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 06/19/2007 01:50:19 PM · #26
I own the 400d- xti; I love it but really for a wedding you want to bump up a notch; buy the 30d and a good portrait lens, and an xt body.
or buy the D80 with th egood ED glass 18-125 kit lens and a spare D70s. A feww extra batteries and a decent flash, and shoot away.
 06/19/2007 01:54:38 PM · #27
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Nowaytotell:
I don't have a ton of money to spend is why I'm asking you guys, maybe I should just wait until I get rich...lol


Then I suggest you buy a used Rebel XT which can be found for around $450-$550 US. Buy a 50mm 1.8 Prime lens for around $80. And if you have enough buy a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 (around $300)

$550 - Camera
$300 - Tamron 28-75 2.8
$80 - 50mm 1.8 Canon

Total = $930

Which that can be made back in two weddings if all goes well. But make sure you do outside weddings. If not you will need a flash and that will add about $230 to your total. I think you just need to remember that the lenses are more of a commitment than anything.


And if it doesn't go well, it could get very ugly. Ugly to the point of lawsuits. I cannot stress this enough: If you are going to be selling your services to shoot weddings, you need to have at least one backup body. People may tell you that you can do it with one body when you start and I'm sure lots of people have. However, if you are the unlucky one and your camera fails during a wedding and you have no plan B, your career as a wedding photographer will be very brief and, should the bride be angry enough to sue, it can be very expensive as well.


Which is why I tell my clients I guarantee nothing. I have two bodies and have yet to have a need for them both but it is good to have them. They don't have to choose me. I really don't like weddings anyway. Why does everyone around here act like you have to have a million dollars worth of camera shit to shoot weddings? Cause you f%$#ing don't.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 14:06:28.
 06/19/2007 02:04:10 PM · #28
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Nowaytotell:
I don't have a ton of money to spend is why I'm asking you guys, maybe I should just wait until I get rich...lol


Then I suggest you buy a used Rebel XT which can be found for around $450-$550 US. Buy a 50mm 1.8 Prime lens for around $80. And if you have enough buy a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 (around $300)

$550 - Camera
$300 - Tamron 28-75 2.8
$80 - 50mm 1.8 Canon

Total = $930

Which that can be made back in two weddings if all goes well. But make sure you do outside weddings. If not you will need a flash and that will add about $230 to your total. I think you just need to remember that the lenses are more of a commitment than anything.


And if it doesn't go well, it could get very ugly. Ugly to the point of lawsuits. I cannot stress this enough: If you are going to be selling your services to shoot weddings, you need to have at least one backup body. People may tell you that you can do it with one body when you start and I'm sure lots of people have. However, if you are the unlucky one and your camera fails during a wedding and you have no plan B, your career as a wedding photographer will be very brief and, should the bride be angry enough to sue, it can be very expensive as well.


Which is why I tell my clients I guarantee nothing. I have two bodies and have yet to have a need for them both but it is good to have them. They don't have to choose me. I really don't like weddings anyway. Why does everyone around here act like you have to have a million dollars worth of camera shit to shoot weddings? Cuase you f%$#ing don't.


thank you, for stating that :)
 06/19/2007 02:07:56 PM · #29
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Nowaytotell:
I don't have a ton of money to spend is why I'm asking you guys, maybe I should just wait until I get rich...lol


Then I suggest you buy a used Rebel XT which can be found for around $450-$550 US. Buy a 50mm 1.8 Prime lens for around $80. And if you have enough buy a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 (around $300)

$550 - Camera
$300 - Tamron 28-75 2.8
$80 - 50mm 1.8 Canon

Total = $930

Which that can be made back in two weddings if all goes well. But make sure you do outside weddings. If not you will need a flash and that will add about $230 to your total. I think you just need to remember that the lenses are more of a commitment than anything.


And if it doesn't go well, it could get very ugly. Ugly to the point of lawsuits. I cannot stress this enough: If you are going to be selling your services to shoot weddings, you need to have at least one backup body. People may tell you that you can do it with one body when you start and I'm sure lots of people have. However, if you are the unlucky one and your camera fails during a wedding and you have no plan B, your career as a wedding photographer will be very brief and, should the bride be angry enough to sue, it can be very expensive as well.


Which is why I tell my clients I guarantee nothing. I have two bodies and have yet to have a need for them both but it is good to have them. They don't have to choose me. I really don't like weddings anyway. Why does everyone around here act like you have to have a million dollars worth of camera shit to shoot weddings? Cuase you f%$#ing don't.


You don't until you do. A guest knocks your camera out of your hand or spills a drink on your flash, or your camera simply locks up. Then you are going to be knee deep in it unless you have a backup.

You can tell your clients that you guarantee nothing, but it would not hold up in court. Photographers have been successfully sued for amounts well in excess of the original deposit/agreement because they did not fulfill their contract.

