Is this a wacky idea and why?

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 . 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?

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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...

siuleung wrote in post #5758715
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...

Mum2J&M wrote in post #5758746
...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.

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.

Mum2J&M wrote in post #5771185
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.

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.

Mum2J&M wrote in post #5772004
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!