BEST DSLR FOR VIDEO AND PICTURES AT A GREAT PRICE

[Overread36]

Well I am a newbie and planning on buying a dslr and wondering what you guys use for events like the ones i listed.

The problem is that most of us wouldn't do it with a 2K budget - at least not by choice and not without really knowing what we were doing. There is nothing "wrong" with the gear suggested above; its a solid setup. However it lacks a lot of features and capabilities and that directly limits what you can and cannot do - and that is very limiting in a field where you are not fully in control (eg wedding photography).
Even in something like sweet 16 where you can setup a booth and do captured posed shots with a screen and lighting setup, you need (ideally) more than one speedlite = and a background material and diffusers (and if you're doing it at a party type event you ideally want to lose cable and go for radio flash triggers).


Also I don't want to sound like just throwing more money at things will make it in any way easier - it enables more, but still retains the same difficulties and problems; but you've more solutions that can deliver a better quality product to your client. You've still got to learn exposure - lighting control - composition - framing etc... and all that before you even think of learning to run a business - balancing income and expenses; marketing; printing; shipping etc...



My advice is go for the gear suggested, but don't rush out to become a pro - most people that do that only end up with a by the side "job" which is really more of a just a hobby paying event and won't make serious income (esp since most by the side jobs only work because they are both supported by a regular income job and also because they are not priced to include overheads, tax or other normal working expenses).


As for what we'd use - a Canon 5DM2 or 5D with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens with 580EX2 flash would be a bare bones starter gear - throw in a 70-200mm f2.8 for longer range and a backup camera body for weddings. But that is still just your basic bare bones setup.

 

[Gaerek]

Buying a cheap DSLR and a few entry to mid-range lenses does not a wedding photographer make.

I would never say that gear makes the photographer. But gear + skill level will make for better photos. Can a skilled photographer still make good wedding photos with subpar gear? Sure. But why would they handicap themselves like that. I was just part of my sister-in-laws wedding and I had watched her photographer, and spoken to her about photography when there were some breaks in the action. Here is the gear I saw her use, keeping in mind it was an outdoor wedding, prices approximate, to make a point.

Canon 5dmkii ($2700)
Canon 7d ($1850)
Canon 24-70 f/2.8L ($1450)
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L II ($2500)
Canon 50 f/1.2L ($1650)
Canon 16-35 f/2.8L ($1850)

Grand Total: $12,000

And that's not including any lighting she may use (since we were outside, she used a 580EXii with some kind of modifier on it for some of the indoor stuff), which she said she has a lot more lighting she sometimes uses. She mentioned she had more kit she left at home, but that's her typical wedding load out.

I'm not trying to frighten you away or anything like that. But photography, especially competitive professional wedding photography is not cheap. Now, not everything on that list is completely needed. The 16-35 is nice, but the 24-70 could get close in a pinch, and a lot of wedding photographers use the 50 f/1.4 instead of the f/1.2 simply because of the price.

I'm going to make an assumption that you are new to the world of photography, especially because of your comment here:

Can I be curious why Canon 50mm when you already have 50mm on that tamron ?

If you don't know why, then you still have a lot to learn (and no, the DoF thing is not the only reason).

Here's my suggestion. Take that $2k budget and get yourself a good entry level camera body (T3i, D7000, or whatever you like), pick up a 50mm f/1.8, and a decent mid-range zoom (a couple have been suggested, another suggestion is the Tamron 24-70). Now, shoot, practice, and learn. Look online for techniques. Maybe take a class if you need to. Talk to other photographers. Basically, do everything you can to learn. Go to a friend's wedding and unofficially shoot it (after some learning), but stay out of the paid photographer's way. Watch them though, and get ideas. Look at photos. Once you've gained some experience, and you've learned the basics, see if you'd like to keep on being a wedding photographer. Put together a portfolio, get better gear, and do it.

Being a good photographer isn't just picking up a DSLR. You will not magically take better pictures because you have a "professional" looking camera, and as a matter of fact, there's a good chance your first few hundred photos will look worst than those you've been taking with your P&S camera. Before thinking about shooting events, you really need to learn the basics, and learn what it is you're getting into.

I don't mean to discourage, but encourage. I'm meaning to help you reach your goal. But it should be a bit more realistic. As was said, most people, given the choice, would never shoot events with $2k in gear. But, gaining experience and skills can be what you need to do what you'd like to do with photography.

 

[Anthony M]

Thanks everyone. Yeah def. a total newbie and I will def. look into a t3 or a d7000 to get into it.

 

[KmH]

Whoa. The T3 is the bottom of the Canon entry-level barrel, their most basic DSLR.

The Nikon D7000 is at the top of the Nikon entry-level lineup and actually has features and capabilites that in many ways defines a new category between entry-level and prosumer.

 

[KmH]

Well I am a newbie and planning on buying a dslr and wondering what you guys use for events like the ones i listed.

I use 2 - Nikon D300, 2 - Nikon D3 and have about $28,000 worth of Nikon lenses to choose from. Plus all the lighting, studio, and location grip gear.

 

[Anthony M]

^ just finish seeing a couple of videos and reading reviews I think I will read more about the basics but I believe I will be getting the Nikon d7000, ALTHOUGH I do like the Canon 7D. lol

 

[Gaerek]

Whoa. The T3 is the bottom of the Canon entry-level barrel, their most basic DSLR.

The Nikon D7000 is at the top of the Nikon entry-level lineup and actually has features and capabilites that in many ways defines a new category between entry-level and prosumer.

Yessir, I realized that. I meant D5100, if that makes any sense. I had actually just been reading a review on the D7000 minutes before and it was on the brain. Sorry about that!

 

[CNCO]

canon t2i

 

[ulrichsd]

Oh, so you're going to get a DSLR and start shooting weddings... I see.

He doesn't exactly sound like the type "I'm looking to go pro, what do I need", rather someone who wants a camera that would work for taking casual photos at weddings and similar situation. I could be wrong.

If I had 2g and wanted to do a lot of video I'd buy a HD video camera $800-1000 (no idea what to recommend but I know it will be better than video on a SLR) and a Nikon D90 ($650) and maybe a fast 3rd party mid zoom from Sigma ($400?) or something. Or just a 35mm prime ($200) and wait to add more lenses later. Or a D3100 with kit lens ($600) plus a 35mm 1.8 for indoor.

 

[Dao]

You should go to the forum listed below and ask instead. They have the answers for you. There are people over there in that forum use DSLR for Wedding videography.
Besides the camera and lens itself, you may need some lighting (not flash) and some thing that help you focus or external screen that help you see better, or external mic that help.


DSLR and Still Cameras

 

[o hey tyler]

Basically for Sweet 16s/Weddings/Portraits.

Must be between 1,500-2,000 US Dollars.

I would say no more than 2000 is my total budget.

Spend less on a camera body and more on lenses

Good idea, but...

@fokker Please suggest some options.

A person aspiring to shoot weddings is getting far ahead of themselves if they can't establish what lenses to bring.

Well I am a newbie and planning on buying a dslr and wondering what you guys use for events like the ones i listed.

This is to me where it sounds like a novice wants to get into the wedding/portraiture game immediately after camera purchase. In my opinion, an unrealistic goal.

Oh, so you're going to get a DSLR and start shooting weddings... I see.

He doesn't exactly sound like the type "I'm looking to go pro, what do I need",

From what I read, he does sound like he's looking to do that, but maybe in just interpreted it incorrectly.

 

[RauschPhotography]

If there's one thing TPF has taught me.. It's never too early for popcorn.