Looking to upgrade my gear!

[dickgrafixstop]

Sitting with a pocketful of cash and a desire for new equipment is always dangerous. If you intend to "go pro" and specialize in portraits, there's a whole lot more to it than a new camera. While I agree that a full frame camera is eventually needed, there's no need to rush. The equipment you have now covers most situations,
although I might add a 16-35 or some other wide zoom for your landscapes. For portraits I'd look at the 100L,
less than half the price of the highly recommended 85L but tack sharp and a great lens. With about $2500 for
lenses, look at light kits and accessories. I concur that speedlites are nice but not great. Look a a profoto setup or others. By the time you get a couple of heads, powerpacks, stands, reflectors, umbrellas, softboxes etc. you may 3000/4000 left. Don't forget you're looking at studio space, basic furnishings, props, computers, etc. cause it's hard to run an operation out of mom's basement. I might even consider buying a 6D instead of the 16-35 and wait until some cash is coming in before buying the lens. If you absolutely have to have wide angle until then, get the new 24efs lens at a couple of hundred. Keep in mind that photography is about a lot more than metal boxes and glass.

 

[FTb-n]

now I will have to hope that the Yongnuo receiver allows me to use non-RT flashes with it- it is never an optimal situation if you have to depend on Yongnuo :-X.

I don't understand the slams on Yongnuo. I'm guessing that there's a lack of personal experience with them.

I use the Yongnuo 622c transceivers and have found them to be quite reliable. They do NOT require RT flashes and can be used with manual units as well as Canons

I find it funny that Yongnuo is dinged with the "I'd never want to have to depend on one" statements. Over the years I have had two high-end Canon flashes, a 380 EX and a 430 EX. After a couple years of low use, the 380 just died. The 430 EX classic is still going strong. My personal failure rate on Canon flash is 50%.

I've collected a bunch of Yongnuo flashes and use them far more than I ever used the Canons without a single failure. I find them to be quite reliable. Due to their price, they afford me the opportunity to keep spares on hand should I need more light or should I actually have a failure.

I realize that my experience is anecdotal, but I expect any flash to fail when you need it most and therefore prefer to have an extra one on hand. This is easier to do with $105 Yongnuos versus $500 Canons

For some perspective, portrait photography is secondary to my photography interests and not a mainstay business. If it was, I'd give more consideration to studio strobes. I'm still learning how to paint with light and love the strobist approach since most of my needs are on location. The Yongnuo 565 EX flash and 622c remote has served me well so far. And, the Powerex AA batteries have offered plenty of power for my needs. I have yet to find the need to replace them during a shoot.

Photography is all about meeting individual needs and I won't argue that Yongnuos are for everyone or a better option than studio strobes. Each photographer must make that decision.

For me, four Yongnuo 565 EX II at $105 each and six Yongnuo 622c remotes at $80/pair is a lot of flexibility for a reasonable cost. I can use them in umbrellas or my preferred Paul C Buff PLMs or set a few around a room free-standing and aimed at a white source (a wall or ceiling) for great bounce light. So far, they have been a great investment as I learn more about painting a subject with light.

 

[privatebydesign]

now I will have to hope that the Yongnuo receiver allows me to use non-RT flashes with it- it is never an optimal situation if you have to depend on Yongnuo :-X.

I don't understand the slams on Yongnuo. I'm guessing that there's a lack of personal experience with them.

I use the Yongnuo 622c transceivers and have found them to be quite reliable. They do NOT require RT flashes and can be used with manual units as well as Canons

I find it funny that Yongnuo is dinged with the "I'd never want to have to depend on one" statements. Over the years I have had two high-end Canon flashes, a 380 EX and a 430 EX. After a couple years of low use, the 380 just died. The 430 EX classic is still going strong. My personal failure rate on Canon flash is 50%.

I've collected a bunch of Yongnuo flashes and use them far more than I ever used the Canons without a single failure. I find them to be quite reliable. Due to their price, they afford me the opportunity to keep spares on hand should I need more light or should I actually have a failure.

