Top 5 Items for a starting pro

[Hardrock]

I think what really angered people was the assumption that buying gear made you pro when the reality is that the pro gear is only beneficial if one knows how to properly use it. I have some "pro" gear but I will bet you that the majority of the people that have seen my site or my images will tell you it is far from pro material except my friends and family. My advice is buy the best that you can afford and soak in as much as you can from this site. I have learned 99% of all I know about cameras, lens, and techniques from the people on this site.

 

[Rancor]

I love the direct polar opposites of the 2 posts above this one. I love you guys. I promise to both learn without new gear and pick it up whenever possible

But really though, thanks for replies.

 

[KevinPutman]

I love the direct polar opposites of the 2 posts above this one. I love you guys. I promise to both learn without new gear and pick it up whenever possible

But really though, thanks for replies.

lol make sure you catch my edit.

All I'm saying is that you don't need 3 grand, and professional equipment to take good pictures. Kit lens and XS should do you just fine for your basics.
As far as lighting, I'm not sure what all is out there, but I know there's a lot you can make yourself (DIY), as opposed to spending the money on the gear.

 

[AUG19]

When your tools fall short of the technical requirement. At the start, all your tools fall short, so upgrading is the constant need. Someone fully equipped with top-notch gear, that's three years old, isn't losing sleep over that fact in the same way as the FNG who lacks this and that, dreads what the next scenario will involve.

So let's say a month of learning my camera and some basics goes by, at what point do I start picking up néw gear to expand my learning.

EDIT: I've been unable to connect to the web for a few. Rancor: I haven't followed this thread since the start but if the proposition is 'i'm a novice, how many months X' it's a silly one. If you're twenty years into the hobby, dedicated; and you're asking 'hmmm how do i make a living from this - that's different'.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

at what point do I start picking up néw gear to expand my learning.

When you are limited by your equipment, or need better image quality.

Get a body and a lens. I guarantee within 6 months, you will see what you can't do that you wish you could. So many people ask what lens they should get next on this forum. My answer is always the same. You should KNOW what lens you need next. When you really know your camera, and really know what direction you want to go...that's what dictates what gear you need.

I know every seasoned hobbyist, and every pro will agree with this.

I knew I needed a 100-400mm. It suits how I shoot very well. This isn't a lens that comes up very often when people ask what they should get next. Needs are pesonal and shouldn't be up for vote by others. If it is, you are just grasping at straws.

 

[Derrel]

I got to this thread late...seems like everybody else has already managed to pi$$ all over your dreams, so I will not bother telling you what you cannot possibly do,etc,etc. There are surely some types of photo jobs you CAN get, and which you COULD do okay at, without a boatload of equipment. Start small, and take jobs that you know you can do. One does not need a full inventory of equipment to handle simpler photo tasks; two lenses can handle the majority of normal tasks. With a simple, full-frame body like a Canon 5D (original, maybe $1,000) and a crop-body camera, you can handle a lot of situations with only two lenses, a 17-40-L and a 70-200/2.8-L. Your third lens needs to bring with it real,significant capability in your area of concentration: like for example, a very good quality ultra-wide angle lens,or a high-speed wide-angle event lens like a 24mm f/1.4, or perhaps a medium-telephoto macro lens, or perhaps a "sports lens" like a 300/2.8, or something like that. Buy good,clean,used gear. Shop for deals.

 

[imagemaker46]

For me;

2 Nikon D3s bodies
70-200 2.8
400 2.8
600 4
1.4x

Roughly $35k

 

[AUG19]

Did you have to buy the 1.4x or did they throw it in for nothing?

For me;

2 Nikon D3s bodies
70-200 2.8
400 2.8
600 4
1.4x

Roughly $35k

 

[o hey tyler]

great community here. enjoy!

Remember though, I am a part of that community. That degrades its greatness.

 

[mrpink]

For me;

2 Nikon D3s bodies
70-200 2.8
400 2.8
600 4
1.4x

Roughly $35k

How much does the skill to use all this cost?

One can buy a Ferrari, but that doesn't make him a racecar driver, just one who simply drives a race car.

Bitter put it best. Re-read his post before you buy anything, each and every time. Your wallet will thank you.





p!nK

 

[kundalini]

I........, at what point do I start picking up néw gear to expand my learning. Another month, another year, when I brake my gear now.

Listen to Jared, cuz thefroknowsphotos

Photography, Digital Camera & Lightroom Tips — FroKnowsPhoto » D3000 Project – Your 5 Year Plan

 

[vtf]

I'm late to the party, hows that happen?

My philosophy is:
What ever photography equipment you are missing.
should be made up in talent and creativity when you go pro.

 

[tirediron]

And something that I haven't seen: Don't confuse professional photography with high-quality results. A professional is simply someone who gets paid for their work. I know several amateurs who can produce results that would make many professionals green with envy.

 

[Overread36]

at what point do I start picking up néw gear to expand my learning.

When you are limited by your equipment, or need better image quality.

Get a body and a lens. I guarantee within 6 months, you will see what you can't do that you wish you could.

I have to say I agree because I pretty much did this. Several months after starting with the camera - kit lens and a cheap 70-300mm Sigma (good little lens for its price) and I knew what I needed to move on with. Ok I might not have known exactly which products to go for, that game with asking and research; but I knew what I wanted the tools to do; furthermore (and this is an important part) I'd been shooting long enough to know in my mind what kind of money I wanted to put into this. That is an important part - hobby or pro wise you have to know that your investment is going to be good for you needs. No point investing £10000s if you're happy with the kit lens image quality and it meets your needs.
We can't teach you this, we can't give it on paper - you've got to go out and shoot for a good long time and put some serious time to actually learning to use the tools (learning on lower end gear is always good and often forces you to use more proper methodology than "better" gear where you can easily get a bit sloppy).

I knew I needed a 100-400mm. It suits how I shoot very well. Needs are pesonal and shouldn't be up for vote by others. If it is, you are just grasping at straws.

Again another solid point and one many new people often overlook when they ask "what should I get next ". Bitter went for the 100-400mm - myself I covered the same range, with a zoom lens but with a 70-200mm + 2*TC - whilst others will use a 400mm prime or any number of other similar priced combos. In short there are many paths to take and its only when you can sit down and put down your criteria on the table that you have a hope of sifting through any of the products and replies you'll get. A lot of this choice comes from experience as well - not masses - but you need some. You need to know what things are in the real world and in your shooting style.