Shopping and Selling Camera Gear
I'm in an awkward stage where I'm transitioning from an amateur shooting with a crop sensor Nikon, to a pro (I wish) who uses a full frame camera, having to update all the gear since the lenses aren't interchangeable. Back when I bought my second Nikon body in 2017(?), I didn't even dream of some day working towards shooting professionally, so I didn't think much about the fact that some day I might need to sell all the lenses too when I upgrade the camera body.
This past spring after I started studying photography in school, I got my first full frame Nikon and a Sigma 85mm lens to go with it. It's my primary camera now, but I still have the old crop sensor Nikon, with two lenses to go with it, as a backup. A professional photographer has to have two bodies, cause there can't be a moment where you are working on a gig and your camera fails you and you don't have a backup, that is unacceptable. Now it's quite annoying to have two bodies, with different lenses to go with each, so I have to pack a lot of shit with me if I want to be able to shoot different things, and have a backup.
I haven't been able to part with either of the crop sensor lenses because they give me a lot wider range to shoot with, compared to only having a 85mm lens with the full frame camera. I know I won't be able to sell the crop body since it's so old I just need to use it up, but lenses don't go stale and the two Sigmas I have are really fucking good lenses. The 50-100mm is actually my favourite and works amazingly with crop sensor because the crop factor gives you an extra 50mm in the tele end, but the wider 18-35mm one was never my favourite.
Now that I'm aiming to shoot professionally, I know I will need a good wider angle lens to my full frame camera.I love the 85mm focal length, but it's very restricting. I need a wider one for example interior shots, shooting in small spaces and scenery shots. I do have a plastic little Nikkor 50mm I got for free, but that is so slow that it's a pain to use and the image quality is not great.
This morning I accidentally came across a used Sigma 35mm f1.8 in great condition and it took me maybe a minute to decide to buy it. Immediately after I took photos of the old Sigma 18-35mm lens and put it up on sale, along with the filters I have for it. I really hope it sells fast so I don't have to keep it dusting in a cupboard.
Long term goal is to own two full frame Nikon bodies, and have a wide range of prime lenses to go with them. Then I can have one equipped with a wide angle lens, and the other with telephoto lens, so I can change between them fast and never miss a shot. I'll probably end up sticking with the Sigma Art series since I've really liked it for years already. They are very heavy but the image quality insane and they are very fast.
playing on the nerves:
Can't you just use a smartphone? ;-)
Oh shut it 😂😅 Though I have taken one special image on a phone....
I'm personally a fan of a 35, 50, and 85mm primes as sort of the suit of portrait lenses. But by far, the 85mm is one of my favorite focal lengths. Sigma makes GREAT glass and some of my favorites as well.
I'm really liking the same, then just add a 135mm since I need that stalker-ish focal length too :P You do video too so I'm sure Sigma lenses work really well for you.
I hope this new lenses and camera makes you feel good, and it makes some cool photos. 👌😊
I’m really looking forward to trying it for wider shots inside. Putting a good 35mm lens on a full frame body shouldn’t distort too much, compared to same focal lenght on a crop sensor.
Cool :) Then soon we see what you find :)
How much are you going to have to for out to get the gear you need? Used or new?
If I can the Sigma 135mm f1.8 (1300€) and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (750€), and later on another full frame body, I'd be pretty much set if not thinking about any lighting gear yet. Body needs to be new, I don't mind if the lenses are used but in great condition. So really just depends on what body, that can range from 1300€ to 3000€ easily. People who actually shoot for a living for corporate clients or weddings, can fund gear like that with a few gigs. That's pretty insane to even think about.
I would imagine that the fair price for a wedding shoot lasting 4-5 hours would be around €600 to €1000 depending on travel time. The photographer is forced to live on the money, which means that paying for the equipment needed can't be done with just a few gigs, though.
Plumbers are not cheap and they charge around €80 per hour. A photographer needs to post process the photos, too.
I think weddings shoots are at least 12 hours and much more than 1000€, anyone with a sound mind won't do it for less. Photographer will need to pay for rent, computer gear, car, gas and all that stuff too, it's much more than charging for an hour of your time to take a graduation photo. That is what people don't get when they hire a photographer and think they'll get good photos for 100€. Those people can have their cousin shoot the event with their phone.
I forgot about the early part of the wedding day. A 12 hour shoot would be much more expensive, of course.
The overhead costs are baked into the hourly rate in the case of all tradespeople.
If your going professional it's always safer to go for 2 full frame bodies..
I personally use a Nikon D750 and a Nikon D5 with a Canon 70D as a spare for wildlife..
The lens I have for my Nikon are 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50mm, 105mm and a fish eye.. These because I'm more into weddings and fashion.. My team has a 85mm so I just borrow when I need..
Now these are just the lens.. During your course you will realise the need to invest in a good flash as well as good lights..
So yes, it comes at a huge price, but in the end, it's totally worth it.. When we see our pictures coming to life.. But be ready for a never ending expense line 😂
Do most wedding photographers use zoom lenses? I’m trying to move completely to prime lenses, better quality and makes you move more to find the perfect frame, rather than just zooming in or out.
There will never ever be a point where I’d say ”okay now I have everything I’ll ever need for my photography” 💸💸💸
Zoom lens helps when your stuck at one place.. for portraits of couple we switch to prime..
I am also a fan of the sigma art series. I picked up the 12-24mm a while back for real estate photography and it has worked flawlessly. The reduction in distortion at the edges is wonderful.
You are right about the size and weight of these lenses though. Not too fun to take on international trips where my main goal is to travel light.
Have you considered buying a tilt-shift lens? My teacher works primarily shooting architecture and interiors and uses a tilt-shift lens for some of it.
I never travel light for anywhere, camera gear and computer plus chargers already weigh over the hand luggage limit 😂
I have thought about it. It's just too specialized for my work. I would love to own one, but can't quite justify the expense.
I am constantly trying to find a balance of bringing the right gear on trips. I want to make sure I have everything I need, but I try and avoid checking luggage at all costs. My clothes probably make up 10% of my overall luggage space hahaha
A photographer friend of mine has told me many times .... I can go on a vacation to a tropical island or I can buy a new lens.
The good news is ... she gets so much joy out of her photography business, that she doesn't miss the travel.
For her, the worst thing that can happen is that she has to decline a job because she doesn't have the right lens.
I’d rather buy a lens to be honest, it will provide happiness a lot longer than a short vacay. Though, being on a cool place and taking photos in there, is the best.
If these means we can enjoy even more of your awesome photography, then I hope you get those lenses soon! One of my mates is an obsessed photographer, and admittedly, every time he'd explain something about photography to the rest of us mortals, we just heard loads of gibberish. Even after all these years, I'm slowly learning.
I heard a joke once... "If you're worried about your children growing up to do bad things, teach them photography. So long as they do that, they'll never have enough money to buy drugs" 😆
I’ve never heard that before, but it’s a good one! I need to remember it for future use.
It certainly never left my mind after all these years! I guess it certainly goes to tell a lot of how expensive photography can be as a hobby, albeit a very fun one :-D