My setup, advice needed please

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pcrit
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p.1 #1 · My setup, advice needed please

I am currently an assistant wedding photographer but going to be doing a few on my own for friends and clients this upcoming season. I think I am covered but would like some opinions if I am missing anything or need to make changes. I recently sold most of my DX to go FF.

Main wedding setup:

Nikon D3s - main body
Nikon D3 - second body
Nikon D300s - backup and/or flash setup

Nikon 24-120mm f/4 - main lens, chosen over 24-70 for more range
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VRII
Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX DG Macro - not used much but might leave on the D300s
Nikon 28-105 3.5-4.5D
Nikon 85mm 1.8G
Nikon 50mm 1.8
Nikon 35mm 1:2

Nikon SB-910
Nikon SB-800 (backup)
2x Quantum Trio (one used at weddings)
2x Quantum blade battery
Quantum Turbo battery

Other for personal use:

Panasonic G5 for video, backup, and creative effects w/ 14-45 lens
Panasonic G5F for travel, family, etc.

Nikon 70-300mm VR*
Nikon 28-200mm*
Nikon 24-120mm 3.5-5.6*

*Used mainly for travel/family etc.

I am on a pretty tight budget considering wedding season won't start until a few months and I just sold off most of my DX gear to purchase the D3s. I am just trying to get prepared as much as I can but can sell some items to fund different ones as needed. I listed everything I have just in case. Any thoughts would be welcome considering I am fairly new, my gear hasn't let me down yet but want to be prepared in case. Thank you for your help!!!

Edited on Jan 20, 2013 at 03:44 PM · View previous versions

Jan 20, 2013 at 01:53 PM

Tony Hoffer
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p.1 #2 · My setup, advice needed please

Your camera bodies are fine. Shoot the D3s as main and D3 as second, keep the 300s in the car for backup.

Sell the 24-120, Sigma 24-70, Nikon 28-105, 70-300, 28-200 and 24-120. Thats too much just gear and those lenses are way too slow.

Then pick up a Nikon 24-70 2.8 and a Nikon 70-200 2.8 IS.

Your total kit will me
24-70
70-200
35
50
85

That's compact and perfect.

Jan 20, 2013 at 02:19 PM

pcrit
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p.1 #3 · My setup, advice needed please

Thanks for the advice, makes sense. I know I have some I don't need for weddings but I use for travel and don't want my really expensive gear in case anything happens. I figured for the few hundred I would get I might as well keep them. When I do wedding I leave the slower 24-120 at home with the 28-200 and 70-300vr.

My main setup is the the 24-120mm which I use 90% of the time as I like the extra reach in case. My main three are the 24-120 f/4, 85, & 70-200.

I sometimes have a second shooter so they will use the D300s and I would put the 24-70mm or 28-105 on it.

I already own a 70-200 VRII, are you suggesting a different one? I think I could sell the 24-70 2.8 though.

Jan 20, 2013 at 02:31 PM

RichardLavigne
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p.1 #4 · My setup, advice needed please

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Your camera bodies are fine. Shoot the D3s as main and D3 as second, keep the 300s in the car for backup.

Sell the 24-120, Sigma 24-70, Nikon 28-105, 70-300, 28-200 and 24-120. Thats too much just gear and those lenses are way too slow.

Then pick up a Nikon 24-70 2.8 and a Nikon 70-200 2.8 IS.

Your total kit will me
24-70
70-200
35
50
85

That's compact and perfect.

pretty much nailed it.

Jan 20, 2013 at 02:45 PM

pcrit
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p.1 #5 · My setup, advice needed please

Thank you, lot less to carry around too!

Jan 20, 2013 at 02:53 PM

Tony Hoffer
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p.1 #6 · My setup, advice needed please

I must've missed the 70-200 on this list. Just get the Nikon 24-70.

Regarding your comment on travel... If you're going to be shooting weddings then you NEED insurance. If you have insurance, then there's no worries about gear when traveling

Jan 20, 2013 at 03:18 PM

RichardLavigne
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p.1 #7 · My setup, advice needed please

Tony Hoffer wrote:
I must've missed the 70-200 on this list. Just get the Nikon 24-70.

Regarding your comment on travel... If you're going to be shooting weddings then you NEED insurance. If you have insurance, then there's no worries about gear when traveling

right...

I'd also add maybe the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8... for some occasional wide angle fun. I hear that zoom is crazy sharp and good.

