The delivery of my camera and lenses was delayed because one of the lenses, the Sigma, has had to be brought in from Melbourne, Australia. I opted to have it all delivered together, so the rest of it has been sitting in Christchurch pending the arrival of the Sigma lens.
But there are signs things are about to happen - the money was deducted from my account this weekend, so I am hoping that means my box of goodies will arrive some time this week.
This morning I placed the order for the camera and the associated equipment - totalling NZ$4,789.
If step one in my career change was applying to study the diploma, step two has been completed.
I'm on my way!
Now that the camera question is settled, I'm looking at lenses and a flash. This is what I am seriously considering at present (prices in NZ dollars):
- Sigma AF17-70mm f2.8-4.5 DC $695.00
- Canon EFS 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM $1,395.00
- Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II $175.00
- FLASH: Canon Speedlite 580EX II $775.00
A very good friend, who is also a professional photographer, has given me some good advice following yesterday's post on choosing a camera.
Among other valuable insights he offered, he said the following:
"I know the 5D would be a great camera to get ... but my recommendation would be to consider the 500D and buy two really good quality lenses and possibly a hotshoe flash with the rest of the money ... The general feeling is that you will always be buying new camera bodies, but a good lens can last a lifetime so make the investment in the lens rather than the body."
I take his advice seriously, because he is a good photographer and knows his business.
The 500D it is!
I contacted UCOL to ask what equipment I would need for the diploma programme.
The information I received was to get my own camera, and the Canon EOS 500D was recommended.
I had for some time been eyeing the 5D, which is a considerably more expensive camera. The best price I could find was a 5D Mark II, body only, at NZ$4,495, still a hefty price tag. The best I could find for a 500D body was NZ$1,205.
That's quite a price difference.
Decisions, decisions.
I still would want a camera along the lines of a 5D, but there are other factors to consider at present. Price is important given that I am not going to have an income for two years. Whatever I spend on a camera now will affect what lenses and other equipment I can get. I certainly would need a wide-angle lens plus a versatile lens, say 18mm-200mm or something along those lines. Plus a decent flash and whatever filters I would want.
So I am leaning towards the 500D, which will allow me to spend more on other equipment. I could always use my initial income from photography to invest in a better body later, but the 500D will at least suit me for diploma purposes.
What do you think?
The wait was shorter than I expected. I received a letter from UCOL today stating that I had been accepted into the Diploma in Photographic Imaging programme.
So from next year I shall be a fulltime student again. It has been a long time since I last studied fulltime (I was at university from 1987 to 1990), but I am very excited about it.
The dream is coming true!
