Is this a wacky idea and why?

[Mum2J&M]

I'm helping out an organization that does head shots and team shots for local kids sports teams. I want desperately to be comfortable using their gear. Problem is, they use Nikon :confused:. I used to have the exact same set-up as they did before switching back to Canon. They have the D80, the 18-135 kit lens, and the SB800 with the Polaris light meter. My husband currently is out of work and we're going to be hurting pretty soon if he doesn't find something. I am currently accepting small amounts of money under the table assisting their photographers. I know it will become the dry season very soon as schools are going to be out. Ok, here's the long-winded question... do I sell off all my gear (I'd get at least $3,000 for it all) and purchase, dare I say it, what they have? It would cost me about $1,500 for the D80, 18-135, sb800 and meter. I could put the extra dough toward bills and get good at re-learning for future shoots.

Of course, they could switch all their gear tomorrow... so, is this a bad idea? I know no one here would advise selling Canon for Nikon. And if it were any other day, I wouldn't even consider going back. But perhaps it's worth it since we're broke and it could help a little with my new job?

[Hyun]

Sorry to hear about your husband's job situation! Hope something will come through soon.

If you felt like you came to a point where you needed to sell the gear to make the ends meet for your family, that's one thing. But I don't think the temporary gig you're doing should be a factor, as 1) it's temporary, 2) it's drying up soon (end of school, etc.) and 3) as you noted, they could change their gear at any time without consideration for you.

Good luck!

[gjl711]

I have to agree, selling the equipment to make ends meet is one thing, but selling to conform to a temporary employer is another.

[Hyun]

This may be a crazy idea, but how about contacting your close(r) friends and relatives? Explain your situation (keeping it short and simple), and offer to do some paid portraits and family photos for them? This way, you are not asking for a handout, and they'll get photos to cherish in return.

[Mum2J&M]

I would definitely do that. Unfortunately, they are far from here. And my good friend, who's just had a baby, is in a similar situation to us. They are in serious debt as well. They've also already contributed a lot because they are aware of what we're going through.

[Mum2J&M]

Do you think I should ask the people I'm working with? Maybe I should just wait awhile (my b-day's next month) and buy the light meter they have and figure out how to use it with my own gear.

[seaside]

I don't get it...just use your current Canon gear and shoot along with the Nikon users. After seeing your images you'll likely convince them to switch to Canon. :) The subjects you will be shooting don't care what camera you will be using so why should they.

What will you do if the next job requires you to use Sony cameras? And the next, Fuji and so on.

Of course economics is a big factor here so you may have to do whatever is necessary but I'd explore all other alternatives first.

[siuleung]

I don't think there is any sense in switching at all. A camera is just a tool. If you worked construction and used Craftsman tools and everyone else used Dewalt, would you sell your $3,000 worth of tools just to be the same as everyone else? As for bills needing to be paid, you could sell all you could afford to part with from your canon gear, perhaps downgrade, but the brand you're using is irrelevant.

[Mum2J&M]

I don't understand why they all seem to be so set on Nikon. The last studio I contacted used Nikon as well. I would likely inherit tons of Nikon gear if I switched since the rest of my family are photographers and are avid Nikon users. But the gear I have is working well for me now. I wish I could borrow my Stepfather's D80, but he's in another state and I think it's his main body right now. grrr...

[Mum2J&M]

I don't think there is any sense in switching at all. A camera is just a tool. If you worked construction and used Craftsman tools and everyone else used Dewalt, would you sell your $3,000 worth of tools just to be the same as everyone else? As for bills needing to be paid, you could sell all you could afford to part with from your canon gear, perhaps downgrade, but the brand you're using is irrelevant.

I think it's a little different than construction because I don't want to look or feel like a jerk trying to find settings on the Nikon during a shoot because all my gear is Canon. You do have to be somewhat familiar with the format of the camera before getting paid for your work. And there is definitely a set time schedule to get all the head shots and group shots done. I'll have enough to do trying to get the kids posed and forms filled out, let alone futzin with a camera body I'm no longer familiar with.

Trust me - if you read back through my old threads, you'll know about my issues with the D80. I'm not taking this at all lightly. But if it means I risk losing a job doing what I enjoy, I would consider making the switch. I think I should ask what they think about the whole thing. If they are planning to upgrade anytime soon, etc. Perhaps I can convince them to go Canon, but who knows...

[conkeroo]

...Trust me - if you read back through my old threads, you'll know about my issues with the D80...

