Wedding Photography - best camera?

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mikerocky

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Hi guys n girls,

Inexperienced newbie so go easy. I'm a web designer and seo person by trade so if you have any questions for getting more business off the web, feel free to ask.

My wife has recently moved into wedding photography after being an amateur for a number of years. She needs some new kit so I'm going to treat her for her birthday.

She likes both Sony and Canon to use, I can see from other threads and reviews that the 40D and the 5D canon seem highly rated. What are your views on the Sony Alpha 350. Why is this cheaper and yet have superior megapixels? Which one would you experienced people recommend for wedding work and what lenses will she need?

Some product photography will also be done, for example a jewelery site I'm building will need all their products doing, will this need a macro lens?

Thanks in advance, budget is around £1000-£1200 tops

Mike:thumbs:
 
You would be mad not to consider the Fuji S5 Pro. The out of camera JPEGS are amazing so unless you like spending several hours in front of a PC tweaking RAW files then it's a serious contender. It's high dynamic range makes it ideal for portrait and landscape.

And the money you save you can put towards a Nikon 17-50 f/2.8
 
Get her a 40D with a 17-55 2.8 IS and it'll be a great start for wedding photography.
 
thanks both, ok so now i have 3 to choose from :shrug:

could someone explain to me why the price of the canon is higher than the sony and the fuji mentioned above please.

Is it worth the extra or are you just paying for the brand?
 
mikerocky said:
could someone explain to me why the price of the canon is higher than the sony and the fuji mentioned above please.
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Certain manufacturer's are happy to take more money from people who feel more Megapixels = 'better' camera.
 
sprog said:
You would be mad not to consider the Fuji S5 Pro. The out of camera JPEGS are amazing so unless you like spending several hours in front of a PC tweaking RAW files then it's a serious contender. It's high dynamic range makes it ideal for portrait and landscape.

And the money you save you can put towards a Nikon 17-50 f/2.8
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Yup, I would want one in my bag if I did weddings.

Gary.
 
i'd say either a 5d or as someone has said the s5pro is a very popular camera amongst wedding togs and you'll save money as a nikon man i can't say enough about the d300 myself and would be my weapon of choice, or the d700 if you were splashing out a bit more.

but honestly i'd go for the s5pro and some lenses as at the end of the day your lens is more important than your camera the majority of the time.
 
thanks Robby, btw your photo blog looks great, love the landscape shots.. apart from the anfield one :exit:
 
EdinburghGary said:
Yup, I would want one in my bag if I did weddings.

Gary.
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Best kept secret in the business, so well kept in fact... they didn't sell any.

Seriously, for 500 quid the S5 is a serious bit of kit. The only downside is the painfully slow buffer speed and huge file sizes.
 
Buy my Tamron 17-50 2.8 Nikon Fit to go with the s5 pro. Then buy the Nikon 50 1.8. Then get yourself a Nikon SB600/800 flash. You´ll be on the way then :D
 
What equipment has she got already? If she already has Canon/Sony/Nikon lenses you can spend more on the body.

If she already has Canon lenses I would suggest the 5D, especially as the current model will be coming down in price now that the new model is imminent.

I didn't realise the S5 Pro was that cheap! If you need to start from scratch (or she already has Nikon lenses) I'd go for that. lens wise I've not seen anything in this thread mentioning lenses longer than 50mm, I'd have thought that you would need something a bit longer too...
 
hi craikeybabey, she has always shared her dads equipment, but hasn't been able too since she moved out and now needs better kit for weddings.
She used to use a Canon, is it worth pushing the boat out for the 5D? I'd rather get something that will last 5 or so years than have to upgrade in the near future.

Good point about the wider lens I guess that will be useful for group shots?

do u know the best lens for photos of jewelery?

Thanks all for your help, didn't expect such a quick response:thumbs:
 
I know the feeling, my Dad used to share my equipment, until I moved out, he went and bought a 5D. The current 5D has been out for a while and is still considered to be a cracking camera (I can't comment on the others as have no direct experience).

As you said in your first post a Macro lens would be best for jewelery, and they can also make good portrait lenses, so maybe you could kill two birds with one stone. If it is only for one project you could hire a macro lens (www.lensesforhire.co.uk).
 
The S5 Pro is a really - really - good recommendation. The fact that you can add Nikon lenses to it is perfect for the budget.

You can get the Nikon 50mm 1.8 (AKA nifty fifty) for only £70, and that's perfect for low light churches. It's a prime lens (fixed length) so it takes some practice to get the shooting distance correct, but well worth it.