I realize that my experience is anecdotal, but I expect any flash to fail when you need it most and therefore prefer to have an extra one on hand. This is easier to do with $105 Yongnuos versus $500 Canons

For some perspective, portrait photography is secondary to my photography interests and not a mainstay business. If it was, I'd give more consideration to studio strobes. I'm still learning how to paint with light and love the strobist approach since most of my needs are on location. The Yongnuo 565 EX flash and 622c remote has served me well so far. And, the Powerex AA batteries have offered plenty of power for my needs. I have yet to find the need to replace them during a shoot.

Photography is all about meeting individual needs and I won't argue that Yongnuos are for everyone or a better option than studio strobes. Each photographer must make that decision.

For me, four Yongnuo 565 EX II at $105 each and six Yongnuo 622c remotes at $80/pair is a lot of flexibility for a reasonable cost. I can use them in umbrellas or my preferred Paul C Buff PLMs or set a few around a room free-standing and aimed at a white source (a wall or ceiling) for great bounce light. So far, they have been a great investment as I learn more about painting a subject with light.

Yep, your experience is anecdotal, as is mine, but it certainly doesn't come from a lack of personal experience. I have used the RF-602's for years without issue or misfire, the YN-E3-RT on the other hand was a big mistake with regular misfires, communication losses and general unreliability, I sold it.

I have had dozens of Canon flashes, the only ones that have failed have been my fault, broken feet from knocked over stands, leaking batteries, flooding, etc, and after over ten years of pro use on average I sold them for $50 less than I bought them for, I lost that on the Yongnuo trigger in a month and it cost a darn sight less.

I don't trust Yongnuo anymore for anything other than dumb triggers, others might and that is fine by me, I would buy Phottix Odins but there isn't a huge saving over the Canon RT's anyway.

 

[whitedjp]

Hey everyone,

Second round of midterms have come around and I have been meaning to post, a little more info about me, i'm currently studying to move into medicine to be a doctor or a PHD in medical sciences, specializing in cell biology/virology and immunology! So I am not thinking of a full time career in photography however i am thinking of going part time! I am always doing photos for friends and people who like my work and using this to build my portfolio. I have a website being made this summer by my roomate who is very good with coding. I absolutely love photography and use it as my creative outlet or a distraction when i dont want to learn about biology! I have been saving religiously in order to make my transition into FF and the only reason why I haven't bought anything is that the store I buy from at home offers me very good deals on lens (much lower than b&h, etc) (also an authorized dealer) . Im also planning on travelling (although I do not know where) and want to document my trip seriously, leaving time for landscapes etc I also do all my editing on the highest end 15inch macbook pro retina from mid 2013 or 14

Some more about the studio I am using right now: 2 gemini 500r with two 2x3 softboxes, two umbrellas, a 25ish inch white beauty dish, and two alien bees (for accent lighting, fill etc). We have a white and black 9.5x36 ft seamless backdrop and all the required stands, reflectors, and triggers.

Seeing from the discussions going on, I think i will be exchanging my 50L for the 85 1.2 because i completely forgot that my 50 is technically a 80mm right now due to my crop body.

I really like the idea of a lighting setup because it would bring my personal work up a level! However I believe that on-location lighting would suite my style much better because i dont have any place for a studio setup. Out of curiosity, would something like the profoto b1 be worth a look for someone like me considering it is a 2600$ light and a 500$ trigger (also the TTL is very enticing) and whatever octa or soft box i would buy? Pookie can you explain a little more about the quadra? and maybe share how much your set-up costs?

Also I dont think i have ever had to shoot above iso 6400 for any of my events (i have shot iso 8000 on a 1dx once). Would this make the 5dsr a viable option for me? if it was paired with something like a profoto B1 and a 85iiL? I really think the iTr tracking will really improve the ability of the tracking over something like 5d3. I also cant lie that I would shoot mRaw on this camera for events and normal for landscapes/portraits. I also love the 135mmL but i don't think this is year to get one :-\

thanks everyone for the comments,

Jon

 

[Ruined]

If you did not do events & sports I'd say go for the 5DS, but being that you do I think the max ISO may be an issue. The 5DS is a specialty camera, not meant to be a general main body unless all you do is studio/landscape. So I would stick with 5D3, or wait for 5D4 if you want newer tech. I guess you could do 5D3+5DS or 5DS+7D2 but that is over 50% of your budget on bodies which is way too much IMO.

