What lens should I get for Automotive Photography

[tmashphotos]

I am new to lens and anything beyond the basics but I recently purchased a Nikon D7000 and am looking for a new lens for better quality photos. Does anyone have any suggestions? I photograph cars for a living like the ones below so I am not sure exactly what lens I should focus on. Budget is between $300-$700


Verde Ithaca Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Photo Shoot by TMashPhotos, on Flickr

Mclaren MP4-12C Photo Shoot by TMashPhotos, on Flickr

Audi R8 V10 Photo Shoot by TMashPhotos, on Flickr

 

[greybeard]

What do you want this "new" lens to do that the one you are currently using is not doing?

 

[KmH]

I would spend $300 - $400 on lighting in the search for better quality photos.

You took the photos you have posted?

 

[gconnoyer]

If your budget is 300-700 and you're looking for glass that is going to make $300,000+ look good, I'd say start looking at primes.

What lenses do you have now?
I'll side with greybeard here and ask what you need your new lens to do for you that you cant with the stuff you have now.

 

[jake337]

I'm not trying to be rude but I find it strange that you are asking what lens you might need for professional automotive photography when you have stated that you have been doing professional automotive photography, for a living going, on 3 years now?

 

[tmashphotos]

I may have not been very clear at first. Yes I took all the photos that I had posted. The lens I have now is the stock 18-105mm that came with the camera. It took me a while to save for that camera so I did not have the funds until now, thanks to my new job (before I was dependent on photo shoots which came about once every other weekend). I used to shoot with an Olympus E520 and noticed an incredible difference in the quality when I switched to an 18-180mm. I want a lens that allows me to shoot much sharper images if there is one out there that does that. I have already invested in lighting equipment before I got this camera so I am good there. Although I have shot for 3 years I still have problems understanding the difference in the lenses and what might be best for automotive photography like pictured above (please be patient with me, I am still a beginner in my eyes and have MUCH to learn)

 

[jrizal]

Actually the OP mentioned I recently purchased...and am looking for a new lens for better quality photos. And I am assuming that his three years of experience is based on his the date of his Flicker posts. But perhaps he happens to be good at composition without "sophisticated" equipment and know how. We don't know for sure. But aside from the fantastic cars, it's also great that he gets paid to take photos of them. Just me.

PS I would agree with greybeard and connoyer on trying to define what his further needs are. Primes are a good start. And if I may add the use of a CPL, would help at least for the glare on the windshield.

@connoyer The cars themselves look good by themselves and even using a basic P&S, they'd still look good!

 

[tmashphotos]

Actually the OP mentioned I recently purchased...and am looking for a new lens for better quality photos. And I am assuming that his three years of experience is based on his the date of his Flicker posts. But perhaps he happens to be good at composition without "sophisticated" equipment and know how. We don't know for sure. But aside from the fantastic cars, it's also great that he gets paid to take photos of them. Just me.

PS I would agree with greybeard and connoyer on trying to define what his further needs are. Primes are a good start. And if I may add the use of a CPL, would help at least for the glare on the windshield.

@connoyer The cars themselves look good by themselves and even using a basic P&S, they'd still look good!

What CPL would you suggest??? Links are appreciated

 

[gconnoyer]

Dont bother with a CPL unless you're going to spend the money on an expensive one.
A rocketfish one from best buy will give you a terrible drop in image quality.

If you're wanting a sharp image and only have $700 max to spend. Buy a good prime. The car is going to be posed, so you can move YOUR position if need be.
From everything that I've read, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 is the best of the 50s.
I swap between my Nikon 1.8G and 24-70 when shooting stills.

 

[Light Guru]

I am new to lens and anything beyond the basics

photograph cars for a living

How is possible to photograph cars for a living but be new to lenses and anything beyond the basics. These two statements from you conflict greatly.

Budget is between $300-$700

If you are truly doing this for a living why would you not be willing to spend more to get a much higher quality lens.

 

[tmashphotos]

Is it possible that I might just have a good eye for pictures?? I am a second year college student and that is why money is very hard but photography has allowed me to not have to get a job flipping burgers and instead do what I love while getting paid 10x as much. The good thing about shooting cars, especially exotic ones, is that the cars I shoot average around $150,000 so a $300-$800 shoot is nothing to these people. If I didn't go to college I wouldn't have this money problem but I don't want to give up and I am only 2 years away from my degree.

