High caliber photos on $2500 budget

jddzigns · Mar 31, 2013

WHAT I'M SHOOTING: Furniture, framed artwork, custom frames, home interiors.

GEAR I HAVE: (3) Norman Allure 320 strobes, light stands, (2) 24" x 36" soft boxes, (2) convertible umbrellas, solid tripod, Canon 10D (I know, I know...it's an antique), 50mm f/2.8 compact macro lens, a light meter and Adobe CS5.

MY GOAL: Get photos with the same warmth and intimacy as Pottery Barn's or West Elm's photos. These photos will be used in our catalog, signs, website etc. I know much of this will depend on the location and staging (we got that part nailed down) but a part of it will depend on lenses and equipment that's what I need help with.

MY QUESTION: What gear do I need to achieve this? I figure I'll need at least one other lens. I'm assuming I'll need a better camera body since the one I currently have has less resolution than most smart phone cameras. What body and lens would you recommend? What other gear would you recommend? Keep in mind, my budget is $2500 probably not enough for full frame.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

KmH · Mar 31, 2013

It's more about the photographer than the equipment.

You don't say what lenses you have now, but you are correct cameras have improved since the 10D.

cgipson1 · Mar 31, 2013

You can buy all the equipment in the world... but without knowledge and experience to set that equipment up, you won't get the shots you are after! Maybe hire a pro to come in and setup the lighting for you... give you the basics... good luck!

The_Traveler · Mar 31, 2013

Any of the better m 4/3 body and lenses will give you excellent results and in that budget.

LouR · Mar 31, 2013

While the 10D is an "antique", it still can do some top-quality images if it's in working order and you know what you're doing. Those images are achieved through lighting and post-processing and none look like they were necessarily full-frame. For less than $2500, you could hire someone who shoots that style.

David444 · Mar 31, 2013

With $2500 I would buy a used, 5DII @ $1300, 17-40 @ $550, and 24-105 @ $750. This should put you about $100 over budget. You could sell the 10D and 50mm if needed, they will net you around $300. Your lights will be fine for what you are wanting to accomplish, you may want to add a few small flashes for accent lighting as needed.

I do agree with others that you might get the look that you are after with your current camera. But I have shot with the 10D and if for nothing more than the gain in processing speed, it would be worth upgrading.

Sw1tchFX · Mar 31, 2013

Stick with the 10D, you'd be an idiot to blow your load on a different camera.

Spend the money on massive light modifiers and grip equipment. Make a bunch of 4x8 V-Flats, Those Wescott 7-foot white umbrellas are great for even light, get a bunch of C-Stands, sand bags, and a Kupo High roller with a super boom. Get an old Mac Book and shoot tethered with it with the 10D. Don't buy a camera, because unless they're being printed on a billboard, the 10D has more than enough resolution for a magazine double-truck.

jddzigns · Apr 7, 2013

We have a bunch of foam core (white and black) that we use for light modifiers and v-flats and also have two 40" convertible umbrellas and two 24"x36" soft boxes. Any other lighting or light modifiers you'd recommend for shooting furniture and interiors?

I also need another lens. I have a 50mm prime and I love it for shooting smaller products but when I need to shoot furniture in tight places or need to shoot an entire wall the 50mm doesn't cut it. Can you recommend a good wide angle lens for the 10D?

FYI, we're set on software (CS5 Master Suite) and laptop (Mac Book Pro), so we don't need to blow any budget on that.

Sw1tchFX · Apr 7, 2013

I'd still get the 7-foot'rs, MUCH larger than 40". For a wide lens, 17-40L would work perfect.

TATTRAT · Apr 7, 2013

jddzigns said:
We have a bunch of foam core (white and black) that we use for light modifiers and v-flats and also have two 40" convertible umbrellas and two 24"x36" soft boxes. Any other lighting or light modifiers you'd recommend for shooting furniture and interiors?

I also need another lens. I have a 50mm prime and I love it for shooting smaller products but when I need to shoot furniture in tight places or need to shoot an entire wall the 50mm doesn't cut it. Can you recommend a good wide angle lens for the 10D?

FYI, we're set on software (CS5 Master Suite) and laptop (Mac Book Pro), so we don't need to blow any budget on that.

While I shoot Nikon, I am know there is a Tokina 11-16 2.8 for Canon. I love mine for interior shots. Hasn't ever let me down and there isn't a huge amount of distortion (fish-eye effect)