Equipment for starting photography business?

A "photography business"??

Way to broad a question.

if you are planning wedding and portraits then that would be different than a travel photographer which would be different than a sports snapper which would be different than a commercial product photographer which would be different than a wildlife photographer etc.

Get the idea.

being a photographer or running a "photography business" is a heck of a lot more than just a camera lens and computer.

For any of the above you are looking at an initial outlay on equipment of anything from 15k through to about 50k or more.

More information is required before anyone can give you anything like a proper response.

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I'm confused. First you say "I know the equipment is expensive and obviously I have the money to pay for the equipment otherwise I wouldn't be asking for advice". However you then go on to say that macs "are extremely expensive and I'm wondering if I can find a PC that performs just as well for a fraction of the price?"

This sounds contradictory.

If you want do to "underwater portraits" then obviously you will need underwater equipment (mainly a waterproof camera). If you get a dSLR then you will need underwater housing for your particular model of camera (there really isn't a one size fits all, at least not when I browse photography catalogs). Since models change every few years you may need to buy the housing at the same time as the camera.

But since people upgrade their camera every few years, it may make sense to wait until you are ready for underwater photography, so for now maybe you should just get an entry level dSLR (as it sounds you are nowhere ready to open a business, since you are asking these questions).

I honestly don't think there is much of a market for underwater portrait photography but don't let me stop you (I might be wrong). The current issue of national geographic had a piece on australian who takes pictures of people underwater with a simple film camera and slide film (not portraits, but more people frolicking in the waves).

As far as event photography, you'll want a fast lens (f2.8 or faster). But if money is a concern then you'll have to figure that out for yourself.

Since you are taking a photography class why don't you just wait? You'll learn what you need to know, and then decide for yourself what your equipment needs are (instead of asking strangers on the internet).

I don't recommend the 18-200mm, it's convenient but a crappy lens especially for the price.

I'd recommend the 24-70mm f/2.8 and a couple of primes:

If you're on DX, a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 is a great portrait lens. For FX, and 85mm is the traditional portrait focal length, but it's great on DX as well. Try the 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4. These two lenses, or just one of them, would be just fine for starting a photography business.

If you want to shoot DX, you could try the D7000 as it's pretty much better than the D300s in most ways, or wait until Nikon eventually releases the D300s's replacement. If you're shooting FX, a D700 might be good.

Photoshop and Lightroom ought to be all you need for editing.

For a laptop, I have no idea. Of course you can get a PC that works as well or better for less than the cost of a MacBook.

Good luck!

All these questions and you have not once told us what kind of photography you are going to do. Different types of photography require different types of equipment. I would highly suggest that you take a class or two before you purchase equipment and risk making some very expensive mistakes.

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for now, just get the camera as your business will not move forward until you've mastered using the gear. it's not just about buying an equipment and your on. but as for the lens... just between the 2 you've mention, of course f2.8 is always better.

Worry about the laptop, etc when you are ready because you may change your mind later on.

1

get a macbook and look cool, get some of them umbrellas for Light and a light sensor and alot of batteries and extra chargers