Any photographers in here?

[NVP5White]

So, I've got a bit of a dilemma: I have $125 to spend at the local camera store and I don't know what to spend it on. I've considered a few options including:

1. Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens
2. Good set of tripod legs -OR- a decent ball head
3. Used flash (to use as a second flash off camera)
4. Background stand set (2 stands, crossbar, bag)
5. Bunch of random accessories (Bogen superclamp, 3-way collapsible reflector, Giotto's sensor blower, etc)

So I ask you photographer community: what would you buy with $125?

My current set-up includes:

Nikon D50 body
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S
70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 AF G
60mm Micro-nikkor
SB-600 Flash
ebay remote triggers
Slik Mini tripod
Westcott 43" white umbrella
Umbrella bracket
9' light stand
Kata R-103 Camera bag

 

[323]

NVP5White, i think a second flash would come in handy for you. on this note of camera equipement, where can i find some cheap stands where i can mount my flash and in the future, an umbrella?

 

[gr?]

It depends if you plan on using artificial lighting more; if so, buy another flash. If not, a better tripod for longer shutter speeds for natural lighting.

If it were, I'd save up for better glass.

 

[IAMHOLLYWOOD]

my nice little prize from Monster Energy and LTD guitars

 

[FunkyBuddha]

NVP5White, i think a second flash would come in handy for you. on this note of camera equipement, where can i find some cheap stands where i can mount my flash and in the future, an umbrella?

I got my stands and umbrellas from ebay. Including the 120V bulb sockets. They cost me 65 bux plus shipping. The stands are ok. Not the sturdiest but they work. I had to buy 2 x manfrotto heads so that I can turn it into hotshoes for my flashes.

 

[NVP5White]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

323: for light stands I would get something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253067-REG/Impact_LS10AB_Air_Cushioned_Black_Stand.html

This is not exactly what I have but very close. Its sturdy when set-up, but you might need to add a sand bag when using it with an umbrella in kind of wind.

For an umbrella bracket I would get something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298709-REG/Impact_3117_Umbrella_Bracket.html
Its inexpensive and lightweight. I've used mine dozens of times and have yet to notice any wear.

Unless you intend to use an umbrella/flash set-up on a daily basis this is all you need in a stand and bracket.

 

[323]

cool. thanks for the insight guys

 

[tekkie]

so Tekkie, What lens were you using on that shoot? I wouldn't of needed to ask but your EXIF is not on the photos. Was it your 70-200 with a TC?? Grest Shots!

sorry for the late reply I just got back from mexico

it was the 100-400L on the 40D, the combo tracked awesome

yeah smugmug does not hold the exif, you have to goto their site and click the info button

 

[LEXi73]

Tekkie,
Thanks for the reply. The pics look great. Im planning on taking my 100-400 and 40d to a airshow in late July. Did you manual foocus all your shots? My 100-400 seems to pick bad focus points sometimes in AF mode. I Dont want to miss any shots

 

[tekkie]

I used AF, I took about 1200 shots and quite a few of them at 6.5fps and there were very very few that were oof, it tracked amazingly well in AI Servo, I would have had a ton of oof shots if I did manual

 

[LEXi73]

great, thanks for the insight....hope mine turn out as good as yours

 

[altspace]

Cat Nap

 

[tekkie]

finally picked up a copy of photomatrix, didnt want to go to overboard with it

this one is a wee bit underexposed I think, oh well not uploading it again

 

[Hot Shot]

Got to play with a new 1d mk3 this weekend....

I also shot a wedding reception, but don't have those processed yet.

 

[tekkie]

mkIII you lucky dog its a sweet camera

 

[Hot Shot]

mkIII you lucky dog its a sweet camera

Yes it is, although I don't know if this is an early version or not. I thought I'd heard that some of the early versions had auto focus issues. At the Wedding reception, I had to manually select the focus point most of the night as it was a pain getting it to focus on the right spots in auto (45 point selection)

 

[gr?]

The AF issues only occur in 90+ degree weather and AI servo mode. This has been fixed with updated firmware.

 

[Hot Shot]

The AF issues only occur in 90+ degree weather and AI servo mode. This has been fixed with updated firmware.

I'll have to see what firmware it was running. It was a rental, so it's not mine. I was flipping back and forth between servo and one shot but it was definitely not 90 degrees......

 

[Ki||ian]

Awww **** yea! Just got an internship in the Photo Dept of National Geographic!!!!!!

DC HERE I COME!

Again lol.

 

[nate0123]

congrats - I work very close to there