Pro Camera + Gear for under $20k

[FotosbyMike]

Does $20k really buy you that much? I mean everyone here is freaking out, lol and here I was thinking that I'd be looked down upon as a mere peasant in the forums, lol.

We are use to people putting they want to go all out pro with $1-$2k budget and this is more to laugh at. But yeah 20K is a lot of money to spend on photo equipment.

And you can do a lot with 2-3 speed lights but knowledge is key on how to use them. More gear doesn't make you a better photographer except when your gear limits you. First think about what is limiting you...ex. lights buy some strobes, or can't focus close enough buy macro. Small steps and build up.

I love Karl's work and would love to go to his workshop too.

I also really like Tony Roslund and Rob Grimm work met them both and took their workshop last year at the Fstoppers workshop.

 

[Braineack]

But yeah 20K is a lot of money to spend on photo equipment.

it's all relative.

$20k is a lot to spend on "product photography" without any product to shoot to make income with.

 

[jaomul]

Rather than spend right now, I suggest you spend some money on some expert lighting tutorials. Most product photography is all about the lighting, and unless I am mistaken mostly at lower iso (100 or 200). There is not a lot that that k3 wont be capable of shooting with its 24mp sensor, at low iso, a good lens, knowledge and good lights.

But by all means go your own way.

 

[ThatAudiGuy]

Does $20k really buy you that much? I mean everyone here is freaking out, lol and here I was thinking that I'd be looked down upon as a mere peasant in the forums, lol.

We are use to people putting they want to go all out pro with $1-$2k budget and this is more to laugh at. But yeah 20K is a lot of money to spend on photo equipment.

And you can do a lot with 2-3 speed lights but knowledge is key on how to use them. More gear doesn't make you a better photographer except when your gear limits you. First think about what is limiting you...ex. lights buy some strobes, or can't focus close enough buy macro. Small steps and build up.

I love Karl's work and would love to go to his workshop too.

I also really like Tony Roslund and Rob Grimm work met them both and took their workshop last year at the Fstoppers workshop.

You're right, I remember Lee Morris did a drink photoshoot tutorial with just 3 speed lights and a strobe, turned out fantastic.

You guys on the forums have been really helpful, in that I will definitely not be blowing away the $20k all at once. Take small steps instead.

 

[ThatAudiGuy]

I can tell you how it worked when we started our studio, it may or may not help you:
Before we decided to open professionally we did what I would call a "soft opening." (We didn't call it that at the time). We own our own commercial building which is our studio space (a luxury, I know), so that was luckily a non-issue. We decided on a fictitious name, registered our tax ID and name with the state and were "above board" from day one.
We were working with our personal "prosumer" gear at the time. We consciously decided to hold off on pro gear until we were certain that we would make our money back on our investment.
We bought some simple paper backdrop rolls (your standard black, white, grey) and a nice brown mottled canvas back drop. We bought 2 tungsten soft boxes (entry level stuff; easy to correct for the color in LR). We already had LR, PS, and a good computer from our lives as "hobbyists."
When we needed to move the light source in the studio we unplugged them and rolled them over. We also shot on location in town and in the country (which we still do).
After about 3 months of operating like this, we were swamped with business. Referrals were rolling in and we were booking up to 6 months in advance.
We took a trip to B&H. We ran up a 10K bill buying a D800, top of the line zooms, and strobes. It was a fun time. If you can, go buy your gear in person. It's a great experience, and seeing and touching things before you buy helps you avoid pitfalls.
Within 3 months the 10K bill was paid off. For the rest of the first year we put most of our earnings right back into our craft. We spent a boatload. Now, we only buy things when they break or when we really think we need something that our current gear can't do.
This was 4 years ago. We currently book up every single season (focusing on weddings, senior pics, and a ridiculously successful Christmas holiday season (books up a year in advance!). We book families on a limited basis as we only have room certain times of the year. Whew. We ended up being successful!
Now, your idea scares the crap outta me! I think you should rethink your plan. Be a bit more conservative out of the gate. You can buy more as you go, but if you buy it all upfront, you could be out 20K.
Please let us know what you decide. Best of luck in your endeavor, just think it through!

You sir, are living the dream!. I think I might take up on your advice, spend the money gradually, buy things only if I really need to. But really though? Does $20k really buy you that much? I mean everyone here is freaking out, lol and here I was thinking that I'd be looked down upon as a mere peasant in the forums, lol.

Thank you for your advice, I really genuinely appreciate it!

You're welcome! Yes, 20K can get you quite a bit of gear. I really suggest a trip to B&H when you are ready to buy (if you're near NYC). The staff there is very knowledgeable and can really help steer you in the right direction. Their lighting department is a dream; all of the equipment is on the floor to view and explore. Since you aren't planning on shooting people (that always sounds funny), you probably don't need quite as wide a variety as a typical photographer (when it comes to lighting).
Good luck. Slowly build what you need. I think the first order of business is a new camera body and a new lens. That right there can be quite a decision! Again, the folks at B&H, as well as the folks on the forum, will have some great advice. I still to this day call B&H for advice before making a big buy.

