Camera Suggestion for Landscaper (Page 2): After a quick look, they are definitely in the running. The kit with an 18-55 looks like it would do nicely.

CaptainEd

wetreed wrote:

Your best choice would be the Nikon 3500 or the Nikon 5600 . These two cameras are without doubt your best option

After a quick look, they are definitely in the running. The kit with an 18-55 looks like it would do nicely.

jims203 Loc: Connecticut

Most likely he won’t have the patience or want to invest in the time it takes to learn the camera or the developing software. Let him do what he does best and hire a photographer.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

CaptainEd wrote:

I've got a client that is in the Landscaping busin... (show quote)

Is there a reason why you aren't doing the shooting? Seems like it would ensure you get the best results for his website and marketing materials.

CaptainEd

imagemeister wrote:

Sony RX 100 - whatever the latest version is ....

Thank you. I wasn't familiar with this series. Very impressive for its size.

CaptainEd

jims203 wrote:

Most likely he won’t have the patience or want to invest in the time it takes to learn the camera or the developing software. Let him do what he does best and hire a photographer.

That's the root of the question. I doubt he wants to hire a full-time photographer to travel around with him for blog shots.

CaptainEd

krl48 wrote:

Is there a reason why you aren't doing the shooting? Seems like it would ensure you get the best results for his website and marketing materials.

Yes, there is. I'm about 300 miles away. I will be making a trip next month and plan to shoot several of the properties he maintains, and I'll make another trip in the spring when things are a bit more colorful, most likely followed up by summer and fall trips. The "truck camera" is for ongoing work, project documentation, before and after for new clients, newsletter shots, etc.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

CaptainEd wrote:

I didn't realize the TG would shoot raw. I've had a couple over the years and like them. I'll take a look, thank you!

Captain,

The TG-5 shoots JPEG+RAW and does it well. More importantly, for your situation, it has an incredibly good full automatic setting. For mine, I bought the accessory that adds the ability to screw on a protective filter. The TG-5 is rugged, but a lens is a lens. I can clean the filter with a shirtsleeve and I can lose the lens cap. When I scratch the filter I can screw on a new one.

Regarding "quality", the small TG-5 sensor with the camera's brains will do more than enough for websites and brochures.

Here are some sample TG-5 full automatic to RAW with Lightroom post processing images: https://adobe.ly/2ETIedP

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Ask him what piece of landscaping equipment his potential customers should buy so that they can do their landscaping work themselves as well as he could.

Mike

CaptainEd

bsprague wrote:

Captain, br br The TG-5 shoots JPEG+RAW and does ... (show quote)

My last, actually my daughter's, was a TG-3 I think. I thought it made very good pictures, but the shots you linked are even better. The small sensor had me reluctant, but I will definitely revisit it.

CaptainEd

Blenheim Orange wrote:

Ask him what piece of landscaping equipment his potential customers should buy so that they can do their landscaping work themselves as well as he could.

Mike

And if you were a mechanic, you would be posting how people shouldn't perform their own oil changes. As a carpenter, you would not want anyone but carpenters cut a board.....why not just scroll on instead of offering useless commentary.

What a wonderful world it would be if only "professional" photographers were allowed to own cameras or take pictures, no?

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

CaptainEd wrote:

Yes, there is. I'm about 300 miles away. I will be making a trip next month and plan to shoot several of the properties he maintains, and I'll make another trip in the spring when things are a bit more colorful, most likely followed up by summer and fall trips. The "truck camera" is for ongoing work, project documentation, before and after for new clients, newsletter shots, etc.

Darn good reason. Appreciate your response.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

CaptainEd wrote:

My last, actually my daughter's, was a TG-3 I think. I thought it made very good pictures, but the shots you linked are even better. The small sensor had me reluctant, but I will definitely revisit it.

Thanks for the compliment! Those shots were done on a casual desert walk with friends where photography was a second place purpose. The RAWs were capable and fun to edit in Lightroom. If you can get your landscaper to get some reasonable composition for you to work the PP, you'll do well with this project.

CaptainEd

bsprague wrote:

Thanks for the compliment! Those shots were done on a casual desert walk with friends where photography was a second place purpose. The RAWs were capable and fun to edit in Lightroom. If you can get your landscaper to get some reasonable composition for you to work the PP, you'll do well with this project.

We've already discussed composition based on what he sent me and I'm confident he'll "get it". As mentioned in the original post, he's not a mow and blow guy. He has a degree in his field and a good eye based on the designs that I've seen.

To offer an example, in speaking about how he differentiates himself, one example he offered is that he buys his plants and trees only from specific growers that have strains that are more colorful and developed for his specific location. He wants to blog tips and advice, while not giving away his secrets of course, using photos of his specific plantings. That would be an on-the-job photo, not an opportunity to bring a pro in for two or three shots.

If he wants a professional printed portfolio to show potential clients, I would either travel to him or have him hire someone.

It amazes me how many folks here think the only answer to every photo situation is "hire a pro" with "pro gear" or the picture isn't worth taking.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

CaptainEd wrote:

And if you were a mechanic, you would be posting how people shouldn't perform their own oil changes. As a carpenter, you would not want anyone but carpenters cut a board.....why not just scroll on instead of offering useless commentary.

What a wonderful world it would be if only "professional" photographers were allowed to own cameras or take pictures, no?

Your contemptuous remarks about professionals are strange given that you described the person as your client and claimed this client was a high end professional.

The point I am making is that it is ironic that a guy whose business is based on high-end professionalism in a field that is dominated by DIY folks and part timers is not applying the same logic to his needs for photos.

My neighbor, who is a high end carpenter, does not care if I cut a board. But to promote his work he wants the best possible images and hires a professional photographer. (Not me, by the way, I am an amateur. But I know photographers who specialize in that sort of work.) My mechanic doesn't care if I change my own oil, either.

Beyond that, it might be a smart business decision to bring in a pro rather than spend money and time buying and learning to use photographic equipment.

Why not pass on my suggestion to your friend and let him decide whether or not my commentary was useless?

Mike

Photocraig

Wingpilot wrote:

The OP figures the camera should be easy to use and be able to shoot RAW + JPEG. This landscaper is basically in a type of construction business, and things get knocked around. I think the Olympus TG-5 Tough would be a good camera for that. It's small, durable, and brings a reputation of very good IQ with it, and is easy to use.

I agree. Size, convenience and survivability in the hard knocks, dusty dirty world of Landscaping. Like any construction, it is not white glove work. Witness his dirty lens on his phone camera! And urge him to keep it in a small bag, and use Ziess lens wipes--an inexpensive gift for you to give him.

C

Then after he pays someone to straighten and process his raw files, he'll see the light and hire a Photographer for his high end jobs.