Just starting off - Photography Gear

i'm a novice when it comes to this area, but you've got a nice setup. i'm rocking the same, except i've got the sb600 speed light.

i'm not shooting porn, just the occassional wedding and photographs for my design studio.

at the very least, i think you'll need an umbrella for a fill light... how are the photos coming out with your current setup?

Well, they look like they are being shot without a lighting setup. I have been trying to bounce the light from the SB-800 off the ceiling but since I am shooting mostly vertical shots, this often not an option. I am also limited in that I am just shooting around the house, so ambient lighting seems to often hinder more than it helps.

I figure I will start with some constant lighting since it's a little more affordable and I can still use them as modeling lights once I step up to strobes. Where I am really stuck is I dont know what brands are better (in constant or strobe) and I want to make sure the money I spend is on good quality equipment, hence the post.

Also, I am looking at a 60mm f/2.8 lens to replace my crap lens I have now for the "portrait" work and then either the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR or the 80-400mm f/4.6-f/5.6 VR bad boys for some fun shots. I was also looking at the 50mm f/1.4. I dont think that I will shoot any portraits at a f/1.4 but it might be nice to get the slightly wider angle and have the ability to do some very creative shots.

I guess I should ask as well if anyone has any favorite lenses. Once again, being new to this is hard because I am just speculating on most of these things, definitely not going from experience.

I'm not an expert. But the only thing you need in my oppinion is some reflectors. (You could of course try white bedsheets or stuff like that). Then go outside on a bright, but NOT sunny day and you can make perfect pictures.

i'm still new to the entire subject - but if lighting is your biggest concern {as it should be} will a different lens help you more than a lighting rig?

sure, the aperture would be different - but i'd investigate to which will solve your problem.

best of luck, and report back to us what you find!

The first thing you could do to improve would be to get that flash "off" your camera...meaning, the flash needs more distance from your lens. Try picking up a stroboframe (or similar) device. Make sure to get one that allows you to shoot vertical and horizontal. (~$50) Also, at the same time, pick up a bounce for the flash. Those two things will soften the images ALOT. here's a link

Save your money. Don't waste money on equipment that's not going to do what you want. Save until you can get better equipment. You'll thank yourself.

unless you're shooting sports or something so distant, you are not going to need 400mm's. Pontiac is right when they say "wider is better", but here I am referring to aperture. A 2.8 is a nice lens, but a 2.0 gives you a little more lattitude when shooting.

85mm 1.8 for portraits. Big glass...big pricetag. MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE LENS (NIKON) FOR SHOOTING NUDIES IS THE 28-70 f2.8D ED Lens but it's 1400 bucks.

As for flashes, get yourself some Alien Bees. Great lights for the money. If you're shooting indoors (like in a house or apartment) the 800's are plenty, probably even the 400's. For bigger studio spaces, etc get the 1600's. If you want to go high end, save for some Hensel...but you might be saving for a while!!