Would a d80 be sufficient for a starting professional photographer?

I am thinking about starting a part time photography business. I will start prices low. I have a d80, tamron 17-50mm 2.8f lens, nikon dx 55-200 vr 4f, tamron 90mm macro 2.8f (good for portraits), nikon 50mm 2.8f. I also have a nikon sb-800 speedlight and photoshop cs3. I am very proficient at cs3 and I believe I am a good photographer. I won a high school regional Faccs competition. Anyway, are the d80 and lenses sufficient for starting, and is there anything else I need?

Yes, of course! I started out with the D70. The only difference between the D80 and something like the D2X is more features to make things a little easier. But raw image quality is identical.

A mahogany pinhole camera would be sufficient.

You need to ask yourself if you have the skills, talent, and marketing ability.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/go-pro.h...

I've been a pro photog. off and on for 20 years. I've done weddings, 1000's of senior portraits, kids, families, etc. etc.
It is not the camera that makes the photographer. It is: having an "eye" for it, understanding lighting and using it properly, good customer service, and getting better by shooting everyday. there are a lot of sights with photographers on them that you can put your pics on and get C&C. Don't start with low prices. Start with average prices for your area and start with what you are good at now. You can add services as you go and get more customers, but don't start off as the "cheap" photographer or you may always be the "cheap" photographer in your customers eyes. The best advise I have is to work as an assistant to a photographer. don't forget to shoot every day and post so that others can give you some guidance. good luck and don't give up-it's harder than you think.

A spare camera body is really a necessity.

Although failures are rare they do happen.

Try for a second hand D40, or D70.

I usually carry two digtial bodies when working a large event and with different lenses mounted get a good coverage.

This also minimises changing lenses in the field, limiting oppportunities for dust to get on the sensors.

You might not like this advice, but millions of people have that same gear and can make the same images as you.

Why not invest in equipment that produces images the average guy can't get?

For about $1000 you can have a Hasselblad 500C/M kit, ready to shoot, that will blow the D80's quality into the weeds -- especially in portraits.

With a couple of Alien Bees lights you'll produce pro images that you can charge real money for.

And people won't say "I coulda done that myself".

Just my 2 pesos, but that's what I'd do.

V2K1

Yes, a D80 is sufficient for a starting professional photographer.

You might also want to invest in a fast Nikon 50mm F1.4 lens for low-light work, and a slave flash.

I recommend NOT getting a Hasselblad 500 C/M kit or any other film camera. Although film cameras cost less than digital cameras, each shot with the Hasselblad costs a dollar, and it takes a lot more expertise to work with film.

You will also need a web site and good marketing.