Recommendations; Overall.

[JoshTrottier]

Alrighty! I have come to extremely good luck with photography recently and will be getting about $20,000 from a close reletive who has the money to spend on photography gear for myself.
I currently have a T2i kit with a 18-55mm and 55-250mm lense.

You can guess with $20k I'll most likely be getting a new camera and lenses, and I've planned to get;

Canon 5D mark II
Zoom wide angle-telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens.
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens
EF 85mm f/1.2L II IS USM lens
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM autofocus lens
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens
A battery grip & 4 batteries
64GB card and a 16GB card.
As well as some lens filters as well for the lenses.

My dilema is lighting equipment. I want to be a photojournalist but having lighting equipment for studio photos and such would be great to have off hand as well.
I've been talking with my photography teacher about portable lighting rather than in studio lighting just because I prefer to do that work instead of being inside a studio.

I've thought of using multiple off-camera flashes with a wireless reciever for them as well with stands or getting portable strobists from brands like norman or profoto.

I'm also planning to use a bit of this money for a iMac desktop(Video production as well as better system for editing. I've used macs before(most of my family uses them.) and I prefer them over a PC.) as well as a Macbook pro.

Suggestions on lighting, lens views, ect would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to buy the wrong things!

 

[Derrel]

Well, I would strongly re-think the 50/1.2 and the 85/1.2 L lenses and the 70-200 f/4 IS...I think you're putting a LOT of money in the WRONG spots...same with the 100/L macro...

The 50/1.2 and 85/1.2 are two of the slowest-focusing, most-overrated lenses Canon makes, especially for action work. And why would you want the 70-200 f/4 when the 2.8 models are so much more versatile? You want a built-in wireless flash commander AND a light metering system that's consistent with both ambient, and flash metering? Get a Nikon. it also has a pop-up flash that can trigger flashes via optical slaving. And color-aware light metering for both ambient and flash.

And really, why are you buying a 5D-II...it's got such a weak AF system in it and such a lame light metering system...it's a cheap camera sold at a high price...it is a $389 EOS ELan body with $2,000 worth of sensor in it. I know...I own a 5D...it has the AF system from the 20D, slapped into a full-frame body...it's a very lame AF system. Have you seen what a professional camera is built like these days??? Like a D3s or even a Nikon D700???

Seriously...you want to be a photojournalist??? Get a Nikon and some better-performing lenses and a better camera. Seriously. You need some advice from somebody who can tell you how dog-slow the 50 and 85 focus, how massive they are, and how very LITTLE they bring to the table compared with lighter, better lenses from Nikon, or even Canon's modest 50/1.4 EF and 85/1.8 EF; both those lenses are light,small, and focus FAST!!!

 

[mwcfarms]

I wish I had a mini Derrel to put in my pocket every time I go into the camera store.

 

[djacobox372]

If u really want to be a photo journalist I'd suggest spending around 3k on a decent camera kit, and spend the other 17k on travel expenses to interesting parts of the world to build your portfolio.

 

[Trever1t]

If u really want to be a photo journalist I'd suggest spending around 3k on a decent camera kit, and spend the other 17k on travel expenses to interesting parts of the world to build your portfolio.

Wow! That's the most awesomess advice I've ever heard and I agree 10000%

World Travel > Photo gear...dare I say it!

 

[JoshTrottier]

Well, I would strongly re-think the 50/1.2 and the 85/1.2 L lenses and the 70-200 f/4 IS...I think you're putting a LOT of money in the WRONG spots...same with the 100/L macro...

The 50/1.2 and 85/1.2 are two of the slowest-focusing, most-overrated lenses Canon makes, especially for action work. And why would you want the 70-200 f/4 when the 2.8 models are so much more versatile? You want a built-in wireless flash commander AND a light metering system that's consistent with both ambient, and flash metering? Get a Nikon. it also has a pop-up flash that can trigger flashes via optical slaving. And color-aware light metering for both ambient and flash.

