Anne A.
Hi! Welcome to Adorama! How are you today? My name is Anne. Do you have questions about a camera? Or a lens? How can I help?
What can I help you with today?
I am looking at getting a new Nikon FX camera
Anne A.
the d810 is the newer version
Anne A.
is the upgrade worth the upgrade in price?
well...hah! my current camera is a D70
Anne A.
Oh! this is quite an upgrade!
But I'm looking to get back into my photography fulltime
Anne A.
the D810 can shoot better video
I bought my D70 over 10yrs ago
Anne A.
it also has the newer processor, which is faster
ther resolution and fps is better on the 810
Anne A.
battery lasts longer on the d810, it shoots a little faster (5fps vs 4fps) and it has a higher iso capability
Anne A.
but going from the D70, you'll see a huge improvement in low light just going to full frame
so its worth the jump between the 800-810?
Anne A.
I would say yes, but I do a lot of low light shooting
they are both very good cameras
This is a big jump but im also making a career change
Anne A.
my focus will be portraits and editorial
but I also want a 70-200mm lens
Anne A.
Anne A.
I get goosebumps just thinking about it
but I want to be reasonable and as economical as possible
I love my cheapy 50mm fixed lens
Anne A.
the D800 with a sigma or Tamron 70-200 would be the most economical way to go
what are those running now
Anne A.
I remember looking at those years ago
Anne A.
the Nikon lens is 2096.95
Anne A.
we do have refurbished d810's in stock - did you see those?
they are 2399.95 for the body only (no lens)
you can buy an extended warranty on the refurbs too if you want longer coverage
the site has the correct price though
Anne A.
ok so $2300 is what I was finding for new
Anne A.
new is 2796.95 for the body
what are your thoughts on refurbished?
Anne A.
I have several nikon refurbs myself.
my business partner doesn't seem keen on getting a used one, but he's not a photographer
Anne A.
they've been very reliable and you really can't tell the difference from new, other than the box they come in
and what is the warranty on them and how much does the extra warranty cost
Anne A.
let me check the cost of the extended warranties
yikes what is the warranty on a new one?
Anne A.
here are the extended warranty options - 3 Year Repair or Replace Warranty
+$57.95
Add
3 Year Warranty with Drops & Spills Coverage
+$94.95
Add
5 Year Warranty with Drops & Spills Coverage
+$146.95
Anne A.
lenses get a longer coverage when you buy new
Anne A.
they get 1 year, plus 4 additional years if you register it within 10 days with NIkon
but do the extended warranties apply to anything mechanical or just the drops/spills
Anne A.
if you get the drops and spills warranties, they also cover mechanical problems
ok. so that meant PLUS drops/spills
Anne A.
so the extended warranty is a no brainer - new or old
Anne A.
It is very good peace of mind :-)
and if you ever need to use it, New Leaf (warranty company) has very fast turn around
Anne A.
so you would recommend a refurbished body + warranty + new lens
Anne A.
that is the way I"d go :-)
I also need a nice portable c-stand kit and some basic backdrops
I'm building this from the ground up and have been doing natural light on location shoots for years as a hobby and now I know what I really want/need
Anne A.
ok :-) how wide of a backdrop do you want?
not sure what would make the most sense for value
They would be used mostly for headshots, but would be nice to have larger if I wanted to do wider shots with more than one person
Anne A.
you can do a backdrop stand, or something like a pop up.
let me also say....I THINK I know what I want/need, but open for other recommendations for sure
Anne A.
Anne A.
no worries. I have a lot of questions for you. I understand
nice. and what is the weight it can hold?
Anne A.
that first one is rated at 30 pounds
so the second is a pop-up
but the first one you can clamp a sheet or do a roll - correct?
Anne A.
technically, it's a x-drop
yes. the first holds a roll of paper, or you can clamp a fabric backdrop
so #1 is more versatile and #2 is easier to setup
Anne A.
#2 is under 2lbs. How heavy is #1
Anne A.
let me check if it specifies. it's about as heavy as my 9' light stands if that helps
Anne A.
oh wow. quite a difference
Anne A.
I normally use it indoors
yes. I would primarily use indoors as well
but with a natural light source
Anne A.
I don't use weights inside
ok. bc you dont have the elements to blow it over or foot traffic - indoor is a confined space
Anne A.
and do you use paper rolls or muslin/canvas
Anne A.
so would that be paper or muslin
Anne A.
Natural light is very good, when it's available. but artificial light is always there. and you can do portraits like that with strobes
Im looking to have versatile but small setup
I can upgrade or add to my setup as I start working more
Anne A.
the streaklight is a great option
I will have a better idea of my needs
Anne A.
it's more powerful than a speedlight, but more portable than a strobe
Anne A.
it's really not bad. let me get alink
Anne A.
and that mounts on the camera?
Anne A.
it can, but it's pretty heavy for the hotshoe
I use it on a stand in a modifier
ok. yes. that's what Im used to seeing
yes...this stuff adds up fast
Anne A.
Anne A.
for portraits, a big modifier is good to have
but I can't budget for it if I don't know what im up against
Anne A.
so how is a modifier different from a softbox?
and how do kino flos compare to the streaklight?
Anne A.
kino flo is flourescent, right?
the artficial light is slightly out of my knowledge base. I am a creative director and have directed many shoots but dont know the nuances between all the equipment. I guess kinos dont strobe they are continuous
Anne A.
that's another decision - continuous or strobe
I would recommend starting with the camera and lens, and maybe a reflector. once you master natural light, then start adding light for fill and that sort of thing
I've worked with both on set, but usually just utilize whatever the photographer show up with
Anne A.
but now it's your choice :-)
Anne A.
there are advantages to both types. it's just what you're more comfortable with
does he have a black backdrop up then or is that just light falloff
he lives in the same complex as I do and we have white walls but floor to ceiling windows
I'm guessing its a backdrop
Anne A.
it could be either. I can make the background black with lighting too
Anne A.
no. just faster shutter speed
ok Anne - you rock! I appreciate your patience with me on all my questions
Anne A.
can we summarize the items that I need/you recommend for startup?
Anne A.
camera, lens, backdrop and stand, and a reflector is good to have too
I'm also happy to do a review/rating for you if that helps anything. You are fabulous
This is a BIG new step for me and Im excited to tears
Anne A.
Anne A.
I like super clean solid backgrounds not mottle or painterly
Anne A.
it will time out after a little bit
also... did I get a link to some of the D810 compatible 70-200mm lenses?
Anne A.
they should be in there but I can get them again
and do I need a mounting bracket for that lens?
Anne A.
no. it comes with a tripod collar
Anne A.
and recco for a nice tripod
Anne A.
or do you recommend a monopod
Anne A.
the 50mm I have is - Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
will that still fit on the D810?
Anne A.
yes! that will work on the D810
Anne A.
Its a pretty decent lens for $100 back in the day
Anne A.
ok Anne - I've monopolized enough of your time. You are a saint and thank you again for your patience
can I reference you when I come back to make my purchase?
Anne A.
Anne A.
Good luck in your new endeavor!
thank you - I'm ready to pursue my passion and leave the design world
did you resend those links for the lenses? couldn't find it in the thread
Anne A.
so the first one is a nikon but you say "sigma"
Anne A.
the first one is a NIkon brand lens.
the second is sigma brand
Anne A.
Customer Rating:
Needler: 10
Experience: 10
Feedback: Anne was extremely helpful, courteous and made some additional suggestions beyond the scope of my initial questions. Her time and knowledge was very much appreciated and I will be back in the next 2kwks to purchase a new Nikon D810 and 70-200mm lens plus some addt'l stands/backdrop, etc