 

[Light Guru]

Is it possible that I might just have a good eye for pictures?

I've looked at your images and they are average car images at best, I don't think your "eye" is as good as you think it is.

I am a second year college student

Now I could be wrong and don't get mad if I am but I have a feeling that most likely you are not making a living from this. I'm betting mom and dad still pay for most things like school and car and that you just get spending money from taking pictures of cars.

The good thing about shooting cars, especially exotic ones, is that the cars I shoot average around $150,000 so a $300-$800 shoot is nothing to these people.

Higher quality images with better lighting would pay much more then that.

photography has allowed me to not have to get a job flipping burgers and instead do what I love while getting paid 10x as much.

And that's great. But I get the feeling you love being around fancy cars more then you love photography. If photography was the love I don't see how you could go so long being payed to take photos and not learn about lenses.

For a young college student you have a good start. You have managed to get clients that are willing to pay and thats a huge step.

I would recommend renting some different lenses and see how you like them before purchasing anything. Check out borrowlenses.com and lensrentals.com

 

[CouncilmanDoug]

figure out what focal length you like the most on the 18-105, and get a prime of that length.

 

[tmashphotos]

Is it possible that I might just have a good eye for pictures?

I've looked at your images and they are average car images at best, I don't think your "eye" is as good as you think it is.

I am a second year college student

Now I could be wrong and don't get mad if I am but I have a feeling that most likely you are not making a living from this. I'm betting mom and dad still pay for most things like school and car and that you just get spending money from taking pictures of cars.

The good thing about shooting cars, especially exotic ones, is that the cars I shoot average around $150,000 so a $300-$800 shoot is nothing to these people.

Higher quality images with better lighting would pay much more then that.

photography has allowed me to not have to get a job flipping burgers and instead do what I love while getting paid 10x as much.

And that's great. But I get the feeling you love being around fancy cars more then you love photography. If photography was the love I don't see how you could go so long being payed to take photos and not learn about lenses.

For a young college student you have a good start. You have managed to get clients that are willing to pay and thats a huge step.

I would recommend renting some different lenses and see how you like them before purchasing anything. Check out borrowlenses.com and lensrentals.com

Thank you for comments and suggestions about lens rentals. Now let me clear some things up. I am 20 years old and have been putting money aside and saving since I have been 12. As a teenager I NEVER used that savings until I bought my first car at 17 years old, a 2007 Mustang GT/CS and paid with cash, I pay income taxes for my job just like everyone else. Every month I pay my own phone bill. Every week, sometimes twice a week I buy my own gas, twice a year I write a check for my college tuition and insurance that comes out of my own bank account. The list goes on and on but long story short my parents are there for moral support NOT financial support and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Just because I ask questions that may seem like common knowledge to some doesn't mean I don't know anything about photography and how to make a car look good. If that were the case I wouldn't have over 50 clients in Middle Tennessee alone along with working with dealerships in completely different states. I also wouldn't be able to get press passes to almost any motorsports event I want. Just because I like to focus my photography on a certain subject that I personally enjoy doesn't mean I don't enjoy photography as a whole.

 

[Light Guru]

Thank you for comments and suggestions about lens rentals. Now let me clear some things up. I am 20 years old and have been putting money aside and saving since I have been 12. As a teenager I NEVER used that savings until I bought my first car at 17 years old, a 2007 Mustang GT/CS and paid with cash, I pay income taxes for my job just like everyone else. Every month I pay my own phone bill. Every week, sometimes twice a week I buy my own gas, twice a year I write a check for my college tuition and insurance that comes out of my own bank account. The list goes on and on but long story short my parents are there for moral support NOT financial support and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Just because I ask questions that may seem like common knowledge to some doesn't mean I don't know anything about photography and how to make a car look good. If that were the case I wouldn't have over 50 clients in Middle Tennessee alone along with working with dealerships in completely different states. I also wouldn't be able to get press passes to almost any motorsports event I want. Just because I like to focus my photography on a certain subject that I personally enjoy doesn't mean I don't enjoy photography as a whole.

That's awesome that you have been able to build a client base like that at your age and that you are able to make the money that you are.

Photographing a subject that you love is vary important. I personally have never been all that interested in cars other then as a tool or mode of transportation.

I am new to lens and anything beyond the basics

I just find it extremely odd that you have been doing this as long as you have and getting payed for it without learning about lenses and about things beyond the basics. How could one not find that odd.