Ive looked but couldnt find any of your threads regarding the issues you have with the D80. Dont get me wrong, im not a Nikon fanboy or anything but I use the D80 and I find it great. What issues do you have with it? The reason I ask is if they're issues, as you say, that you could come to terms with, as in, learning curve etc, I think I would sell the Canon gear and maybe downgrade if it helps out your monetary situation. Without doubt. I defintely believe with the two models, your Canon and the Nikon, they'll both do a great job BUT I would find out more about the job situation. Will it be only temporary, very temporary, and like you said will they switch gear themselves. I think you need to find this out first, find out as best you can where you'll stand in the future with them, before you make any decisions. I believe its the photgrapher that takes greats shots not the camera so brand and model shouldnt really come into it and shouldnt be a deciding factor. Again I dont know your reasons for not being to keen about the D80 and so I dont wish to make light of that fact.
But best of luck with whatever you do, hope it works out. :)

[Mum2J&M]

I found I was getting higher noise levels at lower ISOs. I didn't want to get into it because it's been done to death here and I didn't want to bore anyone. ;)

[conkeroo]

I found I was getting higher noise levels at lower ISOs. I didn't want to get into it because it's been done to death here and I didn't want to bore anyone. ;)
Could be the 18-135 kit lense. I use the Sigma 10-20 and find I get very little noise!! I used to own the Sony A100 and it had terrible noise with the (crap!) kit lense but apparently with a carl zeiss the noise pretty much disappears. Go figure. I think though, for yourself there is a lot to weigh up so I hope it goes well and you dont regret anything, whatever you decide.

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks. I did have the nifty with the D80 as well. I know it wasn't a high-end lens, but I'm pretty sure the noise had more to do with the camera body than the lenses. I have another shoot to go to tomorrow. It's going to take me a half hour to get there and I'm a bit nervous about getting lost. Have to leave around 6:45am! About 200 kids altogether I think.

[conkeroo]

Thanks. I did have the nifty with the D80 as well. I know it wasn't a high-end lens, but I'm pretty sure the noise had more to do with the camera body than the lenses. I have another shoot to go to tomorrow. It's going to take me a half hour to get there and I'm a bit nervous about getting lost. Have to leave around 6:45am! About 200 kids altogether I think.
Hope it WENT well! ;)

[Mum2J&M]

Thank you. I didn't wind up going. Had to get my kid to the doctor's office for his vaccinations for school and with all the stuff going around, I didn't want my husband to have to bring my other son along... also had hoped to hear from an agency that contacted my husband late Friday afternoon about a potential job and never got back to him. They never called back. *sigh* It's really getting discouraging. Luckily, the guy I was helping out was very understanding. I do have another shoot to attend Wednesday afternoon and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be another biggie and they'll have two photographers doing it. I'm going to assist. Can't wait to get a better handle on this so I can do some shoots on my own this fall. I don't officially get trained until August, so I'm just assisting at the moment. Great experience though and I'm really grateful they're letting me do it. It may seem like peanuts to some, but it's the first time I've seen how all of this works and it's not really about the money for me.

[Mum2J&M]

Hi again. As you can see by my sig, I am strongly considering doing this. Yes, my equipment wouldn't be the same. I'd be trading newer, better (at least many of us here would argue) gear than what I'd be getting. But I could learn on exactly what I'd be using, plus be able to afford a flash, more memory, a tripod and a light meter. I wouldn't be working with fantastic lenses (probably would get the 18-135 kit they have and throw in the 50 1.4 for my own personal sanity). I already have what they refer to as a "shade" (i.e. big, round light diffuser PITA to collapse thing that came with my 5-in-one reflector pack from Adorama a decade ago).

The only thing keeping me from going ahead with this (except, of course, not selling my current gear yet) is that one of the other assistants said he used his 135L/2 to shoot action shots during baseball/soccer games b/c the Nikon peeps didn't have the lenses for it. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for my 70-200 4 IS? But is IT even fast enough?

Ugh. Totally unsure of what to do here. It is just too tempting to be able to get the equipment I need to practice on. But I can't afford to buy anything outright right now. I have this need to practice my arse off before start of the busy season in the fall.

What should I do?!

[gjl711]

When unsure, do nothing and let time sort it out. It's amazing how often something looks like the right decision at the spur of the moment but a few days goes by and the decision no longer sounds so good. Go out and try the 70-200 f/4, it's a great lens and may do much better than you think.

[Mum2J&M]

No question the 70-200 is a fantastic lens that I would miss like you wouldn't believe! I just wish I could have both my gear and the D80, flash and meter to practice with. I wouldn't feel comfortable borrowing their gear, nor do I know if they would allow me to. I did try to ask about it, but didn't get a message back. So I'm not sure if they forgot, or just think I'm a bit out of my mind, lol.

[PhotosGuy]

I don't think there is any sense in switching at all. A camera is just a tool. I agree, & a jpg is still a jpg no matter what camera you use. It they only shoot RAW, I could see a problem with their PP software. 70-200 is a fantastic lens that I would miss like you wouldn't believe! It's ideal for head shots. Why would you want to sell it if you have a job where you could use it?

[Mum2J&M]

Because they like to use their own lenses because they have some mark on them to be sure you get everything in the shot. And they don't use that long of a focal length for the head shots as they are next to the pool, etc.