You don't have to do anything, but don't cry when you get taken to court and cleaned out by an angry bride who has no pictures of her special day. Not to mention the damage to your reputation as a photographer. She will tell everyone and anyone her story of how you ruined the memories of her fairy tale. Do you think any of those friends or friends of friends would ever hire the guy who screwed up?

I never said a wedding photog needs a million dollars worth of gear, but a backup is essential. The backup could be anything that will let you get the job done; a 300D or even a film camera.

It's irresponsible to your clients and to your business not to be prepared. Compared to the potential cost to both your pocketbook and reputation, the price of backup gear is miniscule.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 14:12:24.
 06/19/2007 02:13:54 PM · #30
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
A guest knocks your camera out of your hand or spills a drink on your flash

Then I sue the guest for reimbursement.

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Photographers have been successfully sued for amounts well in excess of the original deposit/agreement because they did not fulfill their contract.

Can you back this up with facts? Cause I don't believe it.

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I never said a wedding photog needs a million dollars worth of gear, but a backup is essential.

I know you didn't and didn't mean to suggest you did. Most here think you need a 5D or a 1D MII just to shoot a wedding. I understand the backup. Which is why I have the 30D and 20D. It is just ridiculous for people to say go out and buy a 5D. Buy a used Rebel and maybe a used XT and you should be fine to build from there. My point is you can start small and work your way up. And that glass is more important that a camera. I started small by doing friends weddings even after I refused to do them they still only wanted me so I took the pressure and done them.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 14:22:04.
 06/19/2007 02:17:47 PM · #31
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Nowaytotell:
I don't have a ton of money to spend is why I'm asking you guys, maybe I should just wait until I get rich...lol


Then I suggest you buy a used Rebel XT which can be found for around $450-$550 US. Buy a 50mm 1.8 Prime lens for around $80. And if you have enough buy a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 (around $300)

$550 - Camera
$300 - Tamron 28-75 2.8
$80 - 50mm 1.8 Canon

Total = $930


Anyway...back to the regularly scheduled programming. This idea by rex is a good one. Although a new Rebel XT can be had for just about $620 from newegg.com and one with a kit lens for not much more than that. The Tamron lens goes for about $350, not $300 too (if that matters to you). A Sigma EF500 DG Super will set you back about $200 and is an excellent flash unit for its price. Once you have money later on, pick up that extra body and a 70-200mm lens.

And I do agree with people on here saying that having 2 bodies for weddings is a good idea. That's partially why I've turned down every one I've been offered (that and I have no idea what I'm doing). So stick with those portraits that can be rescheduled for now and jump headfirst into the wedding business as soon as you have that second body. There is a lot of money to be had with senior portraits, parents are willing to pay a lot of money for them.
 06/19/2007 02:20:47 PM · #32
Originally posted by SamDoe1:
The Tamron lens goes for about $350, not $300 too (if that matters to you).


I just bought a used Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for my wife for $280. So they can be found you just have to look.
 06/19/2007 02:23:47 PM · #33
A Nikon Coolpix 8700 will serve quite well as a backup. Just get a cheap SB-28 to sit on top of it :-) BTW, I know it will do it, because I've done it.

My advice get a Rebel XT (not XTi) to start. Start getting some good glass and work up from there.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 14:25:11.
 06/19/2007 02:25:35 PM · #34
Andrea,

I know you said your budget is low but can you give us a dollar amount we may can help you better.
 06/19/2007 02:30:48 PM · #35
well at this point i'm thinking i have about 800-900 to spend which i know isn't much and isn't going to get me awhole lot......
so i know i need a good lens...but which one is the question..
sorry, i'm not very smart at all this stuff and i appreciate all the help
 06/19/2007 02:37:58 PM · #36
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
My advice get a Rebel XT (not XTi) to start. Start getting some good glass and work up from there.


I agree, I started out with a p&s then got a rebel XT-350 and shot a bunch of weddings with that camera, then I just got a rebel XTi-400 and I have shoot a wedding with both. And if this is your first Digital SLR do what fotoman said above, its a really good camera to learn with. Also that way you can build up your lenses. I do weddings and portraits and I just got the XTi-400 I dont agree with people saying you need to get a 30D....... like someone mentioned in this thread before....... you can get just as good results with a Rebel XT-350 or 400 depending on your lenses and settings.

If you do get that you can get that canon 50mm 1.8 lens for around 80 bucks I think sometimes you can find it cheap at a used price.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 14:39:01.
 06/19/2007 02:39:31 PM · #37
$800-$900 is a tight budget.

Here is what I think

Keep the Nikon Coolpix 8700(as your backup)

Buy a Rebel XT which can be had with a 2GB card found here:
//www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=63592

for $425

No you are left with $475

Buy a 50mm 1.8 found at B&H for $79.95

Which then you have $395.95 left

Buy the Tamron for $369.00
Or you can find it used for cheaper and buy more CF cards.

