How much do you reckon I need to save up?

Matt Sayle

Matt Sayle

2017MSA Young Photographer of the Year(Motorsport)
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Matt Sayle
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Right, the aim, for me, at the moment is to become a press photographer at Oulton by the end of the season (October). The thing is that I want a new body and 2 new lens by then.

The body I want is a second hand EOS-1D and the two lens are Canon EF 100-400 and a 10-20 for paddock/portrait stuff. I was also considering a 70-200 as well but the 100-400 does the same thing :lol:

So then, how much do I need to save?
 
The 10-20 won't work on a 1D, so you will have to rethink that decision...something like a 16-35 2.8L might be a better choice, or perhaps a Tokina 12-24 (I think that's who make it..)

£2000 should just about buy a 2nd hand 1D Mark II, 2nd hand 100-400 and 2nd hand 16/17-35L (the older generation). Closer to £2500 if you want ones in excellent condition :)
 
If you are planning on us ing the 10-20 on the 1D I'd check that it works first, the 1D series don't accept EF-S lenses.

1D prices are roughly:

1D - £500
1DII - £800
1DIIN - £1200
1DIII - £More...

Have a look at the usual secondhand gear places, I think there is even a sticky somewhere. Are you going to be keeping your old gear as back up? If you are serious about making money you will need a back up, both body and lenses, so a 70-200 (f2.8) might be a good bet, especially as it would give you a lower light option than the 100-400, not to mention the better focussing. Then if one dies there is sufficient overlap for them to replace eachother...
 
Doh, everyone else was quicker than me!

With the lenses you don't need to buy all in one hit, you can buy as you go along and use on your current body. However 1D, with your current lenses probably wouldn't be too good.

The link I mentioned is: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30638
 
Also if you want a wide lens don't forget the 17-40, OK it is only f4, but the quality is there and it is an absolute bargain for an L series lens.
 
You'd probably be better saving up for the body and then hiring the lenses you need, when you need them. Then that'll give you time to make some money from your new venture and save up for your own.
 
Don't forget to check out sigma lenses as a cheaper option, ok not as good as the L series, but acceptable for most press work. I know a pro who shoots at Brightons withdean stadium who uses Canon 1D Mk III with exclusivly sigma lenses. His advice to me was to by sigmas second hand from a proper dealer as the quality would have been checked (quality control at sigma can be a bit hit and miss). The EX sigmas denote their pro range.
 
The Sigma 120-400mm that I use is under £500 brand new Matt, and almost as good as the 100-400mm L. Might be better to get that and a 70-200 f4L rather than the 100-400? Or put the £500 saving towards a 1DII body :shrug:
 
Matt, in all seriousness, a 40D, or even a 20 or 30D would be a good, cheap, place to start, rather than making the leap straight to an FF pro body, then you could keep the 400D as the second body and spend the majority of your money on quality glass and upgrade the bodies as and when you can...
 
Matt Sayle said:
Good plan Rich. If I could use it as well as you do, I would be sorted :)
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Image Stabilisation hides a multitude of sins mate, believe me :lol: That's a good plan from Flash by the way. A 40D is an absolutely awesome camera, and they can be had new for about £600 I think. I paid £560 for mine but prices have gone up a little since the end of December. Plus the 10-20mm Sigma would work on that body too.
 
Yeah, it is a great plan but I was thinking if I get a 1d now then I wouldnt need to upgrade again for while but yeah, better plan then mine :D
 
40D / 50D is much more sensible idea. 1D's are lovely but a big investment which isn't necessarily wise at this stage.

I might be coming to Oulton after all - I'm covering BTCC this season as well :)
 
Oh you sod. I wish I could follow the BTCC circus around :( :( Thanks for you adivce :thumbs:

Oh and does that mean the CSCC aint coming to Oulton this year?
 
Matt, I bought the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 for my Nikon D50 and its incredible how much difference it makes to the shots.

I'd suggest you buying the decent lenses first then look at a new body later on.
 
Ok, my 2p.

If you're going to get a 1D, I'd be tempted by a 1D MkII if you can stretch the budget. The MkI is a lovely camera but it is only 4Mpx, which would be fine for newsprint but you may find yourself wanting more.

I agree a 70-200 is a great idea and the Sigma is a good lens as well as the Canon. Particularly if you went with something like a 40D, then I'd be tempted by a 70-200 and 1.4 converter. That's still lots of effective reach on a crop body and you can take the converter out and get a wide aperture shorter lens too

Not sure about the 10-22, that's pretty wide. As others have said, 17-40 is a good option on a 1D. I now no longer have anything wider than 24mm on full frame and don't think I'm missing out. If you go 40D or similar then a 17-55 or similar would be worth considering.

Paul
 
My advice would be a second hand 40D, 70-200 f4 (IS or not depends on your budget) and the 17-40/55 (17-40 if you plan on going full frame in the future).

Sure the autofocus on the 1D would be nice but the 40D should be able to handle most things......concentrate on the glass.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Matt, in all seriousness, a 40D, or even a 20 or 30D would be a good, cheap, place to start, rather than making the leap straight to an FF pro body, then you could keep the 400D as the second body and spend the majority of your money on quality glass and upgrade the bodies as and when you can...
Click to expand...

Seconded - or is is tenth'ed by now.

With my 40D bust and away for repair I've been tempted to buy another body and there's plenty around the £400-450 mark.
 
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