If you could spend $2500 on anything...

[CharlieJ]

If you could spend $2500 on anything related to photography AND you were starting out with only one 8MP DSLR camera body, the kit lens, a medium grade tele-zoom(f/4~5.6), two batteries, 4 CF cards, a decent gear bag, a $50 tripod... and that's pretty much it.

The goal is to move forward with shooting portraits, action shots (mostly outdoors) and lifestyle photography (indoors & outdoors) as a part-time venture (at least for the time being).

IOW, would you buy another lens (if so, which one), a better tripod, a branded flash w/ umbrella/reflector, stand & remote trigger, or maybe another camera body?

[MrJones]

I would go for a medium level body like the 50D and add a 70-200 f/2.8 L for portraits and action shots.

[Murtasma]

I would spend that money some studio lighting gear like some alien bee units, light modifiers and a nice prime fast lens for portraits, new tripod and possibly even a new body. For 2500 bucks you could spend all that money on a single fast telephone lens and that's it. I think having lighting gear and a good prime lens would be a great way to spend 2500 bucks. You could get a 70 - 200 F2.8 IS or the new 70-200 F2.8 IS Lens but then you really wouldn't be left with much of anything.

Good question.

Sell the current body for $300, netting you $2800.

Canon T2i - $800
2 580exII's - $800
Sigma 50mm f1.4 - $500
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 - $500
2 light stands, umbrellas, e-bay flash triggers, reflector - $200

That should be a good setup to get you going. I might sub out one of the 580exIIs for a ETTL flash trigger (like the Pixel TR-332) and a 430exII.

[Mr Guy]

If I was trying to specifically invest $2500 as a business expense and I had the following:

(1) 8MP DSLR camera body,
(1) the kit lens,
(1) a medium grade tele-zoom(f/4~5.6),
(2) batteries,
(4) CF cards,
a decent gear bag,
a $50 tripod

...then I'd plan on spending much more than $2500.

Here's the order I'd say you probably need to invest in things:

1. Determine if you have good local rental shops, if not, look at online renters. Spend some of that money developing a good relationship with local rental places if possible, and determine which have the best selection and are the most helpful to you. CameraLensRentals has literally saved me thousands in bad decisions.

2. Get a very good portrait length zoom. Depending on what you usually shoot, get a good, but not yet excellent, portrait zoom. Something like a Tamron or Sigma f/2.8 in the either 28-75 or 50-150 range.

3. If you don't have a good emergency local renter, you need a used second body.

4. Get a good 5 in 1 reflector, and learn to use it.

5. Get at least one good wireless off camera flash. You can start with optical slave modes, and wireless TLL if your camera supports it. Get a super clamp, a light stand, and a heavy duty gorilla pod, and a shoot through umbrella with detachable cover as your "light kit". The wireless strobist kits at mpex are actually a pretty good deal from what I've seen, if you need everything anyway: MPEX Strobist Kits


You should be able to do all that and only spend in the $1500 range. Put the rest away for the first thing you DIDN'T think of.

[RLucas]

I am a Nikon guy, but the top of my wish list atm is,
70-200 f/2.8 $1500.00
105 f/2 DC $1000.00
I probably will not buy a new body till mine completely craps out.

[Izzy]

Canon F2.8 28-300 (I am a fan of the super zooms) and a nifty fifty The left over I could make my rent.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Izzy

Canon F2.8 28-300 (I am a fan of the super zooms)

Considering a lens like this A) doesnt exist and B) would be absolutely gigantic, not to mention terrible, I'm gonna say "yeeeeaaaah... No".

Throw your budget into a 70-200 f/2.8 and be done with it.

[candleman]

generally, i agree with Photoboothguy and Murtasma
for Portraits, go Strobist and get a good third party lens.

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Considering a lens like this A) doesnt exist and B) would be absolutely gigantic, not to mention terrible, I'm gonna say "yeeeeaaaah... No".

Throw your budget into a 70-200 f/2.8 and be done with it.

Amazon.com: Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens: Camera & Photo