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Question from Alison: “Hello! I have a Nikon D7000 and have the 35mm lens that came with it, I take outdoor photos but I am also working on indoor ( i have 2 studio lights but they really arent that great, I do a lot of editing in photoshop to correct the lighting. I would like to get another lens and also a speedlight for my camera. Any suggestions? I know they are expensive but I’m not looking to spend a whole lot since I’m only 19. I am taking pictures for someones wedding soon and the flash on my camera is horrible and drains everything out, so I thought a speedlight would work best in a dark area because it’s inside, but I’m not entirely sure what to get. I heard the SB800 is good. Please help! Thanks!”
Brandi: i suggest checking out ebay for lens and light packages. I got one for my Nikon, spent $200.00 got some great stuff. Not the best stuff but sure has saved me alot of editing time
Brandi: especially the speed light and macro lens
Shannon: Another thing you can do is rent equipment, lensrentals.com & borrowlenses.com are great. For a lens I would suggest Tamron’s 17-50 mm f/2.8 & the SB800 would be best. I have that & the sb900 which can over heat & be problematic in the middle of a reception.
Lindsay: I have a promaster flash. I like it better than the sb600 I had previously.
Bobbi: Flashes can be tricky to use. If money is an issue, rent don’t own. The 50 1.8 is affordable but not really sharp. Rent for week to learn the gear, and then shoot the wedding that weekend. Borrowlenses or lensrentals.com are both great. My experience is cheap gear is a waste if money because you quickly outgrow it, and want something better. Good luck!
Ashley: I also have a D7000 and am currently using the Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlight. It’s relatively inexpensive and works great! I have never had an expensive speedlight though, so I can’t speak to the differences.
Kristin: I have the d7000 and just bought the sb700. It’s great! And, I’m amazed at what you can do with bouncing the speedlight.
Suz: Well first off if it is a paying job for a wedding I’d def invest money into it… I don’t shoot weddings it’s a lot of work and liability but also if it’s in a church u have to make sure u can use a flash. I love my speed light flash that’s all u need I also love my 60-100 lens for zooming its great but u might even need a wide zoom for the larger bridal party pics
Monica: I also have the d7000 and sb700 and i love it! I dont know how to fully use it but it works great! I would rent a lens and speedlight for sure!
Kimberly: I love my 50mm
Andrea: Major thing is rent, do not buy because you might not like it so it’s nice to rent and see how each item feels. I love my SB700 awesome flash but I hear 910 is pretty fantastic too
Bridget: And don’t forget, having the equipment is only half of the equation. There is A LOT of easy to understand but very useful info here from a wedding photographer who really knows how to use a flash. I would highly recommended going through it:http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/06/07/throw-away-the-tupperware/
Alison: thank you everyone for the comments! this wedding is for a friend. since it is my first wedding she knows that im gonna try my best! she doesnt want the extravagant pictures like you see at most weddings but i just want them to look better that a person with a coolpix camera lol and look professional. i dont have a certain field that i focus on im trying to figure that out by doing everything right now! im might just look into renting a lens but i would prefer to buy a flash. thanks again for all the advice!
Andrea: Wedding lens rent 24-70mm f2.8 or 70-200mm f2.8
Both excellent!
Sherry: the YN-560 will do anything an expensive speedlight will do for a fraction of the cost. Got mine from amazon.
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