I’m not sure what prompted me to join yet another Facebook photography group, especially targeted towards beginners, but I joined this specific one because a friend is a member. (Unfortunately, she’s not very active, LOL!) I’ve been trying to find ways to re-gain my passion for photography and I joined the group in hopes to get some inspiration. I also wanted pay it forward and help people with their own photography journey.
The most common questions posted are, “What camera should I buy?”, “What camera should I upgrade to?”, and “What lens should I get?”. Many people in the group are convinced that upgrading to a new camera (especially to a full-frame) will help make their pictures better, and that the “Nifty Fifty” (50mm f/1.8 lens) is the magical lens that gives you a blurred background in your pictures (known as shallow depth of field).
There’s this admin in the group (bless his heart), that is constantly telling people the best camera is the one you have in your hand and that you can achieve a blurred background with kit lenses (the lenses that comes with your new camera). Whenever someone posts about upgrading, he asks “Why?” Some people perceive him as rude because he is truthful and direct with his responses, but for the most part, him and I agree on almost everything. Also, when I try to play the voice of reason in the group, he always likes my posts, so I guess I’m not off the mark!
Since I joined around Halloween, I’ve been very active in this group. As I got more and more involved in the group, trying to help people out and answering questions, it made me think of a local Vegas photographer who created a blog about shooting with budget gear (Shooting on a Budget). Thanks to both the group and the blog, it inspired me to do a personal project where I only shoot with minimal gear.
Gear List
Here is my list and how much I’ve spent out-of-pocket on each item:
- Nikon D300 and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 “kit” lens – $180 from OfferUp
- Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens – $150 from Craig’s List
- Yongnuo YN-560III speedlight – $60 from Amazon
- Yongnuo YN-560IV speedlight – $75 from Amazon
- Yongnuo YN-560-TX receiver – $45 from YongnuoUSA.net
- White shoot-through umbrella – $8.50 from eBay
- Beauty dish with sock – $58 from eBay
- Lightstand – $30 from Amazon
- S-type Bowens mount – $17 from eBay
- Flash bracket – $7.50 from eBay
- Working on getting a Nikon D50 for under $100
Rules
- The value of all equipment used must be $400 or lower COMBINED!
- 3rd party equipment (external lighting and modifiers, light stands, tripods, etc.) are allowed just as long as it stays on budget.
- Cannot pair Nikon D300 lens with 50mm f/1.8 lens unless it’s a low-lighting situation.
(Even though I’ve spent only $180, the D300 is not considered an entry-level camera. Only the 18-55mm lens is entry-level. I feel using the Nikon D300 with the 50mm lens will not stay true to the project.) - 50mm lens can only be used on low-lighting shoots.