[XTshooter]

I'm not sure I understand the need to sell your gear in order to get what they use at the studio. In the grand scheme of things, all cameras do the same thing (I know - a gross generalization). You'd need to learn how to change the ISO, the shutter speed and the aperture. Not that much huh? All of the other basic principles stay the same. I work at a studio that uses Fuji S2's and S5's (Nikon bodies), but I shoot my personal stuff with Canon gear. I've used both long enough that I'm totally comfortable with either of them in my hands. Don't let the different brand name scare you. You'll pick it up quickly and can keep what you already have (although I noticed you've got them listed for sale already).

[Mum2J&M]

Yeah, they're already for sale, but I have purposely listed them at close to rebate price as they are brand new. I have no idea what to do. I wrote to a studio (I visited the owners last year asking if they needed help) and heard back from them today. She's going to get back in touch with me mid-July about helping them out in the studio. I know they used Nikon, but have no idea what they use now. Last I heard, they were hoping to upgrade to the D300 (it hadn't come out yet at the time I don't think). Sigh. So, I guess I'll just see what happens. I know it's more about knowing shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc., but it does help to have knowledge of it before shooting for someone. I used to have the D80, so it's just a matter of having one to play around with again. In a perfect world, I'd have both bodies just in case. But that's a pipe dream. Can't imagine affording all that gear!

[PhotosGuy]

Because they like to use their own lenses because they have some mark on them to be sure you get everything in the shot. So? Sit down with them & mark your own lens to match their frame at the distance they shoot?
And they don't use that long of a focal length for the head shots as they are next to the pool, etc. Except for 15mm in the middle, you've got 17-200mm covered. I don't see the problem there.
It helps to think before you jump into a major camera change with so little to gain.

[Mum2J&M]

You said the 70-200 is ideal for headshots. I'm simply saying I wouldn't be using that particular lens for the head shots.

[tmr]

Folks, it's best just to sit back and enjoy the show. History here says this is not about the right gear but the need to constantly get something else.

[Mum2J&M]

Thanks tmr. Appreciate that. Folks, never do any selling, or purchasing. Some people here will NEVER let you live it down! LOL.

[tmr]

Yes that is a chuckle. But you misinterpreted my post. It wasn't a comment on your selling/purchasing of gear which you're free to do as you wish but a comment to those providing advice that, though I'm sure it is appreciated, doesn't appear to have much influence on your sell/purchase decisions. Thus the "sit back and enjoy the show" comment. While one shouldn't expect advice to be universally accepted, it is telling when universal, or near so, advice is rejected. Ultimately it is better for the advisors to save time and refrain from providing the advice in the first place.

Of course I've gone on too long here already as I'm likely breaking my own rule on providing advice. Just didn't want you to feel you had to defend you buy/sell decisions.

[Dorman]

I skimmed the first two pages here, and I keep asking why you would possibly feel the need to make the switch? Can you not bring your own gear (that you are already comfortable with) and shoot with that? The whole idea of switching seems foolish. If you MUST shoot with their gear and you need to be comfortable with using Nikon I think the obvious answer is to go in there on some free time, use the equipment to get comfortable, practice, and then you'll be fine. Lots of photogs using only one system (canon or nikon, or other) have multiple bodies with different control layouts and they make out fine.

[Mum2J&M]

Yep, but I can't afford to have multiple formats. So thanks for the input (and the warning tmr) and I will let you know what decision I make. I'm not comfortable enough asking my new bosses to use their gear to practice on. So it looks like I may be better off doing the old switch-a-roo. God knows I have enough practice at that, so might as well dive in again. At least if I do the Noink thing, I can still afford a flash, a meter and a tripod, which I wouldn't be able to do if I held onto all my Canon gear. You know me. Once I've got something in my head, I'm already half of the way to purchasing it. Sorry to bring it up. Just thought the business people among us may know how this all works.

[AndreaBFS]

Yes, it's a wacky idea. My mom has a D80 and it took me all of 10 minutes to pick it up, turn it on, learn to change the settings, and know it well enough to teach her how to use it. It's the same basic principle as a 40D -- a dial up top, a dial in the back. Small things like where to change the preferences can be easily picked up by a small bit of trial and error and maybe printing a pocket reference guide for the field.

[Mum2J&M]

Yes, it's a wacky idea. My mom has a D80 and it took me all of 10 minutes to pick it up, turn it on, learn to change the settings, and know it well enough to teach her how to use it. It's the same basic principle as a 40D -- a dial up top, a dial in the back. Small things like where to change the preferences can be easily picked up by a small bit of trial and error and maybe printing a pocket reference guide for the field.

I've actually already owned a D80 and wasn't a huge fan of it. But if I get that body instead of all the Canon gear I have now, I could also afford the flash, tripod, and meter. I feel it's very important for me to learn this stuff on the Nikon body. So my decision has been made. Thanks.