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A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:36 pm
by phoenix
Hi everyone! I haven't been around much lately as i've been really busy sourcing some photography jobs. I'm in a fantastic but frustrating situation. I've managed to have been asked to become the photographer for an ad agency. Its the same one that wants me to do the club pics, but they are after a full time photographer very soon. They require a very broad range of photography including portrait, event, sport, commercial, model etc etc. Basically there is a heap of gear i would need if i wanted to take all the work. I have a basic kit that i could get away with a lot of the stuff, but i need more very soon.

The good part is, that the pay is fantastic. Far more than any of my previous job, and it's ongoing work too.

I was hoping people here might know of a place i could finance or do something similar, on camera gear. I need more powerful lights, a new camera body, new lenses etc, so there is far too much for me to afford without help. Does anyone know the best way to go about this?

Thanks a lot guys!

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:07 am
by Oz_Beachside
cheapest interest rates are those secured against things like your house. if you dont have that, then a business. if you dont have that, then personal loans from banks. lastly, and usually the fastest (to gain approval, and also to accrue interest), is credit cards. big banks offer normal rates around 20%, the general electric variety can be as high as 30%.

take care to understand the difference from importing, and buying kit locally, discuss with your tax accountant.

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:45 am
by olrac
Another option might be to hire gear while you prioritize what you need and save some cash for it.

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:39 pm
by Geoff
The great thing with camera gear/equipment (and the prices we can get through the forum) is that if things don't work out (not that you should be thinking that way) then the resale of high quality gear is fantastic, either through ebay (or even here).

I think a personal bank loan would be the best idea.

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:37 pm
by shutterbug
Leasing might be an option....but talk to your accountant

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:21 pm
by christiand
Hi Phoenix,

what gear do you currently have, what gear do you need on top of that ?
What additional gear do you THINK you need ?
If you for a valid reason don't want to go public with that, please send me a PM.

Regards,
CD

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:06 pm
by phoenix
Hi Guys,

CD,
I currently have a D200, 17-55mm, 70-200mm, 50mm 1.4, and 105mm macro lenses. A golden eagle light kit, some backgrounds and stands, a SB-600, a 2x TC, and some other bits and pieces.

For the work i've been asked to do i feel i need or would be best placed to do the best work, an 85mm prime, a higher powered light kit (around 1000w 3 light kit i think) either a D300 or D3, preferably the D3 for some of the print work, low light work, etc but i could settle with a D300, and be able to do everything well enough, at this point, ( i definitely need a second body though) and some more backdrops. The studio space i have in mind needs some painting, and a few other things that will add up, and i'll also be needing a higher powered computer because i'm currently only using a Macbook Pro, and some of the work will be fairly PP intensive.

That's about the extent of it right now. I believe i can take the work with the gear i have right now, and maybe just pick up the rest of the gear as I'm going, but that means saying no some of the work right now. I'd love to be able to do it all from day 1, but if it's not possible i'll just have to make do. I'm just trying to get all the possible options at the moment.

A loan of some description seems to be the way to go i think. The hard part with that is that i am only emplyed part time right now so that i had more time to get photo work. I guess it's a bit of a catch 22, but hopefully i can make it work.

If you guys want any info about the work i'll be doing let me know, but it's probably not really necessary for now.

Thanks for the help guys! Any more info would be fantastic!

Re: A place to finance camera gear

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:11 am
by jdear
Canon Finance Australia (CFA) - link here have finance available - let them know what sort of $$ you want to spend and they will point you towards an authorised canon dealer (L+P etc) and then they will pick up the bill for your order (and you will pay it off) - includes any equipment - 1D bodies etc.

although you shoot nikon :P

Jonathan