And really, why are you buying a 5D-II...it's got such a weak AF system in it and such a lame light metering system...it's a cheap camera sold at a high price...it is a $389 EOS ELan body with $2,000 worth of sensor in it. I know...I own a 5D...it has the AF system from the 20D, slapped into a full-frame body...it's a very lame AF system. Have you seen what a professional camera is built like these days??? Like a D3s or even a Nikon D700???

Seriously...you want to be a photojournalist??? Get a Nikon and some better-performing lenses and a better camera. Seriously. You need some advice from somebody who can tell you how dog-slow the 50 and 85 focus, how massive they are, and how very LITTLE they bring to the table compared with lighter, better lenses from Nikon, or even Canon's modest 50/1.4 EF and 85/1.8 EF; both those lenses are light,small, and focus FAST!!!

I don't use Nikon, at all. I've used several Nikon cameras over the past year and I hated using them to an extreme extent. The reason I'm looking at the lenses and camera I want to buy is because I've used them all before and I loved them! Also, at the 70-200 4.8, I mixed that up and was looking at the wrong camera. I plan on getting the 2.8.

For the lighting, I didn't mean I wanted all of those I was asking for opinion on which is better to get. Strobist lights for like studio work or just several off camera flashes with stands and wireless receivers(I've used this set up before and it worked pretty nice.
As well as photo journalism, I'm currently only 16 and a freshman in High School so I have time in the future to expand my lens collection, the reason I'm looking at the 85mm 1.2 and 50mm 1.2 is because while I'm this age it would be nice to work with portrait photography and more studio work, my main goal is to become a photojournalist yes, though in the mean time until I graduate high school I want to work with more studio work just to get a overall knowledge on how that goes, know what I mean?

The 5D doesn't have that slow of a AF, and plus it does have a full frame censor which after talking to my photography teacher about cameras to get he said the 5D or 7D would most likely be good buys.

If u really want to be a photo journalist I'd suggest spending around 3k on a decent camera kit, and spend the other 17k on travel expenses to interesting parts of the world to build your portfolio.

Surprisingly, I don't have to save any money for these things.
I'm going to Europe this summer for a month for family wedding and to travel and during another month in this summer I'll be traveling from Washington State up to Baltimore by car. Plus, I'm only 16 and a freshman so it seems that I'm having some real good luck with what's going on in my life right now.

I don't want to come of spoiled, because I'm not. I pay for almost all my things and I've been working since I was 10 at a lawn service job, my trip to Europe is payed for by family in Skopje and Albania who want to meet me and want me to attend the wedding actually, which is really fascinating!

 

[Light Artisan]

Sounds like your mind is made up, good luck.

 

[usayit]

Canon 5D mark II
Zoom wide angle-telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens.
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens
EF 85mm f/1.2L II IS USM lens
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM autofocus lens
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens
A battery grip & 4 batteries
64GB card and a 16GB card.
As well as some lens filters as well for the lenses.

Ultra fast lenses like the 85mm and 50mm are specialized lenses with limited use. They are heavy, often slow AF, and not necessarily better IQ than the f/1.4 or f/1.8 version.

For an aspiring journalist, Canon 5D Mark II + 24-105L + 50mm f/1.4 is all I'd consider and the rest for travel. A photojournalist in study... would LIVE for the opportunity to travel... to find themselves. Many wouldn't put two thoughts into what to shoot with but where to go next.

Keep it simple..... especially if you are on the move. Henri Cartier-Bresson did it throughout his career with mostly a single lens.

 

[kundalini]

Put 25% of your windfall into a solid interesting bearing account. Who knows, one day you might be my age...... (53 y.o. in about 40 minutes) and you'll a far sight better off than spending a $hitload of dosh on consumable items today.

 

[tirediron]

Put 25% of your windfall into a solid interesting bearing account. Who knows, one day you might be my age...... (53 y.o. in about 40 minutes) and you'll a far sight better off than spending a $hitload of dosh on consumable items today.

I'm interested; he can put it in my account!

 

[eric-holmes]

Put 25% of your windfall into a solid interesting bearing account. Who knows, one day you might be my age...... (53 y.o. in about 40 minutes) and you'll a far sight better off than spending a $hitload of dosh on consumable items today.

Wise, wise, words. Heed this quote.

