Picking up more work - Need advice on equipment

[dnpayne]

Hey everyone, my workload is picking up more than I expected. Currently I only have a Canon 5d body with a Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens. Obviously, I need to add to my arsenal.

I'm looking at:

Canon 7d body for a backup
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens
Canon 100mm Macro lens

Which direction should my next purchases be? I wish I could buy all of these right now, but that's not possible. I know I need a back up body, but I also need to vary my shots a little with different lenses.

Help!

[inkista]

Err... what kind of shooting are you doing?

Just me, but I'd say go for a used 5D Mk I as a backup, rather than a 7D, unless you're shooting fast action. Easier to have two bodies that operate identically and look the same with the same lenses than to have to remember which is FF and which is crop.

[BigFuzzy]

God I hate spammers (looking at you Brian )

I'm with Inkista in that unless you have a specific reason to have two different cameras with different crop factors (or are in need of the video function) I'd stick with two cameras you know and love. Then you're less likely to have to think about settings/crop factors during the shoot.

But yeah, telling us what you shooot would help.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by dnpayne

Hey everyone, my workload is picking up more than I expected. Currently I only have a Canon 5d body with a Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens. Obviously, I need to add to my arsenal.

I'm looking at:

Canon 7d body for a backup
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens
Canon 100mm Macro lens

Which direction should my next purchases be? I wish I could buy all of these right now, but that's not possible. I know I need a back up body, but I also need to vary my shots a little with different lenses.

Help!

That really depends on so many factors it's impossible to answer.

What do you shoot? Where/what conditions?
Define "picking up." Photography will ebb and flow, and what looks like an increase in business may just be a cyclical upswing. That may or may not still mean you need spare gear.

[dnpayne]

Oops, sorry. I've been doing a few weddings and tons of engagements. I'd like to stick to those mostly.

I have a used 5d body currently. I guess I just didn't like the fact that I would have two used bodies. And, with the 7d it has the built in flash. Obviously, I'd love to get a new 5d but I don't see that happening currently. :\

I have the next 3 weeks booked with shoots. A wedding, an engagement and a maternity. After that.. I have a wedding in July, a wedding in October and possibly another in October. Also, I just got 2 more leads this week for weddings coming down the pike. Not set yet though. Oh, and another engagement lead.

I'm mostly looking at gear for the weddings as I can manage everything else just fine as is.

So, I have a couple votes for the used 5d backup. Noted.

Any other thoughts?

[Jim Poor]

There is nothing wrong with used equipment from a reputable seller.

Why on earth do you view a pop up flash as a positive thing for a camera?

Yes, there are times it is useful (as a commander, for instance), but certainly not enough to justify one body over another.

[sk66]

Uhm....you're doing this with just 1 body and one lens??....I don't even want to know....

You NEED:
Backup Body! (anything, just get one)
Lenses! The 70-200 would be a good start, but I would think you would need wider as well. I see no need for the Macro.
Flash! And don't forget the modifiers (dome, bounce card/flag)..off camera would be better but not absolutely necessary.
And quite possibly a good tripod as well.

[BigFuzzy]

What I think Jim was trying to say nicely is considering what style of images you shoot, there's no reason we can imagine that you would be using a pop-up flash so why consider it as a factor. You're using something other than pop-up for your lighting ... right? RIGHT?

If not, a dedicated hotshoe flash (or 10) should most be on your list (as well as knowledge on how to use them).

EDIT: Just saw some of your work from that post where you put up your website.. actually quite nice stuff there.. you scared me with that pop-up comment. Still.. be careful haha!

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by sk66

Uhm....you're doing this with just 1 body and one lens??....I don't even want to know....

You NEED:
Backup Body! (anything, just get one)
Lenses! The 70-200 would be a good start, but I would think you would need wider as well. I see no need for the Macro.
Flash! And don't forget the modifiers (dome, bounce card/flag)..off camera would be better but not absolutely necessary.
And quite possibly a good tripod as well.

Yes... my equipment is minimal at the moment because I can't drop 10k on everything that I need overnight. lol. I do have the 430exii flash, tripod, extra batteries, diffuser, 24-85 wide lens (although it isn't very good).

I'm definitely fretting on the body thing. I should probably just get a used 5d body to save some cash at the moment. I'm looking at a better wide angle (Canon 16-35 2.8) in the near future too.

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

What I think Jim was trying to say nicely is considering what style of images you shoot, there's no reason we can imagine that you would be using a pop-up flash so why consider it as a factor. You're using something other than pop-up for your lighting ... right? RIGHT?

If not, a dedicated hotshoe flash (or 10) should most be on your list (as well as knowledge on how to use them).

EDIT: Just saw some of your work from that post where you put up your website.. actually quite nice stuff there.. you scared me with that pop-up comment. Still.. be careful haha!

Thanks. You should check the recent stuff on the website. Not perfect, but I'm learning and getting better.