I am about to go away on holiday to Cornwall and once back I intend to seriously look at doing some serious portrait work. I am not looking to run a studio (already have a part-time job running a charity as well as tons of other stuff) but am considering getting some decent lights to take to client’s, as well as perhaps a ring flash. Problem is I don’t have much money (certainly none spare) and so need to keep costs down. My needs are as follows:
1. DSLR with two lenses (preferably at least one prime rather than large zooms)
2. Two flash heads plus brolleys/softboxes
3. Light meter
4. Tripod
5. Backgrounds and stands
Questions is, as regards DSLR, I have narrowed my system down to one of these:
1. Sony 350 twin lens kit, or
2. Samsung GX_20 twin lens kit, or
3. Fuji S5 Pro with decent lens
Does anyone have experience of these kits and how do they find them for mainly portrait work?
As for flash, is it better to get the type that is constantly on (Cool Lite type – not Tungsten) or flash type that charges and then discharges?
Also, can anyone say what s the minimum width of background for typical family groups (no more than 6 individuals)?
Any advice or shared experience gratefully received.
Steve
Dennis Pilapil, 3 months ago
Hi Steve,
With respect to the stuffs you need like lights, background, stands, etc., if you can rent them for a start while you’re still feeling the work, that’ll be good as it will help you keep your overheads down.
I think the best investment you can make now is a DSLR and an 85mm f1.8 and a 28-70mm f2.8 for group shots and a tripod. I have not tried a Fuji S5 Pro but I had a Fuji S2 Pro previously and it was good in portrait work specifically for studio work…
I think for lights, go with the Elinchrome, Dynalite, Visatec, etc. Tungsten will be too hot for portraiture unless you want the warm tones….
All the best to your venture.
Dennis
Clive King, 3 months ago
Way over my head Steve. But good luck for the future.
newbeltane in reply to Dennis Pilapil’s comment, 3 months ago
Dennis, thanks for the advice.. sounds pretty sound to me. I had thought initially I concentrate on the DSLR and lenses and a decent flashgun (possibly ringflash).
Seve
newbeltane in reply to Clive King’s comment, 3 months ago
Thank you Clive for the encouragement.
Samuel Durkin, 3 months ago
My set up was fairly cheep. For lights I use a set of 8 120watt low energy daylight bulbs set into 2 photo reflectors. I got them from ebay and they set me back about £200.
Back drop was about £100 also off ebay. The shoots all happen in my front room so save the studio hire cost which pays for the equipment almost instantly. My cameras not even a DSLR but a sub DSLR the “cannon G9” which is 12 meg. it has a range of lens adapters too. I like it most because it fits in my pocket, yet has almost all the power and features you get with DSLR and maybe even a few more. oh and really no need of a light meter, just look at the picture on the camera and adjust aperture, exposure time, film speed and so on to taste, the instant results mean you really don’t have to do any calculations, because you can see the result before you even take the picture.
My biggest fear when getting a true DSLR is that the body will be out of date within a year or two and then you need a new one. Not long ago 6 mp Cannon was great, now you get that level of Mega pixel in some mobile phones (although you don’t get any of the other features). Soon my 12mp will be out of date and we’ll have 24mp or 48mp cameras standard. So the cost of constantly replacing you DSLRs body has to be taken into consideration. Of course you get to keep the lens, but I get the feeling the sneaky buggers will make you buy them all again somehow.
newbeltane, 3 months ago
Thank you Sam for sharing your experience. I will probably have to cut my cloth according to my resources and hopefully over time be able to upgrade as needs be once I start getting the work. I had also looked at Canon G9 and might start with that first.
Steve