What camera should I choose?

SLR Camera Help! What camera should I choose?

• I am considering starting a photography company. I need a highly versatile camera with super high quality. It needs to be digital, so I can upload it to my computer and photoshop the images. I was wondering what type of camera would I need?

• Answer:

  If you were ready to start a company I highly doubt you would be asking this question. You should have at least 5 years of full time experience to start a photography company, there is a lot of competition out there. First question is Nikon or Canon, both are good, just depends which you like better. I do not know what type of photography company you would be running so its hard to make a recommendation. Lets just go with an all around: portraits, sports, architecture, weddings, product shots, whatever. You are going to need probably at least 2 or 3 bodies, and very good ones able to handle all types of situations. For Canon that probably means maybe 1D mark III's or 1D mark II's, and maybe a 5D or 5D mark II. For Nikon a D3 or two, maybe a D300 or D700 for backup. You will need some good all around lenses. A wide angle like the 16-35 f/2.8 (canon) and 17-35 f/2.8 (Nikon). Both companies make a 24-70 f/2.8 for mid range stuff. The 70-200 f/2.8 also made by both companies is a must have for all types of work. The 300 and 400 f/2.8 are must have sports lenses. You might want to throw in a 100mm f/2.8 macro (Canon) and the 105 f/2.8 macro (Nikon). Also some really low light lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 or 50mm f/1.2. Then there is lighting, so a couple of SB-800's (Nikon) 430EX and 580EXII (Canon) plus flash triggers, umbrellas, lightstands, brackets, etc. You may decide to get more powerfull lights as well. After all that you need multiple hard drives to back up your work, preferably at least one or two stored in different places in case of fire. Your looking up around 20 or 25 grand. A photography business is not easily started. Even if you want to do some small time free lance work, you still will need some of the mid to upper range bodies like the D200, D300, D700 or D50, 5D (mark II), 1D mark II, and some good lenses maybe all the stuff up above minus the 300 or 400 f/2.8. Lighting you will eventually need. If you narrow it down to just portraits or just sports you could probably get away with less stuff.