 

[whitedjp]

Hi everyone,

I finally placed my order at my local shop and I decided to hold off a little but move forward with some other parts. Im going to hold off on a camera this summer because my 7d and 70-200 will work great for outside portraits in the midday sun with on location lighting. I decided on a profoto B1 (and remote) with a 3" octa, the adaptor, an extra battery, a boom stand, and a reflector holder.

If something newer comes out later in the summer, maybe itll make me spend the rest of my budget : But I think some of it will go to props, models, etc to help expand my portfolio

Thanks everyone who took the time to leave a comment!

Jon

 

[sagittariansrock]

now I will have to hope that the Yongnuo receiver allows me to use non-RT flashes with it- it is never an optimal situation if you have to depend on Yongnuo :-X.

I don't understand the slams on Yongnuo. I'm guessing that there's a lack of personal experience with them.

I use the Yongnuo 622c transceivers and have found them to be quite reliable. They do NOT require RT flashes and can be used with manual units as well as Canons

I find it funny that Yongnuo is dinged with the "I'd never want to have to depend on one" statements. Over the years I have had two high-end Canon flashes, a 380 EX and a 430 EX. After a couple years of low use, the 380 just died. The 430 EX classic is still going strong. My personal failure rate on Canon flash is 50%.

I've collected a bunch of Yongnuo flashes and use them far more than I ever used the Canons without a single failure. I find them to be quite reliable. Due to their price, they afford me the opportunity to keep spares on hand should I need more light or should I actually have a failure.

I realize that my experience is anecdotal, but I expect any flash to fail when you need it most and therefore prefer to have an extra one on hand. This is easier to do with $105 Yongnuos versus $500 Canons

For some perspective, portrait photography is secondary to my photography interests and not a mainstay business. If it was, I'd give more consideration to studio strobes. I'm still learning how to paint with light and love the strobist approach since most of my needs are on location. The Yongnuo 565 EX flash and 622c remote has served me well so far. And, the Powerex AA batteries have offered plenty of power for my needs. I have yet to find the need to replace them during a shoot.

Photography is all about meeting individual needs and I won't argue that Yongnuos are for everyone or a better option than studio strobes. Each photographer must make that decision.

For me, four Yongnuo 565 EX II at $105 each and six Yongnuo 622c remotes at $80/pair is a lot of flexibility for a reasonable cost. I can use them in umbrellas or my preferred Paul C Buff PLMs or set a few around a room free-standing and aimed at a white source (a wall or ceiling) for great bounce light. So far, they have been a great investment as I learn more about painting a subject with light.

Yep, your experience is anecdotal, as is mine, but it certainly doesn't come from a lack of personal experience. I have used the RF-602's for years without issue or misfire, the YN-E3-RT on the other hand was a big mistake with regular misfires, communication losses and general unreliability, I sold it.

I have had dozens of Canon flashes, the only ones that have failed have been my fault, broken feet from knocked over stands, leaking batteries, flooding, etc, and after over ten years of pro use on average I sold them for $50 less than I bought them for, I lost that on the Yongnuo trigger in a month and it cost a darn sight less.

I don't trust Yongnuo anymore for anything other than dumb triggers, others might and that is fine by me, I would buy Phottix Odins but there isn't a huge saving over the Canon RT's anyway.

+1

I find it funny (literally) when people start something completely un-funny with "I find it funny". Just say you don't agree- why beat about the bush?

Ok, here's why I am dinging Yongnuo:
1. As you mentioned, your experience is anecdotal. It is also far less common compared to that of people like PBD and Marsu here, and many others online (for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcs5qyY-Fj4) who have experienced unreliability issues with Yongnuo.
2. Canon will service a flash for free within warranty period (in my experience they sometimes service for free even beyond that) and for a charge afterwards. In case of Yongnuo, the cost and hassle of returning it (see video above) sometimes necessitates just throwing it away. So far, they don't have a service center in the US.
3. The profit margin of Yongnuo items necessitate them to cut corners on quality and service. You can read David Hobby's articles on this topic:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-china-doesnt-understand.html
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2010/08/test-drive-yongnuo-yn-560.html

Here's the bottom line. If reliability isn't an issue and I am trying to save money (as in your case), then Yongnuo is a great choice. And kudos to them for creating an RT-compatible receiver.
However, considering the fact that I have already made the investment in favor of reliability by buying the 600EX-RTs, doesn't it defeat the purpose if I stick some Yongnuos in the mix?

