Help with purchasing photography equipment

hels102

Hello

Hope I've posted this in the right place! I'm at my wits end and I'm wondering if anyone can help me out! It's my partners birthday next month and I really want to get a flash lighting kit to go with his camera, he used to be a photographer but doesn't get the time to do it much these days. Anyway the question I'm asking is would any willing MSE'R help me out and point me in the right direction as to where I should be buying the equipment from and what sort of spec! I haven't got alot of money to spend, I've seen a few on ebay but I'm not sure if they spec is right.
Thanks!!

unrich

Hi, if your hub is into photography then he probably has ideas about what he would like. However good your intentions are you will not be able to read his mind and you will more likely than not buy something different from what he needs.
=slight disappointment

Either ask him outright and say you'd like to contribute to the cost of something.
Or find vouchers / brown paper envelope with good old cash.

Or you could say that you would like to go walking/visiting new places and encourage him to take his kit with him. Give him an excuse to rekindle the spirit and make time to do it. There's nothing better than having an enthusiastic conspiritor.

Just set the cash aside and tell him it there when he wants it or sees a fantastic deal.

Perhaps you could suggest he could do an A level or nightclass and offer to pay for the enrolement?

Unless you have a clear picture of exactly what he wants I would steer away from buying kit.

starving_artist

Photographers tend to be very picky about their equipment and it really depends how it's going to be used (on location, in studio etc) so prob best to ask even though it will spoil surprise.


The Flash Centre are friendly and will give you good advice

http://www.theflashcentre.com/welcome-to-our-new-website-i752.html

Otherwise main pro suppliers are:

Calumet

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk

shopndrop

My son wanted photography equipment for Christmas but there is no way I would surprise him as he has very definite ideas about what he wants. I just put an IOU note in an envelope for him to choose what he wants and I will pay. He was delighted knowing he can go out and choose himself without paying.

hels102

Thanks for your replies, he is only looking for the equipment to take pics of our son at home (I've been nagging for ages) apart from that I don't think it will get much other use! I think I'll try and get him to show me what he wants I'll try and act interested when we trawl around all the shops!
Thanks again

marksandsparksgal

Wrap the IOU in a box / bubble wrap, makes it more interesting when they open it!