I have decided that I will not spend another dollar on photography equipment unless it is money I made through photography. I will put my passion to the test I guess and see if it can sustain itself. So any new photography related things will have to be purchased with money made from photography. I think it’s the only way i will be able to justify spending a few hundred dollars on a good tripod hahaha. Overall I’d just be happy if I ever make as much as my existing equipment costed. With that said, I think I will be making increased efforts to get my work “out there”
Daniel Rayfield
,
7 months ago
You gotta spend money to make money though! Kinda catch 22
Michael Gatch in reply to Daniel Rayfield’s comment, 7 months ago
Well, I’d say this is more limited to equipment. I have what I need as far as that goes I think. As far as say an investment such as buying prints of my work to get displayed in like a local coffee shop or something, which I’m looking into, I’d be willing to do that. I just need to stop myself from spending every penny i get on say, another new lens….specifically one of the DA* series…..ohhh how those weather seals would go so well with my weather sealed body…..but i digress. I decided that the Sigma 17-70 would do just fine, and it has for the time being.
Daniel Rayfield
,
7 months ago
ahh ok if you have what you need your probably right then just buy more as you progress!!
Hien Nguyen, 7 months ago
I decided that when I first started after my first purchase. Best decision i have made as i don’t feel guilty buying anything :)
Michael Gatch in reply to Hien Nguyen’s comment, 7 months ago
Well, that’s reassuring.
Ian Porter, 7 months ago
The da* lenses are superb, though!
Michael Gatch in reply to Ian Porter’s comment, 7 months ago
awww don’t use words like superb when i am trying to abstain! lol
Ian Porter, 7 months ago
:)
Ianphares, 7 months ago
With photography equipment itws kinda like: The more I spend, the more I need to spend more. Thats the problem. My next step takes me to the $3,000 lens category.
It all depends on what you want to do with your photography, I guess. Your idea of putting your work in coffee shops is a good one. I have success with that. Also try Commercial Property Management firms. I walked around downtown and found buildings with art photography in their lobbys. They move at a glacial pace…
Charles Dobbs, 7 months ago
Good luck! snickers =)
photos40, 7 months ago
Very noble endeavor. I have just a simple Kodak Z612 camera & right now its good as I need until things pick up for me.
kwanyin, 4 months ago
the 17-70 f2.8 to 4.5 is a fairly fast lens. You should get a ton of use out of it. it’s similar to the Nikon’s 18-70 3.5-5.6…a bit slower.
I came across a list of suggested lenses on the internet. it’s all personal taste but it may help you to decided on future buys.
on a full frame camera: 17-35mm f2.8 and a 70-200 f2.8VR Nikon (IS if you have Canon). Add a 1.4x or 2.x telecoverter to the 70-200 will make it upwards of 140-400mm. Cheap if you get manual focus without the VR/IS.
Further more, this person had an opinion of (paraphrasing) ”....I found that range to be useless….” in considering the 35-70mm. Between a 35mm to a 50mm, it’s only 4 to 6 steps forward. from a 70mm to a 50mm, it’s a few steps. It makes sense.
I found this guy’s opinion very useful. If I had limited space, I would only carry 2 lenses. I found myself using my current Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 (bought used for 200.00) for 99% of my portrait shots. A full body shot, I prefer to step back 8-12 paces to get the full body with this lens.
I do own a 50mm f1.8. Nice, fast, I use that lens when space is tight or if I really want to blow out my background.
As a ‘story teller’, I found myself needing a wide angle to help establish the scene.
On a smaller digital frame, it would be a 11-20mm or 12-24mm. Tokina makes a very nice 12-24mm f4. Tokina makes a new 11-16mm f2.8 that….really fast and bright 2.8!!!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/portrait-lenses.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-afford-anything.htm
goodluck