Edit: If you *can* push the boat out, the 5D (MK I) is still a wedding togs favourite, and has produced excellent results over the years. Considered a 'bargain', by many professionals :)
 
the 5D is a superb camera. the technology is possibly somewhat dated compared to newer models, but it takes superb pictures and would be my choice given the budget you have. if it were me though, i'd be pushing the boat out a bit and trying to save for a 5Dmk2. the super high iso that it offers is very appealing for some wedding scenarios.

you could get an extension tube/ring for macro shots of jewellery etc.etc. i think the 12mm one from canon can be had for about 40quid. put it on whatever lens you have and you're good to go for the close-ups.
 
Given the budget available, even "pushing the boat out" a bit it would be completely unrealistic to consider most of the Canon or Nikon bodies suggested and still to leave anything for lenses and the other kit that will be required.

Apart from the lenses (good advice already given as to what will be required) as a bare minimum you will require the following:

Flashgun with accessories such as a diffuser

Memory cards

Spare batteries for camera and flash

Tripod

Filters

Cleaning equipment including blower, microfibre cloths etc.

For the product photographs you will also be needing a light tent etc.

I am assuming that she already has a computer with the software required and a decent monitor.
 
hi Nicos, thanks for elaborating on the equipment.

yes we have a light tent on the way, will need to look into a flashgun/diffuser and the macro lens

yes i've got a mac with the full adobe suite, so all that side is catered for

Taking all advice into consideration i think I'll be looking at getting the S5pro, a quick google search brings up great reviews and most people seem convinced its the wedding photographers choice

thanks all :)
 
mikerocky said:
hi Nicos, thanks for elaborating on the equipment.

yes we have a light tent on the way, will need to look into a flashgun/diffuser and the macro lens

yes i've got a mac with the full adobe suite, so all that side is catered for

Taking all advice into consideration i think I'll be looking at getting the S5pro, a quick google search brings up great reviews and most people seem convinced its the wedding photographers choice

thank all :)
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Good choice, I will be keeping my eye on them - I will bite one day.

Gary.
 
how about a cheaper body but with a better lens. something like a nikon D80 and a kit lens replacement. the tamron 18-55 f2.8 for example?
 
The S5 pro is at about D80 price level ;)
 
wow, that has surprised me, just looked on calunet and indeed, body only is £484

and, am i right in thinking they use the nikon lens system, so all the Nikon lenses will work ?
 
Bolerus said:
wow, that has surprised me, just looked on calunet and indeed, body only is £484

and, am i right in thinking they use the nikon lens system, so all the Nikon lenses will work ?
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Yes it's actually a D200 with a Fuji sensor and software.
 
imho there are only a few cameras she should go for d300 nikon canon 5d or 5 d mk11 d700 s5pro d3 or 1dsmk111

The d40 isnt a pro grade camera and unless she wants to look like an amateur then get something better.
 
Cheers for the comment MikeRocky :):) - As some peeps on here have already mentioned a flash that you can bounce is must.

Ideally i think the 17-55 range is ideal whatever you go for. Also if the camera is good in the low light (new nikons are very) can be really helpful.
 
Murphy's Law of Photography states: "The possibility of a piece of photographic equipment failing is in a direct relationahip to the importance of the shoot and in an inverse relationship to the availability of back up equipment"

I strongly advise duplicates of just about everything, at least two bodies, at least two general purpose lenses and at least two flash units.

The 5D or new 5D replacement is a great full frame camera! It is superb for weddings but, I would rather attempt to shoot a wedding with TWO Canon 40D (or even 30D) cameras and two excellent medium range zoom lenses than to attempt the wedding with a 5D and one lens.

Equipment does go down and it is totally unprofessional to miss out on wedding coverage (for which you have been contracted to supply) because your camera/lens/flash (take your pick) has failed.

If funds are available, a pair of 5D cameras and a pair of excellent zoom lenses would be the way to go. Using either a pair of 24-70mm f/2.8L or 24-105mm f/4L lenses (or one of each) would be the way to go. However, you could select a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens as your backup.

The backup camera could be (to save money) a 30D or 40D 1.6x format camera with a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or 17-50mm f/2.8 Tamron could be used.

Weddings can be shot very satisfactorily using 1.6x cameras. A pair of 30D, 40D or 50D (or any selection of these cameras) with one or both cameras using a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens. You could be readily prepared for wedding work with two 30D cameras and two 17-50mm f/2.8 Tamron lenses and that would be the least expensive way to go.

You also need at least two flash units of 580EX or 550EX quality.
 
Have a look at second hand for 5D's. The full frame and skin tones are superb. Plus it excels at ISO's up to 1600. (Have a look at WeddingHack's stuff if you need convincing!)

