| Author | Thread |
|
|
04/04/2004 04:16:07 AM · #1 |
...you had only these three options, which would you choose and why:
A)Canon 10D w/ 550EX Flash and 1 lens (around $300 US),
B)Canon 300D w/ 550 EX Flash and 2 lenses (around $300 each or a single $600 lens),
C)Nikon D70 w/ SB800 Flash and 1 lens (around $300)
Which option would you choose and what lens(es) for the $300 price range?
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 06:29:36 AM · #2 |
I shot a wedding with the 300D and a 420ex and the canon28-105mm3.5-4.5
I plan to shoot more with the same.
But most will say to get the others because they are black :)
Make sure you have money for other things like the memory cards.
Good to get a flash bracket too.
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 08:17:38 AM · #3 |
I'd choose the one I knew how to use really well - a wedding isn't the best time to learn how the camera works.
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 08:39:36 AM · #4 |
300D with 28-135 IS
just my two cents |
|
|
|
04/04/2004 08:46:45 AM · #5 |
I shot a wedding with my 300D and kit lens, I wished I had a faster lens for those available-light shots in the church. I'd definitely get a fast lens like the EF 50mm f/1.4 or the 24-70mm f/2.8L.
Nick |
|
|
|
04/04/2004 09:30:00 AM · #6 |
Option "C" with the kit lens (18-70mm f/3.5-4.5) and SB800 is a pretty decent setup. Only thing I would do is add $100 for a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8.
But, as Gordon stated, a wedding is not the best time to try out a new setup.
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 11:24:13 AM · #7 |
c) Because, the speed of the D70 when shooting RAW files. When in hard lighting conditions like churches and reception halls, you may not get your w/b set correctly in camera. By shooting RAW files you can go modify the w/b post shooting in order to remove any strange colorcast you may have. RAW files also offer the greatest latitude in post processing so that you can tweak without actually manipulating the pixels. All your modification to the RAW file never changes the RAW information, so you can tweak and tweak without ever affecting the original. I personally have 1, maybe 2 weddings coming up, and if the D2X does not appear before then, will probably get a D70 as my backup camera. The kit lens on it should provide for decent shots. It's not the fastest lens for dark churches, so you may want to instead get the Sigma Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 24-70mm f/2.8 EX for $399. This would be a great low light lens for churches and reception halls. I have several Sigma lenses and find their lenses to be a good value for a great lens. I've also read a lot about the SB800 speedlight with the D70. It's suppose to be excellent at providing the correct exposure. Only the D70 and D2H have the i-TTL technology which is suppose to be hands down better than the older d-TTL.
You can also go to D70 review on DPreview. It has a comparison chart for its feature set vs. the D100 and 300D.
I feel any of these choices would do a fine job of shooting a wedding. It all boils down to which lens system you want to get into and how comfortable each camera is when you hold it. Each system will have its pluses and minus, my final choice was based upon feel of the camera in my hands and how the buttons were laid out on the camera.
Good Luck, let us know what your final decission is!
-danny
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 12:58:02 PM · #8 |
B: I have the same setup as TerryGee and shot an impromptu party at a school one night last week. The conditions were very similar to a wedding, and probably 90% of the shots looked great (due in part to Terry's own suggestions after I PM'd her last week- thanks!). It was a good test for a wedding I'm shooting in June.
The power (and exposure compensation options) of the 550ex flash and the extra spending flexibility you'll have for lenses should offset the lack of a few advanced features that the other models have. |
|
|
|
04/04/2004 01:25:20 PM · #9 |
I agree with Scalvert here, save your money for good fast lenses. The 550EX is awsome but you will want to shoot some available-light photos at the wedding. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is selling for around $300 at B&H. Or you can get the f/1.8 for about $70.
I wish I had a 50mm f/1.4 to make the following picture sharper by shooting at a faster shutter speed. (It was shot using the 16-35mm f/2.8L lens at f/2.8, 1/25 at ISO 400)
 |
|
|
|
04/04/2004 01:30:21 PM · #10 |
|
|
|
04/04/2004 01:30:56 PM · #11 |
I've had the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX for about 3 weeks now. It's a great lens :) I would highly recomend it!
Message edited by author 2004-04-04 13:31:16. |
|
|
|
04/04/2004 01:50:58 PM · #12 |
If you are looking to shot weddings much, I'd go with the 300D and invest in lenses. I would suggest the 28-135 IS, and a couple of fast primes. For the money, you really can't beat the 50mm f1.8 @$70, it's sharp, fast and makes a nice portrait lens. You also might consider the 85mm f1.8 (it's about $330). You could also save some cash by going with the 420EX instead of the 500EX and buy better lenses. IF you can afford it, another nice lens for weddings is a fast 70-200. the f2.8 would be ideal, but they are $$$$.
You also NEED to use a flash bracket to get the flash away from the lens axis. This does 2 things, eliminates red-eye and provides a much more flattering light. You can get a decent bracket for about $50. Make sure you get one that lets you re-position the camera or flash for shooting portrait orientation.
Remember, you will need memory cards and other accessories.
Whatever you do, practice BEFORE the wedding, while you are under the gun to perform is not the time to learn the details of camera operation and photography.
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 01:55:29 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Russell2566:
I've had the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX for about 3 weeks now. It's a great lens :) I would highly recomend it! |
Thats probably one of my next lenses.
My only problem is the reach I will be missing from my 28-105mm
Maybe soon I will have a second body for a longer zoom lens.
When shooting a wedding, there isn't much time to switch lenses. So I found that even though I brought other lenses, I didn't use them.
You definitely need a wide angle for group shots, but also a decent zoom for the ceremony.
|
|
|
|
04/04/2004 02:55:27 PM · #14 |
Thanks for the info everyone, very helpful! I also had no idea I would need a flash bracket, that's something I'll definitely have to look into.
I was going to try to shoot the wedding with my F717, but after trying portrait shots on my brother the depth of field is still pretty much wide open even at the max aperature.
I planned on getting a DSLR anyway and had decided on Canon, but then I got a chance to fondle the D70 at Ritz Camera and began to have second thoughts.
The wedding is mid August and I plan on getting a DSLR by the end of this month, so plently of time to practice! I showed some co-workers a few of my landscape/nature photos from my F717 and one of them asked me if I did weddings. I explained that I never had before, but was willing to try and she seem alright with that. I guess word spread because a few weeks later another co-worker asked how much I would do portraits for.
I never was one who slowly waded into the water. I like jumping in off the diving board head first! So, here I am, a humble nature photographer receiving a bunch of offers in another area of photography which is much more profitable and will allow me to afford the high quality Nikon/Canon zoom glass I've dreamed of. Sometimes ya just got to sellout, eh? I better make a decision fast and start practicing!
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/10/2025 07:45:40 PM EDT.