 

[RyanLilly]

Go easy on the gear buying. A 5D mkII is a great camera and you will enjoy it, however a several years from now when you start working, it will be near worthless in comparison to its price today.

A common and fairly convenient PJ kit is, Two bodies, a 24-70, and a 70-200 2.8.

I do understand the excitement of new gear, I am guilty or browsing Craigslist and snatching up lenses and accessories that I really don't need, just because its a great deal. My coworkers see my kit and say "wow, that's a lot of expensive **** for just a hobby," and it is.

Buy the basics now, then do something smart with the rest, CDs pay crap right now, but its better than nothing. Or hell start an IRA, the sooner the better.

Take advice from usayit, Get the 5D/24-105 kit and a 50 1.4. Forget the fancy fast L series primes. Then put some of the money away, then travel and shoot some photos. Live on the cheap; hostels, campgrounds, buses and trains. You are guaranteed to fine some interesting people and places. You've got summers, and spring and winter breaks right?

 

[Novux]

You're spending all 20 grand on camera gear?


Um.


I bet you could get a fantastic setup for <$5,000, and I can't but help think that saving a huge windfall like that would be incredibly wise.


But hey. It's your dough, right? Can't say i'm not jealous. Enjoy whatever the result is. i'd love a 5D.

 

[JoshTrottier]

Canon 5D mark II
Zoom wide angle-telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens.
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens
EF 85mm f/1.2L II IS USM lens
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM autofocus lens
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens
A battery grip & 4 batteries
64GB card and a 16GB card.
As well as some lens filters as well for the lenses.

Ultra fast lenses like the 85mm and 50mm are specialized lenses with limited use. They are heavy, often slow AF, and not necessarily better IQ than the f/1.4 or f/1.8 version.

For an aspiring journalist, Canon 5D Mark II + 24-105L + 50mm f/1.4 is all I'd consider and the rest for travel. A photojournalist in study... would LIVE for the opportunity to travel... to find themselves. Many wouldn't put two thoughts into what to shoot with but where to go next.

Keep it simple..... especially if you are on the move. Henri Cartier-Bresson did it throughout his career with mostly a single lens.

Well, I can't really travel much for the next for years. At least not on my own and if I'm traveling with family I won't have much freedom to roam where I please. Plus, by time I will be able to travel by myself I will most likely have the money to pay for the expenses.

I have decided to go with just a 24-135, 50mm 1.4, 70-200mm 2.8 though, and possibly just a mess around fish eye for the hell of it.

Go easy on the gear buying. A 5D mkII is a great camera and you will enjoy it, however a several years from now when you start working, it will be near worthless in comparison to its price today.

A common and fairly convenient PJ kit is, Two bodies, a 24-70, and a 70-200 2.8.

I do understand the excitement of new gear, I am guilty or browsing Craigslist and snatching up lenses and accessories that I really don't need, just because its a great deal. My coworkers see my kit and say "wow, that's a lot of expensive **** for just a hobby," and it is.

Buy the basics now, then do something smart with the rest, CDs pay crap right now, but its better than nothing. Or hell start an IRA, the sooner the better.

Take advice from usayit, Get the 5D/24-105 kit and a 50 1.4. Forget the fancy fast L series primes. Then put some of the money away, then travel and shoot some photos. Live on the cheap; hostels, campgrounds, buses and trains. You are guaranteed to fine some interesting people and places. You've got summers, and spring and winter breaks right?

Yeah, I'm taking his advice, and yes I have breaks a lot at my school and I go to a lot of camps with local churchs for either the camps themselves or to be on the photography teams.

You're spending all 20 grand on camera gear?


Um.


I bet you could get a fantastic setup for <$5,000, and I can't but help think that saving a huge windfall like that would be incredibly wise.


But hey. It's your dough, right? Can't say i'm not jealous. Enjoy whatever the result is. i'd love a 5D.

Well, not all 20,000$. Just a large portion of it, I've been saving money since I was about 7 for a car so I'm putting just a little aside for that and then spending some money on clothes and throwing just a bit in my bank to have for daily use like dates, hanging out with friends, ect.