+ Crossroads

[Cosha]

Howdy everyone,

im slightly stuck, and just want a bit of advice from some of you that have been there and done that...

I have a 450D - that i love, does me just fine! i sold my sigma 70-300mm to fund for a 100-400mm dust pump L lens

I saved as hard as i could for the lens and ordered one last week for £1,200

Had an email saying about delays and problems etc..so i stoped my order from that company and got my money back last night...

Now my partner has expressed interest of moving out, the first time for me!

So this could be my last purchase for something pricey as times will be hard im sure on our own...


Do i:

A) Still buy the lens from another company
B) Buy a half decent lighting set up

I just dont know what i will get more use from? A nice little studio set up, or a nice lens?

One half of me thinks, i wont go out far enough to use the lens, and that i should stay at home and do lots of still life, G & N and people pictures maybe to earn a bit of pocket money?

i know this all sounds rather strange, but i have held my self from hitting the buy it now button on webpages....


Any advice you guys can help with? as this money has burnt a hole in my pocket, burn a hole in my shoe and is burning its way to the middle of the earth... ^^

Thnaks

[JWitmer]

Maybe a cheaper lens and some nice lighting perhaps?

I suggest something along the lines of a lens >100mm for portraits and still life and a decent lighting setup. That's what I would do at least.

[Cosha]

Yes, thank you for your time to reply!

Having my own garage also would help with some studio time and space?

Im just scared of making the wrong choice

[PhotosGuy]

If you aren't really sure that you need it, then you don't need it right now. For the odd time that you might actually need it, think about renting. I just dont know what i will get more use from? A nice little studio set up, or a nice lens?
If most of your work is going to be in a studio, then I don't see any reason to not buy the lighting instead. Let it pay for your "I just want it" toy. Now if you want to shoot sports, then that's a different matter & some will tell you not to buy it & to get a 300 f/2.8 instead, which is a whole other ball game. ;)

As to lighting, it doesn't have to be expensive either, unless you think it will get a lot of hard use right from the start. I used cheap strobes for this:
Simple 2 Light Portrait Set-up (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=128857)

And these: FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140)

[Cosha]

This is true, thank you for replying!

I have been looking all day at the Bowen Gemini 400/400 travel pak kit.

Comes with a battery pack so i can do some location shoots too if i wish, they do a 200/200 but for an extra £100 i think the 400/400 would be suitied incase i want to do cars etc....

Or i could go cheap with a 200/200 calumet kit and buy a nice portate lens!

I just dont know, i do know i would like a little studio and i know i will use it more

damn crossroads!