Time to Upgrade?

[GWestphal]

I've always been kinda interested in photography, but I've never gotten around to it. I currently have a Nikon D40 with I picked up 3ish years ago. The girl I'm dating models quite a bit, so I thought it would something we could do together. Shots would be generally be posed/stationary, but under lots of different lighting (as I understand lighting is the key to good pictures). I was thinking of maybe stepping up to a Canon 60D or 600D and getting a basic studio lighting kit. Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations?

 

[twistedlogic]

Better camera does not equal better pictures.

Studio lighting is tough. You have to purchase backgrounds, background stands, multiple strobes/flashes, strobe modifiers (softbox, brolly, snoot), light meter, reflectors, gels, some form of trigger (wireless or wired), just to name a few. Then you have to know how to effectively and creatively use these lights and modifiers, along with know what ratios you must use.

That is just studio work, if you decide to mix studio lights with natural lighting, it can much more difficult.

 

[iGas]

Better camera does not equal better pictures.

Studio lighting is tough. You have to purchase backgrounds, background stands, multiple strobes/flashes, strobe modifiers (softbox, brolly, snoot), light meter, reflectors, gels, some form of trigger (wireless or wired), just to name a few. Then you have to know how to effectively and creatively use these lights and modifiers, along with know what ratios you must use.

That is just studio work, if you decide to mix studio lights with natural lighting, it can much more difficult.

It is imperative to get a book on lighting.

It is not that difficult mixing natural light with studio lights. All you have to understand is, distant vs. fstop and guide number.

Shoot outdoor with a good shoes mount TTL flash with high guide number for fill light, then add a slave or 2 if you want hair light, etc...

Shoot indoor with natural window light and a large reflector. Could also use shoes mount TTL flash for in door fill as well.

If the OP is going to be shooting a lot then it might be worth it to spend thousands of dollar on studio equipment. I have roughly 100~150 lbs worth of studio equipment in 2 large chests and they are collecting dust for almost 20 years.

 

[fralexandr]

the nikon d40 is a nice camera, there's really no need to upgrade, unless you really want some newer features, most specifically video.

 

[CuriousMike]

Kelbys book is inexpensive and breaks down lighting pretty well.

You D40 is a nice camera - be sure you have a good lens for portraiture ( something in the 70-100mm range ) and go for it.

 

[alkemyst]

almost everything in a book can be found online today.

 

[Defenestrator]

Instead of spending money on a new body, spend it on the lighting equipment instead. I would recommend checking out http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html that will cover many of the basics of lighting.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I've always been kinda interested in photography, but I've never gotten around to it. I currently have a Nikon D40 with I picked up 3ish years ago. The girl I'm dating models quite a bit, so I thought it would something we could do together. Shots would be generally be posed/stationary, but under lots of different lighting (as I understand lighting is the key to good pictures). I was thinking of maybe stepping up to a Canon 60D or 600D and getting a basic studio lighting kit. Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations?

Keep the D40, get the 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX for $200 and get this E-Book: http://www.portraittipsandtechniques.com/ae/specialoffer/affiliate.html
and learn how to take portraits with natural lighting.

$220 Total.

Save up for the incredible Nikon AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2 D ($1300) and D700 if you really get into it. Don't spend a lot of money until you master your current tools.

 

[magomago]

almost everything in a book can be found online today.

yup


D40 is fine. with studio lighting you should be using lower ISOs anyways; so any benefit from new sensor/algorithm to reduce noise won't really be had