Advice Needed- Model/Portrait Photography

[Kashmir]

Hello Folks,

I am a newbie and need some expert' advices.

I start to learn photography and will do shooting professionally in near future. (Specifically, I'll help a friend who works for a Talent Agency and I''d take photos of models/guys)

For now, I am planning to spend about $400 and to add lenses later.

So, I would like to ask you guys, to which points should I pay attention when I buy a D-SLR camera?

What are the key things that I have to be sensitive for buying, regarding that I'll take Portrait/Model photos? (Fps rate, shutter speed..anything that you can say)

YOur comments are important to me, I'll read reviews after your replies

(I am not a fan of any brand, but Pentax K-X seems cool for me, but I repeat am open all advices)

Thank you in advance

[bono]

I think the main thing is the lens. You will have to spend most money on that. Usually lenses between 50 and 135 mm are used for portraits and for a better quality and a better bokeh primes are the best choice. But you can also try macro lenses like the Tamron 90mm - but they are quite slow.

And then of course there are special lenses like the Sony 135mm STF which is built for a smooth bokeh und exceptional sharpness.

[BigVinnie]

I shot fashion in the 80's. I shot with a lot of different cameras including a 4x5 speed graphic!

Don't get caught in the "hold the shutter down and hope one comes out" trap. Frames per second should be the last thing on your list.

To me a large 100% viewfinder became my number one feature. My camera of choice was the Mamiya M645 with an auto winder. A whopping 2 FPS winder.

If I were starting out today and on a budget I would I would try to squeeze enough together to buy a used Canon 5d and an 85 1.8. Even used you are looking at $1200 unless you get real lucky. The 5d does not have a 100% viewfinder but it is larger than the crop cameras. The 7d does but will cost you more money. The 7d will probably be my next camera.

The reason I stress the viewfinder is you really need to be able to do as much in camera as possible. The most expensive thing in photography is "we can fix it in post".

I am a fan of canon, not because of any special reason. I started with them when I bought an F1 a really long time ago and just stuck with them. Sticking with them or Nikon is highly recommended. The ability to borrow or rent lenses is high on he feature list.

[OsmosisStudios]

BigVinnie's got it right, that's for sure. I'll recommend a Nikon (just to balance things out ): The D90. Gives you full functionality on all lenses, flash control if you get into it later on and provides excellent image quality. It's also cheap.

I'd also like to stress the previous point about lenses: they are KEY, and $400 doesn't get you much to start out with. Both Nikon and Canon make cheap 50mm f/1.8 lenses, and that's what I'd suggest starting with. It'll get you working with primes and wont break the bank and still gives great image quality. When you get more money to pour into things, you can look at higher end lenses.

Either way, $400 doesn't get you much in the dSLR world. It doesn't even get you a body here, even in the entry level.

[zona5101]

If you HAVE to stick to $400, look for a used Fuji S2Pro. It is a pro camera from the early dslr days. It is built on a Nikon body and takes all Nikon gear (lens, flash, etc). It shoots at an interprolated 12meg raw and performance/quality will still hold it's own against current entry level dslrs. Any lens/flash you get will work with a Nikon when you decide to upgrade.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Either way, $400 doesn't get you much in the dSLR world. It doesn't even get you a body here, even in the entry level.

Not to mention you should want lighting gear for doing portrait work which will run just as much as a nice lens.

Plus years of learning how to use all this gear to create great pictures.

[Kashmir]

Thank you for all for the inputs.

I see that a budget with 4-500 box in not a good point.

As my budget is like that, I am thinking to buy a second hand canon, or most probably a Pentax K-X for learning. After learning I should need some upgraded cameras

[mattdm]

I think in this particular scenario, the most important thing is: what does your friend use?