dcraton

THANKS TO ALL!

Ordered the 18-55mm, 50mm/1.4/D, SB-800 speedlight, and proper accessories. Have my eye on the Nikon 17-55 and Sigma 30mm for future lenses as well as some other pro lenses. This should get us by for the next six months of work. No weddings for a while, but lots of school and church work.

Much Appreciated to all. And your input confirms several other professional photog societies and friends and I have cooresponded with concerning this rebuild.

Oh yeah, our Sony DSC-F717 survived. Who'd a thunk it.

Happy New Year!

David<div></div>

One last question before I go to B&H or JR. Do I really need the 18-55 lens since I have the Tamron? I shoot pretty steady with it, but am new to wedding photog. I have shot them off and on for 20+ years, but now we are getting more and more small to mid level work, which is our market.

It's not that expensive and even though I am over budget now, I will get the lens if you all think it would work better for weddings and other apps.

Thanks again!

To Elliot:

Good question. "What isn't your lens giving you that you need?" Prefer better bokeh, image clarity, and shooting in lower light situations for portrait and weddings. And need a SB 800 and other stuff. Love the Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF or the Nikon 85mm 1.4, but have to wait and parse this out as I just shelled out some major dollars on two Sony Hi-Def vid cams. Not complaining, just trying to keep clients happy and do a good job while rebuilding.

Your point is well made though. Will look at the kit and try to squeeze out a few more dollars. . .sounds like a Clint Eastwood movie.

thanks so far for the quick responses and the emails. This is my profession and it has been very good to me. Starting over is actually a blessing in the skies. . .I mean disguise.

I am just now shooting for art and fun after all these years of event/news work. Lovin it! But, I need to pay this bill and keep Mrs. of 27 years happy. She is a great shooter within here own right, but has chosen to be a career school teacher. When I get time, will post up some photos that we have done recently. All of your work is very good. I still have much to learn!<div></div>

sorry I was not specific. I have 400.00 to spend on a lens, other funds for SB 800.

my apologies.<div></div>

Hello, new to site and have been reading lots of great threads. I recently

purchased a Nikon D80 of which I am very happy with along with a Tamron AF18-

200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II. I bought this lens because it was OK glass, a fair

price and got fair reviews and we shoot a lot of school events such as

programs, plays, etc. and do the same for a couple of PAC's hear around he

area. It works well for that app. Short history. I grew up on Nikon film

cams and lenses and lost them in a fire along with our work, so we are

starting over. No tears, no regrets, it rains on everyone. I am looking to

piece back together a nice set of lenses and cams but will have to do one at a

time as we do video as well and often integrate the technologies. Being

fairly new to digital, what 1 lens would you recommend for me to start out

with as a prime lens, and yes later more lenses as funds become available

(insurance companies work so fast--pardon the sarcasm)? --want a 17-55mm 2.8,

28-70mm 2.8, etc. -- later.

I am reading so much about the differences between the 50mm 1.4 and 1.8 and

the same with the 85mm. Am still a bit confused. We do some portrait and

wedding work. Much landscape and other shots for church, corporate, and

school for graphic arts. Have shot for years with a 50mm 1.2 and 70-200mm 3.5

old school Nikon lenses. I have about 400.00 to spend right now on a lens as

I need a speedlight, bags, blah, blah, blah. Not asking for sympathy, just

advice and giving you my scenario.

Bottom line, is there really that much diff between the 1.4's and 1.8's.

Help the ole man here! And thank you OB1 Kenobi, you're my only hope.

Great site, BTW.

Pic post below shot with D-80 & Tamron lens.<div></div>