First time buyer
Jan 4, 2019 09:35:41 #
Thank you all so much for your suggestions/opinions! I definitely am figuring out which direction to go into. I need to go and try out a couple of first.
Jan 4, 2019 10:01:58 #
I want to shoot both indoors and outdoors but I probably will shoot more outdoors then anything in the beginning. Possibly in the future adding on birth photography as well if asked but I have so much more to learn with that.
For right now, I just want to get started with everything outdoor family portrait photography/portrait photography/milestone photography and then expand from there.
Thank you so much for your response
For right now, I just want to get started with everything outdoor family portrait photography/portrait photography/milestone photography and then expand from there.
Thank you so much for your response
Jan 4, 2019 10:14:34 #
Elissa.allen21 wrote:
For right now, I just want to get started
For right now, I just want to get started
Decades of successful wedding/portrait/event photographers have used full frame bodies with high quality glass. I am sure that mirrorless cameras will eventually be the "go to" for all digital photography, but if you are getting started, and want quality on a budget. Get a good body (D750 is way beyond good and is priced very well now) and spend your money on fast glass (2.8 and VR). If you don't know how to operate a DSLR, there is a learning curve that can be steep. If you do have DSLR experience, every new body will come with a learning curve. My suggestion is get in at a reasonable cost (that is relative) and then let your business grow and the income can be used to upgrade when you are really ready for the next body.
Jan 4, 2019 10:23:53 #
First thing first, there is no such a thing as a "portrait photography camera." All cameras made are very capable of photographing portraits. If you ask me about a portrait lens that is a totally different story because there are many lenses that will do the job.
An "old" camera with the right lens will give you excellent portraits if you do your part. No reasons that I could see to expend lots of money except for a good lens and the 85mm f1.8 lens comes to mind. Many photographers use the 80-200 f2.8 or the 70-200 f2.8. Even a consumer lens like the 70-300 VR using good techniques will give you excellent portraits. I am still using occasionally the 1963 Nikon 105 f2.5 single coated lens for some portraits.
An "old" camera with the right lens will give you excellent portraits if you do your part. No reasons that I could see to expend lots of money except for a good lens and the 85mm f1.8 lens comes to mind. Many photographers use the 80-200 f2.8 or the 70-200 f2.8. Even a consumer lens like the 70-300 VR using good techniques will give you excellent portraits. I am still using occasionally the 1963 Nikon 105 f2.5 single coated lens for some portraits.
Jan 4, 2019 10:37:27 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
The D750 would be a good choice. br We have a loc... (show quote)
Agree with the lighting and setup. *(i have the Bowens Gemini twin pack set BTW.)
As for which camera to get, the modern fancy type are best but I've seen and talked to many-many portrait shooters. What it boils down to is like an drag strip for cars, "run what you brung". It's the end result that matters most. Get that down pat then spend the cash for fancy stuff
Jan 4, 2019 12:10:51 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I love all my cameras----WHY--- Because I went to a store and picked them out. They fit my handling and size and are comfortable.
Jan 4, 2019 13:42:26 #
nimbushopper wrote:
You can try it out. Rent a camera/lens from lensrentals.com. If you like it you can actually purchase the rental from them if you wish.
Ditto!
Jan 4, 2019 15:19:47 #
Elissa.allen21 wrote:
Thank you for your suggestion 😁 I will definitely look into the d750! The d850 does look amazing! I wish i could just try it out for a little while lol!!
Thank you again!
Thank you again!
Rent one for a week with a good lens
Jan 4, 2019 16:39:19 #
If you use a crop sensor Nikon DSLR your best bet for a portrait lens is 50mm Nikkor lens which acts as the equivalent of a 75mm and saves you a bundle of lens money.
I once operated a portrait studio for Expressly Portraits. an upscale chain that used Mamiya RB67s (60mm x 70 mm negatives) and 90mm lens. We delivered the finished portraits up to 11x14 in one hour after the sitting was completed. Few customers wanted more than one or two 11x14s and most preferred more 8x10s and 5x7s plus a handful of wallet sized prints. Very, very few wanted 16x20 or 20x24 which were also sold, just took a week more or less because those were all printed in a central lab which put express mail time into the delivery equation.
Today's crop sensors Nikon digital cameras make perfectly acceptable 11x14s which I'm fairly sure would please a customer assuming your work as a photographer met there expectations.
I once operated a portrait studio for Expressly Portraits. an upscale chain that used Mamiya RB67s (60mm x 70 mm negatives) and 90mm lens. We delivered the finished portraits up to 11x14 in one hour after the sitting was completed. Few customers wanted more than one or two 11x14s and most preferred more 8x10s and 5x7s plus a handful of wallet sized prints. Very, very few wanted 16x20 or 20x24 which were also sold, just took a week more or less because those were all printed in a central lab which put express mail time into the delivery equation.
