Need advice on digital camera for night life photography...

[hugoboss_1983]

Hey guys, I am wondering what camera can I purchase to use for candid night life photography like the picture collage that I posted in the link below, to have those effects of high quality with this awesome contrasts.

I would like to know what camera would you recommend me, and/or do I need more stuff beside the camera like a flash or something like that to obtain that quality. And of course I am seeking an answer with the lowest prices you can give me.

Thanks in advance.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o50/hugoboss_1983/photocollage-1.jpg

 

[DSLR noob]

For a Canon based approach (not saying you have to go canon, but as a canon user, this is what I know)

Canon 30D (can go up to ISO 3200 for low light)
Canon 580EX flash
Canon EF-S 17-55 1:2.8 IS USM (image stability and a max aperture of 2.8 for low light)

All of this would near $3,000 but be one of the best night combinations you could get.

Edit: sorry you said candid, a DSLR may not be what you want (you never said you did though) people would definitely see this massive magnesium bodied camera, I'm not good with P&S knowledge but I'm sure someone could help you out.

EDIT again: P.S. you may want to get a good tripod or monopod too. Not like... $500 good, but like $100 good.

 

[lifeafter2am]

Well, those pics in the link definitely are not candid. The people are posing for them.

How much money are you looking to spend?

 

[Garbz]

Those type of pictures are big in nightclubs in Europe. Believe me I've seen all sorts of cameras used there. I have even seen people use point and shoots for this purpose BUT those with hotshoes like the higher end Nikon Coolpix series. They then typically bolt a large flash bigger than the camera on top

The camera I saw used most often were the XT, and D70 with some very expensive f/2.8 lenses and top end flash units on it. However at some point I wonder why if they could afford the $2500 for the 17-55mm f/2.8 they didn't go for a D200 and the same with the XT with the L series lens.

 

[hugoboss_1983]

How much money are you looking to spend?

The least I have to spend the better. I just wanna to have the pics with the same effects on those pics, or if not the same effect, very similar, with the cheapest digital camera, lense and flash I can get.

Thanks a lot for the support you are giving me so far by the way.