mezeus Loc: Texas

Seeing as how cost is no issue I would recommend the following:

Hasselblad H4D W/ 80MM 2.8LENS. $41,195 @ B&H.

40 MEGAPIXEL MEDIUM FORMAT. (IT'S EVERY PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM)
You will need a very sturdy tripod.

And for editing:
Photoshop CS 5.5 $849.00

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Olivia Kay,
Ditto to what Lupine said about Pentax. If you're looking to get a camera, I am salivating every day until I have enough money to purchase a Pentax K-5. There's a company called DxO Labs that does extensive testing on camera sensors and, out of the 148 cameras tested, the K-5 came in at #7! The other ones ahead of it are more expensive full-frame cameras (which might interest you as well since you say that money is no object). Otherwise, if you're looking to do primarily portrait work, Lupine is right again. The one to look at is Pentax 645D, a medium-format camera, which is what portrait photographers use. And here's the best part: on this same list of camera sensor ratings, the 645D came in at #5! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! By the way, if you want to see the list of camera sensor ratings, go to this website at DxO:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Ratings

By the way, the number one camera on the list? It's called the Phase One IQ180 Digital medium format, made by a Danish company and sells for about $50-grand!

POVDOV

Olivia, To add more of the same. I own a Canon 7d lens: canon 24-105 is L and a canon 300 mm prime lens. I hear the 70-200 2.8 is an excellent lens for portraits when you don't want to crowd your subject. That gives you a full range of portrait mm's Get the widest aperture lens you can afford.

I would start with Adobe's LIGHTROOM 3. It not only gives you great editing features but also superb organization software for archiving. Scott Kelby's book on LIGHTROOM is a great "how to" book that walks you through the whole process.

Good luck and let us know what you are going to do.

Povdov

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Canon has a bigger ad budget than Nikon. The other difference is a metal body for Nikon and if you are a klutz like me, that can be important.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Hamtrack,
Both Canon and Nikon have metal bodies, the high end pro cameras will also have weather seals. They are also a lot heavier, I still recommend she go get a feel for the cameras first then decide which fits her best.

jimsmartphotography Loc: Joshua Tree, CA

Buy glass, best you can get, primes if you can afford them. Makes a HUGE difference in your output.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

If you are really going to be a dedicated protrait photographer and you got the bucks, look at a Hasselblad. Call B&H and ask them about a lens. You can also look at a Mamiya 4/5 format cameras. I think they all have dig capability. If you go with film which is not a bad idea for protrait, you can get some of these cameras rather cheaply. Look at B&H used as well as KEH and Adorama. Some good prices.

Otherwise go hold a Sony, Nikon and Canon and see which you like best. I would urge you to get one with a 35mm sensor. For protrait work, I would use a fixed focal length lens and have an array that includes 35mm 50mm, 85 or 90 mm. I would look for biggest aperature f2 or no less than f2.8. I say this because you may often want to blur out the background. Thus, you want a lens that can have little depth of field.

just one old guys suggestion.....

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

There are compromises in everything. If you shoot portraits in studio, are not concerned about using high ISO and the noise generated because you'll always control the lighting, you almost certainly want a camera body with a full sized sensor with maximum resolution (lines/square inch). You've been saving up but does that mean $7,000 or $1,000? At the lower figure there is nothing I know of that will satisfy your wants.
I shoot Nikon, but Sony makes a full sensor body with incredible resolution (but not very good high ISO noise reduction) that is a relative bargain. You'll also have to consider the product you purchase will limit your lens choices.

alaskanfrog Loc: Alaska

Your camera is the one that will best suit your needs. A good quality DSLR is a must for portrait photography, along with a good selection of lenses, a small selection of filters for the lenses, a good sturdy tripod that will withstand years of use and of course, a good light kit to augment your photo shoots.