This way you are left with $26 but with shipping of the stuff you should break even with a $900 budget. With a little patience and luck I think you can find all this stuff used at //www.dgrin.com or //www.fredmiranda.com and have money left over for an extra battery, and maybe an extra card or two.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 14:46:41.
 06/19/2007 02:40:04 PM · #38
Rebel XT (at B&H) $497
Tamron 28-75 2.8 $379
Sigma EF-500 DG ST Flash $149

Total = $1025

You could skimp a bit on the lens, but the Tammy would be a great one to start with.


06/19/2007 02:40:19 PM · #39
awesome post rex that should help her out :-)
 06/19/2007 02:41:45 PM · #40
Ditto to the people saying get a 350D. It'll be much much cheaper than a 400D. The 350D has essentially the same sensor as the 30D, just not as good of an AF sensor, which the 400D has. You won't be disappointed. And as far as which one is better to learn on? They are basically the same camera as far as controls go so it doesn't matter. The 350D will just be a better bang for your buck. Also, $900 won't even get you a 30D body, much less the lens to go with it.
 06/19/2007 02:42:32 PM · #41
Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
A guest knocks your camera out of your hand or spills a drink on your flash

Then I sue the guest for reimbursement.


Yes, suing the guest later is one thing, but if it's your only camera, where does that leave your client? What happens if you simply drop it? Or it locks up?

Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Photographers have been successfully sued for amounts well in excess of the original deposit/agreement because they did not fulfill their contract.

Can you back this up with facts? Cause I don't believe it.


It's simple breach of contract and negligence. Your contract may limit your liability to refunding their deposit for breaching the contract, but, they can also sue you for negligent infliction of emotional distress, say to the tune of $100K. They'd probably win because All they'd have to do is show that having a backup camera is a reasonable precaution and since you didn't bother, that would make you negligent. Add to that the hassle of having to go to court, the lost wages, the attorney's fees and the damage to your reputation and even a 1Ds mkII seems like a cheap insurance policy. As if that weren't enough, the fact that anyjudgement against you in a court of law will put a nice big ding in your credit.

Originally posted by rex:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I never said a wedding photog needs a million dollars worth of gear, but a backup is essential.

I know you didn't and didn't mean to suggest you did. Most here think you need a 5D or a 1D MII just to shoot a wedding. I understand the backup. Which is why I have the 30D and 20D. It is just ridiculous for people to say go out and buy a 5D. Buy a used Rebel and maybe a used XT and you should be fine to build from there. My point is you can start small and work your way up. And that glass is more important that what camera. I started small by doing friends weddings even after I refused to do them they still only wanted me so I took the pressure and done them.


Agreed.
06/19/2007 02:46:27 PM · #42
I'm with Rex
 06/19/2007 02:49:49 PM · #43
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
if you're at the point of starting a business in photography, you should have enough experience in photography to have a good idea of what equipemnt it takes to do the job.


I'll be buying a new camera in the next 6 months. I'm not even thinking about starting a business (maybe day-dreaming) but where can I learn 'what equipment it takes to do the job'? DPReview has all the camera features but how does one learn which camera and which lenses are best for each type of photography?

Sorry to hijack (and yes, it's quite an elementary question) but if anyone knows, it's someone here.
 06/19/2007 02:50:25 PM · #44
Originally posted by roby21112:
I'm with Rex


I'd have to agree mostly with Rex, bit would replace the 50m 1.8 with a flash.
 06/19/2007 02:52:27 PM · #45
Originally posted by bdenny:
but how does one learn which camera and which lenses are best for each type of photography?


Just ask the questions here. Also, look at the galleries and see what lenses people are using.
 06/19/2007 02:53:35 PM · #46
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by roby21112:
I'm with Rex


I'd have to agree mostly with Rex, bit would replace the 50m 1.8 with a flash.


I dont know the 50 is I think the best bang for the buck on the list.
 06/19/2007 02:55:57 PM · #47
Originally posted by bdenny:
[quote=Spazmo99]
I'll be buying a new camera in the next 6 months. I'm not even thinking about starting a business (maybe day-dreaming) but where can I learn 'what equipment it takes to do the job'? DPReview has all the camera features but how does one learn which camera and which lenses are best for each type of photography?

Sorry to hijack (and yes, it's quite an elementary question) but if anyone knows, it's someone here.


I would say start a new thread with what kind of photography you want to do and let's see what we can offer for suggestions.
 06/19/2007 02:59:50 PM · #48
what about this one?

//www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Rebel-XT-f3-5-5-6/dp/B0007QKN22
 06/19/2007 03:00:32 PM · #49
That's the thing. I'm still a total newbie with no specialization but an SO willing to drop some money.
 06/19/2007 03:01:23 PM · #50
Originally posted by Nowaytotell:
what about this one?

//www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Rebel-XT-f3-5-5-6/dp/B0007QKN22


That is fine. But now you have only $309 left
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