Massage Therapist turned Photo Enthusiast

<p>Hello everyone !<br>

I've been reading the forum for a few weeks now, learning from all these great posts and forums.<br>

I have always been fascinated and intrigued with photography. I used to model, so it will be interesting being on the other side of the camera!<br>

I haven't bought any equipment yet, because I research before I make a major financial commitment and that's what happens when you have a debt-free, financial guru for a husband !<br>

So far all I've done is read and educate myself concerning the equipment I plan on buying and everything from shutter speed to aperture etc...SO MUCH TO LEARN !! <br>

So far, this is the lineup: <br>

Nikon D90 with kit lens <br>

SB400<br>

Nikkor 35 or 50/f1.8 (still up for debate)<br>

Wide Angle (not sure which yet)<br>

Spare Battery<br>

8GB SDHC Class 6 or 10 memory card<br>

Capture NX2<br>

Prophotoblog.com<br>

And after much research and debate, Epiphanie's Lola camera purse <br>

I have $2500-$3000 to get me started. I'm not sure what photography styles will capture my interest and become my favorite. I have the time and will have the equipment soon !</p>

<p>peace.love.photography.<br>

~g</p>

 

<p>Gabrielle, I just got my D90--upgrade from a D70--and I love it. I'd say it is right at the sweet spot of the cost/quality curves. I also purchased a selection of lenses that I am so far very happy with (you can see them listed at the end of my bio). I spent a lot of time researching that lens selection and I think it strikes a good balance between quality and price, and they work well for me as a relative beginner (note that both the 35 and 50 f/1.8s you mention are on that list). What I have will certainly keep me busy learning for a few years...and it will all work for all kinds of images, from portraits to street to landscapes to macro. One thing that is not on your list, that you might discover very quickly to be very important, is a tripod. That is, a <em>good</em> tripod...not the 40 dollar WalMart special I first tried to use. That might be something to consider.</p>

<p>Daniel, thanks for commenting. I will look/research tripods since I don't have one. What are you using or recommend ?</p>

<p>I probably am not the one to recommend due to lack of experience with many tripods. I currently have a Monfrotto tripod and ballhead combination that was around $200-$240 total. That is probably the very low end of where you want to go. If you search for "tripods" in the little box you'll find a bazillion threads. The common thing that everyone with experience seems to say is that you shouldn't scrimp on your tripod purchase...seems that for many photographers the common road to finally owning a really good tripod is paved with the remains of a series of progressively better, but not so good, models starting with that WalMart special I mentioned. So, better to just spend the $$ now on something good and, as some would suggest, expect to pay what you would pay for a lens. I guess I didn't listen...as I now see that my low-end Manfrotto is really just "adequate". <br>

Here is basically what I have that works for the time being:<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480322-REG/Manfrotto__190XPROB_Pro_Aluminum_Tripod.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480322-REG/Manfrotto__190XPROB_Pro_Aluminum_Tripod.html</a></p>