gear to accompany d200

i've been researching for 3 days straight now, and i feel like my eyes will fall

out of my head. i feel like it's time to step back and ask for some

professional help.

i've shot weddings as a second shooter quite a bit, and feel more than

comfortable at this point starting out on my own. but i need some gear.

probably a lot.

for a while i can borrow a friend's gear (he has everything i would need), but i

would like to eventually get the full range of stuff i need.

right now i have a nikon d200 and one sb-800 flash, with a couple sub-par lenses

(quantaray 70-200 and 35-70). i also have an old nikon f bayonet mount with a

nikkor 50mm macro that i would like to use if i get the chance.

i know i need a backup of some sort, for flash and camera, but i can't afford at

this point another d200 and sb800.

i'm just wondering what gear (from lenses to carrying cases) anyone can

recommend, and in what order should it be obtained.

any and all suggestions are appreciated.

thanks.

justin

Justin I had the similar problem several months back, just bought my d200/sb800 but couldn't afford a backup of the same. I bought a used d70 from ebay $400 and a sb600 for $180 from adorama. I love my d200 far better than d70 but it works just as well for a 2nd body and back-up. d70 is fairly equivalent to d200 as well (uses flash cards unlike newer d80 with sd) i wish i just would have got the sb 800 instead of 600 but not too big of a deal...budget was running out so extra $100 saved was good. Hope this helps!

Rent, rent, rent and then when it makes sense from a business perspective you buy.

Ignoring the need for back-up gear for the moment, the Nikkor 17-55 DX is the most important lens I own.

For wedding, first get a wide to medium tele photo zoom (18-70). That will take care of about 85% of everything easily, and the other 15% with some work (stepping back or getting closer). Then go for a longer tele 80-200, then finally an extra wide angle 10 mm. But you could go for years with nothing more than a 18-70 zoom.

 

Bags are too personal of a choice to even make suggestions about.

ok, i'm looking at 18-55/70 lenses now. thanks. but i feel like there's something to be said for a quick prime lens too, right? i used to use an 85mm f/1.8 quite a bit. any tips on that? thanks again.

I get a lot of use out of my 50 1.4. In fact I once did a whole low light wedding with only that lens. :) Was fun!

 

I recently bought the 28-70 2.8 and love it! Sharp and fast/quiet focusing. Nice zoom range for my style of shooting.

 

For portraits I really enjoy my 85 1.8.

 

Alot of people like the 70-200 2.8 VR. I had rented that one in the past but I find it too heavy and expensive for the amount that I use it to bother buying it. Some people go crazy over this lens though.

 

As for renting I've had some interesting experiences. There is really nothing like using equipment that yours. Although I would test the rental equipment the day before I wouldn't always find out about issues until at the event. So for me if I can afford the purchase, I prefer to use equipment I've owned and had alot of time to get to know.

 

Hope this helps you :)

The Sigma 24-70, 2.8 good les for weddings, at a good price. I have a couple of weddings to do as a second photographer, i have D80, getting D200, and sb800. Good luck with your new venture.

thanks, everybody. i appreciate the help.