Is this a wacky idea and why?

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.

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?!

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.

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.

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.

It's ideal for head shots. Why would you want to sell it if you have a job where you could use it?

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.

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).

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!

So? Sit down with them & mark your own lens to match their frame at the distance they shoot?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.