Jan 20, 2013 at 03:24 PM

pcrit
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p.1 #8 · My setup, advice needed please

I was a little concerened about a wide angle and heard great things about that but very expensive and out of my budget right now. I would like to get one eventually and plan on selling some more gear. So get a 24-70 instead of the 24-120

? I should clarify, my wedding setup is the D3/D3s and D300s as backup with the 24-120 f/4, 70-200, & 85 as my main three. I bring the 28-105, 50, & 35 just in case. All the rest stays at home and I use for personal use such as family outings and vacation but hoping the g5 will replace those. I am mainly concerned with my wedding setup as I have not shot much on my own and with my own equipment as far as weddings are concerned. I am comfortable shooting and confident in my gear but just wanted some other's opinions.

Jan 20, 2013 at 03:41 PM

hardlyboring
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p.1 #9 · My setup, advice needed please

The above comments are great.
24-70
70-200
D3s, D3
Throw in a Siggy 35 1.4 and an 85 1.8G and you have your kit.
If you want wide fun get the 15 Sig Fish. Sharpest lens I own.

Jan 20, 2013 at 03:55 PM

TRReichman
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p.1 #10 · My setup, advice needed please

Don't let anyone fool you - the 24-120 f4 is great for weddings. You have more gear than I do and we get along just fine. At this point gear isn't your concern.

- trr

Jan 20, 2013 at 03:55 PM

johnrg
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p.1 #11 · My setup, advice needed please

The 24-70G stays on my camera for most of the day. It's sharp and awesome!

Jan 20, 2013 at 04:33 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #12 · My setup, advice needed please

Having a macro lens would be good, makes all the difference with ring shots.

Jan 20, 2013 at 05:04 PM

spink
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p.1 #13 · My setup, advice needed please

Tony Hoffer wrote:

Your total kit will me
24-70
70-200
35
50
85

That's compact and perfect.

That's what I've been running for two years. It gives you redundancy in case of failure and you have a good mix of ranges. The only thing I think I'm going to add this year is a 17-40 for wide scenic shots. I've had a lens in this range in the past and it didn't get used much, but I do miss it from time to time.

Spencer

Jan 20, 2013 at 05:17 PM

pcrit
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p.1 #14 · My setup, advice needed please

I was a little concerned about needing something wider or maybe a fisheye which can be fun sometimes. Any good suggestions for a reasonable wide lens?

Jan 20, 2013 at 09:13 PM

spink
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p.1 #15 · My setup, advice needed please

pcrit wrote:
I was a little concerned about needing something wider or maybe a fisheye which can be fun sometimes. Any good suggestions for a reasonable wide lens?

My Buddy loves his 14-24...

Jan 20, 2013 at 11:39 PM

Jamesbjenkins
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p.1 #16 · My setup, advice needed please

OP, you seem to have ignored it, so I'll second what Tony said. If you're shooting weddings, carrying adequate liability insurance is absolutely mandatory. Carrying gear insurance is a great idea as well. For about $600 a year, you will be fully protected.

If you shoot without insurance, you're playing Russian roulette with your livelihood.

Jan 21, 2013 at 12:49 AM

NathanHamler
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p.1 #17 · My setup, advice needed please

I would learn some off camera lighting (if you dont already) and add some triggers and light stands....you dont always need OCF, but when you do need it, there is no substitute....

Jan 21, 2013 at 01:40 PM

pcrit
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p.1 #18 · My setup, advice needed please

I do need to learn some off camera lighting. I should have stated more clearly that photography has been a hobby and now it's just starting to become more and really enjoyed working as an assistant last season. I am very much learning and growing but just want to make sure I invest in the right equipment as much as possible. I want to simplify and make the right investments and buy the right gear that will grow with my ability and needs. I am doing mostly as a favor for friends so hopefully insurance is not needed yet but I know it is a wise investment also. Thank you to all for such great advice. I am debating the 24-70 2.8 (nikon) which I am sure I will get at one point this year and possibly a wide angle, fisheye, and/or macro.

Jan 21, 2013 at 03:11 PM

Tom Dix
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p.1 #19 · My setup, advice needed please

35 85 and a b/u like the 24/120 and liability ins are all you need. The others are nice to haves.

Jan 24, 2013 at 06:02 AM

playerofwar
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p.1 #20 · My setup, advice needed please

I would take:
- Nikon 14-24
- Siggy 35 1.4
- Nikon 85 1.8/1.4G (did you know the 85 1.8 now is the best 85mm in terms of sharpness?)
- Nikon/Sigma 105mm 2.8 with VR/OS (if this is to much $$ for you, go with extention tubes on the 70-200, worked fine for me but Nikon 105 gives better results.
- 70-200 for when you need the reach from 85-200

(but this is because I love primes and wouldn't mind to shoot 35 1.4 on D3s and 85 on D3)

Jan 24, 2013 at 07:19 AM

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