workshops or equipment?

[my3peas]

If you were in the position to either purchase a better lens, or go to a workshop to gain more experience, what would you do? I can only do one or the other right now, and I'm having a hard time deciding which.

Thanks!

[adirty1]

the lens. You know what your getting for your money. you never know about a workshop. It's always a roll of the dice for a work shop.

[ndsimm]

Lens....
you can always practice, get tips and hints from others and then later go to the workshop.
Mind you, workshops are a great help, but between the two equipment would be my first choice

[Hogleg 44]

Definitely the lens!

[jeffkohn]

My experience has been that workshops can be a real gamble. Sometimes if they're designed to cover a specific topic you want to learn they can be good, especially if it's something that can be more easily demonstrated than described such as studio lighting or posing. But workshops covering more general photography topics may not give you much more than you could have gotten from reading a good photography book. The social aspect of getting together with like minded folks can be rewarding, but I would say unless you have a very specific goal in mind with the workshop the lens may be a better investment.

[ttusa]

The Lens!!

[my3peas]

Thanks for the insight!

Now I just have to decide on which lens to get :)

[studiocygnet]

Depends on the workshop, depends on the lens.
We all know that just having the hardware does not a good photographer make. I've seen stunning photos from polariods and Holgas. However, if the lens purchase causes you to see in a different perspective, and gets you excited about taking pics, that can have positive results with your art.
And workshops, I've been to two. One was a small 2 day workshop put on by Rocky Mountain School of Photography, and I felt it was worthwhile overall, though some of the stuff was too basic and repetitive, as there were two different instructors, and they kinda repeated each other at times. The other workshop was put on by National Assoc. of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). I'm sure you've seen their ads. IT SUCKED. You are put in a room with 1000 other people, with no room to unfold your laptop, and some guy a half a mile away reads instructions from a powerpoint presentation on a screen. As Jeff said previously, you could get the same info from a book or dvd. And there was no social interaction at all with that many people.
So I say, if it's a lens, make it superwide, if it's a workshop, small and interactive.

[AndrewCCM]

What is your budget? What type of stuff do you want to learn? What type of photography are you going to be shooting primarily?

I would lean towards a lens, but it depends on what you have already, budget and experience level.

[jeffkohn]

I'll just add, most workshops tend to be aimed towards beginners. Unless they specifically state that they are advanced courses with pre-requisites, don't assume they're going to get very deep into advanced techniques. In my experience so far, even courses aimed at serious amatuers tend to spend a fair amount of time on the basics because the instructor knows not everybody is going to be at the same level and they pretty much have to teach to the lowest common denominator.

[my3peas]

Thanks again Tom and Jeff! Very helpful in what to look for in the future.

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

What is your budget? What type of stuff do you want to learn? What type of photography are you going to be shooting primarily?

I would lean towards a lens, but it depends on what you have already, budget and experience level.

As for lenses. I'll be doing portrait work mostly. I'm leaning towards a 50mm 1.4 for now. A fellow TPFer lent me an old manual of his and I'm quite enjyoying it. Budget for now, is $300. :) Thanks for any help in the matter!

[AndrewCCM]

I have the 50 1.4 and really like it. What camera body are you using? The 85mm F1.8 is an excellent portrait lens as well.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by my3peas

Thanks for the insight!

Now I just have to decide on which lens to get :)

The 85mm f/1.2L is a lot of fun. So is the 35 f/1.4 L. So is the 28-70mm f/1.2L

<edit> oops... sorry about that. I missed your budget post.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by iCe

The 85mm f/1.2L is a lot of fun. So is the 35 f/1.4 L. So is the 28-70mm f/1.2L

<edit> oops... sorry about that. I missed your budget post.

I saw a deal once, I believe it was Broadway Camera or the like...It was buy 2 of those lenses mentioned and get one free. Of course, you had to buy those $3000 lens caps or no deal.

[my3peas]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

I have the 50 1.4 and really like it. What camera body are you using? The 85mm F1.8 is an excellent portrait lens as well.

I'm shooting Nikon--a d80 for now. the 85 1.8 is on the list too. I just don't know if I'll have to keep backing up with it. I suppose that I could go with something else, as I do have a flash unit, but I really am digging the sharpness of the 1.4

ICe...Yeah, thanks for reminding me of the budget :) I've got lens envy now :)