Advice Needed For $1200 Budget (Wedding)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/27/2007 02:25:33 PM · #1

Hey guys,

I have been reading and reading about equipment nonstop. I am stuck at a dilemma. I want to buy a body+lens under $1200 (if possible) solely for wedding photography. I have basically come to these options (please suggest differently if inappropriate):

1. Nikon D80 + 18-135mm @ $1050
2. Nikon D40X + 18-200mm VR @ $1225
3. Canon XTi + 28-135 IS @ $930

Out of Price Range But Will Find A Way If Extra $$ Is Justified:

4. Canon 40D + 28-135 IS @ $1445
5. Nikon D200 + 18-135mm @ $1665

Any advice? Any general advice whether to opt for better glass over body? Am I going to see that much image quality improvement with 40Ds and D200s for what I am doing? or features/speeds that benefit other work as opposed to mine? Also, what do you guys think of Ken Rockwell's writing?

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/27/2007 02:28:54 PM · #2

Have never done a wedding but the single most important bit of advice I can give is that you need 2 bodies! sorry if that eats into your fund.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/27/2007 02:37:14 PM · #3

Laird Ecce is right... My shutter went out about 100 shots into my last wedding and my backup saved the day.

More to your question...

Have you considered a 40D body paired with the 50-1.8 or 85-1.8 lens? or the Tamron 28-75/2.8?

These lenses are fast, sharp, and affordable. YOu won't have the reach of a 200 zoom but shoot a few weddings and then upgrade. I'm not an expert by any stretch, but I have appreciated the speed of my 50-1.8 or tamron 28-75/2.8 many times.

Or to save some money on the body, look for a 20D/30D in excellent condition on ebay or craigslist. Then spend the savings on a nice flash. Hope this helps.

Message edited by author 2007-12-27 14:37:32.

luv2photo

Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical(IF)Macro

12/27/2007 02:38:49 PM · #4

I would have to agree...two bodies are a must for weddings. You can't take the chance of something going wrong with one body. If a lens and 2 bodies are not in the budget, consider renting the lenses you need instead of buying right now. I have rented the 24-70 and then used my Tamron 28-300mm when necessary.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/27/2007 02:41:43 PM · #5

The 85 f/1.8 is my favorite ceremony lens at the moment. I haven't gotten to try the 50 1.4 yet, but I'm sure it's gonna kick arse too.

Yes, you really do need two bodies and you really do need at least one fast lens in your bag.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

12/27/2007 02:46:56 PM · #6

As far as Ken is concerned. The jury is still out.

12/27/2007 03:01:21 PM · #7

What do you guys think about getting two d80 refurbs from adorama + warranties? they sell for $675. Also, will i see the same image quality fron the d80 as the d200?

thanks for the tip. I will indeed get two bodies. also, the reason i listed 18-200mm vr is because i was cared that I would miss important shots juggling lenses. What do you guys think? get a walk around lens or get a few?

you guys are great. cant believe the response time and quality of discussion here.

BAMartin

Apple iPhone 5

12/27/2007 03:03:19 PM · #8

Originally posted by rsvirani:

you guys are great. cant believe the response time and quality of discussion here.

You might want to hang around for a bit. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/27/2007 03:04:44 PM · #9

You're not gonna miss shots, juggling lenses. You'll simply make the lens you are using work.

treyvus

Nikon D7200

12/27/2007 03:11:39 PM · #10

Are you completely sold on Nikon?

The reason I am asking is that I would highly recommend Pentax K10D which you can get now from BuyDig.com (which is excellent, btw) for $609. There's also a $100 rebate available. So to get a camera of this quality for only $509 (including shipping) is amazing I think. So you can get two brand new for $1018.

Here's a good link comparing K10D to D80:
//forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=20975431

K10D has way more features. For example, it has built in shake reduction. With Nikon you will have to get VR lenses which all pretty much $600+ lenses. If you're not completely tied into Nikon, I would recommend you think about it.

Message edited by author 2007-12-27 15:13:44.

taterbug

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/27/2007 03:12:23 PM · #11

That is also an advantage of having 2 bodies. You can have 2 different lenses mounted and ready. For example, a fast lens on one, and one with some reach on the other. Only juggling is switching which body is at your eye.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/27/2007 03:21:04 PM · #12

er...um... Maybe a flash should be in this discussion. You planning on jumping straight into weddings? If not then what do you have already?

12/27/2007 03:52:57 PM · #13

i planned on the sb-600.

i am jumping straight into weddings. I worked for FUJI for a few years as a trainer and sales for central florida region and shot with prosumer stuff as a hobby for years. I also did plenty shadowing using photographers backup cameras for weddings.

i am not sold on nikon but i would prefer canon/nikon. i feel this instinctual cling to them and bias. this may seem amateur though so please advise me if i am becoming handicapped due to this bias.

the idea of having two bodies, each with appropriate lens sounds pretty good. but this means i would have to double all accessories too wouldnt it? if i had a backup body that i used as a 'backup' i would pull my accessories off and onto it in an emergency. if i want to take advantage and use both bodies, then i will need two flashes, mem cards, battery grips, diffusers, batters, etc. wouldnt i?

i feel like going the canon route to save money. at the same time, i feel no intermediary canon between the xti and 40d. now this pentax proposal sounds good because you are right, the VR lenses start kickin you in the balls.

anyone want to make a bold statement agreeing or disagreeing this statement: get a cheaper body and a better lens (when money is a factor) because thats what matters. plus, you will buy new bodies, but always keep your lenses.