A couple from a reputable dealer that I've used:

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/index.php?id=26&page=2&category_filter=20

24-70mm
70-200mm

both f2.8 would be the ideal but they are nearly a thousand pounds each!

To get started consider either the Canon 70-200mm f4 or the Sigma 70-200mm. I have both and love them.

Nothing wrong with using a 1.6x crop camera but if you can make one full frame, for weddings, they are well worth it IMHO
 
I would highly reccomend the 5D, if it goes out of the budget, get a well used one with high actuation count (like 45K or so), they're good for a long shutter life, and I love mine :). But having a back-up is a MUST!!
 
I recently shot three weddings as a second shooter for someone on these forums. I used a 40D and a 30D with 17-55 f/2.8 IS and 70-200 f/2.8 IS lenses and a 580EX for each camera. They did a fine job. The pro used a 40D and had a couple of Sigma lenses - short/wide zoom and a longer zoom. I'm not sure of the models. He used a 430EX and had a 350D (I think) as a backup.

His flash went on the fritz during the evening and he had to finish the night with the popup flash on his 40D. I had already left by then.

Bottom line....
1. The 40D is a great camera all round and certainly up to the task of shooting weddings.
2. If you shoot professionally you must have backup gear.
3. 2 X 40D would be better than 1 X 5D. It would also be nice if the backup body had the same control layout. The 40D and 30D have some differences, which can be annoying.

It's probably worth the reminder that there is £60 cash back from Canon on the 40D at the moment, meaning you can pick it up brand new for £540 or less.
 
^^ question, how do you carry a body with a 70-200 AND another body at the same time?!
 
I may have missed this but what does the "wedding tog" currently use. Would it not make sense to keep in the same system? Buying an S5 Pro when they use Canon isn't a good move regardless of how good the S5 Pro is a wedding camera.

P.S. Totally agree that shooting professionally, especially weddings (the most important day in a couple's life), requires backup kit, i.e. a spare for everything. As a certain wedding tog on here will attest kit (even relatively new kit) can break during a wedding (fortunately they had backup available), if you only have 1 body, 1 lens, 1 flash and one of them goes down that's it you've ruined your clients day and probably your own business.

P.P.S to englandshottest2 - you have two shoulders, one body on each... or am I missing something??

P.P.P.S it's a good thing that Papalazarou isn't here any longer as he would have loved this thread (unless of course he is posing as the OP :naughty:)
 
englandshottest2 said:
^^ question, how do you carry a body with a 70-200 AND another body at the same time?!
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One round my neck and one on my shoulder, or one in the hand, and one hanging off me somewhere. Sometimes I'll put one down and only have one with me, but can just swap them at a moment's notice if I need to.

As a second shooter, I can stand at the back of the church and have the 70-200 on a tripod for long shots towards the altar and have the 17-55 ready to grab as B&G come up the aisle and for confetti shots outside.

Having the two bodies on the go at the same time means I can have settings for ISO, shutter speed and aperture that are more appropriate for the needs of each lens, using a higher ISO, for example, on the longer lens. I can also have one set up for indoor use and one set to be instantly ready to shoot as the action moves outdoors. There is also no time wasted fumbling with lens changes, or risking dropping anything, or getting dust on my sensor. Since my shots are opportunistic, rather than posed, I can be ready for whatever opportunity presents itself. Having virtually full f/2.8 coverage from 17mm to 200mm is quite a sweet setup.
 
ahh i see. when im using the 70-200 i am scared to death to hold it without both hands (so darn heavy) im always thinking that its gonna fall off or break the camera body (i hold the lens rather than the body of course!), will have to try the shoulder thing, only problem is have very sloping shoulders :D
 
englandshottest2 said:
ahh i see. when im using the 70-200 i am scared to death to hold it without both hands (so darn heavy) im always thinking that its gonna fall off or break the camera body (i hold the lens rather than the body of course!), will have to try the shoulder thing, only problem is have very sloping shoulders :D
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Have you bought one of the fab TP Optech Straps? They really help on both the grip and the weight fronts. Plus they are back available for order check out the sales section - I think today is the last day for a discounted price and guaranteed choice of colours
 
englandshottest2 said:
ahh i see. when im using the 70-200 i am scared to death to hold it without both hands (so darn heavy) im always thinking that its gonna fall off or break the camera body (i hold the lens rather than the body of course!), will have to try the shoulder thing, only problem is have very sloping shoulders :D
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Maybe you could use some sort of belt holster thingy - ThinkTank make them - and just pop whichever camera you are not using into the holster. That could be a problem with a flash mounted, but it's a thought.

http://thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html
 
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