squiggs77 Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 I shoot weddings as a second job on the weekends with my wife as my assistant. I have some money from my work that I'm going to use to purchase some equipment. It's about $1000. I currently use: Nikon D80 & Nikon D70 Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 Nikon 50mm f1.8 Two SB800s + Lighstand & Umbrella Two Flip-it! Flash Bounce Cards A Monopod and a Tripod I'm thinking about getting the Sigma 10-20mm and the Sigma 30mm f1.4. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg jansen Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Two more SB-800's and learn to use the great Nikon CLS system. A couple of small light stands for them, and umbrella or Halo and brackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_rubinstein___mancheste1664880652 Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Nikon 17-50 f2.8? Upgrade to a D200? Actually, selling your Tamron and Nikon 18-70 should buy you a Nikon 17-50 with money left over for a UWA which is where you seem to be lacking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiggs77 Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 Ben, I appreciate your response. I'm not really interested in the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 because I'm very pleased with the performance of my Tamron. I know that the focus motor in the Nikon is faster and silent. But I don't feel that the price difference is worth the tiny bit faster focus, and I don't shoot weddings every weekend to need the increased durability of the Nikon. What is UWA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_schilling___chicago_ Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 I would suggest that you invest the money in WPPI, NAPP or PPA membership and attending conferences, workshops, or other training..... Or, pocket wizzards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_rubinstein___mancheste1664880652 Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Ultra wide angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigercosmos Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Sounds like you have enough equipment to cover most situations. The question is what do you want to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshall Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 What kinds of shots are you having trouble getting currently? If there isn't a hole in the coverage you're able to offer, then do you have adequate backups of everything you use regularly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ned1 Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 In order of cost: Flash bracket. Get a 35 2.0 used from KEH. Nice lens for bride's prep. Upgrade your filters to B&Ws (don't underestimate the value of this one). Trade up the Tamron for a Nikon 17-55 2.8. Trade up your cameras for either a D200 or better yet a Fuji S5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rannbphoto Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 lightsphere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen dohring Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 Nolt sure of the performance of the sigma 50-150.. 2.8 interesting to see that one but I would say -sell the d70 and step up to the d200 as your main camera-consider the 10.5 fisheye as you really have your lenses covered-sell the sigma and get the 70-200VR or 80-200 AFS 2.8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cguaimare Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Hi Justin. This is not an answer but a question. I am a newbie and I was wondering. Why do you need a Nikon 50mm f1.8 if you already have a Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 . I mean the distance is covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiggs77 Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Hi Carlos, I use the 50 f1.8 for indoor natural light shots. It's over a stop more sensitive than f2.8. I have it on my D70 all the time and use the other lenses on my D80. I would like to be able to capture even more light, that is why I'm looking at a f1.4 lens. The f2.8 lenses aren't quite fast enough to not have a flash indoors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfidaho Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Another vote for the LightSphere. The best 50 bucks I ever spent. Later, Paulsky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle a. Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 If I had a $1000 in your situation, it would be a toss up between upgrading the D70 to a D200 or purchasing some faster glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightbox Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Take this with a grain of salt because I don't really what you are look for, but unless a piece of gear is bothering you (quality, durability, sharpness, etc) or you have a certain vision that you can't do with the gear you have, it seems like you're all set to cover most everything. Personally I might get some cheap ebay wireless triggers and try some more creative flash techniques, or an 85/1.4 or maybe a fast wide angle - but again, that's what been interesting me lately. :-) How about little things that slow you down during the day? Are your bags efficient? Flash bracket? (I don't like them) Ever consider a set of reflectors for fill instead of flash? (You might already have that) I'm just brainstorming here. If you are wanting to make money as a photog, consider investing it in more training/workshops/advertising/brochures/etc - or savings/CD/MM/stocks - whatever. You never know when you're going to drop your camera and need to buy something fast. My 0.02, but I also understand wanting to buy more gear. It's fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo_simonelli Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 Two Battery-Packs ( SD-8A ?) for SB800; and a spare Flasher. Nikon C-PL II Circular Polarizing Filter "Slim". On-Flash Diffusers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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