I think a 105mm 2.8 would be your best bet in the long run..If in the future you decided to go for a full-frame camera, this lens would work as well for both Macro and portraiture..You won't ever have to buy another lens for those purposes..I've had a Nikon 105 AF 2.8 NON-d for ovr 10 years..It is the sharpest lens I own.
Eddie
For at least 6-7 years, it's been a Gary Fong lightsphere for me, particularly for H&S or 3/4 length portraits...I find it important to use it with the "chromedome" attachement. I do need to gravitate to the newer "collapsible" version..I've probably used most conceivable diffusion options for outside the studio use, and this Lightsphere has given me the best results..I often use it "off-camera" with my Nikon SB800 either wireless or with a Nikon TTl cord..
Eddie
I have a KIRK BH-1, along with a Wimberly SIDEKICK that I've used for years with an "older" TOKINA 400mm F5.6 with a longer lens mounting foot (available from Wimberly)..I'v used it in conjunction with my Nikon D80, and more recently with my D7000..Stunning results as long as your tripod/head combination will be rock-solid in use. I have an older Manfrotto modified by KIRK for use "on the ground" as well as full-up (minus the center column which now has a short column mounted, but is convertible to a long column if you wish. (pls note that most tripods do NOT do well if the center column is extended to any degree!) I also have a VANGUARD 263AT that I use with this head/Wimberly option..I Also sometimes us a GRIP head from VANGUARD, their GH200 which has an ARCA type dovetail mount, but doesn't play well with the WIMBERLY..
Eddie
I've been printing for about 12-13 years, using both oem and 3rd party inks..If you are looking to save some money, and get great ink quality and print longevity I would recommend http://www.inksupply.com or http://www.ink2image.com , or http://www.inkjetmall.com From my on experience I would stay away from any kind of a continuous ink supply setup manufactured by ANYONE..Their ALL great in the beginning, but can lead to major clogging problems...For the last 7-8 years, I haven bee individually filling 3rd party cartridges.. Takes about 15 minutes or less to refill a set of 6 cartridges.. I've had virtually NO problems doing this..
Eddie(pahtspix)
I have the same camera conversion as you, and I set mine any where between 100 and 400 depending upon the amount of light available.. A tripod will definitely improve your results at lower shutter speeds.
Eddie
As far as I'm concerned, it is the GREATEST filter available in Photoshop CC..You can go back to you image anytime and apply a "tweak" on the image, without starting the the whole process over again..You have the ability to go back to this feature as a "filter" prior to printing or whatever..You are not bringing it back intp Photoshop as a "RAW" image, but one that has had some "first-pass" editing done to the "Original" raw file (and now may be a TIF or a JPG..In my case), I'm usually entering my image as a TIF file when using it as a filter..None of this affects your "ORIGINAL" Camera Raw file which always remains intact to serve a negative of sorts.
Just my 2 cents($10 with inflation!)!
Eddie
Hi..
I had a windows 7 computer custom built built 1.5 yrs ago, with an Intel 7 processor, 32gb ram 4 tb of hard drive space, merged into 2TB as Raid 1, and a 240gb Solid state boot drive for all of my programs such as 3 versions of Photoshop, all my plug-ins and other normal utilitys including of course my Intel operating system and the 2013 version of outlook..It FLYS!..I don't understand why your builder is limiting you to 16 GB of RAM..I'd ask him.
Eddie
Check out YOUTUBE for Serge Ramelli, and also Anthony Morganti. They are BOTH great explaining both Photoshop and Lightroom..Each has many tutorials on-line.
You'll be happy you did IMHO!
Eddie
To those who are interested, I have used 3rd party inks with the old Epson 1200/1270/1280/1100 series printers over the last 10 or so years..All of that series died from overuse of 3rd party pigment inks, both Color Pigment and pure black pigment inks..About 4 or 5 years ago after throwing out those terminally clogged/malfunctioning printhead units, I invested in 2 inexpensive Epson 1400 printers (now replaced by the EPSON 1430 in the USA) ..One for long-lasting Lyson XG dyes, and the other with a variable carbon inkset ("UT-14") from http://www.inksupply.com Since making the switch I have had have had ZERO problems other than an "occasional" clogged jet (easily cleared!)..Each printer takes 6 cartridges,, and I remove each from the printer to do a refill..Takes about 15 minutes to refill a set of 6 cartriges, and one or 2 head cleanings and a nozzle check, and I'm "good to go"..Complete start-up kits are available from the aforementioned Inksupply.com, as well as from Lyson here in the USA represented by Ink2image.com..Note..I refill ALL of my cartridges, and no longer use any kind of continuous ink supply from ANY company..I've used them before, and they can be fine in the beginning, however I found then to be "trouble" over the long haul.. Go for a kit of 6 100 ml bottles of each "Color", and you would be using approximately 13ml for each refill..You can do the math..
Also, if you are going to go that route, I VERY HIGHLY recommend Redriverpaper.com here in the USA for absolutely GREAT PAPER at fantastic prices.. I don't know who their UK reps might be, But if you get on their site you can inquire about European accessibility of their products.
PHEW!..I hope I've passed on some useful info here!
Eddie
4x5 to 12x18 using 2 Epson 1400 printers.. One for B&W pigment inks, and the other dedicated to Lyson XG color dyes..
Eddie
Re Charlie's question..
I use mostly Red River papers with an Epson 1400 with 3rd party Epson Claria Clones (Lyson XG), Matt, lustre high gloss and metallic..I have a 2nd 1400 with Archival Carbon inks from MIS fot B&W, and use Matte and lustre papers with that combination..
Eddie (pahtspix)
I've been using a VIEWSONIC VP2365-LED wide screen 23" IPS monitor..About $240 on AMAZON.GREAT bang for the buck!..Look up the many user reviews on Amazon's website. I've had to do no monitor calibration whatsoever.Very accurate color..3 year warranty..Excellent screen-to-print match right out of the box!
Eddie (pahtspix)
OK Bob..
The 2014 CC edition dropped the OIL-Paint filter..How could I gravitate that filter from the previous "CC" to the 2014 version of Photoshop CC?
THX in advance!
Eddie (pahtspix)
Yes, you CAN delete your original Photoshop CC, but if you do, you will need to re-install your plug-ins, and you will LOSE the OIL PAINT filter for Photoshop CC2014.Adobe said something had to go with their "CC2014" version, and it was decided to drop the oil Paint filter.I used it a few times, but it can give you something of a "gimmicky" look if you overdo it..
I have both CC and CC2014 installed on my windows 7 desktop computer.
A suggestion:
Check out http://www.vanguardworld.com
You will find all of Vanguards offerings on this site, with some great videos of their gear in action..As I mentioned.. Look at the Alta-Pro 263AT tripods ( carbon fibre or aluminum), and the BBH 100 and 200 Ball heads..
Then price them out using http://www.pricegrabber.com
Let us know how you do!
Eddie