Re: Your Expertise Required

On 2008-07-17, Mike <magnetteza@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> My new boss has asked me to research digital cameras before I start my
> job on the 1st Aug. We need a digital SLR camera which is ideal for
> taking photographs of furniture/interior decor in a prodominantly
> indoor studio enviroment (will less regularly be used to photograph
> pieces in a scene outdoors eg. focusing on furniture but with a
> landscape in background).  

You also need to know how to use a digital SLR camera. Contrary to
advertising / popular belief, photography is not now just a matter of
buying an expensive camera and letting it work everything out for you.

> This is a professional interior design company 

So hire a professional photographer.

>                                                   high quality
> photographs are essential. This will require a good camera and any
> other necessary studio photography equiptment like reflection and
> flash light devices.

This will require someone with photographic competence.

>
> The budget is ?1600-?2000 but this will have to cover the cost of all
> equiptment. My new boss  already has 2x Calumet light stands so lights
> will need to be compatible with these. He also has paper rolls and a
> tripod but nothing else.

A good two-head lighting set will set you back ~£1000. That doesn't
leave much to buy SLR and lens, not to mention all those little bits and
pieces to clamp stuff to other stuff, hang reflectors off etc.

Then there's the time you are going to waste shooting and reshooting
trying to get things looking halfway reasonable.

>
> I have got the latest issue of Which camera which recommends a Nikon
> digital SLR but apart from that I don't know where to start.

Seriously. If your having to look in "Which Camera" for your research
you really need to forget the idea and hire a photographer.

>
> The camera and equiptment will be used by my boss   but more commonly
> me so it needs to be simple enough for us to learn how to use.

I think I've made my point. You won't produce any results that will
reflect the professionalism of your interior design work without using a
professional photographer.

>
> Any help with this mission would be very much appreciated.
>

Good luck with it. I know your boss is going to refuse to hire a
photographer and expect you to train yourself with whatever kit you end
up with.

You will both regret it.

>   Any Help Will Be Much Appreciated

Hire a photographer. If you happen to be anywhere near Gateshead, hire
me.

-- 
savvo                                                      orig. invib.
man