My personal recommendation for a camera is an Olympus camera from the "E-series" such as the "E-5, E-30, or the E-620. These cameras aren't as user friendly as most Canon or Nikon cameras, but the Olympus cameras take remarkable photos with true color images, saturated with rich warm color tones. This in my personal and professional opinion is a must in portraiture photography. The lenses for the E-series Olympus cameras are very good and reproduce clear, sharp images when shooting. Most of the E-series cameras also shoot the now very popular "DSLR videos" as well. An added feature you won't find on any other DSLR camera is: the Olympus E-series cameras have the ability to shoot "multiple exposure" images, something that is not available in any other digital camera.

I had the good fortune of trying out the E-series cameras in a Nashville store last year and was very pleased and pleasantly surprised at the quality of photos the cameras shot. That's also when I learned about the "multiple exposure" built into the cameras. If and when the day comes, I want to buy one and do away with my old and tired Canon Rebel XTi.

Ultimately, the choice will be yours alone and you will need to decide which camera best suits your needs. Each of us as photographers have specific goals, desires and needs when it comes to a camera. Find the one that suits you. Research the cameras available on the market and most important of all, go to your local camera store and ask if they will allow you to try out the different model cameras that are available. Ask if they will explain the differences, the abilities and limitations of the particular models you're interested in. This will allow you to make an informed decision... good luck and happy shopping. I'm sure you will find something to your liking and enjoy the adventure.

anotherview Loc: California

Try before you buy: www.lensrentals.com

I hear the equivalent camera and lens in Nikon costs more than in Canon.

Experienced photographers say one buys a system when buying a camera.

Third-party lensmakers offer quality lenses for the major cameras; for example, Sigma and Zeiss.

Videos of portrait photographers at work show them using zoom lenses, typically a 70-200mm lens, for its versatility.

You do not necessarily need the most expensive version of a given lens focal length. The Canon 85mm f/1.8, for example, produces pictures with very good quality.

In closing, let me note that experienced photographers say not the gear but the photographer makes the difference in photography.

small_cents Loc: Ashland Ma. 01721

I have a 50-d and use a 15-85 with a 430 flash w/ a garyfong cloud on the flash ,,you will be happy.
canon is what most the pro's use.... Try B&H camera on line.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Being a Sony owner, I would argue all day long about quality lenses because the Sony upper end lenses are just as goo and sometimes better. The Sony cameras are also excellent. However, Sony only offers one Camera that is specifically made for studio use. It is the a900 24mp full frame. However,I think it and the a850 are the only ones in the Sony lineup that can shoot tethered. Nikon and Canon have several models that are portrait cameras that shoot tethered. Tethered shooting has all sorts of advantages when shooting portraits whether inside or out. In my opinion, the a900 is past its' prime and is not a good walk around camera. For this reason alone, I would recommend either the Nikon or Canon. Olivia at this point would have to put both cameras in her hand and decide which one is more comfortable to shoot with.

If Tethered shooting is not one of her concerns, Then I would have her explore the Sony's also because they just as good as the others and they tend to give more bang for the buck, therefore keeping the initial investment down and allowing her to invest in good glass.

For example: I think that the Nikon D7000 is an excellent, excellent camera. I had the money. I chose the Sony a580 over the D7000 and stuck a Carl Zeiss lens on it and saved over $1000.00 which allowed me to invest in other items.

flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA

Sony also has lenses made by Zeiss-probably one of the two finest lens mfgs in the world, so that comparison falls a little short. I spent many years in the photo-retail field, and came to the realization early on that a good bit of the information regarding which is the best camera system is just a lot of hot air. If you think that a specific brand of equipment makes you a better photographer more power to you, but in the end it is really how you utilize whatever system you have. The reason that I have Sony has to do with a feature that has nothing to do with photographic skill-"Steady Shot". I'm old and shaky, and I don't want to spend half again as much for lenses that are image stabilized.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Remember, Canon and Nikon are primarily lens companies, not camera companies.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

mdorn,
That they may be but then again they are the cameras that most pros use. Granted the pros are using the high end Canons and Nikons and also the high end lenses. I don't understand your point. Could you please explain it, thanks.

George