Unfortunately, I don't have the kind of expert advice, as I don't live in the US. I usually get my suff locally, or from Dubai, but none of these places have the kind of expertise as some of the stores around North America.

 

[Designer]

Add a mechanical keyboard ..

That sounds funny!

I haven't seen a mechanical keyboard for many years.

I don't know how one would attach a mechanical keyboard to a computer. Why not just use a cheap, readily available electronic one?

 

[ronlane]

I'm actually shocked that no one has suggested to you to get a Nikon D5 or a Canon 1Dx mk II and the trinity of lenses, 15-30, 24-70 and 70-200 all f/2.8 versions. With product, you may want a 100mm macro as well.

That could be had for well under $20K and then you'd have plenty of money for lighting and other stuff you will need for good product photos.

 

[Designer]

Does $20k really buy you that much?

Yes. You can easily set up a small studio on one corner of your room for that amount. As long as the objects will fit on your stage or in a light box.

I will also caution you against spending the entire wad immediately. If you don't have a computer, don't have a camera, no lens, no stage, no lights, no modifiers, and no customers, I would start there. Get all that stuff, including some customers, and start in. If you're careful, you will still have about $10,000 cash to use for something else.

 

[ThatAudiGuy]

Rather than spend right now, I suggest you spend some money on some expert lighting tutorials. Most product photography is all about the lighting, and unless I am mistaken mostly at lower iso (100 or 200). There is not a lot that that k3 wont be capable of shooting with its 24mp sensor, at low iso, a good lens, knowledge and good lights.

But by all means go your own way.

I've got quite a few hundred dollars worth of tutorials about studio lighting, ones that Karl Taylor did with Broncolor.

The K-3 is actually quite horrible in low light and the K-3 II is not much different, lol. Hence, why I wish to upgrade, I want to get the Nikon D810 but its been out for a while, I don't want to splash out all that money just to have Nikon release the 820 or 900, so I might go for a Canon 5DSR, a few lighting options and a new 15" Macbook as I have a feeling my old 4gig model won't be able to handle the larger files. Funny thing is, I thought just between the FF body plus 3 lenses would cost me $20k, lol.

 

[jaomul]

Product photos are normally under controlled light situations though, not low light

 

[ThatAudiGuy]

I'm actually shocked that no one has suggested to you to get a Nikon D5 or a Canon 1Dx mk II and the trinity of lenses, 15-30, 24-70 and 70-200 all f/2.8 versions. With product, you may want a 100mm macro as well.

That could be had for well under $20K and then you'd have plenty of money for lighting and other stuff you will need for good product photos.

Aren't both the D5 and 1Dx both over $5K for just the body only?, my only gripe with both those cameras is the sub 20 mpix sensor size (not quite sure about the 1Dx), a lot less detail compared to a 5DSR(?).

 

[Watchful]

Don't you hate it when you type one thing and the phone is certain you meant something else? great technology.

 

[ThatAudiGuy]

Does $20k really buy you that much?

Yes. You can easily set up a small studio on one corner of your room for that amount. As long as the objects will fit on your stage or in a light box.

I will also caution you against spending the entire wad immediately. If you don't have a computer, don't have a camera, no lens, no stage, no lights, no modifiers, and no customers, I would start there. Get all that stuff, including some customers, and start in. If you're careful, you will still have about $10,000 cash to use for something else.

Can you actually breakdown the costs? I mean how can I buy all that equipment and still be able to save $10k, because I am unable to.

 

[ThatAudiGuy]

Product photos are normally under controlled light situations though, not low light

I know what you mean. I'm just saying, the K-3/II's are horrible in low-light overall.

 

[Watchful]

Add a mechanical keyboard ..

That sounds funny!

I haven't seen a mechanical keyboard for many years.

I don't know how one would attach a mechanical keyboard to a computer. Why not just use a cheap, readily available electronic one?

Mechanical keyboards are just a higher quality version of the rubber blister film keyboard that uses an individual switch under every key for greater precision and speed. The plug into the USB ports on the computer and most have a usb socket on the side for receiving signals from a wireless mouse and relaying it to the computer, so there are 2 connectors that you plug into the computer itself from the keyboard.
You don't need to go out and buy a mechanical keyboard for a light-use family PC or a home theater PC, and you won't want to lug one around for your laptop or tablet. But if you're a PC power user and you're willing to shell out a few hundred dollars on a high-end CPU or graphics card, don't cheap out with a pack-in stock keyboard. You might find that moving up from your old rubber-switch keyboard to a nice mechanical model could make your computing more enjoyable overall.

Here's some reading that explains it well.
I personally use one with Cherry MX Red switches in it, I don't like the click of some of the other types. I have this keyboard: Aivia