low light performance and focus speed. It may be the best lens on the planet being that you'll be shooting with Nikon Glass now

 

[RoyalCaptures]

Personally I would go for the:

Nikon D4/D4s
14-24
24-70
200-400

 

[Sid51]

Are you able to use flash for those events? Performers usually hate it. Off-camera can still work well in those situations if you're allowed to set up the flashes that way.

When I do concert photography indoors,
I use a 50mm f/1.4 and black and white. Flash bothers the performers, but I can use the large IR transmitter on my flash to improve focus.

Yes. I have never received a complaint because of the flash in any event i covered so far. But, if that happens, flash off, f/1.4 on and iso up

If you're already planning on dropping the 50mm go all out and get the 70-200 f/2.8
Its the sharpest zoom lens I have ever worked with not to mention it has the low light performance and focus speed. It may be the best lens on the planet being that you'll be shooting with Nikon Glass now

Honestly, that is what i would like to do, but my budget wont allow me. I need a good prime 50mm to cover indoor events, i'd rather sacrifice a little in sharpness and get a tamron plus the 50mm.

Personally I would go for the:

Nikon D4/D4s
14-24
24-70
200-400

Cant afford all that gear, man! lol

the nikon d4s + 14-24 will exceed my budget already, if i sum up the 200-400 it will be almost the double of what i have to spend haha

 

[Braineack]

I agree, but we digress. Sorry to the OP for detailing the thread.

I think we helped him understand that you choose a macro lens for the kind of work you want to photograph. For small items in nature, a longer focal length. For larger items, a smaller focal length.

yeah, many people choose a macro lens for macro work...

 

[MarshallG]

I think we helped him understand that you choose a macro lens for the kind of work you want to photograph. For small items in nature, a longer focal length. For larger items, a smaller focal length.

yeah, many people choose a macro lens for macro work...

No need to be so snarky. They come in different focal lengths, and there are reasons why.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Does the 910 kit come with pocketwizards or any other slaves? If not pocketwizards should be your next purchase after this stuff. You'll find them along with the flashes being your most useful tools during skate shoots.

Off topic: Have you posted any of your skate photography?! I'd love to see it. I got into photography by photographing skaters.

 

[Sid51]

Does the 910 kit come with pocketwizards or any other slaves? If not pocketwizards should be your next purchase after this stuff. You'll find them along with the flashes being your most useful tools during skate shoots.

Off topic: Have you posted any of your skate photography?! I'd love to see it. I got into photography by photographing skaters.

No, it doesn't ;/

I will upload some of my pictures and post them here tomorrow!

 

[djacobox372]

Adorama and B&H both have used departments.

EBay is a better option, more buyer protection and better prices. Learn to sell as well as buy, because the best deals are had in large lots-you need to resell what you don't need.

I never buy a used lens without a camera and a flash attached, once you sell the camera and lens you end up getting the lens for half market value