Progress so far in my mind from this discussion: get two refurb d80s, totally confused about lens path now.

anyone willing to state that the xti is a better option over d80? what about 40d over d200?

12/27/2007 04:04:54 PM · #14

FWIW, the 30D is still available and still a good camera, if you are looking for an intermediate between the xti and 40D. The XT is also still available, also. So perhaps a 30D and an XT would keep your budget manageable to start. Or two XT's.

As far as flashes go. I swear by the Sunpak 383. It's inexpensive, yet powerful. It has no TTL, but does have Thyristor auto mode. I've found that in complex lighting situations, it is more accurate than TTL flashes.

I don't often bash Nikon, but they do have issues with noise. And since wedding photography puts you in low light often, that is a issue.

And I just need to point out that the D40x will only Auto focus with Nikon AF-S lenses. This may or may not be an issue for you, but it does limit quite a few good lenses.

12/27/2007 04:12:58 PM · #15

thanks fotomann. i did read about the d40x limited to af-s lenses.

as far as noise, are you implying that on average, canon models that are matched against comparable nikon models have less noise at the same ISO settings?

also, for canon users, what are some lenses to shop for? nikon users always cling to the same select lenses, such as 18-200mm vr. but what are great canon lenses that could be used on the xti or 40d? anything with a large range?

12/27/2007 04:30:09 PM · #16

Comparatively, the Canons do have lower noise. It's something they have struggled with.

As far as lenses go, I can't help ya too much with the super zooms. I don't recommend them, but don't know lots about them. They are generally slow. Too slow for serious wedding work anyway.

I do HIGHLY recommend the 85mm f/1.8 USM and the 50mm f/1.4 USM, both are super lenses. Tack sharp!

If you do decide on zoom lenses. I recommend a 24 (0r 28) - 70 f/2.8 lens. I wouldn't worry about long telephoto just yet. Believe you WON'T miss important shots because of focal length. I can shoot an entire wedding with only a 85mm prime. I just simply make it work.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/27/2007 04:46:37 PM · #17

thanks. now i feel like getting two xti's. noise is a huge deal to me.

as far as those lenses, they look great. but they look pricey. if i get those two, itll put me away. will i make through with just two? i wont get wide enough in family photos will i?

they do look like some seriously popular and good lenses though.

what do you think of the 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ?

also wanted to say thanks for pointing out that i should be getting a fast lens. good tip. does this mean hat i should avoid zoom lenses altogether and only get fixed lenses? how can i select a fast lens with some range? suggestions? certain line? smaller range?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

12/27/2007 04:52:08 PM · #18

The noise issue is non existent. The new Nikon's compete right along with the canons except at some high ISO's. The new D3 slaughters any canon on the market.

My advice buy the camera that feels good in your hands. The thing about buying a dSLR is the glass. You are really buying a lens system.

12/27/2007 05:02:23 PM · #19

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

You've been reading Ken Rockwell again, haven't you? :-P

12/27/2007 05:03:06 PM · #20

wazoo, what lenses do you use with your d80?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/27/2007 05:05:32 PM · #21

*i hope i dont start a nikon/canon fight.

**i hope to avoid being stuck in a canon/nikon dilemma.

***what do you guys think about getting one decent zoom lens, like 17 or 18 through 80-... and then getting one nice sharp fast fixed lens like 50mm 1.8 or 1.4? will that do it? i dont have a budget for like 3 lenses. 2 at most.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

12/27/2007 05:11:44 PM · #22

Originally posted by rsvirani:

wazoo, what lenses do you use with your d80?

You can see the lenses I use most in my profile. My faves are the 17-35 2.8 and my 80-200 2.8

And Leroy who is this "Ken" you speak of?

:-P

12/27/2007 05:35:09 PM · #23

well, looks like im going to get either two xti's or two d80's.

as fas a lenses, i am still undecided.

i am leaning towards getting one zoom lens start at 18 and going to whatever. and then getting one fixed lens around 50mm for speed.

so you guys think getting a walk around lens like 18-200 vr will be too slow for wedding stuff huh?

12/27/2007 05:42:54 PM · #24

Originally posted by rsvirani:

so you guys think getting a walk around lens like 18-200 vr will be too slow for wedding stuff huh?

Indeed... even with VR it's still to slow.

For a zoom a 24-70 or 28-70 f/2.8 should be what you're looking at. Anything slower than an f/2.8is going to be terribly disappointing.

And, either way you got Canon OR Nikon, you can't go wrong with a 50mm f/1.8 for the money.

Edit to add... you can also go with a 17-50 ... or whatever wide zoom is down there, but for the most part a little longer will be helpful.

And Wazz, you know you worship cockwell.

Message edited by author 2007-12-27 17:46:36.