Anyway, I shall be getting the YN-E3-RXs. The reviews so far seem to be quite positive- it is working with strobes as well as with barebulb flashes (note the one post where YN-E3-RT has issues ).
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1421879&page=1

 

[FTb-n]

now I will have to hope that the Yongnuo receiver allows me to use non-RT flashes with it- it is never an optimal situation if you have to depend on Yongnuo :-X.

I don't understand the slams on Yongnuo. I'm guessing that there's a lack of personal experience with them.

I use the Yongnuo 622c transceivers and have found them to be quite reliable. They do NOT require RT flashes and can be used with manual units as well as Canons

I find it funny that Yongnuo is dinged with the "I'd never want to have to depend on one" statements. Over the years I have had two high-end Canon flashes, a 380 EX and a 430 EX. After a couple years of low use, the 380 just died. The 430 EX classic is still going strong. My personal failure rate on Canon flash is 50%.

I've collected a bunch of Yongnuo flashes and use them far more than I ever used the Canons without a single failure. I find them to be quite reliable. Due to their price, they afford me the opportunity to keep spares on hand should I need more light or should I actually have a failure.

I realize that my experience is anecdotal, but I expect any flash to fail when you need it most and therefore prefer to have an extra one on hand. This is easier to do with $105 Yongnuos versus $500 Canons

For some perspective, portrait photography is secondary to my photography interests and not a mainstay business. If it was, I'd give more consideration to studio strobes. I'm still learning how to paint with light and love the strobist approach since most of my needs are on location. The Yongnuo 565 EX flash and 622c remote has served me well so far. And, the Powerex AA batteries have offered plenty of power for my needs. I have yet to find the need to replace them during a shoot.

Photography is all about meeting individual needs and I won't argue that Yongnuos are for everyone or a better option than studio strobes. Each photographer must make that decision.

For me, four Yongnuo 565 EX II at $105 each and six Yongnuo 622c remotes at $80/pair is a lot of flexibility for a reasonable cost. I can use them in umbrellas or my preferred Paul C Buff PLMs or set a few around a room free-standing and aimed at a white source (a wall or ceiling) for great bounce light. So far, they have been a great investment as I learn more about painting a subject with light.

Yep, your experience is anecdotal, as is mine, but it certainly doesn't come from a lack of personal experience. I have used the RF-602's for years without issue or misfire, the YN-E3-RT on the other hand was a big mistake with regular misfires, communication losses and general unreliability, I sold it.

I have had dozens of Canon flashes, the only ones that have failed have been my fault, broken feet from knocked over stands, leaking batteries, flooding, etc, and after over ten years of pro use on average I sold them for $50 less than I bought them for, I lost that on the Yongnuo trigger in a month and it cost a darn sight less.

I don't trust Yongnuo anymore for anything other than dumb triggers, others might and that is fine by me, I would buy Phottix Odins but there isn't a huge saving over the Canon RT's anyway.

+1

I find it funny (literally) when people start something completely un-funny with "I find it funny". Just say you don't agree- why beat about the bush?

Ok, here's why I am dinging Yongnuo:
1. As you mentioned, your experience is anecdotal. It is also far less common compared to that of people like PBD and Marsu here, and many others online (for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcs5qyY-Fj4) who have experienced unreliability issues with Yongnuo.
2. Canon will service a flash for free within warranty period (in my experience they sometimes service for free even beyond that) and for a charge afterwards. In case of Yongnuo, the cost and hassle of returning it (see video above) sometimes necessitates just throwing it away. So far, they don't have a service center in the US.
3. The profit margin of Yongnuo items necessitate them to cut corners on quality and service. You can read David Hobby's articles on this topic:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-china-doesnt-understand.html
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2010/08/test-drive-yongnuo-yn-560.html

Here's the bottom line. If reliability isn't an issue and I am trying to save money (as in your case), then Yongnuo is a great choice. And kudos to them for creating an RT-compatible receiver.
However, considering the fact that I have already made the investment in favor of reliability by buying the 600EX-RTs, doesn't it defeat the purpose if I stick some Yongnuos in the mix?

