Is this timeline realistic? Am I buying the right Camera?

[12sndsgood]

ive been shooting for around a year now, and don't feel i have the skill level to do wedding photos professionally. i screw up a friends shoot in the park its just an okay we'll try it again next time. i screw up someones wedding and ruin their photo's im likely to end up in court. you might want to do all your research and classes and learn to shoot and then setup up a business plan to start charging people. it usually goes learn a skill then charge for your skill set. instead of charge someone for a skill you havn't learned yet.

 

[Overread]

Another point to consider in addition to the vastly improved performance of pro series bodies over entry level (esp if you go canon) is that the entry level market DSLR is known to the general population - if you turn up as the pro at a wedding and Uncle Joe has a "better" camera you will look bad even if Uncle Joe can't tell his viewfinder from his LCd .

Of course the pro series camera body is just one part - you've got to have good glass to go with it and then good quality support gear around that setup. In the end going pro is going to require a not insignificant amount put into getting the right tools for the job.

 

[phiya]

I said it because I think the OP is totally serious about her plan. And because I think the professional-level cameras "leverage" almost everything in one's total kit: better viewfinder. Better focusing. Faster response in everything from AF, to mirror return, and so on. Better controls on the pro-level Nikons than on other cameras. Better flash metering. I have an original 5D Canon...it's a very low-level body....slow. For somebody who wants to "go pro", a professional-use camera, a "pro body" is an advantage. The Canon T2i is not even in the running. I've used 10 or 11 different d-slrs over the past decade...the "pro" body models really are amazing.

I take what you say very seriously here on this forum. A body isn't coming anytime in the near future for me, but it's on the list. I was seriously considering the newest version of the D300 whatever it would be by the time I was ready to upgrade, but you may have changed my mind, while also creating a lot of homework. Now I have to make sure lenses I buy are going to be suitable for my current body (D80) as well as an FX body for future use.

 

[MarkF48]

I am looking to buy a good starter DSLR, I was looking at the Canon EOS Rebel t1i kit, the 50mm f/1.8, and a telephoto lens. Is this a good choice?

For a starter kit to learn with the t1i will probably suffice to learn how to shoot. I would recommend a zoom lens before the 50mm as having a lens that can do wide as well as normal shots will be more useful. Something in a range of 17-55 f/2.8 for a crop sensor camera. The 50mm is a good add on, but go for the f/1.4 instead as it's built better and has a USM focus motor which will focus faster. A good tele could be added later.

You're a long ways away from going "pro" and rather than buy a "pro" grade camera at this point you would be better off putting money towards good glass and other essentials. Later when you're ready to shoot for real money will be the time to upgrade to the latest and greatest technology. At that time the t1i will have worn out from all the practicing you'll have done or if it still works you can use it as a backup camera which will be necessary to have - "Oh!! Can we pause the ceremony while I get my camera working"

So far as other essentials, a shoe mount flash should be top on your list, one that has a head that can tilt and swivel to allow bouncing of the light. The 430EX II will work for now and can serve as a backup flash later when you upgrade to a 580EX II or whatever Canon's latest might be. Apart from learning to use the camera proficiently, learning to use the flash effectively will be the second largest challenge that you'll have. Flash bracket optional depending on your preference.

Basic kit I had brought to weddings....(when I first started I used a 300D Rebel as backup to the 30D with a slightly different lens lineup. Actually started with film years ago with a 35mm and MF, but that's a different story from digital)
Canon 30D, 40D, 5D with extra batteries
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
Canon 24-70L f/2.8
Canon 70-200l f/2.8 IS
Canon 50 f/1.4 & 85 f/1.8
Other wide lens
580EX, 580EX II, 430EX with more batteries than I would need for an event

If you add it all up, you can see that having good gear won't be cheap, but if you're going to do it right you don't want cheap. And don't forget insurance for all that gear.

 

[zoogirlbc]

Lots of good points. Don't forget the pro editing software (Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.) and a fast computer to run it. Plus the hours spent learning how to use it and figuring out a smooth work flow to process and edit hundreds of photos. And a pile of external hard drives for storing and backing up all your photos. And pro monitor calibration software (Spyder etc.). Oh and a website to promote your work and sell your photos. Sound expensive yet?

I agree with Derrel, if you can, skip the entry level and go straight for a professional camera. It will help you move in to the business faster. I quickly outgrew my D90, although it takes fantastic photos my D700 blows it out of the water. However I do like having it as a backup and if you are looking at entry level still I would highly recommend looking at the D90.

 

[point-&-shoot]

I think you should slow down a bit. I mean what's the hurry? I'd say if you want to do this as a profession and are determined then skip the entry level dslr's and jump to a pro camera like the D700 as Darrel recommend earlier. But take your time learning. Get into the photo classes and business classes. Tag along with a local pro and help out. Enjoy trying to capture something special. Develop a style. Maybe get a second job to pay for all your gear. Camera-2k, lenses-2k or more, tripod-lights-backgrounds 1k-5k, so your looking at 10k, I don't know about you but 10k is a big chunk of change to me.
Anyways, good luck.
Best wishes
Kyle

 

[Jcampbelll]

Getting good glass is way more important then a good camera!:thumbup: I would first be a secondary shooter for 3-4 weddings before doing any by yourself.