Red Sky At Night

I'm a newbie to UHH. I am wanting to purchase a camera to use for developing ads of show dogs and horses (conformation, not speed events) to be used in breed magazines. What camera body and lens would you recommend? I am enthralled by the D8500 and am not opposed to that investment. But, would a D7200 give me "enough" to accomplish what I need? Would appreciate recommendations and whys on both camera bodies and lens needed to produce quality magazine ads. Thanks so much.

cmc65

You would be well served to take a look at our member Bob Yankle;s posts. Go to the top of page and slick on User List and type in his name. That will bring you to his profile page and you can view his list of posts.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Most modern cameras will work, but you will need good lighting.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Surely the camera and lens are of minor importance if you know how to do that level of professional work? I imagine magazines would prefer full-frame camera work, perhaps submitted as raw images, but maybe not. Other than that, who cares about the choice of equipment? If you use film, you would have the luxury of medium format (any of the old favorites). (OK, they do make medium format digital, too, but...) Did you mean the D850? Of course that would be grand. The D7200 is a cropped sensor--possible for publication but not preferred.

I suspect a certain amount of study and skill are required for the photos your magazines want, but I am not familiar with these genres--my guess is that a normal to short-tele (or portrait) lens would do it all. Normal lenses are the fastest lenses and usually the sharpest, so you are in luck if a prime normal or portrait-length lens will do. You can get the best camera and save on the lenses for a start.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Wow, talk about an open ended question. What is your budget? How up close and personal are you getting with your subjects? Studio or event photography? Based on my own experience, and those of Professional Photographers I know who shoot animals in studio and events I would recommend:

Nikon D850 - since you said the cost is not prohibitive.

Nikon 17 - 35 f/2.8 or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art for studio work.

These are all shots in the dark since you provided a scarcity of details.
Tamron Di 24-70
Sigma 70 - 200 G f/2.8
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Full frame. 24-105 2.8 70-200 2.8. Nikon 850 if you have the money. Pentax K1 if you want a bargain

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Photographers who take pictures for magazines most likely use professional gear. Nikon's Pro level DSLR is the D5, and they probably use prime lenses.

Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

As a minimum, use full-frame format. Medium format is better because magazine editors are very particular about the "look" they are expecting. It is not merely a matter of megapixels. Other than this, the camera brand and lens are not nearly as much of an issue as you might think. Shooting pet pictures usually calls for a full-frame 85mm or longer focal length. Macro lenses of that focal length or better yield excellent results.

Red Sky At Night

Thank you. His animal photography is superb.

Red Sky At Night

Thank you everyone. I have appreciated your remarks which have been extremely helpful.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Helpful to use the “Quote Reply” option as I have done so we know which post you are addressing.
These photos are for advertising, right?
Not the cover.
What magazine?
How big will the photos be used in the ad?
Will they be shot outside or inside in a controlled environment?
If you want an excuse to buy the Nikon D-850 you could use this one, but, as Gene pointed out- what kind of lighting is there?
Do you know anything about lighting?
Do you have any lighting equipment?
A great lens and camera does one no good if the lighting sucks.

Red Sky At Night

I hit quote reply as was most recently suggested by goofienewfie but I see my old reply on here so I am still not sure if I am in the correct spot even yet on replies. But to answer your specific questions.... The magazine is Sighthound Review. Also, the Whippet Annual. Minimum of 300 dpi/5MB. No, not a cover but a full page in each. The photos will be roughly 5x7 each with one or two on each page plus ad copy. They actually design the ad for me. I just provide photos and ad copy. Have been shooting outside as I don't have any good lighting equipment and will need to invest in that later. And as has been pointed out by several of you, am learning that lighting is of utmost importance. I have done well with early morning and just before dusk. But am still learning all of that, too. I do have an old D70 that was upgraded once again a long time ago but have been told by the editor and ad designer of SR, the pictures are not large enough. I was told when I purchased this camera a number of years ago that it was large enough to print posters. So it could just be a lack of knowledge about editing or who knows (probably all of you except me) what. I have a Tamron 70-300 mm 1:4-5.6 LD Tele-Macro(1:2) lens and a smaller AF-S Nikon DX 18-70mm lens that came with the camera. Even though I am so new at all of this I want you to know that I have learned something from each of the comments that I have received so thank you all. I'm just new, new, new to all of this so if any of you know of a better forum for me, please feel free to direct me. I'm anxious to learn and have the time to invest. Right now I just want to be sure that I invest in the right equipment and don't waste money on something I don't need.

Red Sky At Night

D850 is the one I've been leaning towards. Just needed someone to tell me this is the right choice. Don't mind spending the money. But maybe just needed the push that this would not be a mistake for me. Will check out the other information that you gave to me. Thank you.

jcboy3

A 5x7 at 300dpi is 3.15 mp. You don't need a 45 mp camera for that.

Largobob

Lighting...lighting....lighting! Without proper lighting you have nothing....