Anyway, I shall be getting the YN-E3-RXs. The reviews so far seem to be quite positive- it is working with strobes as well as with barebulb flashes (note the one post where YN-E3-RT has issues ).
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1421879&page=1

But, I really do find it funny, even chuckle a bit (when no one's around).

I would never suggest that Yongnuo flashes are better than Canon. If one can afford the Canon or makes a living off their photography, then Canon flashes make a lot of sense. I have a Canon 600 on my wishlist for on-camera TTL. But, this is rare for me, so it's a very low priority.

The Strobist links are a bit old and reference outdated units that did have issues. Yongnuo has come along way since then and offer great options for budget lighting needs. I tend to consider flashes to be somewhat disposable and expect them to fail with lots of use. The capacitor can get burned up, pending the discharge rate -- especially at full power.

With Canon, I expect top quality and service. With knock-offs, not so much. One should research individual models carefully. With this in mind, I offer my experience. I have found the YN-565EXII flash and the YN622c to be quite reliable and easy on the bank account. The flash is now less than $90.

The YN-460-II has also been reliable, but it's has less power and lacks the ability to be controlled remotely via your camera menu and the remote trigger.

I cannot vouch for any other Yongnuo model. Further, my recommendation is based on manual use, not TTL. I prefer more control over the external lights and don't use TTL. This is where I would expect Yongnuo to fall short since they would need to reverse engineer Canon's software.

A big advantage of these budget flashes is that one can put their savings toward that next lens or a 1Dx. ;D

 

[eosuser1234]

I would get the best 5D camera you can afford, and pocket wizards.
Investing in good equipment pays off especially if you are trying to become a pro photog.

 

[iaind]

If you are considering macro 100mm f2.8L is a good alternative to 85 1.2L

 

[Marsu42]

I don't understand the slams on Yongnuo. I'm guessing that there's a lack of personal experience with them.
I use the Yongnuo 622c transceivers and have found them to be quite reliable.

There you are - while Yn engineered the 622s to their own liking from ground up, with the rt protocol they had to reverse engineer and did quite a botch job at it and couldn't fix it with fw updates. I (unfortunately) have the trigger, but don't know if the new 600ex clones perform any better. Note that it's not like it wouldn't work at all, but it's a night-and-day difference vs. Canon concerning reliability and range.

Investing in good equipment pays off especially if you are trying to become a pro photog.

My understanding is that being a pro photog is about earning money, not spending it. Thus it is reasonable to get the best reliable(!) tool for the job after a total cost of ownership calculation (purchase, repairs, loss of value over time and return of invest of high-end gear).

 

[agierke]

Quote from: eosuser1234 on May 04, 2015, 10:41:59 AM

Investing in good equipment pays off especially if you are trying to become a pro photog.


My understanding is that being a pro photog is about earning money, not spending it. Thus it is reasonable to get the best reliable(!) tool for the job after a total cost of ownership calculation (purchase, repairs, loss of value over time and return of invest of high-end gear).

as a pro, my approach is to get the right tool that does the job reliably and spend the money once. if that means i pay a higher price to start so be it. what i dont want to run in to is spending alot of time problem solving or find that i got a piece that comes up short in a situation simply because i wanted to save a few bucks.

costs go beyond just the ticket price. time and effort involved can be an unquantifiable cost that you will pay if you don't get the right tool. failure to perform or intermittent performance can cost you a shot or a whole job which can lead to costing you a client. these types of costs can grow large quite fast, so my mind is to spend more up front to get the right tool that i know will be reliable. i wont hem and haw over a couple of hundred bucks because i know if i get it wrong it will cost me far more in the long run.