Today's crop sensors Nikon digital cameras make perfectly acceptable 11x14s which I'm fairly sure would please a customer assuming your work as a photographer met there expectations.
Bokehen wrote:
No matter what camera you decide on getting (assuming it's a Nikon) resort to also purchasing a Nikon 85mm f/1.8G strictly use for portraits.
Jan 4, 2019 19:47:01 #
I have to agree with a few others on this thread......Try the D750. It is a great value and delivers awesome images including in low light. I have been successful with portraits and landscapes with the D750. I couldn't be happier with this camera.
Jan 4, 2019 19:56:34 #
I rented the Nikon Z6 and the 24-70 f/4 S lens (designed specifically for the Z6/Z7) for one week recently. I used my D500 side by side with the Z6 for comparisons. The Z6 autofocus is not as good as the autofocus in the D500 (btw the D850 has the same AF as the D500). It would often hunt in even slightly dim light. My D500 would acquire focus right away. The Z6 has a low light focusing mode but it slows the AF slightly.
Besides the autofocus limitations in low light, I was very impressed with the Z6. It has an outstanding viewfinder. I've seen some electronic viewfinders where the image looks too much like a cartoon. The image in the Z6 viewfinder looks very realistic. It's Nikon experience with designing optics such as binoculars and microscopes that makes a difference.
Autofocus fine tuning is not needed with a mirrorless camera such as the Z6 and Z7. It finds the highest contrast at the sensor.
The Z6 has facial recognition which is nice. It works well.
The weight savings over a DSLR is significant. A 24-70mm f/4 lens for a DSLR would weigh considerably more than the 24/70 f/4 S for the Z6/Z7.
The Z6 uses the XQD memory card. XQD cards are more robust than SD cards and have higher transfer rates.
Production of the D750 has stopped and it's on clearance right now. The should be a D760 coming out probably early this year. Look out for announcements from the CES show Jan.8-11.
I did some comparison shots with the Z6 and my D500. I made diptychs in Photoshop. I will post them below.
Besides the autofocus limitations in low light, I was very impressed with the Z6. It has an outstanding viewfinder. I've seen some electronic viewfinders where the image looks too much like a cartoon. The image in the Z6 viewfinder looks very realistic. It's Nikon experience with designing optics such as binoculars and microscopes that makes a difference.
Autofocus fine tuning is not needed with a mirrorless camera such as the Z6 and Z7. It finds the highest contrast at the sensor.
The Z6 has facial recognition which is nice. It works well.
The weight savings over a DSLR is significant. A 24-70mm f/4 lens for a DSLR would weigh considerably more than the 24/70 f/4 S for the Z6/Z7.
The Z6 uses the XQD memory card. XQD cards are more robust than SD cards and have higher transfer rates.
Production of the D750 has stopped and it's on clearance right now. The should be a D760 coming out probably early this year. Look out for announcements from the CES show Jan.8-11.
I did some comparison shots with the Z6 and my D500. I made diptychs in Photoshop. I will post them below.
Jan 4, 2019 20:12:10 #
The Nikon D750 is a good fit for my smaller hands. It is a bit lighter than the D850 and the cost is significantly less.
Jan 5, 2019 00:43:34 #
If you are thinking about what kind of camera to buy I suggest you stop and think carefully about making a business of portrait photography. The first thing you need before buying an expensive set of tools is experience in a customer oriented business and a business plan.
Jan 5, 2019 01:30:38 #
Elissa.allen21 wrote:
Hello! I'm new to this forum and am currently looking for a portrait photography camera (preferably a nikon).
I'm thinking about buying a nikon d7500, nikon d850 (not in the price range I'd like but possibly) or a nikon z6. I dont understand the difference much between mirror or mirrorless cameras.. still learning everything.
If theres a different nikon or any tips you'd like to suggest for me, I'm open to opinions and suggestions. Thank you 😊
I'm thinking about buying a nikon d7500, nikon d850 (not in the price range I'd like but possibly) or a nikon z6. I dont understand the difference much between mirror or mirrorless cameras.. still learning everything.
If theres a different nikon or any tips you'd like to suggest for me, I'm open to opinions and suggestions. Thank you 😊
The biggest difference will be the viewfinder. With the Z6/7 you will see what the exposure is before pressing the shutter. So if you are not familiar with the triangle, I’d go to a mirrorless camera.
Jan 5, 2019 04:44:35 #
I shoot a D810 and have found that high mega pixel cameras require High quality glass. So, if you don't want to spend $1500+ per lens I'd stick with something like the D750 that others are recommending.
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